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| | | Author: | Uxbridgeite2  | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 18:22 | | Subject: | Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 124 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| I had a customer purchase some parts the other day. It was a large order with
75 items in 41 lots (I know that I should have an average lot size but I want
to give people what they need). Anyway, when the person checked out Brinklink
estimated the weight at 12.2 oz. which was spot on. The shipping estimate calculated
from MA to TN was only $4.95. I note on my store that final shipping will be
determined at invoicing. The final cost was $7.95 for 13 oz package for Zone
5 (600-1000 miles) for 1st class Mail. This guy was a real pain in the ass about
the extra $3. I told him that I did not charge a handling charge or for packing
materials and I only bill for the exact cost. He claimed he only bought it because
of the small shipping cost, and not that I have good stuff he needed that I sell
at or below historical average prices. I realized that I can suppress the estimated
shipping calculation on my store by changing my shipping profiles and I did that.
My questions are:
1. How does Bricklink calculate the estimated shipping amount?
2. Why is it not consistent with the current USPS Rate Chart?
3. Is there someone at Bricklink that updates this information that I can notify?
In the end, I ate the $3 because the package was already in the mail and I could
not lose the $3 plus the items. Foolish me for trusting someone and shipping
before payment in order to save another trip to the Post Office. This was my
1st issue with a customer in 125+ orders; customers praise my packing and shipping
in particular!
Anyway, just venting. Anyone have thoughts about my questions?
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| | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 18:28 | | Subject: | (Cancelled) | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| | (Cancelled) |
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| | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 18:29 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 41 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| BrickLink doesn't calculate ANY price.
You define the shipping methods with the prices and rates you wish.
Apart this, it's of course sometimes erroneous; question of thickness, rigidity,
volumetric size, whatever: it can be wrong.
But for 99% of orders for parts anyway, it's fine.
| | 2. Why is it not consistent with the current USPS Rate Chart?
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See above.
YOU have to make the prices.
| | 3. Is there someone at Bricklink that updates this information that I can notify?
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No, sorry, it's your job.
Do NOT use someone else shared shipping methods, or at least check everything.
HTH?
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| | | | | Author: | Uxbridgeite2 | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 18:36 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| I realize that Bricklink does not calculate shipping but they do "estimate
it" at checkout if I have that option on. I did have it on, but it is now
off. I was really wondering if there is any way to get Bricklink to update their
estimates? Here is a screenshot of what the customer saw.
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| | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 19:10 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Uxbridgeite2 writes:
| | I realize that Bricklink does not calculate shipping but they do "estimate
it" at checkout if I have that option on. I did have it on, but it is now
off. I was really wondering if there is any way to get Bricklink to update their
estimates? Here is a screenshot of what the customer saw.
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That's interesting; I didn't know BL would estimate without the seller
having set up his own prices and shipping methods? OK.
But anyway, it doesn't really matter; it's just an estimation.
Just like the Price Guide could be completely wrong, or not.
Just set up auto checkout and instant payment, and you'll be golden 
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | peregrinator | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 20:11 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, 1001bricks writes:
| | That's interesting; I didn't know BL would estimate without the seller
having set up his own prices and shipping methods? OK.
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No, BL's estimates are based on the price bands set up by the seller.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 21:49 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 34 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, peregrinator writes:
| | In Shipping, 1001bricks writes:
| | That's interesting; I didn't know BL would estimate without the seller
having set up his own prices and shipping methods? OK.
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No, BL's estimates are based on the price bands set up by the seller.
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Ah OK, was wondering. Thanks for the info.
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| | | | | | | Author: | ATCB | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 20:08 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 35 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| Bricklink is not estimating the shipping. That checkbox allows the buyer to see
what the shipping "should" be based on what you have in the shipping
method they have selected, rather than saying TBD when that box is unchecked.
so for example if you have a shipping method that is flat rate and $1 is the
rate you have in this manual invoicing method, an unchecked estimate box will
show TDB during checkout. Check that box and it will say estimated shipping $1.
In Shipping, Uxbridgeite2 writes:
| | I realize that Bricklink does not calculate shipping but they do "estimate
it" at checkout if I have that option on. I did have it on, but it is now
off. I was really wondering if there is any way to get Bricklink to update their
estimates? Here is a screenshot of what the customer saw.
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| | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 18:41 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Uxbridgeite2 writes:
| | I had a customer purchase some parts the other day. It was a large order with
75 items in 41 lots (I know that I should have an average lot size but I want
to give people what they need). Anyway, when the person checked out Brinklink
estimated the weight at 12.2 oz. which was spot on. The shipping estimate calculated
from MA to TN was only $4.95. I note on my store that final shipping will be
determined at invoicing. The final cost was $7.95 for 13 oz package for Zone
5 (600-1000 miles) for 1st class Mail. This guy was a real pain in the ass about
the extra $3. I told him that I did not charge a handling charge or for packing
materials and I only bill for the exact cost. He claimed he only bought it because
of the small shipping cost, and not that I have good stuff he needed that I sell
at or below historical average prices. I realized that I can suppress the estimated
shipping calculation on my store by changing my shipping profiles and I did that.
My questions are:
1. How does Bricklink calculate the estimated shipping amount?
2. Why is it not consistent with the current USPS Rate Chart?
3. Is there someone at Bricklink that updates this information that I can notify?
In the end, I ate the $3 because the package was already in the mail and I could
not lose the $3 plus the items. Foolish me for trusting someone and shipping
before payment in order to save another trip to the Post Office. This was my
1st issue with a customer in 125+ orders; customers praise my packing and shipping
in particular!
Anyway, just venting. Anyone have thoughts about my questions?
|
Take some time to set up instant checkout then the estimation of shipping costs
problem goes away.
Don't ever post orders before they are paid.
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| | | | | Author: | peregrinator | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 20:13 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 37 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Uxbridgeite2 writes:
| | I only bill for the exact cost.
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You can save yourself and your buyers money by buying postage at commercial rates
through PayPal/Shipstation or Pirate Ship.
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| | | | | Author: | jennnifer | | Posted: | Jun 21, 2023 20:33 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 38 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Uxbridgeite2 writes:
| |
My questions are:
1. How does Bricklink calculate the estimated shipping amount?
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It doesn't. These initial rates were set up and forgotten years ago. You
copied them into your store's rate chart. Shared methods are only meant to
be suggestions or guides for getting started.
| | 2. Why is it not consistent with the current USPS Rate Chart?
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There is no interaction with BrickLink and the current USPS prices. You literally
have to check the prices and set this up yourself. BrickLink does not check location
or call to the USPS API for shipping information.
| | 3. Is there someone at Bricklink that updates this information that I can notify?
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No. They don't update or maintain shipping rates.
Sorry that you were misled by the shipping methods setup dialog. But, now you
have learned and can fix everything and move forward with your shop. You need
to learn about USPS commercial rates and how to set up Instant Checkout properly
for your needs.
Good luck!
~Jen
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| | | | | Author: | cosmicray | | Posted: | Jun 23, 2023 17:54 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 33 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, Uxbridgeite2 writes:
| | Anyway, just venting. Anyone have thoughts about my questions?
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Everyone out there would like to have cheap/free shipping. Once upon a time BL
had a shipping calculator for USPS First Class Parcel, but those numbers are
years out of date, and (IIRC) they predate when FCPS rates becomes zoned. So
anything built in should not be depended upon.
The best you can do is pick a number for each weight, as an average of cross
country shipping. Zones 6-7 may be your friend here. If some one from zone 8
places an order, then you eat the shortage. If someone from zone 2-5 place an
order, you keep the overage to offset those where you come up short. Until BL
supports USPS zones, there really is no other way that includes Instant Checkout.
You could make every order await you to calculate the shipping, but many customers
want to go click-click-click and be done.
Now, having said all of the above, it has come to my attention that USPS is making
major charges beginning 9 July. The name/moniker USPS First Class Parcel Service
is being retired. Same with Parcel Select. The two current shipping classes are
being merged into one new service called USPS Ground Advantage™. It will cover
all parcels beginning at 1-oz, up to 70 lbs. It is NOT replacing Priority Mail,
which continues to exist. GA rates for parcels under 1-lb will begin with rates
which are currently identical to the rates for FCPS. The rates for 1-lb to 20-lb
will be similar to the current rates for Parcel Select, but slightly lower. The
rates for 21-lb to 70-lb are identical to Parcel Select. For people using the
current GA Cubic rates there are a few cells in the far out zones for larger
cubic size that will be rising slightly, otherwise unchanged.
So, any wording about First Class Parcels might need to be updated in 2-3 weeks.
Nita Rae
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| | | | | | | Author: | jennnifer | | Posted: | Jun 24, 2023 09:51 | | Subject: | Re: Bricklink Estimated Shipping Cost | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | Shipping | |
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| In Shipping, cosmicray writes:
| |
Now, having said all of the above, it has come to my attention that USPS is making
major charges beginning 9 July. The name/moniker USPS First Class Parcel Service
is being retired. Same with Parcel Select. The two current shipping classes are
being merged into one new service called USPS Ground Advantage™. It will cover
all parcels beginning at 1-oz, up to 70 lbs. It is NOT replacing Priority Mail,
which continues to exist. GA rates for parcels under 1-lb will begin with rates
which are currently identical to the rates for FCPS. The rates for 1-lb to 20-lb
will be similar to the current rates for Parcel Select, but slightly lower. The
rates for 21-lb to 70-lb are identical to Parcel Select. For people using the
current GA Cubic rates there are a few cells in the far out zones for larger
cubic size that will be rising slightly, otherwise unchanged.
So, any wording about First Class Parcels might need to be updated in 2-3 weeks.
Nita Rae
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Thanks for this update!
~Jen
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USA, Massachusetts
France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
United Kingdom, England
