USPS retail ground is not appearing as a shipping option for a recent sale to Puerto Rico

[esmerayalafet]

I'm only able to select USPS Priority (which is super expensive) or FedEx (also super expensive). I offered USPS Retail Ground shipping as an option for my auction because it's frequently the cheapest. The buyer (in Puerto Rico) selected this option and paid the $12...but when I go to purchase the shipping label through eBay, that option is not available. I don't understand why. Please help!

[chardak_97]

I think retail ground has to be purchased at the post office

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

As noted in the other post, Retail Ground is a retail service which can only be purchased over the counter at the Post Office. It is never available through eBay shipping labels; this is not because your buyer is in PR.

Starting last June, USPS is charging a 'dimensional weight" for Priority Mail and Parcel Select postage for packages that are over 1 cubic foot (i.e., 1728 cubic inches); if your package is large, that could account for the big price difference. If you can safely package the item into a box that's less than 1728 cubic inches, you will find that online postage for Priority Mail will cost less than Retail Ground for the same weight and zone.

[evelyb30]

Yep.  That's why it's called "retail".   That rate is over the counter only.

[esmerayalafet]

Noted. Thank you all!