USPS Ground Advantage nearly $3 more on Amazon vs EVERYWHERE ELSE
I figured this was just a small glitch last night, but it has continued into today.
I went to ship a 4oz video game via USPS GROUND ADVANTAGE through Amazon's Buy Shipping program and it wanted to charge me $8.40.
I know shipping costs have gone up over the months, but that is ABSURD for the most common Shipping Service.
I opened up my other shipping program that I regularly use and it was only $5.97, as expected.
Did Amazon randomly decide to start charging us all extra on Standard Shipping and hope that none of us would notice?
USPS Ground Advantage nearly $3 more on Amazon vs EVERYWHERE ELSE
I figured this was just a small glitch last night, but it has continued into today.
I went to ship a 4oz video game via USPS GROUND ADVANTAGE through Amazon's Buy Shipping program and it wanted to charge me $8.40.
I know shipping costs have gone up over the months, but that is ABSURD for the most common Shipping Service.
I opened up my other shipping program that I regularly use and it was only $5.97, as expected.
Did Amazon randomly decide to start charging us all extra on Standard Shipping and hope that none of us would notice?
50 replies
Seller_WBnGS7Ix3XiDX
I noticed! I had the same issue, but when I went to ship it on my Stamps account it was the same $8.79.
What shipping service did you use to get the lower price, if I may ask.
I know the costs are around $6 & under for a 2oz item, but they have been coming up over $8.50.
This has been happening to random packages all over the US, even local. Maybe someone else can help with the answer. Thanks!
KJ_Amazon
@Seller_7FoK271Hu5h10 @Seller_WBnGS7Ix3XiDX
Thank you for reaching out to the forums about recent USPS rate increases, specifically for some shipments under one pound.
Multiple sellers have been discussing this issue recently, and I have been sharing the forum threads and suggestions with our partner team.
At this time I suggest reviewing posted commercial rates to determine the range of shipment rates you may see, and using that information to determine your pricing/shipping model.
KJ_Amazon
Amazon Needs Zone-Based Shipping Rates for FBM Sellers After New USPS Price Changes
Seller_R2dP7Hunjcdj0
"USPS Ground Advantage nearly $3 more on Amazon vs EVERYWHERE ELSE"
One thing you might want to consider is this:
Everyone knows that Package Theft by Porch Pirates is a Real thing.
IF an Amazon Buyer claims "Item Not Received", even when tracking displays as "Delivered", Amazon WILL Refund the Buyer In-Full.
IF the Seller purchases Postage using "Amazon Buy Shipping" and Ships "On-Time", Amazon will Fund the Refund, AND protect your metrics from any Negative impacts from that A-Z Claim.
However, IF the Seller purchases Postage from anywhere else, it will be the Seller that Funds the Claim, and will receive No protection from Negative Feedback.
To me, that kind of protection has Real Value, and so it is definitely Worth It to Ship under the Protection of the Amazon Policy.
But if you want to "Roll the Dice" on getting paid, it is your call...
Seller_fES06yRlGgMc4
I have seen what I believe is the correct explanation elsewhere, but it seems to be lacking in this thread.
USPS has started doing something akin to what UPS does - adding fees for deliveries to certain areas, esp ones that are "in the middle of nowhere".
I first started seeing it on ebay, and apparently Amazon took a little longer to pass it on to us.
It's the same reality you should be used to by now: Decide whether to raise your price or absorb the loss.
I've absorbed enough. If I'm not making enough money on an item I dump it.
Seller_KJJHX90Utzmcq
Did not surprise me. Amazon making money at every corner. They're literally squeezing the sellers out
Seller_9LXmpZzyDOrd4
I have used Endicia in the past and currently use ShipStation but all of those 3rd party apps charge the same postage price. It's dictated through USPS. My postage is typically $5.40 to $5.97 but it is higher for certain areas. After seeing your post, I just went and checked one of my higher postage packages at the USPS site and it shows exactly what ShipStation charged. The retail price for shipping to that address was $8.30 but the discounted rate is $7.46. I don't think any 3rd party shipping app is going to charge less than $7.46. It's not going to be the usual $5.40-$5.97 price. I always ship USPS Ground Advantage and noticed this a while back. I'm not sure if video games have a different rate like media does but standard Ground Advantage is certainly higher for rural addresses which is actually ridiculous because the USPS goes to those addresses every day regardless if I ship to them or not. It's completely different than UPS or FedEX but the post office is treating it like those commercial carriers. Steiner is even worse than DeJoy. He wants to raise prices even more.
Seller_9ZBOAD9SC0L7M
The problem is you do not know what you are talking about.
USPS increased rates for specific rural designated zip codes.
This has ZERO to do with Amazon.
USPS now charges for 1 pound regardless of weight
Seller_DdmPiA1p1S2Wu
I've noticed that FedEx Ground Economy comes in less than the USPS Ground Advantage shipping rates a lot of times now. For packages under 1 lb you have to enter them in as 1 lb to get the FedEx Ground Economy rate, though. I've been sending some of my packages by FedEx Ground Economy instead of Ground Advantage because of this.
Seller_yeFpEm5o8mxsy
I have noticed this too. But it only seems in certain areas or states. Its an overall increase as the areas seem to be less populated and harder to get to. In my option it kinda balances out as other places are super cheap for lets say a 3lb item at one $5.97
