Seller Urges Amazon to Offer USPS Ground Advantage Labels

by: Snapped

FWIW, USPS did provide a ‘grace period’ of sorts to allow current labeling to be used until those can be ‘upgraded’, as long as the correct (new) rates are applied when obtaining them.

But to be sure, AMZ needs to get their well-heeled assets in gear and git-r-done (tm).

by: toolguy

@Snapped

Are you saying that 1st class packages are now insured even if they aren't Ground Advantage? ? ?

by: shut1968

Not sure how it is on Amazon but with Shipstation First Class is still on there and printable but when you select First Class it still prints the label but it charges the Ground Advantage rate and the label says "Ground Advantage" even though all our defaults are programmed for First Class.  I would assume Amazon is probably the same.

by: iheartjacksparrow

@Toolguy: First Class Packages are Ground Advantage. Whether there is an F or a G on your label, you are paying the same rate up to 15.999 ounces. But instead of having to switch to Priority Mail for items over one pound, you can now use Ground Advantage for parcels weighing up to 70 pounds.

by: Snapped

No Tool, that’s not what was written. Given your past boasted wide ranged family affiliations with the USPS, it’s surprising some ‘history’ hasn’t rubbed off.  1C ‘parcels’ as a ‘price point product’ was never intended for (nor did it foresee) the eCom volume of today.  The carrier was visiting anyway, they can drop off a “spur” on the way.  And it wasn’t a strain on the mail stream.

But now, it’s like having to run a route and a half a day.  Through the same pipe as before.  Physical challenges notwithstanding, that costs money.  But new ‘piping’ costs a lot more.  And a ‘committee’ to approve.

This USPS sea-change is intended to save costs by essentially reducing “tiering”, and all the ‘paperwork’ attached.  As best as that can keep the current piping in place for now.  

Whether this is ‘suitable’ or not, or adversely motivated, is a different discussion.

Anyway, that history?  As Jack explained, and in so many words, ‘history’ is where you’ll find “1C parcel” now.  Along with a few other known ‘price point’ product names.  Along with any additional ‘service elements’ related to each.  

It’s a big infrastructure to tweak though.  May take a while (apparently) for the less nimble of all the interfacing client ‘middlemen’ to keep up.  Perhaps you can relate.

by: UB

@shut1968 Amazon First Class labels do not print  as USPS Ground Advantage like Ebay. Amazon has not done anything for USPS Ground Advantage as of this morning.

by: bd greatbuys

amazon do not care about sellers!!!  will force to it as required by law- bot  it will be at the last minute- like amazon d0 with the INFORM Consumers Act issue  

by: bd greatbuys

amazon do not care about sellers!!!
on amazon seller-forums came up
Results for "Ground Advantage"
(172 results)

by: my2cents

I mentioned this on another article about Amazon recently.  Their label system has not bee upgraded / correct to meet the Ground Advance requirements by USPS.

Also there was a rate increase to Media Mail that started on the 9th.  Amazon started charging that increased rate on or about the 7th.  They actually seem pretty consistent about getting an increase activated a couple days BEFORE the new rate goes into affect.

Then in a couple weeks they will claim it was an error and they will refund affected sellers.  I use to be one of those affected sellers historically, but not anymore.  Now I print my labels elsewhere so as not to get caught up in their mistakes with the rates.

by: lisapar

GA is available using AMZ Buy Shipping.  I've been printing Ground Advantages labels for about 10 days. Not sure why everyone isn't seeing it?

by: Disgruntled_Seller

Inside source indicates Amazon and Veeqo will have it rolled out completely the first week of August. Will see ...

by: SuperheroSeller2023

There is an article on the grace period by Ina on the same website where this letter to the editor was sent. First Class and Parcel Select packages will be delivered like they always have been until September 30th.

"Don’t panic over the end of USPS FCPS at the end of next week – the transition should not be arduous for shippers, and the US Postal Service is offering a grace period. On Tuesday, it said it would continue to accept, process, and deliver First Class Package Service and Parcel Select Ground after July 9th, the date that those services will merge to form the brand new USPS Ground Advantage service.

The USPS announced the grace period on June 27, saying it will accept all legacy products without penalty or assessment through September 30, 2023. The grace period will also allow for the receipt of parcels already in transit for delivery at the time of implementing USPS Ground Advantage."

by: my2cents

@lisapar

That is interesting.  Odd that some can get it and others can't.

by: SuperheroSeller2023

Amazon  

by: SuperheroSeller2023

Just going to leave this right here...

https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/headlines.html?id=G
NANWSBC8EJPZUWU

by: my2cents

I received this email from Amazon today.

Dear Seller,

In July, the United States Postal Service (USPS) launched a new domestic shipping service called USPS Ground Advantage, which consolidates the current First-Class package service, Parcel Select ground, and Parcel Select Cubic shipping methods. We’re currently working to bring this shipping service to you with Amazon Buy Shipping.

Once enabled, USPS Ground Advantage will offer the following ship methods:
• USPS Ground Advantage Light: For packages less than 1 lb.
• USPS Ground Advantage Heavy: For packages 1lb to 70 lb.
• USPS Ground Advantage Cubic: Dimension-based ship method for packages that exceed 70 lb.

With the USPS Ground Advantage rebrand, USPS updated their shipping service prices. Those new prices have been replicated in Buy Shipping and will remain in place.

When the new ship methods launch, you can purchase labels through Amazon Buy Shipping and your existing ship methods will automatically update to the equivalent USPS Ground Advantage ship method.

In the meantime, you can continue to use existing USPS shipping services for your orders.

We’ll share more information on the launch date and any actions to take when we enable the new ship methods.

To learn more about the USPS Ground Advantage ship methods, go to USPS Ground Advantage.

by: LaStade

USPS is not honoring the First Class Pkg label that Amazon shipping is still printing as of yesterday 7/22.  I received my package back with a sticky label printed saying "add correct postage, there is no longer a first class package rate."  I went to Amazon Shipping and asked to refund label - hopefully it will go through.  Did a Pirate Ship label instead.  @lisaspar  Did you have to change a setting for the ground advantage rate?  I did not see it on the drop down options for the different postage choices.

by: my2cents

@LaStade

"The USPS announced on June 27 that it had received approval from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to launch USPS Ground Advantage on July 9, 2023. The announcement also included a grace period for shippers, allowing the acceptance of all legacy products without penalties or assessments until September 30, 2023."

Are you sure the reason it was returned was because it said FC?  Or was the package not available for FC?  With the change to Ground Advantage, there were some changes to larger packages and their sizing.  What were the specifics on the package returned to you.  Size and weight.

by: LaStade

@my2cents - It was a 9" x 6" package, 4 oz.  Same size I always send for first class packages.  I am going to call the post office today to see why it was not honored for the grace period.