How to prevent eBay from selecting wrong Canada Posts shipping method when choosing "Actual cost"

[philestore]

Hi!

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this...

• I am listing an item from Canada and I want to ship to both Canada and USA.
• I choose "Charge actual shipping" for both countries and I want eBay to use the shipping calculator to charge my buyers automatically.
• When selecting the shipping method I think is the best (in this case, "Canada Post Light Packet USA"), a buyer from the USA sends me a message telling me that he gets a "Ask seller for shipping costs" message.
• After doing a little research, I realize that it is because the shipping method "Canada Post Light Packet USA" is not available for my dimensions/weight and that I should change it for "Canada Post Small Packets - USA - Air".

Is there a way that I can prevent eBay from making available shipping methods that actually are not available? Do I have to go to Canada Post website every time I list an item to check what shipping methods are available for my dimensions/weight?

This can be a major turnaround for buyers that check my listings and see that they have to contact me before and cannot spontaneously buy the product. And in some cases I might not even know that the shipping calculator tells them that they have to contact me before they actually send me a message...

Thanks!

[reallynicestamps · Accepted solution]

Nope-- you just need two numbers, a tape measure and a scale.

If a package is over 2cm thick and 500 grams it is too big for Letter Post/Light Packet.

Don't guess. Measure.

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate?execution=e1s1

BTW- if an item can go Light Packet, you can list it on dotCOM in US dollars which many sellers (myself included) feel can be a useful strategy.

[philestore · Accepted solution]

Why do people sometimes choose to post on dotCOM? Is there more chance to sell to a US buyer if I post on dotCOM?

Why does it work only for Light Packet?

Thanks!

[ypdc_dennis · Accepted solution]

If you post on ebay.com you have to use a flat rate shipping price (calculated is not available for Canada Post on .com). Flat rate choices from Canada Post to the USA are Light Packet (up to 500g) and Small Packet (up to 1kg), every other Canada Post choice has variable pricing.

You also get free listings each month on ebay.com -- the primary reason I also list on .com

Some sellers think listing in US$ will apeal to US buyers.

[philestore · Accepted solution]

Thanks for answer... mmmmh... so those 50 first free listings are only for dot com... good to know!