Ebay. Please Fix The Shipping Cannot Be Calculated Error

[kawartha-ephemera]

tyler@ebay

The dreaded "Shipping cannot be calculated. Please enter a valid Postal / Zip code." continues to appear on DOT.CA, DOT.COM and DOT.UK. Oddly, there is no error on DOT.DE. The Germans know how to do things properly I guess.

In my case the error occurs when using calculated shipping with any Canada Post service. Even more troubling is the Expedited USA shipping cost that is shown to buyers is 25% above counter rates! Zero handling charges included. Obviously I've not been selling many of these types of items outside of Canada.

Whenever a potential buyer clicks on the "Shipping" tab all they see are a BOLD RED ERROR MESSAGE and an inflated shipping rate. The inflated rates seem to be something new, in the past I never noticed anything wrong with the rates being shown.

What are we to do about this?  Items using Small Packet can be converted to flat rate but heavier items that require an expedited service are not well suited to flat rate, too much rate variation by geography within the U.S. and even greater variation beyond North America.

[ypdc_dennis]

---

@vintagekawartha wrote:
The dreaded "Shipping cannot be calculated. Please enter a valid Postal / Zip code." continues to appear on DOT.CA, DOT.COM and DOT.UK. Oddly, there is no error on DOT.DE. The Germans know how to do things properly I guess.

In my case the error occurs when using calculated shipping with any Canada Post service. Even more troubling is the Expedited USA shipping cost that is shown to buyers is 25% above counter rates! Zero handling charges included. Obviously I've not been selling many of these types of items outside of Canada.

Whenever a potential buyer clicks on the "Shipping" tab all they see are a BOLD RED ERROR MESSAGE and an inflated shipping rate. The inflated rates seem to be something new, in the past I never noticed anything wrong with the rates being shown.

---

I looked at www.ebay.ca/itm/Original-1950-CHRYCO-Passenger-Car-Parts-List-Book-Chrysler-Royal-Dodge-Plymouth/292...

and that is an odd situation where you have an error message for the USA and still get a shipping cost (even if wrong).

I also checked ebay.de and it does show an error message.

...

As for the cost it's almost as if the USA rate being shown is for Xpresspost rather than Expedited Parcel.

If the weight is under 1kg try setting up Tracked Packet.

...

[kawartha-ephemera]

Too heavy, 32 x 28 x 8, 2kg.

[kawartha-ephemera]

I first noticed this error occurring last November, any calculated shipping choice will trigger it, Small Packet, Tracked Packet, Expedited etc.

[rose-dee]

This is serious enough that I'd take it up with tyler at the next Wed. chat session, and see if he can look into it. 

If this is a bug that is affecting a wide number of sellers who offer calculated shipping, they may not even be aware of it, and it will be killing their sales.  

[momcqueen]

I noticed it in December, however, my listings still display a postage cost below the 'cannot be calculated' text. I don't think it's affecting my sales performance much if at all. 

[momcqueen]

That being said, it does need to be fixed.

[momcqueen]

Raised at Weekly Session (see message 2) might be time to revisit it https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Weekly-Chat-Session/December-13th-2017-Weekly-Session/m-p/389481/highli...

[momcqueen]

[lady.stark]

---

@rose-dee wrote:

This is serious enough that I'd take it up with tyler at the next Wed. chat session, and see if he can look into it. 

If this is a bug that is affecting a wide number of sellers who offer calculated shipping, they may not even be aware of it, and it will be killing their sales.  

---

I already did that in a weekly chat. Nothing happened so far...

[kawartha-ephemera]

I noticed the problem had already been reported at the weekly chat, been patiently waiting for a fix.... Have been forced to change effected listings to flat rate, plus remove worldwide from most of them. I guess I'll have to do the same with heavy automotive books which is a shame since the Aussies and Germans often buy them...oh well, SOP on ebay!

[ypdc_dennis]

---

@vintagekawartha wrote:
... plus remove worldwide from most of them. I guess I'll have to do the same with heavy automotive books which is a shame since the Aussies and Germans often buy them...

---

Why bother removing -- if your Aussie or German buyer really wants the book they will pay the extra shipping -- and there is nothing to stop you from refunding the extra when you ship the book.

-..-

[kawartha-ephemera]

Of course flat rate could be done for a few selected countries, I may do so. Having said that it's been my experience those sort of "special" listing set-ups generally are regretted later.

[tyler@ebay]

---

@vintagekawartha wrote:

tyler@ebay

The dreaded "Shipping cannot be calculated. Please enter a valid Postal / Zip code." continues to appear on DOT.CA, DOT.COM and DOT.UK. Oddly, there is no error on DOT.DE. The Germans know how to do things properly I guess.

In my case the error occurs when using calculated shipping with any Canada Post service. Even more troubling is the Expedited USA shipping cost that is shown to buyers is 25% above counter rates! Zero handling charges included. Obviously I've not been selling many of these types of items outside of Canada.

Whenever a potential buyer clicks on the "Shipping" tab all they see are a BOLD RED ERROR MESSAGE and an inflated shipping rate. The inflated rates seem to be something new, in the past I never noticed anything wrong with the rates being shown.

What are we to do about this?  Items using Small Packet can be converted to flat rate but heavier items that require an expedited service are not well suited to flat rate, too much rate variation by geography within the U.S. and even greater variation beyond North America.

---

Hi @kawartha-ephemera - apologies for not seeing this sooner, your tag didn't generate a notification originally. 

This is still something being reviewed and worked on. There isn't currently an alternative I have for you. I know that @simeovivia0 has been working hard with the right teams to get it addressed, and I imagine he will update us when we have a resolution or workaround for you. 

[kawartha-ephemera]

Thanks for the update Tyler... good to know someone is trying to address the problem.