After mailing today's packages, the postal clerk mentioned a rate hike scheduled for the end of this month. Dimensional weights will be used for smaller packages. Is anyone else aware of such a rate increase? John in Lansing, ILL
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I sell on Ebay. A few months ago they added the size of the package to the shipping, but we still get a good break.
NKP Muncie posted:
Essentially, I think it applies to packages over 1 cubic foot - light packages will be charged more on size than on weight.
David
David, That is dimensional weight. Thank you for the links. John
When the postal clerk starts measuring your box, you know you're in trouble. 
Those dimensional inputs can drive up shipping costs big time. I've been told a number of times by Postal clerks that it isn't the weight that factors most into the shipping cost -- it's the size of the container. How much space the box is going to take up in the truck or plane or whatever is the major factor in determining shipping cost.
I had received an email from e-bay on this a few weeks ago. Their advice is no over packing on light weight items. Use as small a box as possible. In other words, no crush space 
Steve
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:e-bay advice is no over packing on light weight items. Use as small a box as possible. In other words, no crush space
Steve
Try to collect a shipping claim if the item was not properly protected with two inches of foam. John
Nothing really new here - cost of shipping USPS has been determined by the combination of weight, box dimensions, and zones(truck vs. plane) variables for quite a while. Rates go up and you either factor that in to your sales or eat the loss, and get over it...unless you just want to P&M and hand-wring.
Best bets are to use the USPS rate calculator on-line to determine in advance what you will be paying to ship something. Other best bet is to use the flat rate boxes particularly when you are shipping something that is heavy.
Proper packing and materials to use is another topic altogether.
Maybe they're combating shipping abuse (or maybe shipping laziness?).
There's nothing quite like my wife getting a couple of practically weightless ladies' blouses she ordered on line, in a box big enough to hold at least three (3) 
Lionel Polar Express sets! 
With a small handful of weightless padding material thrown in for good measure. 
The reason is simple, with the growth of shipping because of on-line retailing, shippers need to utilize every inch of cargo space. Weight plays a factor of course because a truck or airplane has weight limits, but space is an even bigger factor,it is a lot more limiting that weight carrying capacity unless you are shipping lead or gold
With every cubic inch a package takes up, there is less for another package and loss of revenue (it is kind of similar to lingering at a restaurant during peak times, the longer you stay the less people they can seat that night, less revenue, unless of course while you linger you are buying (overpriced) liquor. Whether an item weighs 5 ounces or 5 pounds, a 5 oz item in a 50 cubic inch box costs them more than a 5lb box in 30 cubic inches in lost revenue opportunity.
Unfortunately, you still need a substantial volume of peanuts to get your treasure to its next home. I just grin and bear it.
Ed
