posted on April 22, 2007 04:45:33 AM new
Copied from Ebays new FAQ's page regarding the new shipping rates:
Q. There's a lot to learn here. What do I need to remember?
A. Here is a summary of what you need to know:
* For sellers using Flat Rate Shipping in the U.S., update your listings in early May to the new rates. Turbo Lister and the Mass Listing Editor have been enhanced to help you make the updates easily.
* For sellers using Calculated Shipping in the U.S., new rates will be automatically updated in your item listings starting May 3, and in checkout starting May 10.
New calculated rates will be available during checkout on May 10 (4 days before USPS changes its rates), because a few days are required between item checkout time and payment clearance before the item can be shipped. Items that close after May 10th are likely to ship at the new rates. Your customers will see the correct rates when they bid.
* For sellers who ship outside the U.S., it is especially important to review and update listings because all USPS international services are changing. New services will be available in new listings starting in early May, and a message on affected item listings will alert potential buyers to discontinued International shipping services. Calculated rates will change for buyers outside the U.S. beginning May 14.
Q. Why are international changes handled differently than domestic changes?
A. While the USPS changes in the U.S. revolve primarily around rates, both the USPS service offerings and rates are changing outside the U.S.
General Questions about the USPS rate change on eBay
Q. I Can I edit shipping for live listings with Turbo Lister or Mass Listing Editor?
A. Yes. To support sellers through this change, we have added this feature to both Turbo Lister and Mass Listing Editor.
- Turbo Lister now offers support for editing live listings, even if you didn't create them with Turbo Lister.
- Mass Listing Editor has been enhanced to let you edit all shipping services, not just the first one.
The new rates and international services will be available in both tools starting in early May.
Q. What are the restrictions on editing live listings?
A. Shipping rates cannot be edited if:
- the item has bids
- the item is ending within 12 hours
- the item is part of a multi-item listing, part of which has already sold
Please take the time to learn about the rate and service changes and begin making appropriate edits to your listings in early May.
Q. If I edit my shipping rates before May, will my listings be in violation of eBay's Excessive Shipping Policy?
A. No. eBay's Trust and Safety representatives have been informed of the USPS rate changes, and are aware that you will review and make adjustments to the rates for your listings in early May.
eBay's Excessive Shipping Policy allows sellers to charge for actual postage and packaging materials costs as part of an item sale. You're also allowed to charge a reasonable handling fee, where appropriate.
Q. I sold an item on eBay, and when I took it to the Post Office, I learned that the rates have increased and the shipping is more expensive than what I charged the buyer. What should I do?
A. You should honor the shipping service levels and prices included in your listing. Please review your listings in advance and make any appropriate changes to shipping costs for items expected to ship on or after May 14.
Q. I was able to ship an item faster than I expected, and I managed to get the old USPS rates. The actual postage I paid was less than what I charged the buyer. What should I do?
A. The choice is yours, though many sellers choose to refund the extra money to their customers.
Q. Is there a "grace period" during which USPS will accept packages with the old rates?
A. No, there are no plans for a grace period.
Q. Are other carriers' shipping rates changing at the same time?
A. No. Only USPS rates are changing on May 14. Rates and services on other carriers are not affected.
Different Selling Methods and the USPS Rate Change
Q. I sell on eBay Motors. How will the new shipping rate be reflected on eBay Motors?
A. The shipping rates for eBay Motors will be updated in the Shipping Calculator at the same time as eBay.com rates, so that listings likely to close, be paid for, or ship after the rate change display the correct rate.
Your potential buyers will see the new calculated rates in eBay Motors listings for items likely to end on or after May 10. Keep in mind that:
- 7-day and 10-day listings created after May 2 will show the new rates
- 3-day listings created after May 6 will show the new rates
Q. I own an eBay Store. How will the USPS rate change affect my Good 'Til Cancelled Store Inventory listings?
A. If you own an eBay Store and have Good 'Til Cancelled Store Inventory listings, you will have to manually edit those listings in order to edit the shipping details. Below please find step-by-step instructions on how to make changes to your Store Inventory listings using eBay Tools.
Edit My Good 'Til Cancelled Store Inventory Listings in Bulk
eBay Tool How to
My eBay, Selling Manager, and Selling Manager Pro 1. Within Items I'm Selling in My eBay, or the Active listings view in Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro, click the check box next to the listings you want to edit. Then, click on the Edit button at the top or bottom of the section.
2. You'll be taken to a screen where you can choose which fields you want to edit and whether you want to edit in mass (edit many individual listings separately on the same page) or in bulk (apply the exact same change to many listings at the same time).
File Exchange 1. Using the File Exchange Center, upload a file with the action equal to End for each listing you want to end.
2. Include the Item ID of the listings you want to edit or end.
3. If you wish to edit your items, include the column headers and relevant information you wish to edit. You will need to ensure the file you submit complies with the edit or end rules.
4. Visit the File Exchange Center for more information on how to use File Exchange to list items.
Blackthorne Basic and Pro 1. On Monitor Listings, select the running Store Inventory listings. Go to Listing Actions -> Bulk Change Fields. Select the fields to be changed and click on Assign.
Seller's Assistant Basic Not Applicable.
Seller's Assistant Pro 1. In the Listings Grid View, select the running Store Inventory listings to be edited. Click on Make a Batch Change. Change the desired field. Go to Actions -> Revise your Listing(s).
Q. I own an eBay Store. How will the USPS rate change affect my multiple-quantity Good 'Til Cancelled Store Inventory listings that have had at least one sale?
A. If you own an eBay Store and have multiple-quantity Good 'Til Cancelled Store Inventory listings with at least one sale, you will have to manually end and relist those listings to edit the shipping details. Below please find step-by-step instructions on how to make changes to your Store Inventory listings using eBay Tools.
Relist My Multiple-Quantity Good 'Til Cancelled Store Inventory Listings that have had a Sale in Bulk
eBay Tool How to
My eBay, Selling Manager, and Selling Manager Pro 1. To end listings individually, select "End item" from the Action drop down for each item within My eBay or Selling Manager.
2. Selling Manager also allows you to end multiple listings at one time. Select the checkbox next to each listing you want to end then click the End button at the bottom of the page.
3. To relist a listing individually, select "Relist" from the Action drop down for each item within My eBay or Selling Manager.
4. Selling Manager also allows you to relist multiple listings at one time. Select the checkbox next to each listing you want to end then click the Relist button at the bottom of the page.
5. Within Items I'm Selling in My eBay, or the Active listings view in Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro, click the check box next to the listings you want to edit. Then, click on the Edit button at the top or bottom of the section.
6. You'll be taken to a screen where you can choose which fields you want to edit and whether you want to edit in mass (edit many individual listings separately on the same page) or in bulk (apply the exact same change to many listings at the same time).
File Exchange 1. Using the File Exchange Center, upload a file with the action equal to End for each listing you want to end.
2. Include the Item ID of the listings you want to edit or end.
3. If you wish to edit your items, include the column headers and relevant information you wish to edit. You will need to ensure the file you submit complies with the edit or end rules.
4. Visit the File Exchange Center for more information on how to use File Exchange to list items.
Blackthorne Basic and Pro 1. On Monitor Listings, select the active Store Inventory listings to be ended. Go to Listing Actions -> End Listing Early.
Seller's Assistant Basic 1. In the Listings Grid View, select the active Store Inventory listings to be ended. Go Actions -> End Selected Listing(s).
Seller's Assistant Pro 1. In the Listings Grid View, select the active Store Inventory listings to be ended. Go Actions -> End Selected Listing(s).
Q. I sell on eBay Express. How will my potential buyers see shipping costs on item listings and during checkout?
A. If you enter your own shipping rates (Flat Rate Shipping), potential buyers will see the amount you enter in the Shipping Details portion of the item listing. Make sure you update your listings to account for any relevant rate changes.
If you use the shipping calculator in your listings, potential buyers will see the new rates in the item listing and during checkout starting May 10.
Q. I sell on Half.com. How will I be affected?
A. The USPS rate changes have necessitated an increase in shipping amounts charged to buyers for books, movies, music and video games.
To offset the impact of the change, we've increased reimbursements to sellers on Half.com in the same categories. The changes will go into effect on May 10, in advance of the USPS change on Monday, May 14.
The revised shipping reimbursements for sellers are:
Media Mail Expedited Method
Hardcover Books
Second Item - Same Seller $3.07 per item
$1.40 per item $5.24 per item
$3.49 per item
Paperback Book
Second Item - Same Seller $2.64 per item
$1.19 per item $5.20 per item
$2.24 per item
AudioBooks
Second Item - Same Seller $2.64 per item
$1.15 per item $5.20 per item
$1.94 per item
Music $2.39 per item
$1.03 per item $5.20 per item
$1.99 per item
VHS Movies
Second Item - Same Seller $2.14 per item
$1.19 per item $5.20 per item
$1.99 per item
DVD Movies
Second Item - Same Seller $2.39 per item
$1.19 per item $5.20 per item
$1.99 per item
Games
Second Item - Same Seller $2.89 per item
$1.15 per item $5.20 per item
$1.99 per item
There are no changes to the Game Systems shipping charges.
Q. How will the updated changes on Half.com affect buyers?
A. For more information on the change in buyer rates, see the Half.com shipping help page.
Priority MailŪ Questions
Q. When does dimensional weight pricing apply?
A. Dimensional-weight pricing only applies to Priority Mail packages larger than 1 cubic foot capacity and traveling to destinations within Zones 5 through 8 (zones which use air transportation). Please visit the U.S. Postal Service Web site for more information on dimensional weight pricing.
Q. If I ship with Priority Mail boxes, will the new dimensional weight pricing affect me?
A. No. All Priority Mail boxes are less than one cubic foot, so your item would not be subject to dimensional weight pricing.
Q. Will I be able to enter dimensions for Priority Mail packages when I put the eBay Shipping Calculator in my listings?
A. Yes, you can enter dimensions if you select Priority Mail as a service and select a package size.
Q. Can I research the new rates on eBay?
A. Yes, the Research Rates tool will show both old and new shipping rates. Just click on the link that says "See new rates". Please note the link to the new rates will not be available in the Shipping Calculator until early May.
Q. I ship with the Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. Are those rates going up too?
A. Yes. USPS prices for flat rate boxes are increasing to $9.15. In addition, USPS is introducing new International Flat Rate boxes.
Shipping Calculator Questions
Q. I use the Shipping Calculator in my listings. Do I need to update rates manually?
A. No. The Shipping Calculator will calculate and display the new rates for you, starting in early May.
Q. Why will the Shipping Calculator display the new rates early, when the rate change doesn't actually happen until May 14?
A. The rates will be updated early in the Shipping Calculator so that listings likely to close, be paid for and ship after the rate change display the correct rate.
Your potential buyers will see the new calculated rates in the listings for items likely to end on or after May 10. Keep in mind that:
* 7-day and 10-day listings created after May 2 will show the new rates
* 3-day listings created after May 6 will show the new rates
Q. If a buyer uses Buy It Now to purchase one of my items that is otherwise expected to end after May 10, what postage rate will the buyer pay under Calculated Shipping?
A. For U.S. items expected to end after May 10, the new rates will appear in item listings starting May 3, and the new rates will be charged during checkout starting May 10.
If the items sells earlier than expected (e.g., before May 10), the old rates will display during checkout. This is because 1) the rates will not have changed in checkout yet, and 2) most items that close before May 10 will clear payment and ship before May 14.
Researching New Rates
Q. Where can I learn more about the U.S. Postal Service rate and service changes?
A. Please visit the U.S. Postal Service web site to learn more.
Q. I enter my own shipping cost when I list items. How can I find out what the new shipping rates will be?
A. You can access information on the U.S. Postal Service web site. In addition, beginning in early May you will be able to access the new rates in the Research Rates tool on eBay. Just click on the link that says "See new rates." Please note the link to the new rates will not be available in the Shipping Calculator until early May.
International Shipping Questions
Q. Which U.S. Postal Service International services are changing?
A. The Postal Service is changing its International shipping services. The products have been restructured from eight International Mail services into four:
USPS service name before May 14, 2007 After May 14, 2007
Global Express Guaranteed document
Global Express Guaranteed non-document Global Express Guaranteed
Global Express Mail Express Mail International
Airmail Parcel Post
Economy Parcel Post
Global Priority Mail Priority Mail International
Airmail Letter Post
Economy Letter Post First-Class Mail International
To learn about the specific USPS international services and features, please visit the USPS International Mail FAQs or the January/February issue of USPS MailPro.
In addition, the Postal Service has added more flat rate shipping options in the international service offering. Up to a 20-pound limit, or allowable contents, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Boxes will be $23 to Canada and Mexico, and $37 for all other countries. Please visit the U.S. Postal Service website to learn more.
Q. I am listing items for sale with international shipping around May 14, 2007. How can I include the correct international services in my listing?
A. Use the Sell Your Item form and choose both old and new rates in the shipping section drop down menu of international shipping services. Both sets of rates will display in the item listing, so potential buyers will know what to expect regardless of the item ending date.
Note that after May 14, 2007, you will only be able to select the "new" services in the Sell Your Item form. If you expect the item to checkout and ship after May 14, select the new services. If you are unsure when the item will checkout and ship (e.g. Buy it Now items), you should consider including both old and new services.
Q. What happens if I include an international shipping service in my listing with calculated shipping, and that service is eliminated while my listing is still live?
A. Your listing will display the eliminated service in the calculated shipping section even after May 14, but there won't be a rate calculation for that service so a buyer may need to contact you for details. If your listing will end on or after May 14, you should make sure you select at least one new international service so that shipping rates can be calculated for your potential buyer.
If you entered your own shipping rate (in the Flat Shipping Section of the Sell Your Item form, for example), potential buyers will see the rate you entered when you listed the item.
