eBay Flat Rate Postage - Something to note
Summary: justkidzbiz encountered an issue with eBay's flat rate postage, finding it was charged via Zone 3 instead of a consistent flat rate, leading to higher costs. After investigating and contacting eBay, they were refunded the difference, but noted the discrepancy as a warning to others. davewil1964, gutterpunkz05, and other participants discussed how flat rate postage generally works, mentioning that it depends on whether the packaging is prepaid or postpaid and the discount bands related to shipping zones. Others shared insights on how they manage costs through MyPost Business, which allows for specific flat rate selections and potential savings.
Sold an item, once paid went to do the postage label. I selected Australia Post Flat Rate to use with the eBay satchels. For the extra small postage it was $10.00, for small satchel it was $11.47.
Thought this was a bit high, but this is what it was charging so paid for small postage thinking maybe postage has gone up.
A couple of days later thought I would just check that flat rate postage hasn’t gone up. What I found was, under eBay’s flat rate postage, they charged me via Zone 3. Since has flat rat been charged via Zones?
Checked under Australia post website and it states there is no Zone difference with flat rate postage. So I contacted eBay who refunded the difference but just thought I would mention it here in case anyone else has this issue.
I went back to the order to « print another label » and selected Extra Small flat rate, as you can see in the last pic it’s overcharging @ $10.00 in stead of $6.68.
little_wonder_nook
·2 weeks agoI'm not sure what all the confusion is about.
Flat rate posting (Unless you buy the prepaid envelope that includes the postage already paid from an Australia Post outlet) is and has always been charged via ZONES with discounts given depending on which BAND you are in .
It also depends what ZONE you are in that you are posting from. The price you pay via Australia Post business changes depending on which discount BAND you are in which is decided via how much you spend on postage a year. Currently ebay is giving everyone roughly a BAND 3 discount if you buy your label directly from them.
You were charged the correct amount for sending a package to zone 3 which is rural and only allows a 3% discount.
If you look at this pdf it explains everything including the bands and zones. https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/documents/mypost-business-postage-rates-guide.pdf
gutterpunkz05
·3 weeks agoFlat Rate Postage for extra small satchel, via Australia Post $10.20 (cost of the satchel/padded mailer is not included in the postage rate)
Flat rate packagingExtra smallSmallMediumLargeExtra largeParcel Post postage only$10.20$11.70$16$20.25$24.45
gutterpunkz05
·3 weeks agoJust to add,the prices shown are AP non discounted rates.
Ebays discounted postage for extra small satchel/padded mailer is $10
davewil1964
·3 weeks agoChecked under Australia post website and it states there is no Zone difference with flat rate postage
Yet your post clearly shows different rates for different Zones.
The flat rate only applies to prepaid satchels, NOT post-paid labels.
gutterpunkz05
·3 weeks ago · EditedHi dave, The AP flat rate postage applies as long as the packaging is supplied by AP as Flat rate packaging, you can buy the packaging in bulk, discounted to about 15c per satchel and then purchase the flat rate postage labels as and when required.
I normally purchase each size satchel and box by the hundreds, which would not be economical if using prepaid postage.
Reminds me I am running low on medium satchels
davewil1964
·3 weeks agoI also buy those in bulk, however the postage is zone based, as the labels are post paid.
gutterpunkz05
·3 weeks ago · EditedI pay the flat rate, delivery Australia wide, no zones. Only pay applicable to zones when opting for own packaging.
davewil1964
·3 weeks agoYou must be special.
Post paid is zone related.
hustlenbustleau
·2 weeks agoAnd how are you accomplishing this?
gutterpunkz05
·2 weeks agoSimple, using mypost business, you select the flat rate postage product you intend to use, box/satchel size. the postage cost commences at the set flat rate for that specific product (band zero).
Now if your account is eligible for AP savings IE: savings bands 1 - 5, then your relevant discount is based on a set percentage for delivery to zones 1 - 3
So it is only your savings band and destination, that then discounts the set flat rate.
Using flat rate post, there is no requirement for weight or measurements to be provided. As long as package is under 5kg
When using own postage packaging, basic cost is not calculated until weight and measurements are provided and depending on measurements, cost may be calculated on cubic weight.
hustlenbustleau
·2 weeks agoYou just must of miscommunicated when you said you just use flat rate, no zones applied. What you meant I assume is you put it in your size and it calculated for you at checkout.
I am Band 4 on AusPost so I'm familiar with the system.
twyngwyn
·3 weeks agoLots of threads, here & USA about the same thing