USPS FLAT RATE SHIPPING GLITCH -OVER CHARGED

[NaturalBodyComfort]

I have contacted Etsy Support on this but unsure that the message is getting through so am in hopes Support picks it up here. I continually am being overcharged on my USPS Flat Rate shipping. I use Flat Rate so that the price point is consistent as I sell heavier products. Yet many seem to go through at a higher rate. EXAMPLE: Shipped today several orders and one random label I was charged $16.65. It is supposed to be the USPS price of $15.80. I went in and entered the address into the USPS website for purchase and it comes up at the correct rate of $15.80. Sooooo, there should NOT be a discrepancy here on Etsy for it.

The different charges have nothing to do with box dimensions or weight. It is FLAT RATE. If it fits - it ships for ONE price!

ETSY Please fix this as I really don't want to have to go "off site" for labels you want to over-charge me on. 

Thank you.

[NanaLetha]

Did you select the correct Priority Flat Rate box when buying the label?

[vintageNCtreasures]

@NaturalBodyComfort 
It's a slim to none chance support will contact you from the forums.

Do you use calculated shipping?
I assume you are referring to the Priority medium flat rate box based on the price.
Do you have that size enabled in package preferences? If not, then the calculator can't use it.

If so are you 100% sure that the calculator selected the Priority medium flat rate box and "not" a different box size?

The calculator will only use the MFRB if the item dimensions you entered on your shipping profile  "fit" in that box size.
If not, reg. Priority will be used.

There's also 2 sizes of the MFRB, do you have "both" enabled" in package preferences?

[NaturalBodyComfort]

Support often pays attention to at least the tech forum so just crossing my fingers.

I do not use calculated shipping.

It only happens on occasion. Same size box - all other info/settings remain the same.

It's very random. Happens on the small, med and lg flat rate.

[NanaLetha]

$16.65 is the retail rate - you should have been charged $15.80 as the commercial (Etsy) rate for Medium Flat Rate Box. Did you buy your label on Etsy?

[NaturalBodyComfort]

I did purchase the label here on Etsy. This has been an ongoing issue. That is the problem indeed.... I was charged $16.65 instead of the $15.80. 

Keeps happening all the time so am in hopes someone that will really look into this. One can only hope at this point.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@NaturalBodyComfort   $16.65 is the going commercial rate for flat rate boxes according to the Postal Explorer manual. I don't know if the $15.80 is still the cost.  I haven't done flat rate in a long time.

Usually the cost agrees with the commercial rate on the postal explorer.  Sometimes there is a bit more cost savings but it's not over all shipping costs.

@NanaLetha  The cost of a medium flat rate retail is $19.15 acording to the postal explorer. 

[NaturalBodyComfort]

@ArtDollsbyJD The current retail rate for USPS medium box is $15.80. Which is what I am charged most of the time. 

The commercial pricing is as follows for USPS flat rate...

small $8.95

Med (both sizes) $15.80

lg. $22.65

[funkydreamsmosaics]

I find that sometimes the rural surcharge gets added to flat rate box rates.  From what I've read, this is wrong, but I've seen PS do it, too, so I'm not sure.

[NaturalBodyComfort]

The rural thing should not be applied to Flat Rate. I think if it "were to apply"... USPS itself would  charge it. haha Which they do not.

[GlassyFields]

Start buying your labels through Pirateship. Manually enter the tracking number into your Etsy orders.

I find Pirateship is very reliable and when there is a glitch they are quick to respond and correct.

I read that Etsy was no longer going to integrate with NEW Pirateship accounts ... that was several months ago ... but even with the manual entry, it will save you the couple of dollars each time this error is prevented.

[HeartsDesireFiber]

Last November, USPS introduced a 2 tier pricing structure on flat rate packaging in their discounted offerings to Etsy, Ebay, Pirate Ship, etc. Approximately 45% of zipcodes get the higher price. Padded Flat Rate envelopes are $9.20 and $9.55. Medium Flat Rate boxes are $15.80 and $16.55.

[NaturalBodyComfort]

When I enter the same address into USPS directly I am always given the stated flat rate price. As opposed to Etsy randomly charging differently.

[Lionfishvintage]

I agree 1000% with Glassy Fields. Pirate ship is awesome. JMHO.

[NaturalBodyComfort]

It's fine to go with another shipping company. However, it would be nice if Etsy would just FIX this issue to begin with honestly. Why should I have to go to another site when Etsy labels are so easy. Until it is fixed I will probably just go to USPS direct when Etsy decides to not price random transactions incorrectly.

[TBQSC]

@NaturalBodyComfort -- Is it possible you may have:

• used a regular PM box and not an actual PMFR box?
• added extra insurance?

Any label adjustments are from USPS and not from Etsy ... more info here @ https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026258134-What-are-USPS-Shipping-Label-Adjustments?segmen...

[NaturalBodyComfort]

Absolutely did not use another box. I only carry 3. Small -Med - Lg USPS Flat Rate. Like I have mentioned. USPS on their website comes up with the correct price every single time. And the price difference is very very random. My shipping profiles are (which are just for the 3 sizes) are the ONLY shipping profiles that I use. NO added insurance.

[TBQSC]

Hmm, well that is very strange then!  Sorry that happened, but hopefully you can contact USPS and get it straightened out.

[NaturalBodyComfort]

It is not USPS - it is here on Etsy. They are the ones charging the incorrect Flat Rate Shipping. But, thanks for trying to help for sure. Etsy reimbursed the error when it happened yet again this morning. Just hoping others that are having the issue push this so that it gets fixed. But... I shall NOT hold my breath. hahaha

[vintageNCtreasures]

I found this on ecommercebytes  from Sept 2024.

USPS Raises Some Online Postage Rates This Month - EcommerceBytes

"Sellers who purchase postage through marketplaces or online-postage providers will pay more to send packages to certain zip codes in 1 week because of a change to USPS Connect eCommerce rates.
The increase applies to weight-based and cubic packages up to 20 lbs. for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Flat Rate, and Ground Advantage delivery." 

I also found this:
Etsy Sellers Confused By USPS Priority Flat Rate Variations Due To Zip Code Based Rate Hike

"What's most likely occurring is that Etsy has implemented the same zip code based rate changes as other marketplaces like eBay and service providers like PirateShip and Stamps.com announced on September 16th - but Etsy does not appear to have warned sellers or provided any public advanced notice."

"The change affects negotiated discounted rates these service providers receive from USPS, but unlike the zone based rates shippers are typically used to, this one targets 17,000+ zip codes across the US - mostly in rural or less populated areas."

What zip codes are you using?

If I go to the Etsy shipping calculate page on the help page on my shop manager and enter 28086 and 99654, I get $16.65 for the medium flat rate box.
If I enter 28086 and 92012 I get $15.80.

@NaturalBodyComfort 
It has to do with the ZIP codes you're shipping to and because of a change to USPS Connect eCommerce rates.
It's NOT Etsy.
I see these differences in costs on Pirate ship as well. It depends on the ZIP CODE.

[NaturalBodyComfort]

Then WHY when I put the EXACT same address into USPS directly does it come up with the $15.80??? 

[vintageNCtreasures]

@NaturalBodyComfort 
It's probably because of what I posted above "because of a change to USPS Connect eCommerce rates."
I doubt you'll see this on the USPS site.

Have you entered your zip and the buyers zip on Etsy's shipping calculator to see what it has?
shop manager > help > estimate shipping costs

What are the zip codes you're using?

[NaturalBodyComfort]

Straight from the USPS website... Weight, Size, & Shape Requirements

Use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging and pay one price: Pay the same price for mailpieces weighing up to 70 lbs going anywhere in the U.S.

Use our Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes or Boxes that come in standard sizes so you don't have to worry about measuring them. When sealing a Flat Rate Envelope or Box, the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds.

[vintageNCtreasures]

You can't go by the USPS site since you are printing labels on Etsy and because of a change to USPS Connect eCommerce rates.

From above:

"Sellers who purchase postage through marketplaces or online-postage providers WILL PAY MORE to send packages to certain zip codes."

Have you even checked and put the zip codes on the Etsy calculate shipping page?

Again what zip codes are you using?

[NaturalBodyComfort]

@vintageNCtreasures I can use USPS business and get the very same rate that Etsy gives me. Flat rate is set up to be one price. This should not be so confusing.