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Post by blissfullymiserable on Feb 8, 2016 6:15:27 GMT
I just now noticed this, perhaps it's been going on since the rate hike and I didn't notice. I have a 16 oz package so I selected 16oz on the drop down. Just noticed the label printed 15.9 ounces. Voided the label, thought I did something wrong, made sure I selected 16oz and again it printed 15.9, it's an exact 1lb package, not a smidgen over. What do I do??
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Post by jandsknight on Feb 8, 2016 6:30:43 GMT
I use Turbolister. I had to put 1 pound instead of 16 oz to get it to approve and create my listing.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Feb 8, 2016 16:28:40 GMT
I use 1 pound instead of 16 oz, works fine for me on both eBay and PP shipping.
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Post by blissfullymiserable on Feb 8, 2016 17:10:19 GMT
Not sure what to do, my buyer is alert and asked why the first label was voided, don't want to do it again. I'll try trimming the edges of the label, pretty sure that will do the trick.
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Post by jandsknight on Feb 8, 2016 17:30:16 GMT
15.9 oz & 1 lb cost the same.
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val2525
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Post by val2525 on Feb 8, 2016 17:35:45 GMT
Are you trying to ship FC or another way?
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Post by blissfullymiserable on Feb 8, 2016 17:40:38 GMT
FC, if they're the same then I should be fine. Trimming down didn't help.
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Post by Emerald_Door on Feb 8, 2016 21:40:05 GMT
My understanding is that first class now goes up to 15.99 oz or 15.999, but it must technically be less than 16 oz. My scale doesn't weigh to that level of precision, so I doubt if the postal service is that precise, either, but that's the rule. If it weighs 16 oz, it has to go by Priority or Parcel.
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Post by jandsknight on Feb 8, 2016 22:04:06 GMT
There is no way to enter 15.99 oz on a listing. 1 lb to the P.O. has always meant not a fraction over 16 oz.
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Post by blissfullymiserable on Feb 8, 2016 22:10:21 GMT
That's kind dumb, just give us the extra dang ounce. It's infuriating that I'm paying $2.60 for a 1-6oz first class package, I feel like including some rocks just so I'm getting my money's worth. I've saved some with 14 and 15 oz packages, just not enough to balance it out. I mailed a 3 lb package to my friend in VA today, it was $14.35 but that was partly my fault. I could have gone cheaper with a medium flat rate box but I already had it all packaged/taped and didn't want to re-do it all. Sheesh, wonder what the prices will be 5 years from now.
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Post by jandsknight on Feb 8, 2016 22:29:10 GMT
I think we are getting that ounce between 15 & 16. 15.99 is the P.O.'s way of saying not to go over 1 pound. 12.99 is counted as 13 oz. It's just that ebay's system says 1 pound which of course is also known as 16 oz.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 3:56:10 GMT
There is no way to enter 15.99 oz on a listing. 1 lb to the P.O. has always meant not a fraction over 16 oz. Unfortunately whoever came up w/ the latest price and rule changes didn't know what the heck they were doing and they've broken the convention. Normally the rates are set like "not over 3.0 oz, not over 4.0 oz..." so mentally you can just say "always round up". In the past you'd have said, 15.1oz -> not over 16.0 oz = 1 lb. Now, you have to say 15.5oz -> not over 15.999 oz = less than 1 lb. No shipping scale you can afford to buy can tell the difference between 15.999 oz and 16.000 oz. I doubt the post office scale can, but I haven't tried it yet. Want to check your scale? Put 4 quarters, 2 dimes, and a bill (any denomination) on your shipping scale. How much do they weigh? In theory, they should weigh 0.995 oz. Most likely your scale will say 0.9 or (hopefully) 1.0 oz. Ebay has worked around a limitation in their system by rounding down the weight of a "16 oz" First Class Package to 15.9oz when printing the label. |
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Post by zoesam on Feb 9, 2016 4:52:21 GMT
There is no way to enter 15.99 oz on a listing. 1 lb to the P.O. has always meant not a fraction over 16 oz. Unfortunately whoever came up w/ the latest price and rule changes didn't know what the heck they were doing and they've broken the convention. Normally the rates are set like "not over 3.0 oz, not over 4.0 oz..." so mentally you can just say "always round up". In the past you'd have said, 15.1oz -> not over 16.0 oz = 1 lb. Now, you have to say 15.5oz -> not over 15.999 oz = less than 1 lb. No shipping scale you can afford to buy can tell the difference between 15.999 oz and 16.000 oz. I doubt the post office scale can, but I haven't tried it yet. Want to check your scale? Put 4 quarters, 2 dimes, and a bill (any denomination) on your shipping scale. How much do they weigh? In theory, they should weigh 0.995 oz. Most likely your scale will say 0.9 or (hopefully) 1.0 oz. Ebay has worked around a limitation in their system by rounding down the weight of a "16 oz" First Class Package to 15.9oz when printing the label. Hey Josh,
I know you know a lot about shipping. Along that lines, have you looked at this thread? And do you have anything to add, as to whether you think Ebay is working on fixing this or not? I hope you can take a peek. I don't want to waste my time contacting Ina, if it's in the works. Thanks! Link below.
virtualsellers.proboards.com/thread/4698/first-class-rate-15-oz?page=2&scrollTo=92631
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 5:07:06 GMT
Hey Zoe, I've given it some thought and am considering charging a flat rate of $5 for 14-16 oz FC to be competitive. That should still leave a nominal amount to cover fees + supplies, without adding a handling charge, no? So far I've sold 1 or 2 items with the 15 oz calculated FC rates and suffered no buyer backlash.
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Post by jandsknight on Feb 9, 2016 5:12:20 GMT
The person at USPS who came up with the "not over 15.999 oz" knew that practically speaking 15.999 oz = 1 pound because our scales wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But they were not thinking about how breaking the convention would mess up computer programs with whole number limits on the rates.
I'm glad ebay is taking care of it. I'm afraid many sellers will be frustrated and confused. And I fear the potential trouble the improperly trained postal workers may cause. And all because of that 15.999 business. I'm surprised the USPS programmers didn't catch it and tell them to stick with 16 oz and/or 1 pound. Perhaps they didn't get involved since it's third party shippers getting those rates. I don't know anything about the interfacing between them and USPS. I've studied just enough programming (many years ago) to understand basic concepts here.
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Post by zoesam on Feb 9, 2016 18:36:21 GMT
Hey Zoe, I've given it some thought and am considering charging a flat rate of $5 for 14-16 oz FC to be competitive. That should still leave a nominal amount to cover fees + supplies, without adding a handling charge, no? So far I've sold 1 or 2 items with the 15 oz calculated FC rates and suffered no buyer backlash.
I really have no opinion on that, as I have zero desire to go to a flat rate or to drop my handling charge. If they don't fix it, I'll continue to use 13oz & make up the difference. I'm not about to change my whole way of doing business b/c of an error of theirs.
I think I've sold a couple as well & I haven't had any backlash either, but that's not really what I'm afraid of. I'm far more afraid of buyers passing up those listings all together b/c the S&H rate is outrageous.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 19:59:12 GMT
I hadn't looked at that, but it's super interesting from a programmer's perspective - "neat bug..." I'm guessing this wasn't a literal bug like "oops", but a misguided design decision. Since there's no retail equivalent of FC shipping over 13 oz, they just bump the price shown to the buyer to regular Priority for 1lb. Besides just being wrong, the problem with that is you go from a flat price to a variable price based on distance, so there's no easy way to offset the difference w/ a handling charge or something. You have to wonder what the "right" decision should have been. The best one I can come up w/ is to invent an interpolated retail rate but that seems....icky, too. To answer your question - I have no inside knowledge about Ebay. My personal opinion is that they have a lot of problems with internal communications and IT debt. It seems like at least some of their development is or has been offshored at some point and they are suffering for that. It wouldn't hurt to contact Ina, or even the Ebay shipping guru they mentioned in an article today about educating misinformed postal workers (haha, irony...). There's a good chance the people that could do something about the problem have no idea about it. Ebay at least seems more accessible than USPS. I've been trying to get an answer about a problem I'm having w/ their shipping API for two weeks...crickets. |
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Post by zoesam on Feb 9, 2016 20:07:14 GMT
I hadn't looked at that, but it's super interesting from a programmer's perspective - "neat bug..." I'm guessing this wasn't a literal bug like "oops", but a misguided design decision. Since there's no retail equivalent of FC shipping over 13 oz, they just bump the price shown to the buyer to regular Priority for 1lb. Besides just being wrong, the problem with that is you go from a flat price to a variable price based on distance, so there's no easy way to offset the difference w/ a handling charge or something. You have to wonder what the "right" decision should have been. The best one I can come up w/ is to invent an interpolated retail rate but that seems....icky, too. To answer your question - I have no inside knowledge about Ebay. My personal opinion is that they have a lot of problems with internal communications and IT debt. It seems like at least some of their development is or has been offshored at some point and they are suffering for that. It wouldn't hurt to contact Ina, or even the Ebay shipping guru they mentioned in an article today about educating misinformed postal workers (haha, irony...). There's a good chance the people that could do something about the problem have no idea about it. Ebay at least seems more accessible than USPS. I've been trying to get an answer about a problem I'm having w/ their shipping API for two weeks...crickets. Thanks for looking & for your input Josh. I was a programmer for many years, so I get it & after I quit programming, I worked for 1 of the largest software co's in the world, so I know my way around large software packages too :-). You give Ebay more credit than I do, I don't think design decision played into it. I think it's more of an accidental outcome. I appreciate you taking a look though & was just hoping that you might know someone or have some inside knowledge. Oh well, guess I'll have to write Ina, as there is absolutely no way I'm calling Ebay & try to explain this to an ESL rep who can't understand a very simple, basic problem. Which this isn't. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 20:40:00 GMT
Tried the money trick on my scale and it weighed at 1oz so I guess it's accurate. I've used other items to check it in the past and have checked it against the PO so was fairly confident in it but it was nice to double check.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 20:57:46 GMT
I hadn't looked at that, but it's super interesting from a programmer's perspective - "neat bug..." I'm guessing this wasn't a literal bug like "oops", but a misguided design decision. Since there's no retail equivalent of FC shipping over 13 oz, they just bump the price shown to the buyer to regular Priority for 1lb. Besides just being wrong, the problem with that is you go from a flat price to a variable price based on distance, so there's no easy way to offset the difference w/ a handling charge or something. You have to wonder what the "right" decision should have been. The best one I can come up w/ is to invent an interpolated retail rate but that seems....icky, too. To answer your question - I have no inside knowledge about Ebay. My personal opinion is that they have a lot of problems with internal communications and IT debt. It seems like at least some of their development is or has been offshored at some point and they are suffering for that. It wouldn't hurt to contact Ina, or even the Ebay shipping guru they mentioned in an article today about educating misinformed postal workers (haha, irony...). There's a good chance the people that could do something about the problem have no idea about it. Ebay at least seems more accessible than USPS. I've been trying to get an answer about a problem I'm having w/ their shipping API for two weeks...crickets. The first class rate for 14-16 oz. is not variable based on distance. It is showing as $6.45 (no handling) to buyer regardless of where they are. Technically, if they hadn't extended first class to these higher weight items, I'd still be shipping at padded flat rate for $6.80 (counter rate, no handling) so it is actually a bit of a savings, but I too would like to see it lowered to something that makes a bit more sense in terms of scaling up from 13 oz. (.75 - .80 ish cents each oz. ). I have no interest in going flat rate or futzing with the weight because then you're screwed next time rates change or if you get an international sale and the weight is wrong (this already happens if you want to use Regional Rate boxes - you have to input the wrong weight because they don't offer it in the calculator - they've had years to fix this and haven't so don't hold your breath). I'm more annoyed with the fractions of a pound nonsense when you go to ship since my scale is in oz. and the calculator when you list is in oz. It makes no sense whatsover to suddenly have to do a bunch of math to get to fractions of a pound and make sure the final weight matches what I used to estimate for the shipping calculator. If they don't fix this, I will be looking for another shipping service. Here is a listing for a 14 oz. item if anyone wants to check the rate to different zips - it is the same for me whether I calculate to my own zip (east coast) or 90210 (west coast) - www.ebay.com/itm/ALTUZARRA-Target-Black-Crane-Dress-4-Gold-Embroidery-Satin-Tuxedo-Sexy-Sheath-/311543456314?hash=item48896fe23a:g:FRgAAOSwQJhUgSKC |
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Post by val2525 on Feb 9, 2016 21:07:55 GMT
I hadn't looked at that, but it's super interesting from a programmer's perspective - "neat bug..." I'm guessing this wasn't a literal bug like "oops", but a misguided design decision. Since there's no retail equivalent of FC shipping over 13 oz, they just bump the price shown to the buyer to regular Priority for 1lb. Besides just being wrong, the problem with that is you go from a flat price to a variable price based on distance, so there's no easy way to offset the difference w/ a handling charge or something. You have to wonder what the "right" decision should have been. The best one I can come up w/ is to invent an interpolated retail rate but that seems....icky, too.
This is what the USPS site does too. Since it doesn't openly offer FC over 13 oz, when you request a postage price for above 13 oz, you're given parcel or priority.
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Post by jandsknight on Feb 9, 2016 21:28:43 GMT
I thought Josh meant that putting in a variable distance Priority number (1 pound Priority is only $6.45 in zones 1&2) for a first class rate was the switch fro non-variable to variable.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 21:51:12 GMT
Yep, $6.45. I haven't encountered any fractional nonsense (yet) and hope I don't coz I'm truly lost beyond simple math stuff!  Does it show up for combined shipping? As for using RRB, I shipped a pair of shoes the other day and wanted to recheck the shipping rates prior to printing a label. I was given the choice of using RRB A, and used it to save a little pocket change. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 22:17:23 GMT
... Oh well, guess I'll have to write Ina, as there is absolutely no way I'm calling Ebay & try to explain this to an ESL rep who can't understand a very simple, basic problem. Which this isn't. See this article on how to contact the right person at Ebay directly: www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y16/m02/i09/s01 |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 22:20:14 GMT
The first class rate for 14-16 oz. is not variable based on distance. Oh ok, I got that impression because some people were saying a different listing was showing different prices for them. I may have misunderstood. I'll check out the listing you linked to when I get home. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2016 22:21:32 GMT
I hadn't looked at that, but it's super interesting from a programmer's perspective - "neat bug..." I'm guessing this wasn't a literal bug like "oops", but a misguided design decision. Since there's no retail equivalent of FC shipping over 13 oz, they just bump the price shown to the buyer to regular Priority for 1lb. Besides just being wrong, the problem with that is you go from a flat price to a variable price based on distance, so there's no easy way to offset the difference w/ a handling charge or something. You have to wonder what the "right" decision should have been. The best one I can come up w/ is to invent an interpolated retail rate but that seems....icky, too.This is what the USPS site does too. Since it doesn't openly offer FC over 13 oz, when you request a postage price for above 13 oz, you're given parcel or priority. That makes sense because you cannot print discounted (commercial rate) postage from USPS.com any longer. |
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Post by zoesam on Feb 9, 2016 23:46:46 GMT
The first class rate for 14-16 oz. is not variable based on distance. Oh ok, I got that impression because some people were saying a different listing was showing different prices for them. I may have misunderstood. I'll check out the listing you linked to when I get home. No, Fashion is correct, not variable. Here's another example, but it has a $1.95 handling charge, so showing $8.40 to anywhere.
www.ebay.com/itm/172088138219?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 0:11:53 GMT
Yep, $6.45. I haven't encountered any fractional nonsense (yet) and hope I don't coz I'm truly lost beyond simple math stuff! Does it show up for combined shipping? As for using RRB, I shipped a pair of shoes the other day and wanted to recheck the shipping rates prior to printing a label. I was given the choice of using RRB A, and used it to save a little pocket change. The fractions of a pound come into play with the bulk shipping tool (or whatever you call it when you print all the labels at once). When I set up my listing I estimate the weight based on unpackaged item weight rounded up and add an oz. When the item sells and it is packaged, I reweigh it and use that weight when I print the label - usually my estimate is right, but sometimes I am an oz. over or under. But now instead of the weight in the shipping tool being in oz. to match my scale it is a range like .4325-.4575 and here I am trying to figure out that 7 oz. is .4375 and yes, that does fall into that range. I am number challenged too. Regional boxes show up for printing, but when you set up the listing it is not an option for the rate calculator, so you have to just put the weight in as 2# even if it weighs 4# if you know you want to ship it in a RRA. But then you're screwed if it sells to Canada and you're shipping a 4# package and only getting paid for 2# The only other way is to go ahead and charge the customer 4# and then refund if you're able to send in the RRA but then you're showing a crazy high 4# rate and discouraging sales. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 0:25:10 GMT
Thanks for your very informative explanation on all counts, fashion*! I've never done bulk shipping or International, so I guess I'm safe for now.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 0:44:24 GMT
fashion, you know I'm with you on the fractions thing. I'm sure hoping enough people complain that they fix that.
As far as the RRA boxes go, I do the same as you and just put the weight as 2 lbs. It doesn't happen all that often, so when it does, I just take international shipping off of those particular listings. I don't ship to Canada anyway and only get an international sale about once a month, so I figure I'm not losing a lot of buyers. If it were something that I knew would be especially attractive to the Japanese market, as an example, I'd probably stick with the true weight.
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Does it show up for combined shipping?