Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17227 Location: Texas

Online-auction sellers on eBay, Amazon and other marketplaces were bracing for the new USPS rates that go into effect Monday, May 14, 2007.

The immediate question over the weekend was what to do about packages being prepared on Sunday but mailed on Monday, since software programs wouldn't update to the new shipping rates until after midnight Sunday night. eBay sellers mulled over strategies for dealing with this issue on the Packaging & Shipping forum (http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=1000493252).

A bookseller on the Amazon boards suggested sellers change the date on their computers to Monday so the labels would print with the new rates (http://www.amazonsellercommunity.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=134697).

more.. link to news article

ASLANstore · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 704 Location: MidWest

elgato wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Some sellers have posted their concerns that the postal clerks on the front lines may be unprepared for the changes, leading to hassles at the counter. Online sellers are bracing themselves for a challenging week.

That's my 2nd biggest concern.

My biggest concern is my bottom line. My packages typically weigh 5oz and have cost $1.49 in the past. I just printed off 6 labels this last hour at $1.99 a pop! Since I offer free shipping, this is straight outta my profit. I'm definitely going to have to re-do my price structure. Since I don't do that often, in an attempt to stay competitive, I will be preparing that price raise in light of the looming eBay fee increases.

So since I now charge DOUBLE what i used to charge international customers, my profit just just keeps dwindling down. I used to be able to send a flat rate Global Priority for about $5 anywhere in the world - but now that price is $9 to Canada and $11 everywhere else. I won't blame my intl customers one bit for not wanting to pay that shipping price - it's outrageous.

Marty

strugglingtosell · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 10

Is there no longer a small international envelope availabe? I could ship that for 5.25 Worldwide and 4.25 to Canada. So, are we left with only the large flat rate international now?

ASLANstore · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 704 Location: MidWest

strugglingtosell,
They've done away with Global Priority packaging. It's being absorbed by International Priority, which costs twice as much.

However - you can probably ship items as cheaply as you did before, under there new service called "First Class International". That won't be trackable tho - unless of course you register it for just another $8 (LOL).

I will not send my packages overseas if they cannot be tracked - unless of course it's a trusted repeat customer. With 99% of my shipping issues/problems coming from my overseas shipment, there is simply no way I will ship w/o proof of shipment/delivery. So this translates into charging my intl customers $10 on average ($9 for Canada/Mexico & $11 anywhere else). Most of my items are mid-line priced at $10 - so imagine, my valued clients will now be paying just as much in shipping as they do for the item.... not a whole lotta thought put into this restructuring (typical government)

Marty

nopaypal · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 2008

everybody & their whole family is on the USPS site today, too...
:(

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

I just sent out a 6 X 9" envelope - 2 oz. thru Paypal and it cost me $1.48!!!! Is that correct? It always cost me 77 cents! I have a feeling Paypal flubbed again :-( Can't get into USPS to check it.

ASLANstore · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 704 Location: MidWest

Unless you accidentally marked "irregular sized package" - then it is correct.

USPS rates are increasing by as much as 98% for some folks

Marty

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

About the only thing the stupid media harps on is the 2 cent increase for stamps. Why don't they tell the whole story! USPS says this raise still puts them behind...ominous as to what is ahead :-(

nopaypal · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 2008

if they're so broke, why are they sponsoring bike teams & ice skaters?
:evil:

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

Seems to me it wasn't too long ago they were bragging about how well run they were and how much in the black they were. Reading the threads on ebay I can see total frustration and shock because its a whole lot more than just a 2 cent raise in stamps LOL We seem to have the laziest and stupidest media lately :-(

Runway67 · Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 56 Location: Minnesota

I have a great relationship with the postal people in my local PO. I only go there when I have International packages and they all know me. Thinking I was smart I took a few packages to the post office today I thought I would get a chance to have a little conversation to get me set straight on how the changes would effect me.

I left at 10:30 thinking i would beat the lunch crowd. I was very surprised to see traffic backed up down the street both ways around the post office. I have never seen it that bad, not even the day befoere christmas. Needless to say I made a U turn and went back home.

Not only is this effecting auction businesses but every business that sends mail.

I think I will stay away from the post office for awhile until things settle down.

rowsofclothes · Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 73

Patty00 wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")About the only thing the stupid media harps on is the 2 cent increase for stamps. Why don't they tell the whole story! USPS says this raise still puts them behind...ominous as to what is ahead :-(

Exactly! Thats all that was said on our local news. That and the purchase of the "forever" stamp. :roll:

nopaypal · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 2008

Quote: › docWrite("quote")We seem to have the laziest and stupidest media lately
hear hear
:roll:

Patty00 · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 1018

There's a whole thread on the artist's discussion board over there (as there is on most discussion boards). Artwork is really getting hit hard because its oversized but generally light. Every post office I passed yesterday was deluged with cars around the block. Businesses aren't getting clear instructions so they are going to the post office - where the clerks know even less! USPS never even trained its clerks for this massive change. 2 cent raise in stamps my ###!!! That wasn't even the tip of the iceberg. This is the largest raise they ever put on us...and their formulas for figuring out postage are unbelievable!!!!

nopaypal · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 2008

patty, i agree completely--the PO sent their clerks to seminars & the changes still werent clear to em! who knew intl rates were rising over 60%?? consequently, the POs are a nitemare--worse than xmas!
:shock:

i hope the PO gets what they deserve fer this...but i kinda doubt it.
:evil: