Why are postage rates higher on Auctiva??

Hi trinkets,

Thanks for contributing to our forum. We have recently finished updating our USPS shipping label rates in accordance with the recent USPS rate changes and the subsequent increases by our shipping provider, so it is expected that you may have seen a change in postage rates when printing shipping labels through Auctiva.

I cannot be certain why the shipping labels you referred to here may be more expensive than similar shipping labels purchased through eBay or Paypal, but we are aware that our rates may not always be the same as other providers.

Although we do our best to provide competitive pricing on USPS shipping labels, you are certainly welcome to use another provider if it makes sense for your business.

If you need any further assistance with your account, please feel free to contact our Customer Support team by mousing over the “Help” tab and selecting the “File Support Case” option.

-Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Auctiva Mike D.:
Hi trinkets,

Thanks for contributing to our forum. We have recently finished updating our USPS shipping label rates in accordance with the recent USPS rate changes and the subsequent increases by our shipping provider, so it is expected that you may have seen a change in postage rates when printing shipping labels through Auctiva.

I cannot be certain why the shipping labels you referred to here may be more expensive than similar shipping labels purchased through eBay or Paypal, but we are aware that our rates may not always be the same as other providers.

Although we do our best to provide competitive pricing on USPS shipping labels, you are certainly welcome to use another provider if it makes sense for your business.

If you need any further assistance with your account, please feel free to contact our Customer Support team by mousing over the “Help” tab and selecting the “File Support Case” option.

-Mike

Sorry but there is nothing competitive about USPS postage rates. USPS rates are USPS rates, Period.
Also "the subsequent increases by our shipping provider" whatever that means...is not something that is passed on to members according to Auctiva.

Here is a quote directly from Auctiva......

".....This feature is 100% integrated into your Auctiva.com account, and the only costs you pay are the actual postage costs for your labels, period This service is available to all Auctiva users, regardless of their subscription level."

(I also have several screen shots of this quote, the page it is posted on, dates etc)

I am assuming competitive is with post office if you take a package inside??

However, if you compare to ebay rates which I would assume most of us who use auctiva and ebay regularly, compare auctiva with ebay/paypal then auctiva is higher on ones I have checked. I have not checked all rates.
Here is note from auctiva site (bolded by me in couple of places)

quote:

Buy and print postage for eBay shipments right from your Auctiva account!

USPS postage rates below retail

Supports most domestic USPS services
Supports most international USPS services including First Class
No extra fees or subscriptions required


Save money and time with Integrated Shipping at Auctiva! Create USPS labels for all your eBay shipments, easily and more cost-effectively, using our new Integrated Shipping feature.

Convenient. Buy & print postage labels without ever leaving Auctiva.com.


Affordable. Our rates are cheaper than the post office.
No hidden costs. Pay only for the postage you buy—no need to subscribe to an external postage provider.
Flexible. Most USPS domestic and international services are available, including First Class International, Priority and Express.

I guess I had the assumption, wrongly obviously, this was a feature to auctiva users at no extra charges (add on charges - surcharges) to the us. That it was not necessarily something we were being charged over what ebay would charge for this service.
I assumed auctiva made money from the their mail proivder & insurer not from us on this. (ie. that they were given some money from those companies???)


Like Mike said:::::

quote:

you are certainly welcome to use another provider if it makes sense for your business.

Assuming this "You" was not directed at one person but any of us but not sure..guessing that though.


Sure makes "CENTS" to me. Frankly was in debate mode on continuing using it as would be convenient to buy insurance/postage same place...but ...guess this "CENTS" seals it, as in all honesty...ebay shipping fills in all info we need, with auctiva we have to input quite a few fields...(size, customs information, etc.) Time is $$$$, so spending time and extra money?

But do wonder about the way this is spun on site as a selling feature. To me is pretty unethical and deceitful even if not an egregious error in advertising features.

Just my thought....

FYI

eBay discounts USPS rates up to 32%. If you use eBay to print labels and you ship a lot there is a message saying just that. I am sure eBay can discount the rates because the Post Office discounts to them. There is one set USPS rate but that does not mean that it is not subject to discount

Hi Community,

Thanks for the additional feedback. The materials on our site which advertise our shipping labels are cheaper than USPS are primarily intended to convey that our shipping labels are less expensive than purchasing similar postage at the post office and, in most cases, even USPS online.

There may be some combinations of weights, dimensions and shipping services for which postage may be cheaper through USPS online than through Auctiva, but we are confident that our rates are less expensive than USPS online overall.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer any assurances that our shipping rates will be less expensive that eBay, Paypal or any other specific third party vendors who offer USPS postage though.

If you need any further assistance purchasing postage through your Auctiva account, please contact our Customer Support team by mousing over the “Help” tab and selecting the “File Support Case” option.

-Mike