Flat rate envelope and medium box

[PaperBuiltShop]

For the life of me I can not get my shipping rates to adjust accurately.

I have a package of paper that I want to ship in a flat rate padded envelope. The envelope is $6.10 in the US. I can fit 1-4 packages in that envelope and I have set my package dimensions to make it work that way. If I sell more than 4 they have to be shipped in a flat rate box for $12.65.

I have chosen flat rate packaging in my shipping manager and turned off Etsy's packaging.

Unfortunately the shipping is calculating 1 package at $5 and 5 packages at $17. Does anyone have any tips to make this work?

[Former_Member]

Sarah, do you have other selections in the Preferences besides the flat rate padded envelope and flat rate box?

And what zip codes are you using to test? For the lower price ($5) if the zip code is close to yours it could be cheaper to ship straight Priority and thus the lower price.

Do you have a s/h fee on your Profile or Preference box or both?

[PaperBuiltShop]

Thanks for troubleshooting, Kathy. I have one other envelope selected but it is too small for the package I am talking about. I have only selected two other packages: flat rate padded envelope and a flat rate medium box.

I was using my zip code but it shouldn't calculate regular priority because I don't have that package available. And when I increase the quantity to 5, for example, it should default to the medium flat rate box for $12.75. Instead it is quoting $17.

[Former_Member]

Sarah do you have a listing set up with CS that I could go test?

Maybe Calia or Mike will show up to check, but in the meantime I'm happy to help.

Also, do you have any fees attached?

[PaperBuiltShop]

Sure, Kathy, here it is: https://www.etsy.com/listing/225578049/suitcase-favor-box-kit-favor-box. Thanks for your help!

And no there aren't any handling fees on the listing or the calculated shipping profile.

[Former_Member]

I tried the listing first with my own zip of 02816 (close to you) and then with a CA zip 94610

For 1 to my zip it was $5.35 1 to CA was $5.70

After that it was the same for both zip codes

2-$5.70
3-$11.30
4-$17
5-$17
6-$22.60

The fact that it is the same to both zip codes other than just 1 - tells me it is using Flat Rate. But obviously it isn't pulling in as many items as you want into a box.

You must have use Etsy prices checked because a Padded Flat Rate Envelope is $5.70 online - the $6.10 price is a Retail price.

And $11.30 is the cost of a Medium Flat Rate Box online. $12.65 is Retail.

So somehow I'd say the problem is with your dimensions. Especially the height not fitting enough into the envelope or box.

[PaperBuiltShop]

Thanks, Kathy! I will fiddle with the dimensions.

[Former_Member]

I see that you changed to Retail prices. Also I saw you posted up in Bugs - I did not answer anything there. Let Mike or Calia answer it. But I can tell you that you can choose just Preferences or just Etsy boxes or a combo of the two - however, you cannot pick which listings to apply them to.

I personally have all the box sizes I use listed in Preferences and have unchecked the box for use Common Etsy sizes. This means I have all the Flat Rate and Regional Rate boxes I use checked off plus I made custom box listings for all the rest. The calculator will only pull from my list.

But some people do a mix of both. What you can't do is say you want this listing to use only these specific boxes. it is going to fit your items into whatever is the smallest possible and cheapest option.

[PaperBuiltShop]

Yes, I see what it is doing now, thank you. I would love to be able to limit the shipping to only flat rate boxes for some listings! I have other things that I will ship in whatever package they say.

[Former_Member]

Sarah, what the calculator does is find the cheapest option. So if you have your shipping options set in your profile for say First Class and Priority - and you have Preferences for flat rate boxes. The calculator is going to show your customer the cheapest shipping option for the item.

If you do not want to include a First Class option, but only Priority, then the calculator will choose the smallest box and cheapest option available. Sometimes that is Flat Rate and sometimes that is regular Priority depending on the zip code it is going to.

It really works well.

[PaperBuiltShop]

Ultimately that would be great. I don't do a lot of shipping now and don't want to stockpile boxes - I like the free padded envelopes and free boxes when I ship flat rate. But I have something else I am shipping that can be sent in an envelope with First Class Mail. So I need to have both type of packages available. That is causing part of my problem.

[Former_Member]

I need a bit of help.

I have selected the Flat Rate Padded Envelope ($5.70) as a Package Preference. My item measures 6" x 8" x 2" which fits fine inside this package (I noticed I am now able to add a thickness dimension so I chose 4"). The weight of the item is 11oz.
My handling charge is $1.00.

When I put the item in my cart, the cost for Priority shipping shows $7.70. Shouldn't it be $6.70?

[Former_Member]

Did you put a handling charge on the envelope as well as in the shipping profile?

[Former_Member]

Amazing Kathy!
Yes that is exactly what I did thinking that that package preference was different from the regular shipping profile!
Thank you so much!

[Former_Member]

No problem! Glad it worked out.