yet ANOTHER complaint about high shipping--revisted.

[thekloset]

::SIGH::

when I started switching things to FC to take advance of the new ounce range, I originally set things to 15 oz, not fully understanding the implications of it.

making my FC shipping $7. (6.45+ .55H)

once I realized the absurdity of that, I have diligently been trying to roll those FC down to 13 oz+.55. its a colossal PITA because I really have no way of easily seeing what I did to which...its a painful hand edit of each and every...again.

I must have missed a few. I woke up this morning to a lowball offer because shipping is too high. (I declined, but whatever).

so I just want to bring this issue back to the forefront...this is now multiple times that I've had complaints.

until the oz change, I shipped priority only. i'm telling you now---I probably had a handful of complaints over the years, but for the most part it was fine. (and any random complaint was probably slightly legit-like a 3 oz chiffon tank--but I was firm on priority only so it didn't really faze me--it was what it was, and I made no apologies for it)

i'm just highly suggesting that if you are using the new ounce range that you are clear on what the $ are from a customer perspective. the new rates are disproportionally high--

so either strongly consider stopping at 13 oz and eating the actual .5-.10 diff or go PFRE if you can.

[SA]

eBay (or whoevers fault it is) really needs to fix this!

I feel bad for all of you that are using calculated shipping

[Emerald_Door]

I now use 13 oz for those packages weighing 14 - 16 oz.

[57roses]

I am changing to fixed rate First class. Up to 8 oz=$2.60. 9-16 oz=$3.95. I still have buy 3 ship free promo.

[Deleted]

I try to use free shipping for any first class package, and of course, roll my cost - most of it anyway - into the item cost. Generally my price points can support this.  You're right, sucks for sellers who do FC calculated shipping.  Thanks for bringing the disparity to my attention. 

[val2525]

virtualsellers.proboards.com/thread/4698/first-class-rate-15-oz

I use flat rate shipping for domestic. Less hassle. Only time now that I use calculated is if the item is heavy and will not fit in a padded PMFRE.

[zoesam]

I heard from Ina today, haven't had a chance to update any of the threads. It doesn't sound too promising though, she said she can't guarantee that EBay will even answer her. She said she added my letter to the letters blog, but I wasn't finding it when I looked (pre-coffee) this AM to see if other sellers would comment. I need to go rest though, as I'm beat today & need to muster up enough energy for my first shower in a week.

This is a serious problem & Ina is aware that it affects all BUYERS & SELLERS who use calculated shipping. Buyers are getting ripped off. Problem is that I think most sellers aren't even aware. I never look at my own shipping costs, there's no need to when you're calculated. Until now.

Ina is aware that they are artificially inflated for all 14-16oz FC.

Hold on...she just emailed me right now, with a supposed EBay reply.

[zoesam]

Here's Ina's response. I have not looked into it AT ALL, as it literally came in as I was typing the above post & more importantly, I am totally beat & need to go rest for awhile. I have no idea if this is a valid answer or not, but it's what EBay told her.  This is going to take more brainpower to review, than what I have right now, but please feel free to take a look, try it, whatever & post your findings.

FROM INA:

Hi Zoe,

Here is eBay's response - apparently you can adjust your preferences:


The first issue you mention has been resolved. You can find updated info at the below AB post.





announcements.ebay.com/2016/01/information-on-the-january-17-usps-rate-change/



As for the second piece, 14-15.99oz first class package at commercial pricing is only offered through online printing tools like eBay labels, and is not available at retail locations of the USPS for purchase. We allow sellers to specify in their shipping preferences if they want to charge retail or online/discounted rates. If a seller specifies retail rates in their preferences, then we display a price which is available for Priority Mail at retail in the 14-15.99 weight range (6.45) to help seller cover their retail shipping cost at the USPS store. If the seller sets their shipping preference to charge online/discounted USPS pricing, the buyer will be charged the same rate as Ebay labels charges for 14-15.99 (3.55-3.65). Detailed chart is also show in the same AB post above.


Thanks,
Ina

[Pantlandia]

Feb 21, 2016 22:23:44 GMT zoesam said:

As for the second piece, 14-15.99oz first class package at commercial pricing is only offered through online printing tools like eBay labels, and is not available at retail locations of the USPS for purchase. We allow sellers to specify in their shipping preferences if they want to charge retail or online/discounted rates. If a seller specifies retail rates in their preferences, then we display a price which is available for Priority Mail at retail in the 14-15.99 weight range (6.45) to help seller cover their retail shipping cost at the USPS store. If the seller sets their shipping preference to charge online/discounted USPS pricing, the buyer will be charged the same rate as Ebay labels charges for 14-15.99 (3.55-3.65). Detailed chart is also show in the same AB post above.


Thanks,
Ina

Exactly what I've been saying all along. eBay cannot fix this because they don't have the data to fix it as USPS does not offer counter rates for those weights.

[val2525]

As for the second piece, 14-15.99oz first class package at commercial pricing is only offered through online printing tools like eBay labels, and is not available at retail locations of the USPS for purchase. We allow sellers to specify in their shipping preferences if they want to charge retail or online/discounted rates. If a seller specifies retail rates in their preferences, then we display a price which is available for Priority Mail at retail in the 14-15.99 weight range (6.45) to help seller cover their retail shipping cost at the USPS store. If the seller sets their shipping preference to charge online/discounted USPS pricing, the buyer will be charged the same rate as Ebay labels charges for 14-15.99 (3.55-3.65).


Makes total sense to me. Change your settings to allow discounted rates to show. I think you can still add a handling charge and the buyer will see the combined price (discount+handling). I can't blame eBay for not wanting to design a whole new interface.

[zoesam]

Feb 21, 2016 22:43:08 GMT Pantlandia said:

Feb 21, 2016 22:23:44 GMT zoesam said:

As for the second piece, 14-15.99oz first class package at commercial pricing is only offered through online printing tools like eBay labels, and is not available at retail locations of the USPS for purchase. We allow sellers to specify in their shipping preferences if they want to charge retail or online/discounted rates. If a seller specifies retail rates in their preferences, then we display a price which is available for Priority Mail at retail in the 14-15.99 weight range (6.45) to help seller cover their retail shipping cost at the USPS store. If the seller sets their shipping preference to charge online/discounted USPS pricing, the buyer will be charged the same rate as Ebay labels charges for 14-15.99 (3.55-3.65). Detailed chart is also show in the same AB post above.


Thanks,
Ina

Exactly what I've been saying all along. eBay cannot fix this because they don't have the data to fix it as USPS does not offer counter rates for those weights.

LOL, Jeremy as I responded the last time you posted this.  They CAN change it.  I understand if they choose not to, but they certainly can & you asked what numbers they would use.  As I said before, although there are several options, the numbers that make sense are simply to use what we're being charged.  Sorry, I was a programmer most of my adult life, there is no reason at all why they can't change this. 

I have been super busy with house stuff, so I haven't had a chance to look at what EBay gave Ina as a response, I hope to tonight.  But from Val's posting, it looks like it's simply the choice whether to pass along the discount or not.  That's nothing new & that does not address this problem specifically.  It just would have a different impact than it has before, b/c this situation has never occurred before.   I don't think that's the solution, but it's not up to me, it's up to Ebay.

ETA; the LOL is not at you.  It's just about the post.  You & Val keep posting the exact same thing (that ebay can't fix it & to use flat rate).  Kloset & I keep posting the exact same thing, but different answers (that they can & should fix it & that we have no interest in being flat rate).  We just see this issue completely differently & I think we will continue to.   We simply disagree.  At least though if EBay has spoken, then we know where their heads are at, as far as fixing it.  In which case, to me, Kloset's solution of going to 13oz is still the best solution.  Annoying as it is.

[val2525]

It's not that eBay CAN'T fix it, they don't want to because it involves a new shipping interface. It's not that big of a problem right now. If it becomes one, ebay might look at designing an interface then. But for now, the work around is easy. Go flat rate or turn on the show discounts and add the handling fee you want.

[kritter]

"Fixing it" is not a big issue to ebay and apparently not enough sellers are up in revolt over it (which probably wouldn't make any difference to ebay anyway)so they don't care to fix what is not broke to them.

Ebay just doesn't care.

[bettyblackbent]

I understand if they choose not to, but they certainly can & you asked what numbers they would use. As I said before, although there are several options, the numbers that make sense are simply to use what we're being charged.

If you want to use "what we're being charged", change your preferences to charge all buyers the discounted rate (plus whatever handling fee you add) for everything you ship.

It's not acceptable to ME as a seller to designate that I DON'T want to "pass on the savings to my buyers" by using the discounted rate for calculated shipping and then have eBay decide on my behalf that I will indeed be "passing on the savings" by using the discounted rate to calculate SOME of the shipping.

[zoesam]

I have no interest in passing on my discount. Changing the preference would affect all shipping weights, not just the 3 in error. I simply want them to fix the 3 weights that are in error creating artificially high costs.

[bettyblackbent]

I have no interest in passing on my discount. Changing the preference would affect all shipping weights, not just the 3 in error. I simply want them to fix the 3 weights that are in error creating artificially high costs.

But there IS NO OTHER PRICE TO USE THAN THE DISCOUNTED ONE.  

First Class for 13.01-15.99 oz can only be used with the discount. In order to "fix" the error, they would have to use the discounted price to calculate the cost, because that is the only price that exists.

Which means that if they do what you want them to....you will be passing on your discount for all packages 13.01-15.99 oz shipped first class.

[zoesam]

That's only 1 way they can fix it. There are multiple. I made various suggestions in the other long thread. But since they don't pay me to code or analyze for them, it doesn't really matter.

I haven't even had a chance to look at the "fix" they told Ina they had. Something about moving 20K lbs worth of household goods, is taking priority. Plus, regardless of what Kloset & I think they should do, they're not going to do it unless a whole bunch of sellers speak up & most sellers don't even notice this 'hidden' problem. So, I'm done worrying about it, I have a house to pack up. It is what it is. Kloset's solution is the best one & the one I've been implementing b/c I don't expect that ebay will fix it. But it's slow & tedious, it's just better than all the alternatives & I don't have as many to change as she does.

I'm done with it. I'm gonna look at what Ina passed along from Ebay when I have the time, but I think it's simply the passing along the discount toggle, which is not at all a correct solution.

[Deleted]

Just saw this, maybe it will help

announcements.ebay.com/2016/03/sellers-lower-usps-first-class-rates-coming-april-10/?_trksid=p3984.m2301.l3955

[zoesam]

Mar 18, 2016 13:43:49 GMT @chichappenz said:

Just saw this, maybe it will help

announcements.ebay.com/2016/03/sellers-lower-usps-first-class-rates-coming-april-10/?_trksid=p3984.m2301.l3955

If I'm reading that correctly, it affects 1-3oz. We're talking about 14-15.999oz. So it won't help with this particular problem, though it may well help overall.  I don't really know, as I rarely ship anything 1-3oz, so I'm not sure what the deal is with those.

[Deleted]

Well darn, I read it wrong!

[val2525]

Gang, check out my item 121928659048.

I revised it to first class/calulated/15 oz/no handling and no discount passed on.

I think it's been fixed for 14-15 oz.

You still can't do 15.99 but you've never been able to do .xx of ounce on ebay anyway.

[val2525]

Nevermind. eBay had me set to pass on discounts.

however, when I set it for calculated/usps rates less 10% discount (one of the other options)/no handling, it comes out to $5.81 FC for 15 oz.

[zoesam]

Bummer :-( I got so excited. That sounds about right Val for a 10% discount. I came up with 5.76 off the top of my head, but that's probably not an exact match cuz I am going off the top of my head instead of looking it up LOL.

I don't want to offer a discount though. Or pass along a discount. Or give up my handling fee. I want to keep everything as it currently is :-)

No fair, getting me this excited  & then letting me down.  At least it was gentle  

[Emerald_Door]

I'm just setting everything from 13 to 15.9 at the 13oz rate. It's only 5 cents more per ounce when I print the label, so it's not a big deal.

[zoesam]

Mar 23, 2016 14:18:58 GMT Emerald_Door said:

I'm just setting everything from 13 to 15.9 at the 13oz rate. It's only 5 cents more per ounce when I print the label, so it's not a big deal.

Yeah, that really is the only solution that makes sense, since it doesn't seem they're gonna fix it.  I'd rather just pay the few cents difference.  

Has anyone looked at the response that Ina got from Ebay & checked out that link? I haven't had a chance to do it yet.

BTW, have you done one at 15.9 yet?  How do you enter that when you go to print the shipping label?  

[Emerald_Door]

Yes. When you go to print the label, select 16 oz under the list of first class options. It will print as 15.9oz and will charge you $3.65.

[Deleted]

That's what I do, too, emerald.