eBay

futuretech_liquidations · ‎10-07-2016

Recently we were invited to use the new shipping interface when printing our shipping labels and I was wondering if anyone else has/is using it. We noticed several changes that have a dramatic effect on the cost of labels.

1. When entering weight - the new system does not allow fractions so if your parcel weight 2.4-LBS you can only enter 2 or 3-LBS. If you enter 3-LBS you are paying .60 cents more, if you enter 2-LBS then you save .60 cents

2. The new shipping interface comes up automatically with XPRESSPOST selected as the shipping method so you better remember to change it to EXPEDITED PARCEL otherwise you will pay a lot more.

3. The new shipping module automatically loads up in Kilograms and Centimeters which again is a nuisance since who the heck uses KG/CM in the real world most ppl use Inches and Pounds.

If you click on any of the HELP (?) symbols their is no help at all.

Regards,

TIM @ FTL

i.am.vivian · ‎10-07-2016

@futuretech_liquidations wrote:

1. When entering weight - the new system does not allow fractions so if your parcel weight 2.4-LBS you can only enter 2 or 3-LBS. If you enter 3-LBS you are paying .60 cents more, if you enter 2-LBS then you save .60 cents

3. The new shipping module automatically loads up in Kilograms and Centimeters which again is a nuisance since who the heck uses KG/CM in the real world most ppl use Inches and Pounds.

If you don't have a metric measuring tape you will need to buy one. If you don't have a metric scale to weigh your parcels you can translate the amount using a metric converter. Just Google something like "what's 2.4 pounds in kilograms" or whatever.

In your head you should already know enough that 1 LB is about 454 grams. 10 centimeters is about 4 inches. Canada Post uses metric so if you want to use it and get accurate results you need to use metric. Its been like that for over 40 years.

Who uses it in real life? I do. I cook with a 285 ml can of something, I look for the KG price when I buy produce or other things to make sure I am getting the sale price at the cash register. Your store receipts are always in metric so if you don't recognize price to amounts you will never know if you are getting the sale or not. So many times I have caught a mistake.

If I buy a book the measurements are always in metric. I need to know if its the full size large type edition or some teeny little economy thing that actually belongs in a dollhouse. Canada will never go back to the Imperial way so you may as well get used to the metric. You've had over 40 years to adjust.

i.am.vivian · ‎10-07-2016

Forgot to add a good cheap scale for metric is the Starfrit for about $20 at Cdn Tire. It goes on sale sometimes for $15 or even $10 and is something you will use with every order. No guesswork.

momcqueen · ‎10-07-2016

That $20 special Starfrit is the one I use. It's a good one, I would recommend it.

I am fully in favour of cm and kgs but I don't care for the new Paypal Shipping flow for two different reasons:

1. It does not allow you to enter a value for the parcel that exceeds the amount it sold for without asking if you intend to buy additional insurance. The included insurance for Expedited is $100. I rarely need more but what I do need is a way to show I have included a free gift (free for the buyer not free for me to give away) as well as its actual total value for the shipment in case it gets lost or destroyed along the way.

2. It only allows you about 25 words to the buyer in the message field from 1,000 characters before. I always use the same paragraph of text which thanks the buyer for their specific purchase plus tells them exactly how many business days it is supposed to take to get to them at their postal code from mine, and thanks them in advance for their feedback, as well as explains the presence of their modest free gift-with-purchase.

Once these two things are addressed, I am happy to use it. Until then, I cannot and must switch back to the old screen each time I go to purchase and print a postage label through paypal shipping.

Luckily, sellers with Solutions for Small Business cards with Canada Post get one free shipment through CPC's EST every Tuesday this month. So that's nice.

thestuffofchris · ‎10-07-2016

I, too, use the Starfrit, though I believe our family was lucky enough to find it on sale at Canadian Tire when we went to buy it.

It should also be noted that most of the world uses the metric system (kg and cm), though some metric countries like Canada still use imperial in some cases. For more detail:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_units#Current_use_of_some_imperial_units

momcqueen · ‎10-07-2016

Mine is the white version of this Starfrit Slim Glass Kitchen Scale which retails for $30 CAD or so but I found on sale at about $20.

I've used it for everything (with careful balancing) up to a bicycle I once mailed. That bicycle I took to the postal counter to use their scale for an accurate weight and then came back home and bought my postage label via Paypal shipping which had a better discount than the one I could get with my at-that-time VentureOne card.

I'd post a link to the site I bought it from but we're not allowed to flog off-ebay sites so here is what ebay has to offer for similar items. I like mine just fine but I have read some unflattering reviews for it on the source website.

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4840.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XStarfrit+Slim+Glass+Ki...

momcqueen · ‎10-07-2016

Oh wait this one is exactly it 152193968861 and located in Canada too. Good price!

katlover1952 · ‎10-08-2016

Paypal is automatically bringing that up now when you go to print a label but it does allow you to go to the classic label by clicking on a link but first they make you tell them why you are not using the new site. (I always just put I prefer the classic). I use metric but it does not seem like you can put more than 2 numbers in for weight. For instance if something weights .099 grams you can only put in .09 - don't know if this makes a difference or not but I have always put in the 3 numbers in a case like this. I am continuing to use the old label but not sure if they are going to eventually remove it or not.

pjcdn2005 · ‎10-08-2016

The new interface is annoying in some ways although I don't have a problem using metric. Have you tried entering the full amount in all ounces or as a combination....for example 38 ounces or 2 lbs 6 oz?