USPS Rate Increase (Sept 16 2024) - based on zip codes, not zones

[wastingtime101]

Per this announcement:

Effective September 16, 2024, USPS will increase rates for package delivery to select zip codes. Although this increase affects a very low percentage of transactions on ebay.com, you may see a higher shipping label cost for some locations.

The increase is for weight-based and cubic packages up to 20 lbs. for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Flat Rate, and Ground Advantage delivery to these zip codes.

The eBay shipping calculator will automatically update on September 16 with the new rates.

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Took a quick look at some of the zips on the list; they look mostly rural. Anybody else think a price change based on specific zip code rather than an entire zone is too complicated?

Stamps.com released a similar announcement a couple weeks ago (link) but it was incredibly vague. At least this announcement from eBay explains more than stamps.com did.

I don't see anything from pirateship.com (yet).

[buyselljack2016]

Today I ran my past 50 sales.

Of those sales 8 were to Zips on the list.

4 were GA 8oz

3 were GA 12oz

1 was GA point 1 cubic 15 lbs 

If I look at purchasing another label for these listings the only one that shows different is the GA cubic.

I paid $5.90. Now wants $6.83

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Beyond the 50

Checked another 4 lb  GA to zone 6. Price increased from $9.89 to $11.19

[buyselljack2016]

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@oaklandmaryland wrote:

there is always one in October and then for Christmas too

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I'm thinking that the October one covers Christmas.

[wastingtime101]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

Today I ran my past 50 sales. Of those sales 8 were to Zips on the list.

4 were GA 8oz / 3 were GA 12oz / 1 was GA point 1 cubic 15 lbs 

If I look at purchasing another label for these listings the only one that shows different is the GA cubic.

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That is because the eBay rate for packages 1-15.999 oz is equal to the USPS commercial rate. There is no additional discount. Therefore today's increase does not affect GA packages under a pound as the previous rate is already equal to the published commercial rate.

[buyselljack2016]

So, for all practical purposes it is a non-issue for me as I mostly sell/ship under a pound.

I know there can be some variations (eBay/Pirateship a bit below commercial) with the 13-15.99 but did not have any of those in my 50 that were to "the chosen" Zips.

Over the pound I just need to use calculated, or flat rate that covers (or averages out) for all zones.

[valueaddedresource]

Thanks for sharing that info @wastingtime101 ! 

It looks like they are doing commercial rates across the board for everything affected by this change as I'm seeing discussions in the Etsy community as well with sellers confused by the fact that a Medium Flat Rate box is now showing either $15.19 or $16 (commercial rate) for labels printed there, depending on if the order is shipping to one of the zip codes on the list or not.

I understand why/how it can still be called "Priority flat rate" even if that rate might now vary when you go to purchase the label (because of the differences between published USPS rates vs negotiated discount rates for 3rd party providers) but from what I'm seeing online it would appear many don't get that distinction.

Like you said...just too confusing all around and apparently Etsy didn't even give their sellers a heads up like eBay did so it's a real mess now.

[wastingtime101]

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@valueaddedresource wrote:

apparently Etsy didn't even give their sellers a heads up like eBay did so it's a real mess now.

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I saw that. Etsy totally failed their sellers on that one.