USPS Priority SMALL Flat Rate Box Missing from Shipping Options AGAIN

[ltldpr]

Cross posted from "Report eBay Technical Issues" in hopes that someone on the Shipping Forum has a workaround so I can actually list my items that are ready to go today. I'd prefer to list them with shipping options for buyers to choose from.

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Why does this keep happening?

Trying to list an item. Go to shipping area. Enter weight & dimensions of Ground Advantage pkg (as I was advised on the shipping board previously since I'd like to offer choices) and try to add PM SMALL FR Box in the next box. Nope. Not there.

Every other option under the sun is there except PM Small Flat Rate Box.

Thinking it might be because the GA dimensions are causing the issue - I did a test draft and entered the dimensions of the PM SM FR BX and still, NO option available for the SM FR Box. Priority Flat Rate Envelope? Yes. Every express option? Yes. Express Legal Envelope and bleeping overnight. Med & Large FR Box options are there.

This is so frustrating and I posted about it months ago because it was happening then too. Then it stopped. Now it's back. 

I'm on a Win10 laptop using Chrome. I will try icky Edge before I post this . . . Exactly the same on Edge. USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box is not on the list of shipping options.

[wastingtime101]

eBay made a change related to setting up listings with certain types of packaging. When package dimensions entered exceed eBay's programmed dimensions, eBay will not show you those shipping options when setting up your listing @ltldpr .

To access these services, enter the following package dimensions:

USPS Flat Rate Envelopes: 12x9x1
USPS Small Flat Rate Box: 8x5x1
USPS Med Flat Rate Box: 14x12x3 or 11x8x6
USPS Large Flat Rate Box: 12x12x6
eBay Standard Envelope: 11x6x1

[ltldpr]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

eBay made a change related to setting up listings with certain types of packaging. When package dimensions entered exceed eBay's programmed dimensions, eBay will not show you those shipping options when setting up your listing @ltldpr .

To access these services, enter the following package dimensions:

USPS Flat Rate Envelopes: 12x9x1
USPS Small Flat Rate Box: 8x5x1
USPS Med Flat Rate Box: 14x12x3 or 11x8x6
USPS Large Flat Rate Box: 12x12x6
eBay Standard Envelope: 11x6x1

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Then how do I offer options to my buyers?

I was told by nobodysperfect to use the GA dimensions (since we're only allowed to enter one dimension) and then to add the Sm FR Box as the next option. 

If I do that, I'm not allowed to use Small FR Box as an option.

If I use the fibbing workaround dimensions for the Small FR Box, then I'm going to be under my real dimensions for the Ground Advantage and end up owing the USPS in the following weeks, after the fact. 

I do not have the ability to make my GA package the undersized Small FR Box dimensions. 

This is frustrating. I guess this is why so many sellers just don't bother with offering options? I wish buyer's knew this.

[wastingtime101]

Unless your GA package is over a cubic foot, then you'll be find entering 8x5x1 on the listing form to access SFRB then entering the actual package dims when you purchase a GA label.

If you want to bypass these annoying flat rate size restrictions on the listing form entirely then set up business policies. Then you can enter your actual box dims in the listing while simultaneously accessing all sizes of USPS flat rate in your biz policy. If that interests you @ltldpr , check out the biz policy link in my signature below where I put together a tutorial for getting started with biz policies.

[ltldpr]

I'll look at your link, but when eBay plopped me into that without my knowledge it was a nightmare. 

However, you're very helpful, so I'll get these listed, trust you that I'm not going to owe the USPS in a few weeks lol, and then look into the Business Policies fresh at your link. 

My GA dimensions are 12x7x3 (I can't remember how to figure cubic feet anymore). 

Thank you!

[wastingtime101]

If you want to try biz policies at some point, take that tutorial one single step at a time. It will get most people past the overwhelmed feeling. Any questions, post to that thread and tag me, I will do my best to help.

Without biz policies, the workaround I suggested should be fine for your 12x7x3 package as long as you:

- Remember to change dims when purchasing GA labels

- Charge buyers through the listing using calculated retail rates, or your own flat costs. If you pass eBay discounts to buyers when using calculated rates then a difference in package dim could affect the rate.