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. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

If the box you used was a USPS box, the service must match the type of box. You cannot use a Priority Mail flat rate box with  weight/zone postage, for example, or for Ground Advantage.

You cannot use a Priority Express Box with Priority Mail.

If the flat rate box did not appear on your selections, either you used the wrong dimensions or need to select the show all options.

[floraldaisy2]

Hi, I did not use a Priority mail express box. As mentioned USPS priority mail was selected and I used USPS Priority mail medium flat rate box. 

[12345jamesstamps]

'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.

[floraldaisy2]

Hi, yes its one of those free boxes that you get from USPS. I did not know that you can’t use those for ebay. What do you use then if you ship via priority mail?? 

[evry1nositswindy]

If printing a label for priority flat rate, you MUST use the flat rate box.  To ship priority without using the flat rate boxes, choose priority and then use any other generic box.  You can use the free boxes on eBay, but the type of box has to match the type of shipping you purchase.

[12345jamesstamps]

Turning a box any kind of box inside out and taping it as a box will work...reusing Amazon boxes or anything as such. Can also use like a paper grocery bag to cover the outside box so there is no wording on the box.

A box with words such as alcohol, beer or wine or pictures on the outside of box cannot be used...but you can cover it up with a paper grocery bag and using tape.

[pcmwire]

Priority Mail has both non-specific and flat rate specific packaging/branded shipping supplies. One of those flat-rate specific options is the Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box (there are actually 2 sizes of them). You cannot ship something in a flat rate box and put a weight/dimension label on it. In the eBay labels shipping flow, you need to select the corresponding flat rate option if you use flat rate packaging.

[lacemaker3]

@floraldaisy2 

If you are using a Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate box, then you need to select a label for Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate. The current cost for this is $16.00 (commercial rate) or $18.40 (purchased at the post office).

https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail.htm?_#flatrate

It sounds like you tried to use a regular Priority Mail label on a Medium Flat Rate box, and didn't pay enough for the label.

[floraldaisy2]

So if I want to use the free priority mail box, what shipping do I select on ebay? I only see “USPS priority mail” as an option but nothing else for priority. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

There are many free Priority Mail boxes; some are flat rate and others go by rates which are based on the package weight and dimensions as well as the postal Zone.  If you use a Priority flat-rate box, then you must purchase a label for the Priority flat-rate postage.  These labels are available when purchasing postage labels through eBay; perhaps you just didn't click on the appropriate tab.  

[pcmwire]

In the eBay labels shipping flow when you click the dropdown menu for more shipping options you should see something like this:

Note the flat rate option is cost effective for long distance shipping of heavier packages but not for close distance/lighter weight packages.

If you are using the bulk labels flow you should click on Priority Mail Flat Rate in the shipping options and there will be another dropdown menu with the flat rate type:

Note there are both flat rate specific and non flat rate specific free Priority Mail branded boxes. You can check on the USPS website and navigate to shipping supplies they have about 50 different types of packaging, much of which you can get shipped to your home/business for free.

[wastingtime101]

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@floraldaisy2 wrote:

Hi, yes its one of those free boxes that you get from USPS. I did not know that you can’t use those for ebay.

So if I want to use the free priority mail box, what shipping do I select on ebay? I only see “USPS priority mail” as an option but nothing else for priority. 

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You can absolutely use flat rate boxes with eBay shipments. As others said, flat rate packaging must be accompanied by flat rate postage and vice versa. The problem was using a flat rate box but not paying for flat rate postage.

Priority mail offers both flat rate services with specific branded packaging, and weight/dimension based service where you can use any non-flat rate-branded packaging.

Sounds like you could have saved a lot by using a plain brown box with that regular Priority label instead of using the flat rate box.

When package dimensions entered on the listing form exceed eBay's programmed dimensions, eBay will not show you those shipping options when setting up your listing. To access these services, enter the following package dimensions:

• USPS Priority Flat Rate Envelopes: 12x9x1
• USPS Priority Small Flat Rate Box: 8x5x1
• USPS Priority Med Flat Rate Box: 14x12x3 or 11x8x6
• USPS Priority Large Flat Rate Box: 12x12x6

[floraldaisy2]

Got it! Thanks so much

[12345jamesstamps]

A lot of sellers here have great advice and know what they are talking about.

Some new sellers do have a few hiccups along the way.

eBay shipping labels are not cost effective for me...I purchase face value USA stamps on eBay from USA sellers usually around 50 %  or less instead of 100% of face value. And I will make my own packaging and mail it at the post office. Have I put 25+ stamps on a package...yes. It's very cost effective for me plus it has tracking and I get a receipt from the post office.

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.

You don't want returns and or getting an extra charge on an eBay shipping label after it's been shipped.

Good luck and your on the road to success.