eBay Labels is now Live

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Just received a message that eBay Labels is now live. It does not specify if it is possible to connect your current savings with CP or if they are a stand alone system. Specifics from the email were limited. Anyone interested in "kicking the tires" and taking it for a test drive that could report back would be appreciated. Thanks,

-Lotz

Thanks.

[tyler@ebay]

Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies - I can confirm that as of now you are not able to connect your current savings with CPC. 

I know there is an FAQ page that will be available, though I'm not sure if that was linked in the email. 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

Just received a message that eBay Labels is now live. It does not specify if it is possible to connect your current savings with CP or if they are a stand alone system. Specifics from the email were limited. Anyone interested in "kicking the tires" and taking it for a test drive that could report back would be appreciated. Thanks,

-Lotz

Thanks.

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In my case I have a level 2 discount so it would be counter productive to switch. At the rate(pardon the pun) postage rates/costs are increasing in Canada I should be at level 3 by next week.  😁😫

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

So I sold something today. Went to print up a label & it automatically defaults to the new eBay labels page. Not thrilled with it at all.  No discount.  Tried to get back to Shippo. Finally found tiny writing at the top right of page to go back to Shippo. I wish eBay would stop changing things. I was upset when I could no longer print up labels on PayPal, but then learned how to do them on Shippo. Now they are trying to promote their own  label page. 

[motomike_canada]

Yeah if you can't bring over your own accounts, what's the point?   

  How is it we still can't connect our UPS Fedex CPC etc accounts to eBay and have it calculate rates automatically, like other platforms have been doing for what must be a decade by now?

IMO if they can't offer top-tier rates, they should stop trying to funnel sellers into their shipping platform. 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@motomike_canada wrote:

Yeah if you can't bring over your own accounts, what's the point?   

  How is it we still can't connect our UPS Fedex CPC etc accounts to eBay and have it calculate rates automatically, like other platforms have been doing for what must be a decade by now?

IMO if they can't offer top-tier rates, they should stop trying to funnel sellers into their shipping platform. 

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With my one sale today it defaulted to the new system. Just had to update to Shippo to create a label as per normal. Will find out what happens with the next sale.

Yes, no real advantage. When I worked for a major warehouser with offices across Canada we had the choice of head office negotiating nationally or we could on our own. Whatever got us the best bang for the buck. Could even use that to our advantage during nogotiations. eBay sellers as a cross Canada selling team should have some bargaining power based on total volume.

-Lotz

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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tyler@ebay wrote:

Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies - I can confirm that as of now you are not able to connect your current savings with CPC. 

I know there is an FAQ page that will be available, though I'm not sure if that was linked in the email. 

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Hello Tyler,

No FAQ with the email. Just a contact email address. It appears the default is eBay labels. Is there a way to turn this off?

-Lotz

On the Ship Your order Page the help does bring you to the basic faq. It does mention that it includes built in address validation and the part about not being able to link your personal CP account. (7 % savings with Expedited, 8 % savings with Xpresspost.)

https://pages.ebay.ca/seller-centre/shipping/ebay-labels.html

[motomike_canada]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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. eBay sellers as a cross Canada selling team should have some bargaining power based on total volume.

-Lotz

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They actually did this with FedEx a number of years ago and the rates are actually pretty OK, I still have the account open with the same or similar discount level.  As far as I can tell it was NEVER integrated into eBay in a way to offer the option to buyers though.  I *imagine* you could still call fedex and ask for the eBay rate. .   FWIW it's cheaper than my CPC level for many addresses within ~ 800 km radius. 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@motomike_canada wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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. eBay sellers as a cross Canada selling team should have some bargaining power based on total volume.

-Lotz

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They actually did this with FedEx a number of years ago and the rates are actually pretty OK, I still have the account open with the same or similar discount level.  As far as I can tell it was NEVER integrated into eBay in a way to offer the option to buyers though.  I *imagine* you could still call fedex and ask for the eBay rate. .   FWIW it's cheaper than my CPC level for many addresses within ~ 800 km radius. 

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You mean like for sellers on eBay dot com? With certain carriers if there is no activity they have been known to abruptly close accounts. You can always ask for a spot quote when you have something that would be better suited to a specific carrier. Cross your fingers and see if the math works for you.

From the FAQ other carriers are supposed to be added but no timeline. Wonder if this also squeezes NetParcel out of the picture unless you go direct. I know there were some that liked this service. Personally never did a full on test.

-Lotz

[intimewithmusic]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

Just received a message that eBay Labels is now live. It does not specify if it is possible to connect your current savings with CP or if they are a stand alone system. Specifics from the email were limited. Anyone interested in "kicking the tires" and taking it for a test drive that could report back would be appreciated. Thanks,

-Lotz

Thanks.

Thanks Lotz for opening this up.

First off  I want to appologize for the spelling or formatting in my posts.  The HTML problem with posting here has been going on for months. I don't know the "easy fix" that was suggested by the Support Team. The problem persists.  I cut and paste my posts into Notepad to strip HTML. As you know Notepad has no spell check and screws up formatting. 

I recently compared Shippo to Snap Ship so I took you up on testing "E'Ship".  I Purchased 1 label and the 2nd failed. 

The first label I processed was BC to California. 1 item. $26.19. I liked the available features from Ebay (Better packing list, better integration with you seller account) 

   The 3 things I don't like are

no ability to print a Commercial Invoice (manifest)
the frozen Level 1 discount. (don't care if I can't import my CP account but do care if I can't get Level 2
When we buy a label on eBaydotca it isn't clear the money from that stays in Canada. (I doubt it) 
   The 2nd eBaydotca label I bought today (or attempted  to & failed) was a COMPLETE DISASTER.  A customer in Norway purchased 6 magazines (separate listings) in a combined shipment. $158.32. The total weight was 1 Kg including packaging.  He requested an invoice.

   The eBay International label could not handle 6 items only 5. (Shippo or Snap Ship = no problem.) When I tried to effect a workaround I noticed eBay's Canada Post Service offerings didn't include "Int Tracked Packet". This is the service the buyer requested. when I sent the final invoice I based the cost on Snap Ship. 

  It took a bit to figure out the problem but eBay's label form did not allow for item weight editting. It based the service options available on the total weight of the six different listings (including their individual packaging) which exceeded the max for Int Tr Pk. At least that's what I think happened. 

  On solution may be to go into your "Combined Shipment Rules" and figure out how to adjust them for an average. For me it's a bit tricky when I may sell a buyer in Europe a very heavy item and some light ones. I do not like to get to the customs document and not be able to edit stuff. 

   The best solution for me was to go back to Shippo and buy the label. All 6 items, customer info,  editting functions, payment methods and proper Customs docs were in one easy form without any workarounds. 

    It would be great if Canada Post would give Canadian Sellers accounts THEY integrated with selling venues instead of the other way around. Keep the money in Canada. Give the discounts to Canadian Sellers... not US 3rd parties like Shippo or the selling venues.  Without Canada Post none of them would survive.  Canadians are too nice. 

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[intimewithmusic]

Thanks Lotz for opening this up.

First off  I want to appologize for the spelling or formatting in my posts.  The HTML problem with posting here has been going on for months. I don't know the "easy fix" suggested by the Support Team. The problem persists.  I cut and paste my posts into Notepad to strip HTML. As you know Notepad has no spell check and screws up formatting. 

New Ebay Labels Test

I recently compared Shippo to Snap Ship so I took you up on testing "E'Ship" attempting to buy 2 labels today.  I Purchased 1  without issue the 2nd failed. 

The first label I processed was BC to California. 1 item. $26.19.

  I liked the available features from Ebay (they have a better packing list and better integration with your seller account. 

   The 3 things I don't like are;

• no ability to print a Commercial Invoice (manifest)
• the "frozen" Level 1 discount. (I don't care if I can't import my CP account . I  care if I can't get Level 2)
• When we buy a label on eBaydotca it isn't clear the money from that stays in Canada. (I doubt it) 
     

  The 2nd eBay Canada label I bought today (or attempted  to but failed) was a COMPLETE DISASTER.  A customer in Norway purchased 6 magazines (separate listings) in a combined shipment. $158.32. The total weight was 1 Kg including packaging.  He requested an invoice.

   The eBay International label could not handle 6 items only 5. (Shippo or Snap Ship = no problem.) When I tried to effect a workaround I noticed eBay's Canada Post Service offerings didn't include "Int Tracked Packet". This is the service the buyer requested. when I sent the final invoice I based the cost on Snap Ship. 

  It took a bit to figure out the problem but .

eBay Canada's new label form doesn't allow for individual item weight editting before purchase.  It bases it's service options only on the total weight of the six different listings (including their individual packaging) which exceeded the max for Int Tr Pk and cannot be adjusted. 

  One solution may be to go into your "Combined Shipment Rules". Figure out how to adjust the combined weights  for an average. For me it's tricky when I may sell a buyer in Europe a very heavy item and some light ones. At the end of configuring an order, before purchasing the label EVERYTHING needs an edit function. I do not like to get to the customs document and not be able to edit stuff. this is more important on eBay than Amazon because so many of us sell groups of mismatched wacky stuff in a single order. 

   The best solution was abandon the eBay label and go back to Shippo. All 6 items, the customer info,  the editting functions, the payment method and the proper Customs docs I needed were integrated and no workarounds. 

    It would be great if Canada Post would give us accounts they integrated with selling venues instead of the other way around. Instead of giving our money away in the form of Level 2, 3 or ? discounts to anyone anywhere who provides volume keep the money in Canada. We do all the work.

   Canadians are too nice. 

  Canadian eBay Label Summary

1. Lots of things to fix. IE: Editting everything before label purchase.
2. Better than Shippo for eBay account integration for small sellers. 
3. Is Canadian label money going to the USA at the cost of the Canadian Postal system?
4. How much will a seller that may spend $2500 on shipping lose by forfieiting their level 2 discount?

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@intimewithmusic 

Thanks for doing the deep dive on this. Appreciated. I hope they get rid of the default to eBay ship. This will become most annoying to have to switch each time you print a label. Opt in...Opt out...Easy peazy!!!

The combine thing can be a bit of a problem with Shippo if a customer happens to pay with 2 payments or alternatively if the customer needs 2 shipments because of values for Intl customs.  I do like the fact with Shippo you can create the separate customs invoice if you so choose. Room to add more details and the choice to either return or dispose based on value for non delivery. So that would be a negative for eBay Ship.

With Shippo you have to remember to update final package weight and then manually enter the correct weight per item(s). Default settings are a dangerous animal especially if you happen to be in a hurry. With Shippo voids are a credit with CP. On dot com they are a refund. Curious to know which way eBay Ship works and the time frame to get that credit/refund? CP used to be cheque. May be credit to CC now.

As for not offering Intl Tracked that would definitely be a negative when you take into consideration slightly high valued orders that customers will refuse to pay for Intl Priority/Xpresspost I've run across that in the past with eBay/Paypal shipping. Had to create in Snap Ship. It shouldn't be a surprise when you go to create a label.

Until eBay Ship can hook up a current up and running Small Business account it would not be worth the time and trouble for me to switch.

-Lotz

[pjcdn2005]

Ebay has been asked a couple of times to integrate Fedex and UPS calculators on the Canadian site. From what I remember the reply was that those companies had been asked and were not interested in doing so as they felt that there wouldn't be enough useage of it to make it worthwhile. 

[pjcdn2005]

@intimewithmusic 

If you want to copy and paste something in a post, before you try to post it click on the 3 dots at top .... and that will show you more options.  Then click on the clear formatting icon which looks like a Tx with a line under it.   It's to the right of the font icon.

I'm not sure if I've tried it here yet but it definitely works on the .com boards.

[intimewithmusic]

Thanks! Will try that.

[intimewithmusic]

Interesting stuff.  We have PayPal, Shippo, Snap Ship & now eBay label availabilty. Unless one qualifies for Level 2 discounts all the prices are the same. All the venues have different quirks & minor advantages.

If you want to take advantage of  Shippo's USA to Canada Return label feature the only venue with this workaround you have to do due dilligence.  Shippo's 3rd party insurance over $100 is much cheaper than both Canada Post & eBay (the same as CP) Only on shippo can you insure an International Tracked Package for more than $1000. With CP you have to go with Xpresspost.  It's very hard to keep up as these providers change label formatting and features faster than underwear. 

Unless a label provider becomes quirk free with more features and a better deal I think most Sellers who have daily sales but spend less than $2500/yr on freight will gravitate to eBay labels once they're in MP.

You have to consider the cost of your time it takes to stay on top of each one.  Consistency is one of the reasons I go back to Snap Ship. If an order is complex eg: big combined shipment, needs lots of insurance I know where to look.   

Lotz brings up a good point. How do you get a refun d on a label? this brings up another good point...

How do you process these label purchases through your accounting system?

With proper business accounting practises in real time you  

1. Pay for frieght
2. Get a receipt
3. Enter the expense into your expense "Delivery & Freight" 
4. Claim the GST ITC
5. Move on

You can do that with Snap Ship, Shippo and PayPal. If you use normal business accounting you are not going to like waiting for an eBay statement to process individual expenses unless you process in a lump sum fashion. 

You will notice with eBay you do not get a receipt every time you print a label and after 2 full days eBay still hasn't posted the label purchases to my account.  I like up to date books, paid expenses and not guessing how much I have out there accumulating in whopping freight bills.

The answer to Lotz' question is below. 

Once a label is successfully cancelled, it typically takes up to 14 days for the refund to be credited back into your account."

Thanks for listening! 

ITWM

[mrdutch1001]

Sorry, no guinea pig here...since I won't be joining MP but will continue listing & selling...until I can't, I will continue to use PayPal for shipping labels which is simple, easy & convenient and where I do get my CP discount, even if it is only a wee level 1 discount.  No messing with another of eBay's implemented so-called "improvements"...which more often than not are nthing more than a seller time waster...

[intimewithmusic]

Making the switch is quite a learning curve. On one hand, waiting may give eBayCanada time to fix gliches.

On the other hand I wouldn't want to be setting up bank accounts, new shipping practises and taking on the learning curve in my busy season. This is why I chose February. It turned out to be luck because eBay's  MP system gliche caused me not to get paid for 3 full weeks. 

I wouldn't want any of that to happen in the fall.  Best to pick your slowest time of year to make the inevitable switch.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Hmmm....Are you implying testing eBay features is comparable to this?

-Lotz

[intimewithmusic]

Yes.  I thought the border was closed..

Those Americans in the back aren't self distancing...