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USPS “improves” express shipping by slowing it down

Posted on by SellerBites

Amazon’s marketplace is growing at lightning speed—over 9.7 million sellers worldwide, with a whopping 1.9 million actively selling.

It’s more important than ever to arm yourself with the best strategies and resources to stay ahead.

And the fact that you’re reading this? That means you’re already one step ahead. 😉

  • USPS slows express shipping 🚚
  • 15% off + FREE reviews! 🎯 
  • eBay lists on Facebook FREE 📱
  • Amazon drones return 🚁
  • New Amazon & Walmart refund strategy 💸

BLACK MARKET

What’s good for the company isn’t always good for the customer—and USPS is making that loud and clear. 

eCommerceBytes reported that USPS is once again updating its Priority Mail Express (PME) service. And while the Postal Service says it’s “aligning” with its Delivering for America plan, sellers aren’t buying the spin.

📦 The not-so-fine print

What used to be a 1–2 day guaranteed delivery (by 10:30 am, noon, or 3 pm) was already pushed to 6 pm back in 2021. 

  • Now: USPS has officially shifted the PME standard to a 1-, 2-, or 3-day window—with the word guarantee still technically attached. 

But let’s be real: how “express” is a 3-day delivery?

🚚 Is “express” still express?

That’s the real question. 

  • Premium cost. Regular Priority Mail already has a 1–3 day delivery goal (minus the guarantee).
    • So PME’s premium status is getting blurrier, especially if your package could’ve made the same journey without the added cost.
  • Location, location, location. The “Delivering for America” plan emphasizes cost-cutting over service expansion—which means rural customers may see slower delivery and fewer pickups.
    • But even urban sellers will feel the ripple effects when shipping outside metro zones.
  • One silver lining? USPS recently introduced Priority Next Day, a regional next-day ground option.
    • It’s currently available in only 54 markets and within a 150-mile radius.

💡 Seller takeaway

Don’t be fooled by shiny headlines. If fast, guaranteed delivery is mission-critical for your business, it might be time to reevaluate your shipping strategy—especially for rural destinations.

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BITES OF THE WEEK

ECOMMERCE NEWS

ICYMI: eBay’s sliding your listings into Facebook for FREE

eBay’s latest “perk” for sellers? Your listings might start showing up on Facebook Marketplace (FBMP)– completely FREE of charge. 

That’s right—thanks to a new partnership with Meta, eBay is cross-posting eligible items directly to FBMP. No Promoted Listings required. No extra fees. No action needed from you. Sounds generous… maybe too generous.

👀 How it works

  • Your eligible listings may automatically show up on Facebook Marketplace
  • They’ll include your eBay pricing, shipping options, and listing details
  • A little “partnership” badge lets buyers know it’s a cross-post
  • No Promoted Listings needed to be included
  • You can opt out—but only by contacting eBay (and waiting up to 30 days)

🤨 But sellers are skeptical

While the exposure looks good on paper, seasoned sellers are giving serious side-eye. Here’s why:

  • eBay has a habit of enrolling sellers in programs without notice
  • The opt-out process isn’t instant—you have to ask and then wait
  • There’s no clarity on which listings get featured
  • And even though it’s free now, eBay might still charge you a “halo effect” fee if a sale traces back to a promoted listing

So sure, you might get more eyeballs. But at what cost?

You decide: a wider reach with mystery mechanics or skipping the cross-posting chaos altogether?

AMAZON NEWS

Amazon’s drones are back after months of being grounded

It wasn’t long ago that Amazon’s delivery drones were temporarily grounded. In College Station, Texas, locals dubbed them “flying chainsaws” because of the noise, and engineers flagged a bigger concern: dust was interfering with the drones’ altitude sensors.

So, Amazon hit pause and went back to the lab. According to CNBC, the drones are back in the skies.

👍 Recalibrated and FAA-approved

  • Turns out, the desert dust in Arizona and Texas was messing with one of the drone’s most important safety tools: the altitude sensor.
    • While no incidents occurred, Amazon didn’t want to take any chances.
  • The fix is a software update, enhanced performance in dusty and windy conditions, and a safety checkmark from the FAA.

And there’s more—Amazon is also planning to move its drone hub further away from neighborhoods to reduce noise complaints. Smart.

⏲️ Still gunning for 30-minute deliveries

Remember Bezos’ bold dream of 30-minute drone deliveries? That vision’s still alive. But Amazon is making it clear: safety comes first, even if that means taking the scenic route to innovation.

One thing’s certain—the sky’s not the limit. It’s just the next stop. 

SELLER REFRESHER

Amazon and Walmart’s new refund strategy explained

Shipping costs are a given when it comes to e-commerce, but did you know that return shipping and processing can often cost more than the product itself? 

According to UniĂłn Rayo, No wonder retail giants like Amazon and Walmart are shaking up the return process with new policies. 

Welcome to the era of Returnless Refunds.

💸 What’s the deal?

  • Amazon and Walmart are offering a more convenient solution for some returns: keep the product and still get your money back.
    • It’s a cost-saving strategy. For low-value items, the shipping and handling involved in a return can far outweigh the cost of the product.
  • This isn’t for every item, though. Eligibility depends on the return shipping costs compared to the item’s value. 
  • Amazon even lets sellers decide which of their products qualify for Returnless Refunds.

🤹 A balancing act for sellers

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for sellers, though. While it saves on processing fees, refunding a product still means a hit to the bottom line. 

Sellers now have to balance the cost-saving benefits of these policies with the ongoing challenge of managing profit and loss.

What do you think about Returnless Refunds?