posted on July 1, 2002 03:41:51 PM new
Ok, now we have something else to worry about. While listing auctions today I noticed a new format in the shipping section. Why, may I ask is there a space for "shipping dimensions". What purpose does it serve. I know that 99% of sellers are not going to pack that item until it sells. So unless it can fit in an envelope how are we going to know the exact dimensions or even worse the shipping weight. Between cartoning and bubble wrap and extra stuffing in the empty spaces a 5lb item can become 7 lbs. I can usually guesstimate it pretty close but I sure don't want to commit to it up front. It creates more work for us before we even sell the item. And if it doesn't sell - Alas Alack we have done all that work for nothing. Please advise your thinking on this or am I reading it wrong. Steve
posted on July 3, 2002 03:42:24 AM new
Hi Cyberageart,
Shipping dimensions and weigth are required only for USPS Priority. They are not mandatory fields unless you select this carrier. Doing so may help you (and your buyers) get more accurate shipping charges (based on dimensions, weight, seller ZIP and buyer ZIP).
Marius
Got more Questions? Check out AuctionWatch.com's Customer Service center at http://www.auctionwatch.com/service
Now you really have me concerned. You say that these fields are only "mandatory" for Priority Mail. Well I ship 99% Priority mail. Does this mean that all the auctions I have in pending for launching this Thursday are going to be kicked back because I left those fields blank? I repeat what I said in my original post. Dimensions are not known until we actually pack the item. I have a lot of oversize items that require two 12x12 Priority boxes stacked. Or I have to go out and buy a carton if the item's really big and won't fit in a Priority Mail box (and I have a lot of those - probably 25% of what I sell)! Until the protective stuffing is in I can't know in advance just how big it's going to be. I'm surprised that I have not heard from other sellers in reply to my original post. Am I the only one that is concerned about this? Please answer ASAP so I can change my auctions in pending if in fact they will be errored out. I understand what you are trying to accomplish and it might help for some sellers who only ship small items. But for the rest of us the field should be made "optional" not "mandatory" Thank you, Steve
posted on July 3, 2002 06:52:49 AM new
Shouldn't be necessary unless your package exceeds one of these two criteria:
LARGE -
a. The length of the longest side plus the distance around the thickest part is more then 84 inches and less than or equal to 108 inches.
VERY LARGE -
b. The length of the longest side plus the distance around the thickest part of more than 108 inches and less than or equal to 130 inches. Items over 130 inches are not mailable.
posted on July 3, 2002 07:19:26 AM new
Hi Cyberageart,
Please not that a new shipping carrier has been added: USPS Priority (calculated). This is always USPS, but instead of guessing what the shipping charges would be, USPS will calculate the shipping costs depending on the dimensions, weigth, and distance between seller location and buyer.
If you select USPS Priority (calculated) as shipping carrier, you will also have to enter the weigth and dimensions of the item. Doing so, the shipping price will be automatically calculated depending on the buyer ZIP code. This option was added in order to calculate more acurate the shipping (with USPS Priority). The option is functional only for your buyers that respond to your WBN and have the choice to select among different carriers according to the options in the listing.
If you do not want to add this information to your listings, but still want to use USPS Priority, you may select the USPS Priority (fixed) as shipping carrier, and specify the shipping amount as usual.
It is not necessary to edit / modify your listings if you do not want the shipping amount to be automatically calculated. Your present listings will launch and no modification is needed.
Marius
Got more Questions? Check out AuctionWatch.com's Customer Service center at http://www.auctionwatch.com/service
posted on July 3, 2002 07:56:19 AM new
My best guess is AW is using USPS's API which requires this information as the rate calculator is modelled on the one at USPS.com and there is no way around specifying dimensions. I'm lucky that most of my parcels are under 4 ounces and I usually send by first class in a padded envelope, on occasion if the weight justifies it I upgrade to priority. I generally don't offer Prioriy as my rates are determined by a simple formula
X for the first Auction won plus Y for each additional auction. My difficulty is insurance rates as AW's system of so much for the first hundred plus so much for each subsequent hundred doesn't relate to PO rates which are .01-50.00 and 50.01-100.- etc. But that's another can of worms. To my requested opinion, I see both sides and I don't think one size fits all. If your items are usually not considered oversize I'd fudge the numbers. I haven't really looked at the calculator beyond noticing the dimension fields appearing and am curios how it handles combined orders which is usually my case.
posted on July 3, 2002 12:38:27 PM new
Hi everyone and a special thanks to Dave Braun for responding. I was beginning to think that I was the only one concerned about this. But now I see a dialogue is starting and I'm not the only one. Why does AW put a new process in without explaining it up front? I never even heard of USPS "calculated" until this. The only time I need to go into the USPS site is for overseas shipping rates. And then it is just by country and weight and type of package or envelope. Locally I just weigh an item - add some for packaging - look at the zone chart and the zoned rate chart and quote a price for S&I. So far my method of putting the following "TBA ON RECEIPT OF ZIP CODE" in one of the option boxes in the listing has generated 6 responses without a problem. Yes, it does require one more email but until something better comes along (hint AW) that's what I'll continue to use. Steve
Hi Marius, As a follow up to my last post if you would have explained it that way in your first post I wouldn't have been concerned. You only state Priority Mail - you never mentioned "calculated". If you reread your post I think you will agree.
Just to explain to everyone else. I am a power seller with close to 1000 positive feedbacks, so I'm not new at this. I just try to keep it simple. My lowest price item I have sold was $15.00 and have had many over $500.00. I'm also not a pro on the computer. I use a webtv and lack all the computer skills and knowledge that most other sellers have. But whatever I'm doing seems to work right for me. So "if it aint broke - don't fix it" is my motto. That's why I get upset when AW or eBay throws something new out of left field at us without explanations first. Steve
