problem shipping item priority box not big enough

[warren689]

Hi guys...

Sold my very first ebay item and am having an issue shipping it. It's a large sized bag that won't fit in the largest priority size box  so I purchased a larger box at my own expense thinking it wouldn't be a big deal....it was. The post office wanted to charge me $50 to ship it (within the US btw). I couldn't possibly ship it at that price so now I don't know what to do.  Is there another shipping method? As it is I am a couple days behind sending it out. It was supposed to go out Friday, now it won't ship till Monday as I can't get to the PO today and they are closed tomorrow.  I am a newb here so please advise. Thanks!

[phcd1]

---

@warren689 wrote:

...Sold my very first ebay item and am having an issue shipping it. It's a large sized bag that won't fit in the largest priority size box  so I purchased a larger box at my own expense thinking it wouldn't be a big deal....it was. The post office wanted to charge me $50 to ship it (within the US btw). I couldn't possibly ship it at that price so now I don't know what to do.  Is there another shipping method?...

---

You can't delay shipping, that is a big no no on eBay, you must ship within your stated handling time. We've all been new here and have all been in this situation. What you're most likely running into is whats called Dimensional Weight where you're charge for what the size of the box should weight, not what it does. Most of the time I find it doubles the price. If you stated Priority Mail, you have no choice but to ship that way or better (i.e. more expensive). There are cheaper options, FedEx SmartPost for example but that is not better then Priority. I think you just have to lose money on this one. Sorry 😞

[phcd1]

---

@partial*eclipse wrote:
...3. Ship the item in the box you already have, but use Retail Ground postage, which doesn't have that awful "dimensional weight." I'm surprised that the PO clerk didn't mention this option.  Technically it's a violation of eBay policy to use a slower shipping method, but it's not as bad as...

---

By doing that the OP runs a risk of a shipping SNAD claim through PayPal which will cost him $$$ (but I will agree that most average buyers don't know that).

[warren689]

Thanks. I have found a box that fits now I just have to find out how much it's going cost me. It really sucks, this is such an expensive bag and I posted it at a low price to attract customers and now I will lose money on it. I had no idea selling on ebay was so complicated.  It was supposed to ship Friday but due to the box issue I had to wait until Monday. I had to work Saturday so I couldn't get to the PO and they were closed Sunday so there was really nothing I can do. 

BTW, the post office sucks. Should I use UPS or something next time?

[bonjourami]

USPS is fine..your problem is you didnt make sure the $79 handbag fit in the box before you listed the shipping fee..a tough lesson. You must package your item with box and wrappings next time to get an accurate shippng rate for your customers, or you will lose money every time..its a newbie lesson.And weigh it if necessary before listing.

[bonjourami]

A little hint for you..it helps to put the size of the clothing or shoe items in the title..for those who do searches for specific size.

[warren689]

I did post size. I just didn't understand how the shipping works. It was determined by ebay automatically not by me and I didn't see any disclaimer from ebay about box size. I thought the shipping they determined was based on a box that would fit my item as I posted it's dimensions. I'm new to this and just figuring it all out.

[lintbrush*]

When eBay calculates shipping for you, they have some formula.  I think it's the average of other similar sold items but it doesn't take into account the actual size, weight or quantity of your item.  

It's rarely a good idea to let someone else guess for you.  As you see it can be wrong.   It's always best to do this for yourself

What's the LxWxH of your box?  If it multiplies to 1728 or less, you'll pay by actual weight/distance.  4 lbs Priority coast to coast is $20.05.  The listing charged a 3 lb rate.  It won't sting as much as you thought.

I think you might run into another small problem.  That beaded shirt?  You have it at 4 oz or less = $2.67.   

[phcd1]

---

@warren689 wrote:

I did post size. I just didn't understand how the shipping works. It was determined by ebay automatically not by me and I didn't see any disclaimer from ebay about box size. I thought the shipping they determined was based on a box that would fit my item as I posted it's dimensions. I'm new to this and just figuring it all out.

---

You didn't enter the box size AFTER it is packed up into eBay, otherwise it would have calculated it correctly for you.

[warren689]

Oh dear, How do I stop ebay from calculating it? It does that automatically when I list.

[warren689]

I didn't have a box when ebay calculated it. I had no idea about all these box restrictions so I thought I could just use any decent size box. This information came to light too late. My item sold very fast.

[partial*eclipse]

---

@warren689 wrote:

Oh dear, How do I stop ebay from calculating it? It does that automatically when I list.

---

If you want to charge an accurate price for postage, then you must set up calculated shipping that is based on the weight and dimensions of your actual package.  If you use eBay's estimate, then you get an estimate.  They had no way of knowing that you'd use such a huge box.

[lintbrush*]

@partial*eclipse

Do you have a snip of the way to change it from letting eBay decide shipping to choosing your own?  (I thought you did)

Edit:  lol I typed too slowly.  Thanks

[partial*eclipse]

@lintbrush*   The screenshot that I posted just before you posted is from the current version of the Quick listing form.  You're probably thinking about the earlier version of the Quick form ,which had separate tabs.

[lja440]

The problem isn't USPS, the problem is that you listed when you didn't have all the information. Every seller MUST do their homework, not only on the item they are selling but also on how they will be getting the item to the buyer.

[training4railroad]

The best way to accurately sell items and get the shipping accurately is only use USPS Priority boxes and make sure you have all of the current Priority boxes at home or where you list the item if you have items that won’t fit or non-conforming Reg cardboard boxes they are gonna create problems of under or over charging and if it’s under they deduct it with no fair warning it makes selling way more difficult than it’s worth!!