Heads Up Online Sellers ( USPS Shipping Changes )

[kmmcrafts]

Just thought I'd pass this along.. Copied this from Etsys Seller News..

June 2019 USPS Price and Service Changes

Effective June 23, 2019, the USPS is making changes to its pricing structure for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Parcel Select related to dimensional weight pricing.

What is dimensional weight pricing?

Dimensional weight, also known as volumetric weight or DIM weight, is an estimated weight that is calculated from the length, width and height of a package. It is used to ensure that fair postage costs are paid for large, lightweight packages that take up more room during transport.

Dimensional weight is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of a package, then dividing the result by a specific number (known as the dimensional factor, set by the carrier). The USPS has traditionally used a factor of 194 when calculating dimensional weight.

If the resulting calculation is less than the package’s actual weight, the actual weight is used to determine postage costs. If the dimensional weight is greater, that is used to determine postage costs. The dimensional calculation only applies to parcels over 1 cubic foot in volume.

What’s changing on June 23, 2019?

Previously, dimensional weight pricing only applied to packages shipped via Priority Mail to zones 5-9, and used a factor of 194.

Beginning on June 23, 2019, dimensional weight pricing for Priority Mail will apply to zones 1-9, and will begin to calculate dimensional weight using a factor of 166.

Further, packages shipped through Priority Mail Express and Parcel Select to zones 1-9 will now be subject to dimensional weight pricing as well, using the updated factor of 166.

You can read more about these changes on USPS.com.

[teachnlearn]

I used the 2 day service for years which was a set price of a box and no weight limit. RJF

[kmmcrafts]

20 hours ago, teachnlearn said:

I used the 2 day service for years which was a set price of a box and no weight limit. RJF

Those are a great deal if you're shipping heavy stuff that fits in the box... otherwise it's much cheaper to use the free priority box ( same size box but not the flat rate ) which is what I use to ship my clocks.. I can ship clocks most any USA location for $8  and the Flat Rate is now up to about $14... Keeping on top of shipping cost can make or break a sale deal.. Most my competitors on etsy do just as you say.. Flat Rate... but then they are loosing sales and or money.. Customers aren't dumb... they can add up total cost.. some of my inital prices may seem high.. but then the total with shipping cost looks much better..  A lot of people will say... customer pays the shipping( which they do ) but doing research to get the lowest shipping cost is not something most craft / hobby sellers want to take time to understand or learn..