Semi Confused Noobie; Calculated shipping not matching actual shipping

[Former_Member]

Excuse me for this being a longer inquiry.

First of all, I want to set a background. Last year when the PO changed the rates it wasn't so drastic and I got through the year fine with shipping the old method as I am still very new to ecom and relatively new to etsy. BUT, this year is different from the USPS changes that I just found out last evening. I received an order to the UK about a week ago or so and I noticed the shipping charges went up, but it was still within reason of being burned badly on shipping because of the item price. Last evening I received an order from the UK again and noticed that I was going to lose a bit more, but with the item price, not so much buffer. So, I proceeded to check out the weights and charges and WHOA DRASTIC changes have been made to the cost, at least for international shipping. That weight of going past 8 oz really hit the shipping pocket book all the way up to about $22 for a 9 oz package. That means I could of lost about $10 per order on a $6 ornament that weighed over 8 oz, So, since last night I went and made a about a half dozen shipping profiles and updated my listings up to the 4 lb range. I haven't cross referenced them yet to see if they work properly or not though. But, I hope I have buffered myself a little bit and wish it doesn't hinder sales. I have to do some playing around with profiles to see if everything is in at least somewhat of general accurate shipping cost.

What brought me here was another issue as well. I have displays in my shop that can be quite large. So, I thought I made a few calculated shipping profiles properly, but??? I made a shipping profile for my 48" truck model with a $10 handling charge. I also made a custom box input in the package preferences area with a $1 package fee for the display. I went to my quick edit listing page and put in the shipping profile and the weight & dimensions. I then proceeded to check the calculated shipping out. I logged off and went to the listing. The shipping charges to different select zip codes was bouncing almost around the $10 overcharge area compared to what it cost to ship from the look up shipping cost window above the $1 box fee and the $10 handling fee. So, is it me and did I do something improper to get an inaccurate shipping calculation or is something else the matter?

From what I understand this calculated shipping might take some time to learn and tweak. I have also read in the forums where large items can be a messy dilemma. As all shop owners know an over shipping cost of $10 to $20 can turn off a sale as well as losing $10 or $20 on a sale. I guess that is why I am here.

[Former_Member]

Hi Bruce

First, yes, international rates went up a lot. Things are broken now 1-8 ounces is one price (somewhere in the $12 range) and then 9 ounces up to 2 pounds is the next rate and that is where you are seeing the $20+ range. These went into effect on January 17th, however Etsy did start warning buyers about this in October. If you don't have Etsy notifications turned on to receive by email, you should do that. Also visit the forums regularly to see information like this.

Now as to the large items you set up for calculated shipping, what you are talking about are oversized boxes - this will incur a balloon rate and it can get quite costly. 12x12x12 is the limit for regular prices - or anything adding up to that. For instance 14x12x10 or 16x10x10, something like that.

What you can do to check your shipping prices is use the Etsy price your postage calculator. https://www.etsy.com/shipping/us/price-your-postage

That will give you the actual postage prices for Parcel Select ground and Priority and both Retail postage prices and Etsy shipping label prices. Etsy will automatically charge the balloon rate prices.

If you check on the USPS site you must select Oversized box which will then require you to input the dimensions of the box as well as the weight so you get the proper price. You cannot just go by weight with that size box. USPS will only tell you the Retail price.

Also, you are adding on $10 profile fee (this will go onto each item) + $1 box fee (only goes on once per box) so an additional $11 to postage. That is a lot. You may want to increase your actual item price rather than adding on so much to postage that is already going to be extremely high.

And as always, depending on the distance your item is going is going to greatly impact the cost of postage.

I hope that answers your question. But if you have further questions please ask.

[Former_Member]

Good Day Kathy

"What you can do to check your shipping prices is use the Etsy price your postage calculator. www.etsy.com/shipping/us/price-your-postage"

That is the postage calculator that I used to cross reference the calculated shipping cost of the display. So, no I don't see where the discrepancy especially varying from one zip to the different zips tested. I used the calculator that you suggested. I don't usually go to the USPS site since Esty does have the commercial rates in most aspects.

"Also, you are adding on $10 profile fee (this will go onto each item) + $1 box fee (only goes on once per box) so an additional $11 to postage. That is a lot. You may want to increase your actual item price rather than adding on so much to postage that is already going to be extremely high."

It cost about $7 just in packaging material to package the displays and about a half an hour or so just to package one of them as well as Insurance. So, that is just the cost of packaging and handling.

My box size is 59" x 17" x 4" and the package weight is 11 lb.
So, it is correct that the $1 box fee and the $10 handling fee to equal $11 should be added on to whatever the shipping cost is stated in the Etsy Price Your Postage calculator?

[Former_Member]

Bruce, okay, if I'm understanding you - your question is about the huge difference for that size among different zip codes.

I went to the calculator and used your figures. I saw you were in MI so I used that zip code for the ship from. I'm seeing greatly varying prices, but I believe that is something to do with balloon prices, and I've heard that if it has to go over the Rockies it's even more expensive.

I'm getting (I'll just list parcel select) $12.41 to NC, $21.23 going to RI or FL or TX and then $57.28 going to CA.

I forget (you can probably get more info in the USPS site) what the actual rules are about balloon prices, but distance has a great effect on that. It can make a huge difference.

This is one reason why you want to be correct on your shipping for something like this. From $12.41 to $57.28 is a huge difference and you don't want to be wrong about that.

I'll see if I can find the info I'm talking about. I'll be back later.

[Former_Member]

Bruce, you might want to read this page on USPS where it explains DIM pricing

https://www.usps.com/dimensionalweight/

Zones 5-9 are where they really kick in and although your box may actually weigh 11 pounds - it will get priced at a 20 pound rate if going to those farther zones.

[Former_Member]

Good Day again

Sorry about the lapsed time, but I was doing this shipping calculator stuff for 12 hrs straight and needed a nap.

My point is that whatever the www.etsy.com/shipping/us/price-your-postage"; is saying is what I will be paying for postage no matter what the cost is if I purchase a Etsy label. The actual problem is that what ever the price that shows on the postage calculator is that with adding $11 for the box and handling combined it is not adding up to the actual cost from the shipping calculator. It doesn't have anything to do with the USPS site.

[Former_Member]

Bruce, I just did a check on one of your listing. The $145 rack. I got a shipping price of $47.91 to my location. Subtracting $11 that is $36.91 for postage.

I went to the price your postage calculator and put in your specs from above and a MI zip code to mine and the Retail shipping price for postage was $36.91, just like your listing.

So here is the question - are you saying you want the Etsy Label shipping prices?? Not the retail price for postage?
You have to set that on your shipping profile page.

If you scroll down the profile page - I believe it's all the way below package preferences - You select whether you want the calculator to use Retail prices or Etsy shipping label prices.