Since when did the post office change shipping prices based on distance?
First off, let me say that I don’t sell very often, so I don’t keep up to date on post office prices/policies.
However, today I went to mail something, and I weighed it beforehand to check shipping for the buyer. I didn’t have the buyer’s address, so I used an old zip code of mine, and the price came out to $9.80, and I charged accordingly. But when I got to the post office, they charged $13.70. I checked the calculate a price tool again, and my old zip code again came up with $9.80 while the buyer’s zip code came up with $13.70. I didn’t know that distance could add almost $4 to the shipping cost!
I always used to use that old zip code to calculate prices, and it had never steered me wrong until now. So, when did this change happen? Or have I somehow just gotten lucky?
However, today I went to mail something, and I weighed it beforehand to check shipping for the buyer. I didn’t have the buyer’s address, so I used an old zip code of mine, and the price came out to $9.80, and I charged accordingly. But when I got to the post office, they charged $13.70. I checked the calculate a price tool again, and my old zip code again came up with $9.80 while the buyer’s zip code came up with $13.70. I didn’t know that distance could add almost $4 to the shipping cost!
I always used to use that old zip code to calculate prices, and it had never steered me wrong until now. So, when did this change happen? Or have I somehow just gotten lucky?
Comments
https://blog.stamps.com/2018/10/19/usps-announces-postage-rate-increase-starts-january-27-2019/
January 27th was the start of First Class zoning. You must have an extreme outlier as I haven't noticed much of a difference at all. The zoning differences really kick in over the 8 ounce weight.
https://blog.stamps.com/2018/10/1...
I was shipping a console. 4lbs 8.2 oz.
January 27th was the start of First Class zoning. You must have an extreme outlier as I haven't noticed much of a difference at all. The zoning differences really kick in over the 8 ounce weight.
https://blog.stamps.com/2018/10/19/usps-announces-postage-ra...
I was shipping a console. 4lbs 8.2 oz.
Hmm in that case, Priority or Parcel Select have been by Zone for as long as I've been shipping, at least 10 years. If you haven't noticed then you've been extremely lucky!
January 27th was the start of First Class zoning. You must have an extreme outlier as I haven't noticed much of a difference at all. The zoning differences really kick in over the 8 ounce weight.
https://blog.stamps.com/2018/10/19/usps-announces-postage-ra...
I was shipping a console. 4lbs 8.2 oz.
Hmm in that case, Priority or Parcel Select have been by Zone for as long as I've been shipping, at least 10 years. If you haven't noticed then you've been extremely lucky!
Or been shipping flat rate this whole time.
I normally use something like 90210 to figure worst case scenario. Easy to remember if you're my age, and it's across the country.
January 27th was the start of First Class zoning. You must have an extreme outlier as I haven't noticed much of a difference at all. The zoning differences really kick in over the 8 ounce weight.
https://blog.stamps.com/2018/10/19/usps-announces-postage-ra...
I was shipping a console. 4lbs 8.2 oz.
Hmm in that case, Priority or Parcel Select have been by Zone for as long as I've been shipping, at least 10 years. If you haven't noticed then you've been extremely lucky!
Or been shipping flat rate this whole time.
I normally use something like 90210 to figure worst case scenario. Easy to remember if you're my age, and it's across the country.
I've done this myself. Makes me wonder if some young (or really old) DB nerd wonders why people search for Beverly Hills but we never ship there. Haha.
Anyway, you might be ok, but I feel like those of us on the coasts get it the worst. Shipping to the west coast from the east coast isn't horrible, but it's feels considerably different than shipping along the easter seaboard.
January 27th was the start of First Class zoning. You must have an extreme outlier as I haven't noticed much of a difference at all. The zoning differences really kick in over the 8 ounce weight.
https://blog.stamps.com/2018/10/19/usps-announces-postage-ra...
I was shipping a console. 4lbs 8.2 oz.
Hmm in that case, Priority or Parcel Select have been by Zone for as long as I've been shipping, at least 10 years. If you haven't noticed then you've been extremely lucky!
Or been shipping flat rate this whole time.
I normally use something like 90210 to figure worst case scenario. Easy to remember if you're my age, and it's across the country.
I've done this myself. Makes me wonder if some young (or really old) DB nerd wonders why people search for Beverly Hills but we never ship there. Haha.
Anyway, you might be ok, but I feel like those of us on the coasts get it the worst. Shipping to the west coast from the east coast isn't horrible, but it's feels considerably different than shipping along the easter seaboard.
Like I said, I don’t ship much, and it’s usually a game or two. Rarely above 8 oz., so I guess I never noticed. Just gotta be more informed next time. I was just surprised to have to spend $4 more than I was expecting.
January 27th was the start of First Class zoning. You must have an extreme outlier as I haven't noticed much of a difference at all. The zoning differences really kick in over the 8 ounce weight.
https://blog.stamps.com/2018/10/19/usps-announces-postage-ra...
I was shipping a console. 4lbs 8.2 oz.
Hmm in that case, Priority or Parcel Select have been by Zone for as long as I've been shipping, at least 10 years. If you haven't noticed then you've been extremely lucky!
Or been shipping flat rate this whole time.
I normally use something like 90210 to figure worst case scenario. Easy to remember if you're my age, and it's across the country.
I've done this myself. Makes me wonder if some young (or really old) DB nerd wonders why people search for Beverly Hills but we never ship there. Haha.
Anyway, you might be ok, but I feel like those of us on the coasts get it the worst. Shipping to the west coast from the east coast isn't horrible, but it's feels considerably different than shipping along the easter seaboard.
Like I said, I don’t ship much, and it’s usually a game or two. Rarely above 8 oz., so I guess I never noticed. Just gotta be more informed next time. I was just surprised to have to spend $4 more than I was expecting.
Wait until you run into "dimensional weight". That 4 pound item with a huge-ass box suddenly costs $40+ to ship.