Flat Rate Shipping Prices Different On Each Order!!

[CharleyCharlesHome]

I am using Flat Rate Priority mailers and noticed a price difference but only on some orders. The price should be $8.68 on every label purchased and some are being charged at $9. There should be NO price difference. Yes, I know holiday rates are higher, but this price difference is on labels printed today with in moments of each other. Same shipping dimensions (Flat Rate Envelope, same weight although that shouldn't matter). I tried to contact support, but they didn't seem to know anything about shipping labels and weren't understanding what my issue was. In addition the call was dropped. I have 2 Etsy shops and the shipping label prices are different in each shop both for the same size/same shipping method. 

[NanaLetha]

Any going to Alaska or Hawaii?

[CharleyCharlesHome]

No, they are in the lower 48 and in states next to one another. 

[BagmakerSupply]

@CharleyCharlesHome: Perhaps it is going to a Zip Code affected by the USPS Rural Delivery Charge.

[funkydreamsmosaics]

I agree with @NanaLetha .  The $8.68 is for the continental US and the $9 is for Alaska and HI.  They made that change a little while back.

[CharleyCharlesHome]

Nope, California and Washington. 

[CharleyCharlesHome]

The $9 charges are for Flat Rate mailers shipped within the lower 48 states. None were to Alaska, or HI. That is not the issue. 

[CharleyCharlesHome]

The USPS website states there are no additional "Rural Delivery" charges on parcels shipped Flat Rate. 

[BagmakerSupply]

@CharleyCharlesHome: I believe that the statement you quoted only applies to Retail rates, not the commercial rates that Etsy and others offer.

[MaeMaeStudioArt]

I have been going round and round with Etsy since October 2024 on this. We keep going in circles, because no one at support can understand that a flat rate should always be the same price no matter the destination or weight. I often have two identical flat rate envelopes going to the same location with the same weight (i.e. in Texas) and I will be charged $9 for one and $8.68 for the other. This is an ongoing, major issue that is costing sellers a lot of revenue! I keep getting canned responses about how shipping varies based on weight, destination, and size. NO.... not for flat rate - that is the whole point of why flat rate packaging exists. We ship using a lot of flat rate envelopes and two orders back to back going to the same place with the same weight in a flat rate envelope will have two different prices. Sellers get 17% off the base shipping price, which right now comes to $8.68. HELP!! I'm at the end of my rope trying to get Etsy to understand this bug!!!!

[BagmakerSupply]

@MaeMaeStudioArt: Are both shipments going to the same ZIP Code?

Perhaps the difference is due to the USPS zip code-based "rural" pricing which means shippers will see different rates for shipments going to affected zip codes versus non-affected zip codes - even for Priority Flat Rate packages - because some zip codes will still be eligible for the discounted negotiated flat rate while others will be charged the higher commercial rate.

[MaeMaeStudioArt]

@BagmakerSupply  - Thanks, what you're saying is making sense, but if this is true, the shipping materials and option need to be renamed. A flat rate should never vary in price for any reason - otherwise it doesn't make sense to call it flat rate. A "variable" rate envelope would intuitively fluctuate based on surcharges or rural pricing referenced. Thanks for the input!

[BagmakerSupply]

@MaeMaeStudioArt: Perhaps - but it is still "flat rate" at retail, just the amount of commercial discount varies.

[OverTheHawaiianMoon]

Is there a list of "rural" zip codes somewhere.....I get different prices for flat rate envelopes all the time !!  It would be nice to know if I am sending to a "rural" zip code ?

[BagmakerSupply]

@OverTheHawaiianMoon: "Is there a list of "rural" zip codes somewhere ..." https://www.valueaddedresource.net/content/files/2024/09/usps_exception_zip_codes-08_2024.xlsx

[dayspringcollectible]

I just looked at that list.  For Iowa, 649 of 1054 zip codes are considered rural...60% of the state.  So "flat rate" seems to be a misnomer in this state!

[VintagePhilly22]

depends on the zone it is going to