USPS Priority Flat Rate Dimensions Incorrect in Listing Tools & No Small FR Box Option at all

[ltldpr]

Hi again.

Not sure if this has been an issue all along, but I could swear when I got back into listing things a few weeks ago, there wasn't even an option for Flat Rate boxes. I even read forum posts about the elimination of USPS boxes A & B or something like that being done away with.

Today, I intended to quickly list some items from my drafts, all ready to go, but received an error on the first one. The shipping had been changed from Priority Mail to First Class in my drafts, so I went to fix it and noticed that I can now choose Flat Rate boxes, but only Med & Large AND their dimensions are incorrect. 

In the recent past, I just chose "Standard Shipping: Small to Medium Items" and then "Calculated: Cost varies based on buyer's location" and then "Domestic Services: USPS Priority Mail" because I could never find a flat rate option. 

If the dimensions are wrong, then what about the cost?

The cost range for the Med Flat Rate box in the drop-down is higher (only pennies for the higher end but vastly more expensive in the lower end $9.80 vs $17.10) than the plain "USPS Priority Mail" service option. I don't want to rip off my buyers, but I don't want to lose money either.

If I type in the correct dimensions and choose a flat rate box, will it even matter? 

I feel like this is overly complicated because of peekaboo options appearing now that were not there before or I would have already posted about it lol, and those options not being correct causing me to question what my buyers are going to see and be charged. 

Please help. 

[pjcdn2005]

I didn't publish the listing but I just did a listing draft with both Priority and Small Flat Rate box without a problem.  Have you tried entering the services and then entering the weight and dimensions?

[pjcdn2005]

I wish we had a manual listing option with no "intuitive" nonsense, and just let eBay programmers and AI play with their "intuitive" listing tools til the cows come home. 

@ltldpr 

In the shipping section on the listing page click on 'see shipping options' on the right side of the page.  A list will pop up and you can turn off  'autofill shipping details'

The commercial (ebay, Pirate ship etc.) first class maximum weight is 15.99 oz.   But if your settings are set to charge the retail price to your buyers use 13 oz for anything that is over that. Otherwise, it will charge your buyers for Priority rather than  first class.  I believe that the price for 13oz to 15.99oz is the same unless that recently changed.

[ltldpr]

I tried to take a screenshot to show that it's turned off, but as soon as I click the snipping tool, the dropdown for the settings closes. It was set to off (I did that as soon as it started being a pain in the rear), but it still prefills. This is a draft listing.

You said this: "But if your settings are set to charge the retail price to your buyers..."

Where do we set that? I did not know that option existed. God only knows what else I don't know exists lol. All this sure makes me miss Mr Lister, Turbo Lister, or just inserting my own HTML back in the day lol.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@ltldpr wrote:....

You said this: "But if your settings are set to charge the retail price to your buyers..."

Where do we set that? I did not know that option existed. God only knows what else I don't know exists lol. All this sure makes me miss Mr Lister, Turbo Lister, or just inserting my own HTML back in the day lol.

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The shipping calculator in eBay listings defaults to show retail pricing. Your listings are charging retail rates.  In your site preferences you can choose to "Offer carrier-specific discounts for buyers". One way to get some insight into your options would be to methodically go through all of the options and items in Site Preferences.

https://www.ebay.com/ship/prf

[etrusca]

Glad that discovery was made !! I have all my shipping preferences set to discounted - originally for UPS you had to have an established acct initiated through Ebay or linked to an existing one.  I dont know if that is still true - but if you plan on using all 3 services I would check them - that way you are prepared if a client asks.

I was not aware the First Class rate with commecial exceeded the existing retail limitation.  I dont do high volume enough to warrant the service.

Let us know if this resolved the core issue you were having

thanks for your support and suggestions - together we make it better !

[ltldpr]

Thank you for the link. Where would I find that from the Seller's Hub? All I see under Settings on the left hand column is "Automate feedback" & "Return preferences".

I'll set it to show the discounted rates as you suggested. I'd just like to be able to get to that area (and any other areas I can't actually see in the Settings) without having to come back to this post if possible.

Is there a place that allows for 1 shipping price for combined shipping on 2 same shipping amount listings (or even different sized/ship amount items)?

I sold 2 booklets and eBay charged the buyer over $5 each for First Class shipping, when they easily shipped for $5 together. The buyer requested combined shipping, and ebay stated as much, but still charged them double the shipping bec it was 2 separate listings?

Also, how will they charge shipping for a listing that offers buyer option of number of items? And how do I list the shipping for that? For example, instead of listing 6 cabinet pulls as a lot, I could list them as a certain price PER pull with a volume discount. If they buy 3, how much would I calculate shipping and let the buyer see that price? I don't want to gouge them like I've been doing apparently, but I don't want to pay out of pocket for not charging enough shipping either.

Sorry to keep asking questions but I greatly appreciate all your help!

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@ltldpr wrote: .... I'd just like to be able to get to that area (and any other areas I can't actually see in the Settings) without having to come back to this post if possible....

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Just bookmark the link.

[etrusca]

Ebay doesn't do combined shipping unless you set that up in preferences with a discount or other

To keep your life simple it might be wiser to sell the 6 cabinet pulls as a lot - reason being otherwise you are charged more in final value fees ie the 30c min base price each - much less of a headache -

1 box 1 weight 1 price

you can also sell multiples with variations - you need to read up on this - go to seller central and try to follow

there is also a prompt in the listing tool that asks if you want to offer a shipping discount if you haven't already set that up when you are offering a listing with more than 1 - ie fill in the number of separate identical items you have that people can purchase as multiples -

for the person who was overcharged in shipping - go up to the transaction in your financial section to confirm then go back to the transaction in your seller hub in the middle of the page - click left on options next to the sold listing scroll all the way down find refund and send him a refund for the $5.00 of whatever with an explanation in the message box that documents your action

hope this helps - sometimes you have to dig to find answers!