Hello All,
Was hoping someone would help me out with a rather unusual request.
My friend has some of my kits listed on E-bay. We used the postage calculator to allow potential buyers to figure their shipping cost.
Out of curiosity, I used the zip code 92127 and came up with a shipping cost of $29.00 plus. When I went to the postal site and used the same weight and zip code it came out to roughly $11.00.
I was wondering if some of you would try both sites and let me know if the shipping comes out the same or if you get 2 different costs? Please use a 4 pound shipping weight and the sending zip code of 43070.






The links are as follows;

postal site
http://postcalc.usps.gov/

kit site

http://cgi.ebay.com/L-K-2-1-35TH-SCALE-TANK-KITS-CHECK-IT-OUT_W0QQitemZ300080642855QQihZ020QQcategoryZ2588QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks,
Joe

The eBay site lists my postage (40121) as $11.65 using USPS priority mail.

The USPS site lists my postage as $5.60 for priority mail.

He must have added something to his eBay shipping calculator that doubles the postage.

On lines with what Sabot said, when you use the shipping calculator (as the seller), you can add a "handling" charge/fee in there. So...it'll calculate based on weight and origin and destination, then ADD the handling charge. More than likely, that's the problem.

HTH,

Mike

Hi Mike & Rob,
Thanks for the replies. I don't think my friend charges any handling fee, but will have to check. Not sure what's going on, but do want to get it straightened out so people don't freak when the see the shipping cost.
Joe

I tested it out, and it does seem that there is something screwy. The difference folks are getting is not constant, so it is probably not the handling charge (my differential was $9.60 to 22101, Robin's was $6.05, and yours was $18).

Hold on folks! I figured it out. Your friend specified in eBay's shipping calculator that this is a "large package." The Postal Service has a specific "large package" fee structure, and when I selected that option on the USPS web site I get exactly the same fees as on eBay for the three zip codes we all tried. Here is the Post Office's definition of large packages:

Use for packages when the length plus girth (the distance around the thickest part) of a package is more than 84 inches but not more than 108 inches. For packages over 108 inches but not more 130 inches, see oversized package.

Check if you items fit this description or if they can be shipped as a normal package.

Hey Guys,
Thanks to all for taking time to help.

Lucas,
You're a GENIUS !!!!! . You hit the nail right on the head. Tried it and sure enough it happened every time.
Thankfully, it can go as a package and not a large package, so the postage will be greatly reduced.
Joe