Calculated Shipping Not Charging Enough?

[Former_Member]

I had set up my calculated shipping, thinking I was doing it properly. After going through my current orders, I realize that this is far from true.

This is how I am set up:
For example, a single wine glass.
- In the shipping profile I have my zip code, where I ship to, shipping services and a $2.50 handling fee for packaging and supplies.
- In the listing itself, I have item weight of 1lb. 8 oz. which is the generic size I enter every time when I ship wine glasses (previously 1lb. but it was way undercharging) and the item size (wine glass measurements) at 9x9x4 and that is it.

The handling fee is included in the final shipping cost the buyer pays for. My problem is that, upon checking a listing while printing a label, it seems that the calculated shipping is undercharging anywhere from $2-$5 from what I've caught. For example, a recent order going to Texas shows the shipping was calculated at $6.65 + $2.50 handling fee. I paid $10.55 to ship it. This is not including the $2.50 handling fee, which is boxes, bubble wrap and peanuts. Her total should have been $13.05 and I paid nearly $4 out of pocket to ship just this one. I cannot even image how much I've paid prior when I didn't notice!

Not to mention certain listings default to the 12x6x6 box size I use for all wine glasses. Other default to 10x10x10, which I've never used. They all have the same settings. What is going on here?!

[custompetandtack]

#1: If you have $2.50 handling fee on a shipping profile that is going to be PER ITEM. if someone orders 4 that is $10 added to their shipping cost.

If you only want this fee added PER ORDER, it needs to be in the package preference section. If you have it in both sections both fees are added to an order.

I don't know which wine glass but I tested this listing (I'm in NC)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/223221957/because-im-the-bride-wine-glass-wedding

It came up $11.50 to ship 1 wine glass that is HIGH since I'm not that far from NY. Add 2 of these and it is showing $15.80.....3 of them is even worse, $27.30....can't see it would cost $27 to mail 3 wine glasses from NY to NC.

A 2 lb package from NY to NC comes up $5.84 even with $2.50 add it doesn't come up but $8.34.

A 2 lb. package from NC to TX is $7.55 ($9 retail)
A 1 lb package from NC to TX is $5.54 ($6.15 retail).

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#2: Do you have RETAIL rates set or Etsy's postage rates?

If you have etsy's rates but are going to the PO to mail it's going to be higher.

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If you have a 9x9x6 item size CS is NOT going to put this in a 12x6x6 box, the measurements are too big.

The 10x10x10 is the box it would need based on your sizes.
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You probably need to double check your weight on that listing that didn't charge enough postage, seems it might have charged her the 1 lb rate instead of a 2 lb rate.

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I've been using CS since the very beginning and I've never had a package not calculate exactly right, SIngle items and multiple items have all been 100% right.

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You can also LOGOUT and shop or use another browser to see how CS is working, use different zip codes.

Compare prices on USPS for either retail or discounted rates.

[vintageNCtreasures]

I'm on my other shop ID and just thought of something.

Miss CrimsonfromCrimsonGraphics says
"In the listing itself, I have item weight of 1lb. 8 oz."

If you're only putting the item weight that is why CS didn't figure enough shipping. If 1 lb. 8 oz is just the wine glass that is the weight CS is using to figure shipping costs..

So if by the time you get it packed in a box and the weight is over 2 lbs this is the weight you need to put in the listing, total weight. And this could be why the shipping cost was undercharged.


Item weight is TOTAL weight item + any packing + your box.
Total weight of everything ready to mail.

Item size is item + any packing only.
Also if an item is folded up to mail, you put the folded up size in the listing not the actual size.

[Former_Member]

Miss Crimson - I live in RI zip code 02816 so my zip is very close to yours so shipping for me to TX is like you shipping to TX

The retail rate for shipping a Priority package that is 1 pound to TX is $6.65. The retail rate for shipping a 1.8 pound package is $8.98. This tells me that you must have retail prices selected and you must have had 1 pound in your listing that sold and not 1.8 pounds.

Please recheck your weights in your listings and make sure they are, as Pat said above, your item all packaged up in a box ready to ship.

[Former_Member]

You might also considered listing your own boxes in package preferences and unchecking the use etsy common sizes. That way the calculator will select from your boxes.

You might also consider using some flat rate and regional rate boxes to bring down your shipping costs.

If you list all your boxes in package preferences you can then put a fee on just the box so it is only charged once, instead of on each item.

Just make sure that the dimensions you put for your items are equal to or smaller than the box dimensions you list. An item has to "fit" into a box.

For a 10x8x6 box, for example, the dimensions of your item would need to either match those 3 numbers or be smaller than all 3 numbers. An item that is 10x9x6 will not fit in that box. An item that is 10x8x7 will not fit in that box. An item that is 11x8x6 will not fit in that box.

[Former_Member]

Oh no, I absolutely have 1lb. 8 oz in all 28 of my wine glass listings. I triple checked that prior to posting this.

The 1 lb. 8 oz. is the full weight once packed, wrapped and ready to go. It rounds to 2 lb. Priority, of course, as the calculated shipping should also. Yes, I have retail prices selected because I ship at the Post Office 85% of the time.

[vintageNCtreasures]

Miss Crimson says: "For example, a recent order going to Texas shows the shipping was calculated at $6.65 + $2.50 "

If shipping was calculated at $6.65 that listing had to have a 1 lb weight."not" 1 lb. 8 oz.

You can go back to that sold item and click copy to do a another listing and see what comes up in the weight.

If that listing had 1 lb 8 oz. CS would have calculated at the 2 lb retail rate of $8.98.

When I put 3 wine glasses in my cart it came up $27. and I'm not that far from NY....that is just too much shipping and I assume $7.50 of that is your handling fee but even $20 is too much.

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In case you missed my post above:
You do know by putting $2.50 handling fee in a shipping profile that this is getting added on each item in addition to shipping.

If someone buys 10 items that is $25 EXTRA added to their shipping cost.

Most sellers only put a .50 cent to $1 handling fee and put in on the package preference section so it is added PER order not per item.

[Former_Member]

Miss Crimson - I just went to that first wine glass. I put in a TX zip code and the shipping price showed $13.05 just how you want it to.

Like Pat said, go back and check that other order - you may have the right weight on all your current listings, but you must not have had it right on that one.

[vintageNCtreasures]

Miss Crimson..........just thought of something else.

On that item that you say wasn't charged enough shipping you can also check it on your SOLD order page.

Look for that listing and at the top of the listing right below the highlighted yellow area that says what shipping method the buyer picked,

It will have "Packaging and the box size PLUS the weight of the item/order right under that yellow box.

This will show you what weight your shipping cost was calculated on.