USPS new shipping rules and regs. RANT

[theofficefan4life]

Why is it that when it comes to a govt. subsidized "business" known as the USPS, the rule "if it's not broke, they'll find a way to break it" is so clearly evident? This entity known as the USPS is $13.2 BILLION in debt. We're supposed to believe that somehow their stupid new "zone" regulations are somehow going to change anything for the better? As if this new system is going to magically bring them out of the red? I mean seriously, do they offer a college class to learn all the new shipping container mathematical equations and zone breakdowns? Gotta be rocket scientist to ship a **bleep** Nintendo game now.

[gracieallen01]

Well, they wanted to be a role model for ebay, don't you know? 

A common motto: "If it ain't broke, we'll fix it until it is".

[ripcityresell]

---

@theofficefan4life wrote:

Why is it that when it comes to a govt. subsidized "business" known as the USPS, the rule "if it's not broke, they'll find a way to break it" is so clearly evident? This entity known as the USPS is $13.2 BILLION in debt. We're supposed to believe that somehow their stupid new "zone" regulations are somehow going to change anything for the better? As if this new system is going to magically bring them out of the red? I mean seriously, do they offer a college class to learn all the new shipping container mathematical equations and zone breakdowns? Gotta be rocket scientist to ship a **bleep** Nintendo game now.

---

Not really Just a tape measure and the ability to add. Should do ya just fine!

[theofficefan4life]

---

@ripcityresell wrote:

---

@theofficefan4life wrote:

Why is it that when it comes to a govt. subsidized "business" known as the USPS, the rule "if it's not broke, they'll find a way to break it" is so clearly evident? This entity known as the USPS is $13.2 BILLION in debt. We're supposed to believe that somehow their stupid new "zone" regulations are somehow going to change anything for the better? As if this new system is going to magically bring them out of the red? I mean seriously, do they offer a college class to learn all the new shipping container mathematical equations and zone breakdowns? Gotta be rocket scientist to ship a **bleep** Nintendo game now.

---

Not really Just a tape measure and the ability to add. Should do ya just fine!

---

Right, cuz that whole "one flat rate" for 1st class and priority was just too simple for you? You must welcome the burden of learning different zone rates and DIMweights and volume vs weight and box size versus this versus that? Well, congrats you got your wish. As for me, I prefer the old system, flawed and expensive as it was. It wasn't complicated and I knew 7 ounce package would cost the same whether going to hawaii or the house next door.

[13thlakes · Accepted solution]

I am in the process of adjusting all of my first class package "Free" Shipping listings to Calculated First Class. A royal pain in the a$$, but has to be done. I am adjusting the pricing downward by the average cost for the weight ranges - might come out a few cents ahead or behind. Going forward, the ONLY "Free Shipping" listings I will have will be those that can ship in a USPS Envelope or Legal Envelope.

I know that eBay encourages sellers to offer "Free" shipping, but, come on! The buyers aren't that stupid. They know that the shipping cost is worked into the price. eBay will make their money either way, but if someone in zone 8 buys your item, you lose out. Just go with "Calculated" and price accordingly.

[dtexley3]

One rate for 1st class AND priority?  Priority hasn't been one rate for a long time.

You don't need to know the tables, you need to use a scale and as mentioned above a tape measure.  As long as you put in the correct weight (including the shipping container) and the correct size of the shipping container then calculated shipping handles the rest.

Combined shipping is more of a hassle, but the basics don't take much effort.

Just my 2 cents.

[tunicaslot]

I have to say - for someone new to the boards - I enjoy your rants. I'm not thrilled about the new changes either but believe me - we did an experiment here not long ago - if people don't regularly mail packages - they are clueless on ship costs and yes - some of those used in the experiment did think free shipping was free. No lie - it's an interesting thread for those that think people can not be that clueless.

[buyselljack2016]

But it is broke. Don't use them as it is not convenient for me, but do UPS, or FedEx charge the same price for an item going one state away as they do for an item going all the way across the country????

It's about time USPS got a bit smarter, and started charging 1st Class packages by distance. They can not move a package coast-to-coast for the same cost involved with shipping to the same/next state.

Not saying that I like the change, but it's pretty simple for me to just add 25 cents to the selling cost of an item. It looks like the largest distance variation is 59 cents.  As long as all my sales don't go coast to coast it should about average out.

Unless it fits in a "flat rate" my items over 15.99 are calculated with the buyer paying shipping.

I highly doubt that anyone in the USPS expects the rate change to "magically bring them out of the red", but to continue to do the same thing, and expect a different result is not going to increase profits.

[13thlakes]

And, since I am on the subject.... In order for sellers to make the same amount on an item that we did before the rate hikes, we will have to adjust our pricing to accommodate. However, since eBay makes their money as a percentage of the total sale (including the shipping), eBay's actual take from the percentage will be a bit higher (due to the increase in postage rate). Therefore, unless sellers factor in eBay's higher actual money take, sellers will make a tiny bit LESS, while eBay will make a little bit more. Only pennies, but it adds up - Quickly.

Unless, of course, eBay lowers their fee percentage to balance it out again. That way, both eBay and the Sellers will make the same as they would have before the postal rate increases.....

(Sorry. Stepped onto Fantasy Island for a moment there....)

[buyselljack2016]

And let me add that I stay away from calculated on 1st Class as I do not pass along the "online rates" to the buyer.

If you do not pass along the "online rates" when shipping over 13 ounces the 1st Class changes to "retail rates" (Priority) being displayed/charged.

[m60driver]

I am just adjusting my first class postage built into my listing prices on the assumption that my average will be zone 6, not exactly rocket science. Your cost average zone may vary depending upon your location.  Still not rocket science.  As for the USPS, I am always in amazement as to just how efficient it is.  And much of the USPS debt was imposed by congress in an attempt to break  the USPS in order to forward the argument for privatization, but this is not the forum to discuss such political issues.

[coffeebean832]

---

@tunicaslot wrote:

I have to say - for someone new to the boards - I enjoy your rants. I'm not thrilled about the new changes either but believe me - we did an experiment here not long ago - if people don't regularly mail packages - they are clueless on ship costs and yes - some of those used in the experiment did think free shipping was free. No lie - it's an interesting thread for those that think people can not be that clueless.

---

@tunicaslot- do you have a link? I would like to read that thread.

[yuzuha]

Just use calculated shipping.  For First Class, all you need to know is the weight of the item and its packaging. 

[tunicaslot]

---

@coffeebean832 wrote:

---

@tunicaslot wrote:

I have to say - for someone new to the boards - I enjoy your rants. I'm not thrilled about the new changes either but believe me - we did an experiment here not long ago - if people don't regularly mail packages - they are clueless on ship costs and yes - some of those used in the experiment did think free shipping was free. No lie - it's an interesting thread for those that think people can not be that clueless.

---

@tunicaslot- do you have a link? I would like to read that thread.

---

Here ya go coffee - I'm going to reread it myself - https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/A-social-experiment-Shipping/m-p/29320941

[dtexley3]

---

@m60driver wrote:

I am just adjusting my first class postage built into my listing prices on the assumption that my average will be zone 6, not exactly rocket science. Your cost average zone may vary depending upon your location.  Still not rocket science.  As for the USPS, I am always in amazement as to just how efficient it is.  And much of the USPS debt was imposed by congress in an attempt to break  the USPS in order to forward the argument for privatization, but this is not the forum to discuss such political issues.

---

Since the bulk of my small stuff either ships here on the west coast or all the way to the east coast with little in between (odd) I moved to calculated shipping using the online rates + $1 handling.  That covers eBay and PP fees, the cost of the box, tape, label, etc.    I choose to have my shipping charges cover my shipping costs.  That way when I'm adjusting item pricing I don't have to worry about "now how much of the shipping did I roll into this item"?  

ymmv