New USPS shipping fees starting Jan 27th, what will you do?

Nathan7070

Nathan7070

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I know someone already talked briefly about this on a stamps.com topic but the lady at my local PO confirmed that basic parcel service to Canada will be costing me over $6 for the 1st oz.!:|

So, if I have to list my shipping fees on ebay at say $6.99 I would be lucky to break even after materials and ebay final value fees (yes on shipping too) are factored in.

The question is how many of you guys up in Canada are going to be willing to fork over $6.99 for a basic card that you need like a Young Gun from series 2 that only cost $3? Same can be said for trading or selling on forums, now the US shipper is going to have to consider at least a $6 cost into everything....worse for overseas.

I would like to hear everyone's opinion and what they are going to do. List in bulk or lots only now? Stop selling cards under $10 altogether??

Let's hear it!
 
As long as US sellers can offer combined shipping and offer a wide range of cards then you can minimize the impact.

I thought I saw somewhere as well that shipping in Canada was going to increase as well.
 
Basic parcel nothing. Single cards can still go in a bubble mailer as "oversize letter". And really, as long as it's not prohibited items - i.e. the outright illegal - the post office can take a flying leap at a rolling doughnut before I give them more information than is necessary about the contents of an envelope.
 
Steve,

If the bubble mailer is over 3/4 inch - they cannot go as an oversize letter.
And yes the gnomes at the US Post Office have this nice little plastic sheet with the slot cut in it to measure the bubbles before you mail them.

And - NO - you cannot tell them what they should stick in the slot!!!
 
WHAT qUINCY SAID..... Just wrap the card, in topload in a team bag , in an invoice and that way it goes as a letter. If they feel tha package they can hear the paper and that should be great. They do not need to see what is being put into the envelope. We have the same sheet here in Canada and bubble mailers will fit through that slot quite easily with one ,two, three or up to 5 cards in the bubble envelope.

Just do up a coupe and take them in to see what works and that way no surprises when you do ship.
 
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The ladies at the PO know what I am shipping, I have been doing it for 7 years+ now. Anything that can not be bent goes as parcel and yes they put it through the slot thing and make sure.

There is no way out getting around it here in the US.
 
It's $6.55 btw, so $6.99 is being generous as FVF + other expenses will actually put you in the hole for shipping.

And in the US there is no getting around it. A bubble mailer will go First Class International.
 
PLEASE !
I know that you guys in Canada know all of the rules about shipping frm the us TO YOU!

Fact is - a oversize letter is only allowed when the ENTIRE envelope is a uniform thickness. Other than that, if it is non-uniform thickness - or if it manages to fit through the 3/8 slot (not the 3/4 as I mispoke above) it will be $6 +.
 
I am really looking forward to changing the shipping costs on 3000+ listings - then listen to everyone internationally message me and call me a crook - that is going to be a lot of fun.
 
Bruce - just so I am clear.

If a bubble mailer fits through the slot, but is, say... three-eighths of an inch thick in the middle but a quarter-inch or less thick on the ends, it is NOT considered an oversized letter, and will therefore cost 6.55?
 
Orca Pod said:
Bruce - just so I am clear.

If a bubble mailer fits through the slot, but is, say... three-eighths of an inch thick in the middle but a quarter-inch or less thick on the ends, it is NOT considered an oversized letter, and will therefore cost 6.55?
Click to expand...

Forget the thickness... anything that is slightly rigid (ie. bubble mailer with a card) goes first class int'l and will cost $6.55 starting Jan 27.
 
Randy -

I have been told by more than one USPS employee that anything in any bubble mailer is "oversized" and will be weighed and shipped as mentioned above. I am going to have to check on PWE options now to see if one can protect a card in a toploader between two pieces of cardboard to avoid the exorbitant fee. Not real excited about that either.

At the end of the day - I forsee my DSRs taking a hit moving forward.
 
wow. no I will not pay 6.00 of shipping from the US unless the card is really worth it and probably more than 50BV...sucks big time.
 
I will be only ripping baseball and football wax... 75% of my hockey sales are to Canada and Europe and there is no way I will be able to move 75% of the cards from my breaks if I have to charge $7 or more shipping.
 
I've headed this off at the pass, and have a US PO Box in Point Roberts - hopefully, eBay/Paypal can confirm the address and I'll be able to continue on without any problems.

Kevin
 
kmitchel said:
I've headed this off at the pass, and have a US PO Box in Point Roberts - hopefully, eBay/Paypal can confirm the address and I'll be able to continue on without any problems.

Kevin
Click to expand...

This is a good idea for sure... I think the bigger problems for all of us collectors is that many wax breakers in the states will not be doing Hockey. Not only becuase of the shipping charge we need to charge on the bay, but do I really want to pay $7 shipping to trade a lower to mid tier card?
 
Orca Pod said:
Bruce - just so I am clear.

If a bubble mailer fits through the slot, but is, say... three-eighths of an inch thick in the middle but a quarter-inch or less thick on the ends, it is NOT considered an oversized letter, and will therefore cost 6.55?
Click to expand...

Randy,

The letter of the PO Rules states that this is the case.
Bubble mailers by their very nature are not uniform.

Some people get around it by sending them from home that way - but they will be the first to complain when an important mailer goes missing or is returned to sender.

As far as pricing - the actual fee for small parcels is not listed at my local PO yet. I have been told both $6 for the first ounce and $6.55 as well.

Here are some of the OFFICIAL new rates for US to Canada:

Express Mail Flat Rate - $34.95 ( I think it was $32.95)
Small Flat Rate International Priority Mail Envelope/Box $19.95 (was $16.95)
 
Consider PWE with cardboard. You can get cardboard backing boards from the comic shop for cheap. Cut the boards to fit the envelopes. Two pieces, one to either side of the card, in it goes. That should work for thin stuff.

Thick stuff, you're stuck.
 
To answer the original OP's question, about whether or not I will pay for an item if there is $6 shipping. The answer is yes as long as it is something that I want/need. However I will try to buy more than 1 item to make it worth the while for me.

I am going to still try to offer the free shipping charges as long as I can.

I too would hate to revise the 3000 listings I have up there.

Timber/Jo, get a nephew or the wife to help LOL,...
 
quincy said:
Consider PWE with cardboard. You can get cardboard backing boards from the comic shop for cheap. Cut the boards to fit the envelopes. Two pieces, one to either side of the card, in it goes. That should work for thin stuff.

Thick stuff, you're stuck.
Click to expand...

This. I was shipping MTG cards (of value) for years without any problems using PWE and cardboard and never had any problems. I realize that game used and such might not work in PWE but for basic cards, this should work without any problems.
 

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