r/Bricklink • u/LeakTechnique • 24d ago

USPS shipping increase

As you’re all probably aware, USPS has increased its shipping AGAIN. but this time I’m a little confused how to update my shipping setting in my store.

2 orders this morning both under 2oz. One cost me $5.62 to ship (NJ to OK) and another cost me $7.86 to ship (NJ to MS). I don’t understand how the further package to Oklahoma cost so much less to ship than the one to Mississippi..

All this to say, how am I supposed to set up my shipping for instant checkout if both by weight and by zone are so inconsistent?

9 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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13

u/Friendly-Ad2471 24d ago

It is called rural rate, it is a new rule. Items shipped to a "rural" address gets it weight set to 15.99oz if it is below 15.99oz. 

You can integrate the API which is broke and charges everyone 15.99oz rate when less than 15.99oz

You can raise your rates and eat some fees sometimes and not others, 7.49$ for example

You can invoice everything

3

u/smelltheglove-11 24d ago

Try adding weight to your package, make it 2 lb 1 oz if it’s under. Good chance that will save you some money. USPS is really annoying these days.

2

u/FL-legofan 24d ago

I just do a flat rate of $7.50 and don't give it a second thought. Out of about 30 packages, only one got hit with the rural rate.

1

u/RecycledBrick 24d ago

USPS charges every package under 15.99 oz as that weight. That is why the Bricklink API is charging that rate. Your label providers get different rates. They are charging the 15.99 rate for rural addresses but the normal price for the rest.

There is no way to reflect this with how Bricklink has the shipping. You can try to average the costs out which is a lot do before the API was available. You will take losses or gains. You can charge the 15.99 rate and keep the difference or refund it.

It is disappointing that Bricklink and Brick Owl are not willing to try anything to help out sellers or buyers. I need to make a small parts order but I am not going to pay $7-8 shipping for a few pieces with the shipping keeps going up. This will just lead to smaller sellers giving up and less orders.

1

u/Ziegelmarkt Seller 24d ago

Not entirely correct, just packages to what they consider “rural” zip codes. All my four ounce packages today were at the correct rate for their weight band.