When printing shipping label, USPS is always more expensive than when item was listed!

[alibi_29]

Has anyone else noticed that when you list items USPS prices are are less than when you go and print out the shipping label? My buyers end up paying less for shipping than I have to pay for the shipping label. I have gone back and made sure everything is set up correctly. I have ate the cost on several items but it is getting old. I have spoken to eBay about it and they stated it is a glitch in the entire eBay system. When mentioned I hope it didn't interfere with my shipping time, they stated "yes I hope not either" and chat ended.  I wish I could get a refund or something for the difference. I was wondering if others have this same issue.

[definingcolor]

Hi, If this is the case I would increase my shipping weights to accommodate the increase. Are you sure that when you weigh your items before you list them that you allow for the packaging (ie box packing material etc. ) This could possibly be the reason for the increase. I have never had an issue where my shipping  costs were higher than what is shown to the buyer. If anything they are cheaper because of the shipping discount. Good Luck

[american-photography]

Are you printing out the labels through Ebay or off site?

You know that you can adjust the weight and dimensions of your package before you print the label?

[kensgiftshop]

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@alibi_29 

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I checked a necklace and it show it'll be shipped First Class, but shows the shipping will be $1.60, with tracking it'll be double that.

Check your shipping and make sure you selected box/package and not large envelope/flat, or something like that..

[nobody*s_perfect]

eBay only sells postage labels for packages, not for letters or flats (AKA Large envelopes) .  Apparently your listings are charging buyers for flats.  Go back and correct the choice that you made in the shipping calculator's menu for "Package type." If that is set to "Large envelope," then that's what buyers will be charged for, even if you have selected "First Class Package" in the menu for Service.

[alibi_29]

Yes I am completely sure. I weigh everything when i list and at the time of printing the label just to make sure everything matches. This has only been happening the last few weeks. I cant choose standard shipping at the time of printing my shipping label.

[alibi_29]

I am printing them out through eBay. Why would I change the size of the package size. I would never change it to be more than the actual weight. 

[alibi_29]

It was a 6x8 flat envelope that stated it would be 1.20 shipped but when i went to print out the shipping label after the eBay discount of the shipping label it came out to 2.78. No its not a lot but after several times it adds up.

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

eBay only sells postage labels for packages, not for letters or flats (AKA Large envelopes) .  Apparently your listings are charging buyers for flats.  Go back and correct the choice that you made in the shipping calculator's menu for "Package type." If that is set to "Large envelope," then that's what buyers will be charged for, even if you have selected "First Class Package" in the menu for Service.

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^^^THIS^^^

OP, go back and change your listings from letter rate to PACKAGE rate. Letter rate has no tracking and is for sellers who ship in plain envelopes. Ebay will NOT print these types of labels.  If you want tracking, you have to charge PACKAGE rates.

If you have a lot of listings, you can do them all at once using bulk edit.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@alibi_29 wrote:

It was a 6x8 flat envelope that stated it would be 1.20 shipped but when i went to print out the shipping label after the eBay discount of the shipping label it came out to 2.78. No its not a lot but after several times it adds up.

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You can't print a label for a flat through eBay.  Any label that you purchase through eBay will be for a package.

If your item is actually eligible to be mailed as a flat, then you cannot purchase postage for it through eBay. You can put stamps on it or go to the Post Office.

[kensgiftshop]

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@alibi_29 wrote:

It was a 6x8 flat envelope that stated it would be 1.20 shipped but when i went to print out the shipping label after the eBay discount of the shipping label it came out to 2.78. No its not a lot but after several times it adds up.

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The $1.20 is what it would cost if you took it to the PO and shipped it without tracking.

When you print postage, you can't print it for envelopes.

You need to change the shipping from envelopes to package, even if you use a large envelope to ship it.

[nobody*s_perfect]

You also need to determine whether USPS says that the envelope you are sending is a flat or a package.  You can't just choose.  USPS has specific criteria based on factors like weight, dimensions (including thickness), and flexibility.

[definingcolor]

This is a very common mistake because sometimes it happens when you are adjusting something else in your listing and I don't have a clue why eBay would say it was a glitch. What you are showing is a letter rate, then when you print the label to ship, it converts to a package rate and includes tracking. You need to go into your listing to remove it from letter rate so it shows your buyers the correct amount of shipping. 

With letter rate it does not include tracking and also has to be in a regular envelope like your mailing out a Christmas card. If they can't push it through the letter rate slot because it has any kind of bulk it automatically becomes a package and your buyer will be charged the difference. That becomes an entirely different headache.

If you don't want to change the listings you can always add the difference to the price of the item.

[aproudparent2010]

You are listing it as a letter envelope (which has no tracking and eBay does not offer a printing service for this)

You are printing a package label


If you want buyer to pay correct shipping then you need to list it under Package thick envelope