New eBay Standard Envelope

[The-Cardfather]

I've been using eBay's new "Standard Envelope" postage option for about two months now (roughly 12-15 sent) with no problems......... UNTIL NOW.

I just got a message from a buyer who complained that the envelope arrived with $3.29 postage due (which he paid). In the spirit of maintaining good customer relations, and knowing that it would be pointless to fight with the USPS over $3.29; I issued the buyer a refund for $3.29. So now I actually lost money on this transaction.

I own a postage scale and I am 100% certain that the envelope was within the parameters set by eBay (under 3 ounces, less than .25 inches thick, etc.).

So my question is........

Has anyone else experienced any similar problems?

[Orioles1954]

I really don’t see the value added with this option. In my 24+ years on eBay I’ve had exactly one problem with charging a buck and shipping in a PWE.

[wheatfan]

As a buyer of usually sub-$5 cards, I have seen a large uptick in items I'll bid-on/buy with the cheaper shipping option now more commonly available. I don't particularly care if its PWE or ESU, but it certainly has increased the number of cards I've considered buying. I've only has one PWE lost in the mail in the years I've been buying, but the added tracking is at least a small protection for the sellers it seems.

[LACardsGuy]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I really don’t see the value added with this option. In my 24+ years on eBay I’ve had exactly one problem with charging a buck and shipping in a PWE.

Value it adds:
1. tracking
2. you can print a label and not have to get stamps.

and that's about it

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by LACardsGuy

Value it adds:
1. tracking
2. you can print a label and not have to get stamps.

and that's about it

When I can purchase forever stamps in bulk at around 35 cent each (off ebay with ebay buck bonuses), the only value here might be the tracking. I knock on wood when I say this, but I have had a miniscule percent of problems using PWE, thus paying 16 cents more for "tracking" has minimal value to me.

[Eggoman]

I add "Do Not Bend" to ALL of mine shipped using the ESU and have had no issues with postage due...so far.

"Do Not Bend" makes the item Non-Machinable and a surcharge applies, but NOT $3.29.

I have had disagreements with the Postal Clerks about this being a Letter or a Parcel, tho... Additional charges do apply IF it is deemed to be a parcel.

[Joe Hunter]

Charles: I would bet it is the "Do not Bend" label that triggered the additional postage. The package is supposed to be somewhat flexible.

[Mike D.]

It’s not a bubble or padded mailer, is it? Doesn’t look like it in the pic but that would disqualify it.

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by Eggoman;2081452I

"Do Not Bend" makes the item Non-Machinable and a surcharge applies, but NOT $3.29.

Good point.

my next choice would be "postal employee with a stamp that just doesn't care"

btw,

I've use the standard envelope a few times with no hiccups. Although 2 out of about 15 that I've sent never had any tracking registered whatsoever

[ngrow9]

I'm thinking that the problem could be the clear tape over the mailing label. I thought the rules said no plastic anywhere on the envelope. I've been printing the label directly onto a PWE, and using cut up cereal boxes as inserts in the envelope to help protect the cards, and haven't had any issues thus far.

[buymycards]

Originally Posted by The Cardfather

I've been using eBay's new "Standard Envelope" postage option for about two months now (roughly 12-15 sent) with no problems......... UNTIL NOW.

I just got a message from a buyer who complained that the envelope arrived with $3.29 postage due (which he paid). In the spirit of maintaining good customer relations, and knowing that it would be pointless to fight with the USPS over $3.29; I issued the buyer a refund for $3.29. So now I actually lost money on this transaction.

I own a postage scale and I am 100% certain that the envelope was within the parameters set by eBay (under 3 ounces, less than .25 inches thick, etc.).

So my question is........

Has anyone else experienced any similar problems?

First of all, it looks like it may be over 6 1/8" high. If so, it is too high to be a letter. But the real problem is that you have the "Do No Bend" label on it. That makes it a parcel or a non-machinable letter, depending on the weight and the size.

[The-Cardfather]

Originally Posted by buymycards

First of all, it looks like it may be over 6 1/8" high. If so, it is too high to be a letter. But the real problem is that you have the "Do No Bend" label on it. That makes it a parcel or a non-machinable letter, depending on the weight and the size.

Rick,

Ebay's standard letter requirements are:
No smaller than 3.5” x 5”
No larger than 6.125” x 11.5”
No thicker than .25”
Weighs up to 3 oz.

My envelope was:
5.8" x 8.2", with a thickness of .20"

So obviously, the dimensions of the envelope should not have been a problem.

But you've brought up an interesting issue regarding the "Do Not Bend" sticker.

Can I get some other opinions on this?

[tonyo]

that "do not bend" probably did throw it into another category

One of eBay's descriptions includes "not too rigid"

[MooseDog]

Pretty sure Rick nailed it. In the past, before using eBay postage I've had stuff returned or arrived to the buyer postage due when I put Do Not Bend or Non-Machinable stickers on them. They get dinged for the "package" rate as opposed to the "letter rate".

The size on that one isn't the issue, I send patches in 6x9 envelopes at the letter rate all the time with no problems. They are thin with one piece of cardboard in the package but also bendable.

I think it also matters where you drop the mail off too. I've had zero issues with anything like this since COVID and my carrier is picking up my outgoing mail. We have two different post offices in my are and one Postmaster seems to be a "by-the-book" kind of guy and the other doesn't care because every item I've had sent back was dropped off at that PO.

I find the size/shape rates absurd. For example for a similar size/weight package, one conforming to the 1/4 inch thickness, one not, probably traveling on the same vehicle and route if sent at the same time:

One card in a card save, plain white envelope, letter rate .55
One card in a card saver, eBay shipping .51
One card in a card saver, to Canada $1.20

One card in a card saver in a bubble mailer, package rate = $3.09 and up
One card in a card saver to Canada, package rate $14.09 and up

Originally Posted by buymycards

First of all, it looks like it may be over 6 1/8" high. If so, it is too high to be a letter. But the real problem is that you have the "Do No Bend" label on it. That makes it a parcel or a non-machinable letter, depending on the weight and the size.

[LACardsGuy]

Originally Posted by The Cardfather

I've been using eBay's new "Standard Envelope" postage option for about two months now (roughly 12-15 sent) with no problems......... UNTIL NOW.

I just got a message from a buyer who complained that the envelope arrived with $3.29 postage due (which he paid). In the spirit of maintaining good customer relations, and knowing that it would be pointless to fight with the USPS over $3.29; I issued the buyer a refund for $3.29. So now I actually lost money on this transaction.

I own a postage scale and I am 100% certain that the envelope was within the parameters set by eBay (under 3 ounces, less than .25 inches thick, etc.).

So my question is........

Has anyone else experienced any similar problems?

Yes, this has happened to me twice out of about 50 shipments.