Shipping Rates are suddenly abnormal-- Extreme High & Extreme Lows.

[thepartiesthatpop]

I have noticed a recent change in shipping rates that don't make any sense.  Packages to NY that normally cost more than $15 to ship are now $8+.  Nice, but what?  And in state shipping is now double the cost than it was several weeks ago.  I just did a price comparison on USPS and there is a $10 savings to buy RETAIL shipping for the same weight, dimensions etc.  Something is wrong with the calculated shipping.  I've sold more than 40K orders so I'm confident that me dimensions & weights are accurate.  Is anyone else having this problem? So far, the two extremes seems to be balancing each other out but I'm imagining the customers who are abandoning their carts when they see these shipping rates.  Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[CanningCrafts]

I don't use calculated shipping, so I don't know what could be an issue there. But this past week USPS did add a holiday surcharge to orders:

https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2022/0810-usps-announces-proposed-temporary-rate-a...

I don't know why your orders would cost less! The cost has gone up from the surcharge.

[LookBackVintage]

Be aware that he USPS just raised rates.  However, I am having a problem with calculated shipping as well.  One item that I created a listing for is 3 lbs. and not oversized packaging.  To Chicago it's showing over $12.00.  It should be in the $8 range like other items I have listed.  This happened a few weeks back as well.  I checked and rechecked the listing and everything I entered was correct.  I thought I had fixed it by deleting the listing and doing it again, but alas, same wrong calculated shipping.  Calculated shipping seems to go rogue every so often. I can't list these items until this problem is fixed.

[hopeandjoystudios]

@LookBackVintage Check your item size in the listing and your package preference box sizes. $4 is the upcharge for a length over 22"..is it somehow choosing a larger box to put it in that has a $4 surcharge? Back the listing length down a few inches and see if it lowers the cost.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

For zone 4 the rate is $9.23 for Priority.

Are you including the packing with the weight of the item?  Packing for fragiles does add weight to the item.

I would suggest checking the package preference area to see if you have all box sizes to accomodate your items.  

Do you have  the item along with packing  for dimensions since this would be crucial for fragiles?

Calculated seldom glitches so more likely it is information in listing and package preferences causing the errant pricing.

[LookBackVintage]

@hopeandjoyhomeI think you have hit on something, but I am not understanding why.  First, here's the scenario:  Draft listing #1 (using calculated shipping) - 4 lbs., 15 x 12 x 4 = $8.90 to Chicago.  Draft listng #2 - 3 lbs, 13 x 8 x 6, $12.39 to Chicago.  It just doesn't make sense.  However, when I apply your suggestion and change the 13 to 12, it suddenly gives the correct postage of $8.39 to Chicago.  but I shouldn't have to do that for it to be correct.  But I do thank you for the tip--you've helped me in the past as well!

[LookBackVintage]

And this is only the 2nd or 3rd time this has happened.  I just sent a package with one dimension being 20 inches and it gave me the correct postage.  I have been using CS almost from the point it was first introduced, and once I understood how to use it I've never had this kind of issue before. It just seems very arbitrary.

[hopeandjoystudios]

@LookBackVintage It seems it is putting the 13" item in a 22" + box. Add some 14" boxes in package preferences..or 15-16"..whatever..but small enough they are not considered oversized shipping or it will charge oversized shipping. LXWXH has to be 1728 or less to be not oversized. Any measurement over 22" is a $4 surcharge. Over 30" or over 2 cubic feet is a $15 surcharge (not sure if they charge the oversized shipping on top of that surcharge but I'd not be surprised. UPS is the way to go on large packages)

For CS I'd not enable oversized packages as it may put an item in there that doesn't need to be. If you don't have a large enough box in your package preferences it will go by listing size. 

dashboard menu>settings>shipping settings>package preferences tab up top.

[LookBackVintage]

None of my dimensions are over the 1728 cubic inch dimension. I'm careful about that.  I send packages with at least one side being larger than 12 inches all the time. I don't go over 20 inches and I've sent many items with one side being 16, 17 or 18 inches and it's never been a problem as long as I don't go over the 1728 cu inch requirement and keep it under 22 inches. I don't use package preferences.  It's never been an issue, just these couple of times lately when it's gone haywire.  

[hopeandjoystudios]

OP I am unsure in your case. It should not be charging $8 to ship Portland WA to NY nor should it overcharge for closer shipping? Unless you have 2 separate issues happening but that still doesn't explain the $8 charge? It didn't somehow put it in a Padded Priority flat rate envelope? Was your length padded flat rate compatible and your width/thickness under 3"? I have had to list fragile items as over 3" thick or it occasionally will charge for a padded flat rate that I'd never be able to ship them in due to fragility..

[ArtDollsbyJD]

I use calculated.  It's working just fine for me.  It has the correct prices for my items.

USPS did enact holiday pricing.

You can use Pirateship if you want rates without the holiday increase. 

Check to see if your package preferences is filled in correctly.  Do mailers have the correct height?  Is commercial pricing still checked?  Is weight item packed and boxed?  Dimensions of item only?  which loops back to the package preference area.  If you unchecked norma l Etsy sizes you may be running into the zone issue,  I kist boxes I use but I don't uncheck the usual Etsy boxes as that can cause issues with certain zones.     

[CanningCrafts]

Pirateship is charging for the USPS surcharge increase. They have it separated out when you buy the label so you can see the total surcharge price plus postage cost.

[LookBackVintage]

JD, see my example above that I posted which illustrates why it doesn't make sense.