USPS overage charge on priority mail???

[floraldaisy2]

Someone please tell me what I did wrong here. A 2 piece clothing set was shipped via priority mail, as selected on the listing. Later I find out that im being charged an additional $8.13 because the shipping on the label didn’t match the service used. Service on label: USPS priority mail package

Service used: USPS priority mail medium flat rate box

Firstly I thought priority mail is priority mail. When selecting a shipping service on ebay you don’t have the option to select “priority mail flat rate medium box” its just “priority mail.” I’m so confused someone please help. 

[fern*wood]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

...I just don't have the time to figure all that out.

A lot of sellers here make it sound easy as pie...and it will be once you get the hang of it...as you being somewhat of a new seller be careful.

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  I try to sit out on threads when I don't know or have the time to figure something out.

[yuzuha]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

Weight and dimensions and such seem like a lot of work...I just don't have the time to figure all that out.

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? There's literally nothing difficult or confusing about it. You measure the box you're planning on using for the item. You weigh the box with the item and the packing materials you're using. You then enter the weight and dimensions on the screen where you purchase the shipping label.

[pcmwire]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

Weight and dimensions and such seem like a lot of work...I just don't have the time to figure all that out.

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? There's literally nothing difficult or confusing about it. You measure the box you're planning on using for the item. You weigh the box with the item and the packing materials you're using. You then enter the weight and dimensions on the screen where you purchase the shipping label.

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And if you use USPS branded packaging the inside and outside dimensions are literally printed on the box.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

'used a USPS Priority mail medium flat rate box'...is this a box you got from the post office which are free and used it and put a eBay shipping label on it? Just a thought here. But those boxes do not have a discounted shipping rate as far as I know.

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@12345jamesstamps 

FR boxes do have discounted commercial rates when purchased through ebay. 

@12345jamesstamps wrote:

Weight and dimensions and such seem like a lot of work...I just don't have the time to figure all that out.

A lot of sellers here make it sound easy as pie...and it will be once you get the hang of it...as you being somewhat of a new seller be careful.

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@fern*wood wrote:
  I try to sit out on threads when I don't know or have the time to figure something out.

@12345jamesstamps 

Since you don't purchase your shipping labels through ebay and you admit to not "having the time to figure all that out," it's a better idea to sit out those threads and let those who do understand ebay shipping and prices offer accurate information.

Misinformation isn't helpful to anyone.

[wastingtime101]

Hi @floraldaisy2 - because you're new to shipping I'd to offer some basic tips that stray a little bit from your original question.

- If you have plain boxes to use (not the free Priority ones from the post office), you will be able to offer buyers Ground Advantage shipping service which is more cost effective than Priority in most cases.

- If you prefer to ship Priority, you can order free supplies online from USPS.com - you can order NON-flat rate boxes in select sizes and, depending on weight and distance, those will often be more cost effective than using the flat rate ones your local post office stocks.

- Whichever service(s) you plan to use, make sure you advertise the right service on the listing. Use calculated shipping so your buyers are charged accurate rates (yes, you can even use calculated shipping and choose a flat rate service).

- To ensure buyers are charged accurate rates, figure out which box you'll be using before you list an item for sale, then enter accurate outer box dimensions and package weight on the listing form, along with the appropriate service.

- Never wrap a box in brown paper bags to conceal markings. USPS strongly advises against this right on their website because paper wrapping is prone to getting caught on sorting machinery and tearing. That can result in slow downs when the machinery is jammed, and can result in your package never making it to its destination as the paper with the shipping label is torn off.

- If you have any questions, come here to ask before publishing your listing. Once you grasp shipping basics, you'll find it's mostly straightforward, especially if you stick with USPS.

Hope this helps.

[stephenmorgan]

I have understood from the past that when you use stamps to pay for the shipping you do not get the discounted shipping rates and pay the full retail rate.  Is this still true?

[12345jamesstamps]

..

So what would be the cost of using this with an eBay shipping label?

And can a seller ship it by just dropping off?

I was also asked a question on what I use by the seller...so I should just sit it out?

[buyselljack2016]

jamesstamps uses highly discounted stamps that likely exceeds label discounts if the proper packing is selected.

[12345jamesstamps]

I don't get a discount on shipping.

I do buy USA stamps face value around 30-50% off from eBay USA sellers and use them for regular postage for something that needs tracking. It's not unusual for me to use 20+ stamps to put on a package and hand deliver it to a clerk. That's how I save on shipping.

[wastingtime101]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

So what would be the cost of using this with an eBay shipping label?

And can a seller ship it by just dropping off?

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Shipping label for a Medium Flat Rate Priority Mail Box costs $18.40 at the post office, and costs $15.19 online through eBay.

You can print the label, tape it to the box, then drop it off at the PO or schedule a carrier pickup.

You can also generate a QR code, scan it at the PO (at the self service kiosk or ask the clerk to scan it) and that will print the label. Then you drop it in the bin or ask the clerk at the counter to scan it like any other prepaid package.

Check rates any time yourself with the eBay shipping calculator, and also compare flat rates to calculated rates based on package weight/dimensions: https://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator

[buyselljack2016]

Reading is..............................

That is what I wrote......................................

I was agreeing with your method...............................

Only exception to the savings may occur if choosing the wrong packaging such as a PFRB when the item would ship non-flat rate at a much lower cost

We do understand that your time is worth more than the possible savings.

Some business models support time expended for discounts, some do not.

[12345jamesstamps]

I was responding to the thread...not you personally...as I agree totally to you. I thought it be cool to respond.

'PFRB'...what does that mean?

[floraldaisy2]

Thanks. I usually use polymailers with USPS ground advantage and that has worked well for me. I’m more of a Poshmark seller and they use mainly priority mail, with the free boxes. So, I thought that I could use those boxes on ebay as well if I selected priority shipping for items that did not fit in my polymailer. Lesson learned! Going to use amazon boxes or something else. 

[12345jamesstamps]

I gonna say thank you...for responding quickly to help the seller of this post out who is a rather new seller.

As being one of the first to reply to the beginning of this post...I asked a question to what seller might have used and WE found out what buyer used. Had we never found out what seller was using if I didn't respond?...and just sat this one out because I know nothing like albertabrightalberta told me to do from now on...

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@stephenmorgan wrote:

I have understood from the past that when you use stamps to pay for the shipping you do not get the discounted shipping rates and pay the full retail rate.  Is this still true?

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Yes, that's true.  In order to get the discounted online rate, you have to purchase your postage online. Paying with stamps is the very definition of paying retail.