eBay Announces Lower USPS Rates, Is It Good News Sellers?
eBay recently announced shipping rates for some packages shipped via USPS Priority Mail would be going down, but conveniently failed to give any specific details, which left sellers to figure out on their own if they're getting a good deal.
Sellers using eBay Labels will now save even more on Priority Mail labels for packages up to 5 pounds in zones 1 – 4, effective immediately.
In addition to offering great shipping discounts from all the major carriers, eBay Labels is a simple and convenient way for you to purchase, edit and print your shipping labels, either individually or in bulk. Plus, with tracking information automatically uploaded and always included, eBay Labels makes it easy to ship what you sell on eBay.
Smart Ship Tip: eBay’s Shipping Calculator has already been updated, and you will also see the new pricing in eBay Labels.
Here's what sellers in the community have discovered so far - while there are some savings compared to basic commercial rates, eBay appears to just be offering the same commercial plus rates as many other providers, like Pirate Ship.
We'll probably have to slog through and make up our own little charts.
Here are a few data points to get started, with comparisons to the prices shown in Notice 123 for Commercial Priority Mail (i.e., what non-TRS have been paying for eBay labels). Which raises the question: Will TRS get 3% off of these new bargain eBay Priority prices? Probably not.
2 pounds to Zone 1&2:
New eBay rate: $7.53
Notice 123 rate: $8.27
5 pounds to Zone 4:
New eBay rate: $9.15
Notice 123: $10.07
10 pounds to Zone 4:
New eBay rate: $11.98
Notice 123: $13.17
Those are some remarkable savings.
Even more remarkable is the comparison to the price for Parcel Select Ground for those 3 weight/zone combinations: $7.53 (yes, identical), $9.16 (yes, PS is a penny MORE), and $12.19 (PS is 21 cents more).
But of course all that will change in a few weeks when new USPS rates go into effect on January 22; Parcel Select Ground rates are not scheduled to increase.
I hate to burst anyone's bubble but I am already getting exactly the same price from Pirateship that you are showing as the "new" rate. So the only conclusion is that eBay is trying to claim credit for something the post office did on its own.
I have a 2 pound package going today from 89011 to 85653 which the rate chart shows as being zone 4.
eBay is quoting me $8.27. Pirateship is quoting $8.05 as regular priority mail (i.e. NOT cubic pricing). I used 10x10x10 as the size.
But the package is actually a 7x7x6 post office supplied box which is 2/10ths of a cubic foot. In that case Pirateship will only charge me $7.90 for that one. eBay is still at $8.27.
Speaking of Pirateship and the "savings."
I compared my last three sales....I think that was my ONLY sales I've had in the last few weeks with the ebay shipping label price and Pirateship and the price came out exactly the same. Granted, all three were shipped in Regional Rate A boxes so I don't know if that had anything to do with it.
While I'm sure sellers appreciate every penny they can save on shipping, it doesn't sound like eBay has gone above and beyond to deliver a Christmas miracle and better rates may still be found elsewhere.
Are you seeing lower USPS rates on eBay vs other postage providers? Let us know in the comments below!
