Priority Flat Rate vs. Priority vs. Priority Express Questions and Suggestions

[DustyBDesign]

Hi-
I just had my first sale today!! Now, I'm confused and worried that I did not set up my calculated shipping correctly.

My Shipping Profile for the item only allows for Priority Mail because the only package I have in my Package Preferences list that will fit this item is the USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate-Medium box. I do not have the "Use Common Etsy Package Sizes" box checked so, if I understand correctly, it should not be picking a box from that list, only from my Package Preference list.

My buyer was only charged $6.05. The "Price Your Postage" tool on Etsy lists $6.05 for priority mail but then when you hit the "Flat and Regional Rates" drop down menu, the rate for the Medium Flat Rate Box is listed as $11.95. Given that information, I expected the buyer would be charged $11.95. In trying to figure this out, I logged out and put the item in my cart and was only going to be charged $5.75 to my own zip code. That's even more confusing!
Question 1:
Why is Calculated Shipping coming up with $6.05 (or $5.75) when the flat rate is listed at $11.95?
Question 2:
It seems Priority Mail is different from Flat Rate Priority Mail. Is that true? If so, why is there only the choice of Priority Mail in the Shipping Profile and only Flat Rate boxes listed in the Package Preferences?
Question 3:
I understand the cost is determined by weight and size but with the Flat Rate "IF IT FITS IT SHIPS" idea, it's only the size that determines which flat rate box to use and therefore which price to charge. It seems the price shouldn't be different for a different zip code either. Flat rate means one, flat rate, regardless. Am I missing some step that connects the profile to the flat rate box and the true cost?

As a result of what happened, I deleted Priority Mail Express as a shipping option because I'm not certain it will calculate correctly. I think I've already had to eat the difference between $11.96 and $6.05, I really don't want to eat the difference between Priority Mail Express and $6.05!
Question 4:
Why is Priority Mail Express a shipping option when no Priority Mail Express boxes are listed in the Package Preference choices?
Question 5:
Am I wrong in assuming you have to use the Priority Mail Express boxes supplied by USPS?
Question 6:
Will I need to do whatever you suggest in Question 3 for Priority Mail Express to calculate correctly or something different?

Suggestion 1: It would be helpful to be able to see which box CS is going to choose for an item without having to wait for someone to actually order the item.
Suggestion 2: If Priority Flat Rate, Priority and Priority Express are all calculated differently by the USPS then it would be more clear for sellers if Etsy listed each separately in the Shipping Services section and included the proper boxes for each option in the Package Preferences. If they are all the same, which I can't see how they could be, then it would be more clear if Etsy used only one term and not interchangeable terms (i.e. do not use Priority Mail in one place and Flat Rate Priority Mail in another if they actually are one in the same).

I know this is long but I'm really confused and have lost $$ on my first sale. I have been reading the help articles and can't find the answer. Please help me determine what I am doing wrong and explain how I can fix this problem or point me in the direction of the answer if it's already posted somewhere.

Thanks, Tina

[Former_Member]

Tina - first and foremost - if you have Priority as a shipping option in your shipping profile, then the calculator is going to figure the cheapest Priority option to the buyer's destination - Flat Rate Priority is NOT always the cheapest Priority option for shipping.

If you only select the Priority FR box in package preferences and shipping for regular Priority is cheaper - the calculator will use the item size in your listing to figure straight Priority shipping.

The only way you can charge your buyer the flat rate priority price for an item that can ship cheaper at a regular priority price, is to use the non calculated shipping method and simply put in the flat rate price for the shipping price.

The calculator is designed to figure the cheapest option for shipping - sometimes that is a flat rate box and it will choose that if you have it selected as an option in package preferences and based on the weight of the package and the zip code it is going to. But the calculator will not select that if shipping regular priority is cheaper.

For calculated shipping to work properly for you, it's important to have options in package preferences. I personally have around 15 different box sizes listed there. Some are flat rate and regional rate boxes I've selected from the drop down menu - but others I have listed as Custom box sizes - boxes other than flat rate - so the calculator has options when putting my items in boxes and charging the cheapest shipping possible.

It's up to you to list the boxes you want the calculator to use, or to use the Etsy common sizes.

You would NOT loose money on your sale if you packed your item in a non flat rate box and shipped it straight priority. The only reason you are loosing money on shipping for this sale is because you are using a flat rate box when you don't need to.

[vintageNCtreasures]

Question 1
The calculator selects the cheapest Priority option for the buyers zip code. That is why the postage is different for your zip and your buyer's zip.

It does not select the medium FRB when it is higher.

It is saving your buyer almost $6 in shipping so why wouldn't you want to send regular Priority?

Question 2
**********
Priority and the flat/regional rate Priority are different.
You MUST use the flat/regional rate boxes from the PO in order to use those rates. These have flat rate and/or regional rate on the box.

you can NOT interchange labels. If regular PM then the labels needs to be on a regular PM box or a generic box/mailer. If Flat rate PM the label needs to be for Flat rate.

Regular PM rates are based on the weight and buyer's zip code.
Flat rate is not.

question 3
**********
You can NOT set up calculated shipping to ONLY select the flat rate box for domestic or international orders.

If you want to offer only flat rate and NOT give your buyers the cheapest PM option, then calculated shipping won't work for you.

Why charge your buyers more shipping when you could send it regular PM for a LOT less.

question 4
**************
If you have Express selected on your profile and the Priority options under package preferences selected, the buyer again will see the cheapest express option (I think I don't use Express).

question 5
***************
You don't have to use the express boxes but I would at least l get the express labels to put on the package.

question 6
*********
See answer on question 3.

******************
How did you lose money?
The calculator did what it is supposed to do, charged your buyer the "cheapest" Priority option.

Just ship in a regular Priority (or generic) box for $6.05.

You can not see what box is selected until after a buyer purchases and it shows up on your order page for that item.

Good morning Kathy....you typed faster than me this morning!

[Former_Member]

You may want to review how to enter box sizes into Package Preferences
https://www.etsy.com/help/article/6167?ref=shipping_mgr

When you have Priority and Priority Express as shipping options in your profile, the buyer will only see the cheapest shipping option in the listing. Once they put the item in their cart, there is a drop down menu that will show them the Priority and Priority Express price for shipping and that will be the buyer's choice - they will only be charged for Express shipping if they Choose the express shipping price in their cart before checkout. The default shipping will always be the cheapest option - in your case, Priority.

A buyer doesn't have a choice as to whether the item ships Priority or Flat Rate Priority - the calculator only chooses the cheapest Priority option and charges accordingly.

As I said above, if you only want to charge flat rate prices, then don't use calculated shipping. Charge the flat rate for shipping and then over an upgrade for express. Calculated shipping is designed to figure the Best shipping to a location and that is not always flat rate.

Good morning Pat!

[DustyBDesign]

Thanks for the responses!

I do want to offer my customers the least expensive shipping options but having priority as a shipping option and then having flat rate boxes in the package preferences led me to believe they were one in the same.

I think I understand how it works now. The box size/type you pick in the Package Preferences is in no way related to or have an effect on the price of the shipping. I should just pick box sizes that fit my product regardless of whether or not it says flat rate or regional rate in the Package Preferences. Also, if there is not a box listed that fits, I can just make a custom box package preference and ship it whatever way the seller chooses by marking the box either first class, priority, or priority express.
Am I understanding correctly?

I appreciate your time and patience with me.

-Tina

[Former_Member]

Tina, let me just put it this way.

First - you offer whatever shipping options that you want to your customers in your shipping profiles. The cheapest option will show in the listing, but all of the options will show in the cart in the drop down menu. If you offer first class, priority, and priority express - then those options will show in the cart.

By choosing flat rate or regional rate box options in package preferences, that just gives the calculator another option for priority shipping. But by no means is that the only priority way - it will figure the cheapest way - be that regular priority or flat rate priority. The buyer will only see priority - not whether it is regular or flat rate.

Package preferences is a place to add box sizes that you can use to ship your items. Only the flat rate options that you choose from the drop down menu, require a special box - otherwise - you list box sizes and they can be used for the different mail classes.

Tip - if you list a priority box you get free from the PO that is 7x7x6 - the calculator only sees that as the size listed - it does not know that is a priority box. The calculator only sizes dimensions. Only when you choose from the flat rate drop down menu does the calculator figure a particular mail class and rate.

Tip 2 - just because the calculator selects a particular size box, that does not mean you have to use that size. You can use whatever box you want. As long as you are getting enough postage - it's your choice.

The best thing is to have multiple size boxes available and to list a multiple number of box sizes in package preferences.

Just remember - in the listing itself you put the dimensions of the item only (plus packing material around it if needed). And the dimensions you put for your item need to fit into the various box sizes you have listed in package preferences. And if you want multiples to fit in one box, then the dimensions in the listing must be able to be doubled and still fit in the box size.

I hope that helps a bit.