Why no shipping options.

[yourantiqueguy]

I've just started listing a few items again.  At one time, I was a top-rated power seller.  I haven't been selling much for the past few years, but am considering building back up. 

I've noticed that even though when I list an item, I give at least two and sometimes three shipping options, my listing only shows the lowest price (usually Parcel).  So, my buyers are only given the one option. 

To make it worse, even though I usually upgrade to Priority at my expense, eBay isn't even giving me the option of Parcel when I print my labels.   Even, when I click on "custom package" and try to list all options. 

Is this the latest enhancement, or am I doing something wrong? 

[nobody*s_perfect · Accepted solution]

eBay's stated policy is to show a more expensive shipping option only if their estimated delivery date is faster.  When I look at your listings, I do see both options.  When you look at your own listings, you see the delivery time estimate for a buyer in your own ZIP Code, so apparently that's the same dates.

The eBay shipping calculator default is to show the retail price for Priority Mail, though you can change that in your Site Preferences.  This makes the difference between Parcel Select and Priority look inflated in the listing shipping calculator, because it's comparing an online rate (Parcel Select) versus a retail rate (for Priority Mail).

Frankly for items up to at least  10 pounds it doesn't make sense to me to show Parcel Select: It's a longer shipping time and a more hazardous journey for your fragile items, so buyers might be discouraged from purchasing. 

[lynns.things]

Why is ebay giving flat rate envelope as an option when I haven't even selected that option. I just had a customer pay flat rate envelope and there is no way the 10 lb item will fit in that.  Shipping is going to cost over $15. and they paid $8.15.  Ebay should only give the options I have marked on my listing. I haven't shipped yet, is there a way the customer can pay me the difference?

[nobody*s_perfect]

Which listing was it?  Your listing probably offered a shipping service for which eBay doesn't offer postage labels, such as Retail Ground or Parcel Select Ground, which is almost certainly what your buyer paid for: check again.

eBay has decided to phase out access to Parcel Select Ground labels, even though USPS has made no changes in their services or policies, and it's offered by all other online postage sellers including PayPal, endicia, stamps.com, etc. When it's not offered, the shipping label page usually defaults to the first option on the list which is flat rate envelope. You can purchase Parcel Select Ground postage through PayPal at

www.PayPal.com/shipnow

But do compare prices before you do that. For Zones 1 - 4, the USPS online price for Priority Mail is  less than a dollar more than Parcel Select Ground. If you're a TRS you get a 3% discount when purchasing Priority labels through eBay, which often makes it cheaper than Parcel Select.

IMHO Parcel Select ground should only be offered when necessary such as for hazmat or Oversize packages (i.e., length-plus-girth above the Priority limit of 108 inches).