cost of FedEx Smartpost has exploded!

[maggieb]

Anyone else noticed? Over the weekend, the prices being quoted for using SmartPost have just exploded!  Much higher than they were last week - is this some sort of programming glitch?  I just checked FedEx rates on their own website, and those prices for SmartPost are much lower.  What's happening?

[maggieb]

I called first thing this morning!  This definitely has to be a programming glitch - the SmartPost rates published on FedEx's own website are WAY lower than what the Ebay computers are calculating.

[2ndavenuetoys]

I have had the same problem. I called eBay yesterday and they said they would look into the problem as they have had several similar complaints. I haven't heard or seen any updates through the eBay blog. Does anyone have any idea when of if this issue will be fixed?

[dtexley3]

I have a FedEx.com account with SmartPost enabled.  I've compared the rates between eBay SmartPost and FedEx.com SmartPost and there are some descrepancies above certain weights, but overall SmartPost is now MUCH more expensive.  It will have a huge impact on all of us that use SmartPost to ship items > 4lbs or over 8x8x8 in size from coast to coast.

You can't just look at the table based on the weight, you have to calcuclate the demensional weight as well, and most packages (for me) will be heavily impacted by the demensional weight, not the actual.  A 14x8x8 package has a demensional weight of 7lbs.  Most of the items I ship in that box weigh under 5.  Huge difference.

eBay does need to look into why their prices are so much higher in some sections, but overall shipping costs have doubled for those of us who sell items > 4lbs or over 8x8x8.

[kkrees]

When you put the persons zip code into the shipping and payments tab you get the cost of what shipping will be and the same is true in ebay's shipping calculator.  The difference is when you want to buy and print the label the shipping cost difference is huge.  For example - a 5 lb, 16x12x12 package to zip code 64803 will cost $12.53 and charges the person that amount.  When I go to buy the postage the charge is $31.12.  Another package I have charged the customer $14.74 and now to buy it is $47.98.  I doubt rates went up that much.

[droppoint10]

They went up that much. Smartpost is nearly worthless now. I suspect they want to phase it out. They switched to dimensional weight shipping. To calculate dimensional weight, use this formula. L x W x H / 139 = DIM weight. For instance 12" x 12" x 8" = 1152/139 = 8.28 So even if your 12" x 12" x 8" box weighs 2 lbs, you will be charged for 8.28 lbs. Ridiculous. This will really hurt sellers who ship light, but bulky items.

[plumbingspecials]

All domestic carriers have price increases this time of year.

Some people are blaming eBay for the rate hike, but eBay does not set shipping charges; they only provide the means to ship within the site. Every seller is responsible for knowing all the costs and fees that goes into every single sale before placing that item for sale.

[kkrees]

If rates have actually went up this much it is not reflected in my current listings shipping tab.  Rates are pretty much the same.  At this point I'm not sure what to do.  

[kkrees]

The problem isn't with eBay and the rate hike - it's that Ebay has not updated the shipping calculator to reflect these hikes. These are items that were for sale before the rates increase.

[plumbingspecials]

See, that's why I wouldn't use calculated shipping. I offer free shipping, eliminating all the headaches associated with shipping costs.

[droppoint10]

Here is a link to the new Smartpost shipping rates. Note the message at the top. You can click the link to learn how to calculate the DIM weight.
"Parcels are charged based on the actual weight or the dimensional weight, whichever is greater. For more information, please view our Dimensional Weight Guide"

https://www.efulfillmentservice.com/shiprates/fedex-smartpost-2018/

If your customers are being charges less, then yes, ebay has not updated something yet. This could be a big problem, as the rate increase can be HUGE depending on what you are shipping.

[maggieb]

Thanks. But I've checked directly with FedEx and this isn't about DIM weight. There's a screwup in the ebay system

[berserkerplanet]

>>Thanks. But I've checked directly with FedEx and this isn't about DIM weight. There's a screwup in the ebay system

There is no screwup in the Smartpost eBay label rates you are seeing - they are correct. It is about dim weight for any size package (Dim Weights: 6x6x6 -> 2lb 8x8x8 -> 4lb 10x10x6 -> 5lb 12x10x10 -> 9lb 16x14x8 -> 13lb)

You need to understand dimensional weight issues, and the fact that Smartpost base rates don't increase smoothly - there is a $4-7 jump between 9 and 10 pounds)

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping-Returns/FedEx-Smartpost-Pricing-More-than-Doubled/m-p/2802953...

[dtexley3]

@berserkerplanet

There does seem to be an issue with SOME of the dim weight calcs on eBay.  A 12x12x10 box is almost $25 for an eBay SmartPost label.  Same box on FedEx.com is under $21 for a SmartPost label.

[echo_and_zip]

I was feeling very optomistic when I started using Smart Post 3 mos ago {for large, heavy items}.

It helped w/ "free" shipping where MOST of my items go from East to West coast.

IF it has increased that much, I will need to go to Calculated.

This will limit my sales to closer states where postage cost isn't so onerous.

I can't be paying fees, and, possibly losing postage {if returned}...

on a $50.00 'free' ship item where POSTAGE is $25..00

Unless eBay can find a Carrier to give US Amazon rates...

Unless eBay can STOP flooding the site w/ Made In China & THEIR freebie rates...

MORE large, heavy items will be sold elsewhere.

I am tired of working like a mule for nothing.

[berserkerplanet]

A 12x12x10 box has a dimensional weight of 11 pounds. Base rate in the tables is $24.33 for 11 pounds to zone 8. I don't see a dim weight calc issue.

What I'm pretty sure is happening here is that you are getting far better discounts on your personal account at FedEx than what looks like approx 4% Smartpost discounts on eBay.

What is the breakdown on that 12x12x10 pkg at FedEx? Base rate? Discount %?