USPS Shipping calculator bug as First Class charging buyer less than actual shipping cost

[lynnster1952]

I have called Ebay & they have escalated this issue which has been reported a minimum of 50 times to garner a report, so this is a KNOWN Issue. Now, I'll share what's happening.

I had 2 sales yesterday, one was a 3 oz 1st Class (pkg/thick env) and one was a 5 oz pkg/thick envelope. The buyer was charged $1.40 for the 3 oz and I was charged $2.61 for same. On the 5 oz pkg, the buyer was charged $1.82 and I was charged $2.61.

The Ebay rep went back thru both listings and said my input was all correct. He had no clue why this is happening but is looking deeper into this so it  an be resolved. It seems to be switching over to $1.82 at the point of the auction ending and the issue began something after May 28th. IF even he (the rep) missed something, then we're all in big trouble. I'd like to find out that I inputted something wrong, but rep said that's not the case for me.

I will end by saying that the point of calculating the shipping for each listing, it's a bit complicated to have to input the same thing a could of times. I can see how some would make a mistake. If I did, then it's not showing up in my history of these 2 listings the rep checked.

[partial*eclipse]

$1.82 is the correct postage for a 5-ounce flat (AKA Large envelope) and $1.40 is the postage for a flat weighing  3 ounces..

Go to your listing, click  on "Sell similar," and check the drop-down menu for "Package type." If you have chosen Large envelope in that menu, then that's what the shipping calculator will figure the cost for, even if you choose "First Class package" in the "Services" menu and if that's the service that's named in the listing.

[couldabeenworse]

I have called Ebay & they have escalated this issue which has been reported a minimum of 50 times to garner a report, so this is a KNOWN Issue.

eBay reps always say that, and that "we're working on it".  It's baloney to get us off the phone.

I can recall exactly one case where there was a substantial glitch in the shipping calculator posted on the boards; the hundreds of other board complaints have all been best explained as input error.  I will bet that if you follow partial's advice and check BOTH places where you input package type, you'll find that one defaulted to First Class Flat rather than First Class Parcel.

[couldabeenworse]

I'm guessing its the ginny dress and the doll clothing?   They both show "shipping not specified" in your Completed Listings list, and on the listings themselves they show the Flat Price with the Package Service.

I guess one could call that an eBay "glitch".  A responsible programmer wouldn't allow the seller to input one service type in the quote section and a different type in the shipping section.  Regardless, it would seem like something you can avoid in future listings, rather than counting on eBay to fix anything. 

Good luck...

[muttlymob]

Save yourself the trouble of trying to figure out the shipping calculator.

Set a flat rate since you are using only First Class Mail on these listings, the postage rate is the same no matter where it is being mailed within the US.   The calculator is an unnecessary complication.

[sam9876]

It would be easier to just ship for free.