Shipping is a vital part of online sales, and eBay is getting ready to handle postal rate changes coming in May. As a recent AuctionBytes survey revealed, eBay sellers are concerned about higher shipping costs and many of them are concerned that postal tools they use may not be ready when the changes go into effect (http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y207/m04/abu0189/s02).

eBay is preparing its tools for the changes and providing updated information for its sellers. eBay said PayPal shipping labels that some eBay sellers use will calculate the new shipping rates to coincide with the USPS changes. All shipping labels printed on PayPal after May 14 will reflect the new rates and services, the company said. It will also update its Shipping Calculator so that the new rates will update automatically in early May.

In addition, sellers who use the Sell Your Item form will be able to click on the "See new rates" link in the Research Rates tool to see the future rates, starting in early May.

More information to help sellers prepare for the pending changes is available on eBay's Shipping Center portal (http://pages.ebay.com/services/buyandsell/shipping.html).

eBay is also hosting two online workshops to help sellers prepare for the changes. The first covers changes to USPS domestic services and will be held on April 23 at 1 p.m. Pacific time. The second will cover international changes and will be held on April 26 at 1 p.m. Pacific time.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200704190944052.html