What Do I Need To Know About USPS Ground Advantage?

USPS is making a big change to the shipping products and services they offer. What is it all about? Is it good or bad? How will it affect you as a seller on eBay?
I am a full-time reseller and love finding new places and new things to flip for a profit! I also love sharing my knowledge, especially when it is something that I am passionate about, because I believe that we should all help each other be the best that we can possibly be and look out for each other.
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CONTENTS:
00:00 Intro
01:17 What Is Ground Advantage?
03:47 How Will It Affect Sellers?
06:10 Is It Good or Bad?
08:17 Closing

[@aalbertsr]

They need to make our thousands of 1st class listings automatically go to USPS Ground Advantage because it may take more than 30 days to change them ourselves. Also, not impressed with the insurance. I've never once been paid for a claim - they just turn a deaf ear. Thanks for the info.

[@ResaleGeek]

Well the good thing is you really need to just update your business policies and make sure your listings are using them. So if you have two or three business policies that include first class package or retail ground, simply update your policies and any listings that use those will be updated! I'm guessing that particular service isn't being updated automatically because first class mail is staying the same, but first class package is the one changing. Hopefully their service improves and sorry to hear that you had that experience with filing an insurance claim!

[@aalbertsr]

@@ResaleGeek Thank you. I've never made any business policies - don't know what that is - but I'll find out - thanks again.

[@ResaleGeek]

Here is a link to eBay site where they explain what you need to know. Hope this helps! www.ebay.com/help/policies/business-policy/business-policies?id=4212

[@aalbertsr]

@@ResaleGeek Oh yes, thank you - I had that set but nothing there would help. I didn't think the 1st class was going up but as I change my listings to USPS Ground Advantage the shipping is going from $5.85 to &6.99 automatically.

[@ianburkard]

I've never been paid for lost or damaged goods ever. When it comes to international orders, forget it. I had a $1000 parcel from Spain lost (after it arrived in the US in LA, and was on its way to NY) and didn't get dime from either carrier (Correos or USPS). The USPS was at fault for losing the parcel in the US, not the agent from Spain. I had a similar situation when shipping from Spain. A box arrived to the US, got soaked somehow, was reboxed by the USPS with a "sorry" note, and the contents arrived covered in mildew. This was ~$700 of goods for resale -- didn't get a dime from either carrier.

[@MimisTreasureAttic]

Thanks for the info. You broke it down really well. It helped al lot!

[@leopardspotsmusic]

Great explanation! Thanks!

[@mariawarshaw]

Great information. Thanks for putting it in simple words easy to digest. Thank you.

[@ResaleGeek]

You are very welcome, glad that it helped!

[@stayhometoshop]

You said it best! 📣 I used your sound-byte in my video about USPS Ground Advantage...Thanks for this awesome video!! PS... I linked your channel in my video 😃

[@ResaleGeek]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ronlan1984]

Very informative video. Do you happen to have it explained on whatnot app? Since they don't really let you choose and ground advantages is only available on 5lbs and over should I set the weight for everything to 5lbs

[@MowiesMommy]

So glad I found your channel!! Would you please consider making a video that shows the business policy info and how to change the first class listings? I am not computer savvy at all so I'm feeling a bit lost. Thank you so very much! Blessings, Lisa...

[@ResaleGeek]

Thanks, I am glad you found my channel too! I think that's a good idea, I might make that my next video 🙂

[@cassfonnesbeck8057]

How nice you are optimistic. I appreciate the info! Since you asked, I think Dejoy is pushing us toward other providers with these kinds of changes. As far as insurance, they have ways to get around ever paying. I just go along because i have no choice.

[@ResaleGeek]

I try to look at the silver lining! I do find it interesting how they repackage and rebrand existing services and features and present it like we are being offered something new. Thanks for watching!

[@cassfonnesbeck8057]

@@ResaleGeek yes, in spite of my negativity, I appreciate your positivity!

[@barbaratyrrell3185]

Watch out Dejoy might be stealing your money will never trust him 🙄

[@cassfonnesbeck8057]

@@barbaratyrrell3185 no "might" about it!

[@DonnaB_D1D14u]

DeJoy still has a tracking company or stock in his old XPO Co this ground service 😡😡

[@frankhernandez6524]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@ResaleGeek]

Any time!

[@karlagonzalez7911]

Thank you, very helpful! 🤩

[@ResaleGeek]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@MidwestTreasureChest]

2 HUGE factors to use GroundAdvantage over Media Mail for printing labels on eBay/Amazon. 1. automatic $100 insurance. 2. savings on printing labels at home!

[@mcbrayerok]

Thanks for the breakdown!

[@ResaleGeek]

You are welcome, thanks for watching!

[@elliswashington1149]

Great information!!! Question: As a reseller that buys items cash from "private" citizens, that have value, how do you justify that value if the mailing is loss or damaged in transit by the USPS when there is no official store receipt involved? Please advise asap. Thanks.

[@ResaleGeek]

The declared value should always be what you sold the item for, and you can back it up with other recently sold comps. In rare cases where asked to provide additional proof, which would be highly unlikely, showing the cash withdrawal from the bank to purchase the item should be sufficient. If they are expensive items I typically try to get some kind of receipt if paying with cash. Hope this helps!

[@sandrabentley8111]

Thank you for your idea. Question? I sell jewelry and use CALCULATED first class package now. I also have business policies set up. Will the new ground advantage still use calculated do you know? I have to go in and change all my business policies for first class package. Can I do that before the 9th? Thank you, appreciate it.

[@ResaleGeek]

You are very welcome! Yes, Ground Advantage will also use calculated shipping just like the existing shipping methods. The option will become available sometime on July 9th, at which time you can update all of your business policies to the new shipment method. You'll have about 30 days to get all your policies/listings updated according to eBay.

[@jeffnorbert1871]

Changes to the mailing price are insignificant in most circumstances especially if retail. Yes, the old 1st class weight limit is no more but the cost to mail packages that weigh a few pounds or more is not cheap. Priority Mail Flat Rate is still going to come in handy.

[@ResaleGeek]

Yes, especially after this change. Really the main difference now is going to be the cost savings with flat rate (and cubic on Pirate Ship) and the slightly faster delivery times.

[@ianburkard]

@@ResaleGeek The issue with limiting people to flat rate boxes for better rates... the box dimensions don't work with all products.

[@ResaleGeek]

@@ianburkard The good news is that Priority Mail Cubic and Ground Advantage Cubic are usually cheaper than flat rate, and you can use your own box, but all of them only provide any real savings for smaller, heavy items. For larger items that are on the heavy side, it's probably best to use Ground Advantage unfortunately, as Priority Mail will get a bit pricey.

[@TheChaChingKing]

Good video. More in depth than mine. I wasn't subscribed. So I subscribed on my account and Melody's.

[@ResaleGeek]

Awesome, thank you! I absolutely love your videos, you are such an inspiration and one of many resellers who keep me going!

[@branbran657]

so can you ship ground advantage using your own box or envelope, the way you were able too with first class?

[@ResaleGeek]

Yes you can, no special packaging required! Same goes for Priority Mail, although I recommend taking advantage of the free packaging for Priority when possible.

[@StefenTower]

Thanks for the info. My hunch is USPS will merge Media Mail into Ground Advantage in 2024. I use that service for media that I sell/ship. What do you think?

[@ResaleGeek]

Honestly I don't see Media Mail or First Class Mail going away anytime soon, because now that Ground Advantage has been set up, they will be even less interchangeable with it than they were with Parcel Select, and have their respective place in their product line. The more likely scenario is that rates will increase over time though.

[@EB1878]

You'll need to go to the post office to pick up parcels now using global ground disadvantage. The usps won't deliver global ground disadvantage packages so watch those tracking notifications on usps carefully. Thankfully I noticed several of my packages at my post awful with "available for pickup". The delivery was completely skipped over on my purchase page. Just a heads up for everyone. Like many I was unaware of this post awful change.

[@ResaleGeek]

That's unfortunate that you've had what sounds like a frustrating experience! What part of the world do you live in? Ground Advantage is a domestic shipping service. Global Express, Priority Mail International and First Class International are the only global options that USPS offers. If it were me, I would speak with the Station Manager or Postmaster in that area immediately to find out why you are having to pick up your parcels instead of them being delivered.

[@ElGhostPresents]

Can I give my Ground advantage packages to USPS driver for pickup even when they are delivering USPS Priority mail? Can I give any USPS package to them in general since its the same postage ?

[@ResaleGeek]

Yes you can, and they should be scanning upon acceptance. If you have multiple packages and want to simplify it (and increase the likelihood of them being nice to you), you can print a SCAN form and have them scan that when they pick up your packages!

[@ElGhostPresents]

@@ResaleGeek Thank you, I really appreciate it! I couldn't find this info anywhere you're the only one that cleared it up for me. I'm barely starting to send packages and that was my main concern, thank you again! 🙏🙌

[@ResaleGeek]

@@ElGhostPresents You are very welcome! I should probably also add that if you have lots of packages or a really heavy package, the best practice is to schedule a pickup on USPS.com, but technically yes, they should pick up packages when they deliver your mail.

[@hopeedmondson]

Wait am I still able to use a Priority mail Box,Envelope,Poly Mailers,Etc.?

[@ResaleGeek]

Yep, Priority Mail isn't going anywhere! The only services changing are First Class Package, Ground Retail and Parcel Select.

[@hopeedmondson]

@@ResaleGeek Thank you

[@LordDirus007]

Ground Advantage Sucks! Tiny Package mailed Monday, Louisiana to Nebraska, says it will deliver Friday but been stuck on "Departed St Louis" for 16 Hours now. 5 Days for a Tiny Package is Ridiculous

[@thepostofficeprince8819]

Best part is the $100 insurance

[@tamarkohnmarks5394]

It seems that ground advantage is cheaper than flat rate if it’s under 5 pounds. Do you agree???

[@ResaleGeek]

Yes definitely! Where you really benefit from flat rate is being able to ship heavier items with a faster shipping method. If the speed of delivery is not quite as important, you can use Ground Advantage Cubic on Pirate Ship to save also, it may be cheaper than Priority Mail Flat Rate!

[@soniaarevalo9280]

So you can used any box with this label?

[@mateobaysa2055]

Any box, pouches, etc.

[@snugglebunnyhaven7258]

So far, I'm not that impressed. My item was shipped on the 5th and states package was accepted. It's said the whole time delivery is Sept 8, today. Tracking hasn't updated to even show in transit. Makes me wonder, did I just lose a $5K piece of equipment? Not cool.

[@ResaleGeek]

Oh no, hopefully not! Usually with more expensive items I ship UPS or FedEx. I don't mind using USPS for the bulk of my items because it's usually more convenient and economical, but yikes... Couldn't imagine that happening to me!

[@MoonPrismPurrr]

can someone please help me? last week i sold items through mercari with usps ground advantage using priority mail boxes. i went to the post office to print out paid labels using their kiosk-- fast forward, everything was delivered/went smoothly. today i tried to ship out more boxes doing the same thing except this time the kiosk was down. i went to the desk so one of the postal workers could print out labels and put them on my packages... and was told i was using the wrong boxes. they also told me "if you use these boxes they'll be returned to you". the postal worker then directed me to an area where i should purchases the "correct" boxes to ship my items. my question is, if what they were saying is true... why did my previous packages get delivered okay? am i being scammed into buying more boxes from them? please let me know!

[@ResaleGeek]

Technically they were right, as Priority Mail boxes are provided for free by the USPS with the intention of shipping via Priority Mail. They are usually pretty strict on what those boxes are allowed to be used for. It's possible that might get overlooked once, but most likely the package(s) will be returned back to you. You can always check the tracking number you were provided to see if your items were successfully delivered. It sounds like they directed you to buy the Ready Post (USPS) regular boxes, which are their retail brand of packing supplies they sell. If you are not shipping Priority Mail, you can use any boxes you like, but of course I would highly recommend something sturdy and durable so that your items arrive safely!

[@MoonPrismPurrr]

@@ResaleGeek ah!! thank you so much for replying :) i believe target has the same boxes for a better price... can i go with those?

[@ResaleGeek]

@@MoonPrismPurrr You're welcome! If you prefer brand new boxes, you can do that or search on Google for cheap boxes near you. Here in Texas I have a place called 1/2 Price Boxes that sells boxes and all kinds of packing supplies CHEAP. If you're like me, you go behind dollar and grocery stores and get nice sturdy boxes of all shapes and sizes for FREE! :)

[@MoonPrismPurrr]

@@ResaleGeek cheap? or smart ;) haha thank you so much. i'm really grateful for you!

[@adamramirez8863]

Can i use any box with this??

[@ResaleGeek]

Yes, there is no special packaging for Ground Advantage, it is the same as Parcel Select and Ground Retail were. :)

[@silvadelshaladin]

Only mildly fragile package(say an atari frogger game cart) sent in a bubble envelope meets 70lb box of ball bearings, cracking the plastic. This will be the new normal at least an unsatisfactory 2% of the time.

[@ResaleGeek]

Hopefully things like that will be a rare occurrence but I guess we will see!

[@josephmartinez8828]

Our Kansas post office was telling me the price was going down. Woo-hoo 😂🎉

[@ResaleGeek]

Yep retail rates are mostly staying the same or going down, and you can save even more by using Pirate Ship!

[@StefenTower]

@@ResaleGeek Subscribed for knowing about Pirate Ship. They're grrrreat!

[@itsjustme725]

Plus, I saw that you can ship up to 70 lbs!

[@ResaleGeek]

That's correct! They essentially just did away with First Class Package/Retail Ground, changed the name, and added the benefit of insurance.

[@jomoelle]

Difference that matters will be cost

[@ResaleGeek]

Yes cost is definitely a factor!

[@healthiswealth3799]

What the purpose of USPS Priority now? Ground advantage is cheaper and the package is insured.

[@ResaleGeek]

The main benefits of Priority Mail are that it is supposed to be faster, more reliable, and has flat rate options as well as free packaging.

[@Iforgotme]

Most of what we sell is in the $10 range. I don't like the idea of having to pay a built in insurance premium.

[@ResaleGeek]

Yep that is one disadvantage. Good thing is the prices are not going up very much at all, and if you ship with PirateShip, you can actually save some on your postage on certain cubic shipping services.

[@CuriosityQueue]

I have few items that don’t use simple mailers, but those that are set for 1st class shipping (in a box), I’ve changed manually. From what I’ve seen thus far, this change will likely impact sellers, as some very small items are seeing a significant uptick in price. Even if you have buyers pay shipping, it’s going to deter many who’d rather not pay the same amount for shipping as the product itself.

[@CuriosityQueue]

A vintage Peter Rabbit egg cup (4x4x4 box, weight: 4oz): 1st class :$4.75-5.25, with Ground “Advantage”: $6.99-$9.03.

[@ResaleGeek]

@@CuriosityQueue are you able to share where you're seeing those rates? The rate chart I'm looking at shows Ground Advantage for a 4 ounce package almost at the same rate as First Class Package was.

[@ResaleGeek]

@@CuriosityQueue from what I am seeing so far, the prices are very similar if changing, some are lower and some are a bit higher. Don't forget to use PirateShip for Priority cubic savings!

[@barbaratyrrell3185]

🙄🤔

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

That thing you're doing where you jump to a zoom-in of your face to stress certain words is VERY annoying. Please stop that.

[@ResaleGeek]

Thanks for the feedback it's much appreciated!

[@ecom2933]

2 to 5 days? Try 2 to 5 weeks!

[@ResaleGeek]

Fortunately I have not noticed any issues with buyers receiving packages, either before the switch or after. Sorry that you have! Hopefully it will get sorted out in the coming weeks.

[@farrahupson]

I've sent numerous packages via ground advantage so far. All seem to have arrived within the same time periods I would have expected prior to the change.

[@edwinalmanzar1807]

​@@farrahupsonHi Do the packages sent by USPS Ground Advantage have tracking or wait for it to reach its destination?

[@farrahupson]

@@edwinalmanzar1807 Mine have shown tracking from start to finish (with all the in-between steps in "real-time"), just like when using First Class package. Basically no difference.

[@antwanwilson7228]

I ordered cologne from Mercari and the last time it was scan was November 24th and here it is December 2nd and I still haven't received it???🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Epheli.]

forced insurance cost they never pay

[@ResaleGeek]

I have heard horror stories of insurance claims not being paid out. It seems you really have to stay on them to get paid for lost or damaged packages!

[@patrickdietrich267]

love the shirt!!! LOL

[@ResaleGeek]

Thanks!