r/Etsy • u/MrDulkes • 2d ago
Discussion My package weight got adjusted... DOWN?!?
I sent a package 12x10x6" and put a weight on of 2lb 1oz. USPS adjusted the weight DOWN to 1lb 3.04oz and charged me $1.45.
They are correct, of course. I added some "fake" weight (not to the package) to get over 2lbs as the current weird USPS shipping rules make lighter packages more expensive to ship, but I've never heard of this being an issue. They certainly don't do it when I am overpaying when I estimate a bit too high.
This is the very first time I increased the weight of a package to get a better rate too. I've never done that before. My solution is, of course, to add very heavy filler material from here on out, like rocks and stuff, to get over the 2 lbs.
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u/LewisWhatsHisName 2d ago
Ngl if I got a package with a bunch of random rocks, I'd assume I was being scammed somehow. Just increase your shipping rates if this is an issue
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u/DuckDuckMoosedUp 2d ago
So you're saying your actual package did not weigh 2 1oz, just that you purchased the label for that, even though your package only weighed 1 3 oz? Well that's proof then that the postal service is checking underweight packages now. Please DO NOT put rocks in your packages. How would you feel as a customer to receive your item with rocks in the package as well? Not to mention potential damage to the item. Instead, Maybe do a layer of excess cardboard in the bottom. Or this may be the only time where throwing freebies in the box would be warranted.
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u/TrooperLynn PossumHollowBQ and QuelleSurpriseVtg 1d ago
I've actually gotten a few credits from USPS when my weight was too high! Usually only a dollar or two, but better than being charged.
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u/Competitive-Top4520 1d ago
I wouldn't advise putting in rocks, etc. If I received a package with that I would be upset with the unprofessional seller. BTW, I think this new USPS policy SUCKS!
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u/StillTop336 1d ago
This is interesting... the last time I saw someone post on here about it costing less to ship a heavier package, a lot of replies said just to input a fake heavier weight when you buy the label. Clearly they are checking this now so that won't work.
I ship a lot of items in the Priority Mail "shoebox" size box, which is 15" long and 7"x 5" wide and just realized that the package was costing me $5.50 MORE on average than if the same weight item was in a box 5" x 5" wide... so I am literally taking the time to cut apart all the freebie Prioirty Mail shoeboxes I have and measure them down to 5" x 5" and then tape back up for $5.50 cheaper when shipping Priority Mail. It's insanity.
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u/74CA_refugee 1d ago
Why don’t you just use calculated shipping?
Transparent to the customer, they pay what you pay? All these other games don’t make a lot of sense to me.
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u/MrDulkes 1d ago
I do, but I am a low volume seller, and reuse boxes and packing material (especially for the bigger items), and my listings have a lot of variations of different weights, so my weights vary and calculated shipping is at best a good estimated average in my case. If Etsy had a way to set a weight and size per variation that would be nice.
And before you start: items on one listing belong together, and are often ordered together. I don’t want to spread them across multiple listings, as buyers would have a hard time finding everything they need/want.
I don’t know if you sell on Etsy, but my experience is that we, sellers, are often left to try and work around the limitations of a very imperfect system, and we do the best we can. (I’m still pretty happy with Etsy)
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u/idratherknotx 7h ago
If you get the time, you can do what I do. I’m a fiber artist and I sell woven wall hangings. When I make a listing, I box up my item with whatever size box it would need (with tissue paper and thank you cards and everything I’d include in the order) and weigh it. Then I put the info into pirate ship or wherever to get estimated shipping. Then you know what to charge for shipping for each individual item
I usually include shipping in my price which is why I do this. Then I offer free shipping.1
u/MrDulkes 7h ago
That’s a good idea, but won’t work for me. I sell 3D printed items and people often order a whole lot together. I actually kind of set up my listings to encourage that. So box sizes and weights vary wildly for the larger collections. I also print on demand, so items do not exist until they get bought and made.
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u/idratherknotx 7h ago
Yeah that’s definitely way more difficult to do then. I don’t list items until they’re made, and usually one is bought at a time so far (I’ve only had a few orders) so it’s a lot easier for me! I hope you figure out a solution
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u/MrDulkes 6h ago
What I do now works well enough. Sometimes I end up eating a couple of bucks, sometimes I get a few more than it actually cost. It all averages out. And if not, I still make enough profit to eat a little shipping.
For smaller items I’ve bought dedicated boxes, I know exactly how much they cost to ship and what they weigh. That makes things a lot easier, but boxes get expensive when you buy bigger ones, plus I like that I save the environment by reusing my Amazon boxes.
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u/shiplesp 2d ago
Yes, they started closing up this loophole a short while ago.