I'm Going To Let You In On A Secret: How USPS Shipping Hikes Are Impacting Your Wallet

It's no secret that online shopping has become the norm for many of us. With just a few clicks, we can have virtually anything delivered to our doorstep. This convenience, however, often masks a significant financial reality: the rising cost of shipping. Over the past six years, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has quietly but consistently increased its rates, and while you might not be sending many packages yourself, these increases are likely impacting your everyday purchases more than you realize.

For most consumers, the act of shipping a package is a rare occurrence. Think about it: when was the last time you went to the post office to mail something other than a holiday card or a return? The vast majority of our interactions with shipping services are on the receiving end, as products arrive from online retailers. This shift in consumer behavior has created a blind spot when it comes to shipping costs. We're more concerned with the final price of an item and whether "free shipping" is offered than with the underlying logistics expenses.

This "free shipping" illusion is often just that – an illusion. Retailers aren't absorbing these costs entirely; they're simply building them into the product's price, or offering "free shipping" only after a certain spending threshold. So, while you might feel like you're getting a deal, you're still indirectly bearing the brunt of the escalating shipping fees.

Etsy gives priority in search results to shops that offer free shipping, particularly for orders over $35. This powerful incentive means that if a seller wants their handmade goods to be seen by potential buyers, they feel pressured to offer this "free" option. They're forced to do what is a standard practice on the platform and what Etsy encourages: build the shipping cost directly into the item's price.

It's a clever strategy that benefits the marketplace by boosting conversions and making it more competitive with e-commerce giants like Amazon. But for the end consumer, it simply means the cost is hidden. It's a premium paid for convenience, a subtle yet significant factor in the overall cost of living.

The USPS has implemented a series of price adjustments across various mail and shipping services over the past half-dozen years. These aren't minor tweaks; they're substantial increases that add up over time.

For instance, the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp has steadily climbed, with multiple increases since 2019. In July 2025 alone, it went from 73 cents to 78 cents. While stamps might seem like a small detail, they reflect a broader trend.

More significantly for online purchases, shipping services like Priority Mail and Ground Advantage have seen considerable jumps. For example, recent changes (July 2025) have seen Priority Mail rates increase by an average of 6.3% and Ground Advantage by 7.1%. Some Priority Mail shipments have even seen double-digit percentage increases, with certain cases jumping as much as 51%! These consistent, often multi-percentage-point hikes each year accumulate, creating a much higher base cost than what existed just a few years ago.

So, how do these USPS increases affect the price of that new gadget, piece of clothing, or household item you're eyeing online? It's a classic case of a domino effect.

Businesses, especially small and medium-sized e-commerce sellers, are directly impacted by higher shipping costs. For many, shipping is a significant operational expense. To maintain profit margins, businesses are forced to pass these increased costs on to the consumer. 

This can happen in a few ways. The most common method, where the cost of shipping is factored into the item's list price. You might not see a separate "shipping fee" but it's embedded. Businesses might also raise the purchase threshold required to qualify for free shipping and the ability for retailers to offer attractive incentives like truly free shipping or flat-rate shipping becomes more challenging. 

All of this can lead to less competitive pricing for consumers. It's not just the final delivery to your door. Increased shipping costs affect every stage of the supply chain, from raw materials to manufacturing and distribution. Each step where goods are moved incurs a higher cost, which ultimately trickles down to the end consumer.

While you might not be the one at the post office mailing packages, the rising tide of USPS shipping costs is undoubtedly lifting the prices of countless goods you purchase. With shipping prices set to increase again before the holiday season, it's important to know why and how these costs ultimately get passed on to you, the consumer.

Has Your Order Gone Wrong? How to Handle Lost, Delayed, or Incorrect Packages

Not long ago I mailed a package to my son across the US to Connecticut.  This package took over a month to get to him and the tracking information was utterly bizarre. It made it to Denver, then even to Connecticut, about 5 miles from his house, only to show the next day in San Francisco. It crisscrossed the country at least 3 times! I was beginning to think it had become some kind of new version of the Travelling Gnome. 

I mail almost exclusively using The US Postal Service (USPS) and I will say that over 99% of the time I have no issues. However. occasionally a problem arises and I'm sure with the amount of mail ordering that's done today, you've experienced issues as well. Sometimes that carefully selected purchase you made gets lost or hung up in the mail. Or worse yet, the person packing it made a mistake and sent the wrong thing. Now what?

It can be incredibly frustrating when your eagerly awaited package goes awry. Especially when you're dealing with a small business or an independent maker on a platform like Etsy, you might wonder about the best course of action. Unlike large retailers with dedicated customer service departments, Etsy's structure means you're often interacting directly with the seller. But fear not, there are clear steps you can take to resolve these issues.

First Steps: Don't Panic, and Check the Tracking (Again!)

Sometimes, packages appear to be lost but are simply delayed. Double-check the tracking information one more time on the carrier's website (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.) using the tracking number provided by the seller. Sometimes, the carrier's own site has more up-to-date or detailed information than what appears on Etsy. Also, it's not unusual, and I've seen it happen more than once, where a package is scanned 'Delivered' but doesn't get delivered until the next day.

Lost or Severely Delayed Packages:

Your first and most important step on Etsy is always to contact the seller directly through Etsy's messaging system or if you've ordered through my website, contact me at lora@lorasbeauty.com. Provide your order number, the tracking number, and clearly explain the situation, whether the tracking hasn't updated in days or the package says delivered but you never received it. Most Etsy sellers are genuinely committed to good customer service and will want to help resolve the issue. They might have additional insights, be able to contact the carrier on their end, or offer a replacement or refund.  Double-check the shipping address you provided during checkout, as a simple typo can cause a misdelivery. If the package is severely delayed or marked as delivered but not received, it's also worthwhile to inquire with your local post office or the relevant carrier's customer service; they might have more detailed information or a record of the package being held for pickup.

For mail sent via USPS, if you've exhausted other options and your package is still missing, most Etsy sellers will open a USPS case for it. You can also open a case by visiting MissingMail.USPS.com and either sign in or register to complete a search request form. This form requires specific details, including the mailer and recipient addresses, the date of mailing, and crucially, any tracking numbers you have. You'll also need a detailed description of the mailpiece itself, such as its type, size, color, and packaging, along with a thorough description of its contents, including titles, colors, sizes, brands, and models of each item. Photos, if available, can also be very helpful. You can submit this search request no earlier than seven days and no later than 365 days after the original mailing date. For more information, you can refer to the USPS FAQ on Missing Mail - The Basics.

If you've tried to resolve the issue with the seller and haven't found a satisfactory solution, Etsy offers a Purchase Protection Program for qualifying orders. This program covers items that don't arrive or arrive damaged. To be eligible, you usually need to have contacted the seller first and waited for a response. You can then open a case with Etsy, providing all the relevant details and any communication with the seller. Etsy will review the case and may issue a refund.

Wrong Item Sent:

If you receive the wrong item, take photos of what you received and compare it to the listing photos and description. Then, immediately message the seller through Etsy, explaining the mistake and including the photos as evidence. Most reputable sellers will offer to correct the mistake. This might involve them sending you the correct item and providing a pre-paid shipping label for you to return the incorrect one, or in some cases, simply refunding you or allowing you to keep the incorrect item if the value is low. Follow their instructions carefully regarding returns. If the seller is unresponsive or unwilling to rectify the situation, you can again turn to Etsy's Purchase Protection Program, as it also covers items that are not as described, which includes receiving the wrong item.

My own experience with that perpetually "traveling gnome" package to my son taught me a valuable lesson. After weeks of tracking chaos, which saw the box zigzagging across the country multiple times, it finally landed on his doorstep. The culprit? An old mailing label on the bottom of the reused box, which caused it to bounce between destinations. It was only after opening a case with USPS that the mystery was unraveled and the package finally found its true home.

Grandkids, Getaways, and Growing the Shop

This year is already flying by, and it's been filled with more than just work! March brought a magical first for me: a yoga retreat in Nicaragua, which was also my first time visiting the country. Then in April, I spent time in Connecticut helping out with my granddaughter while my son and daughter-in-law got their house ready to sell. I'm so looking forward to having them back on the west coast this summer!

Alongside these personal adventures, I've also been busy with my shop. You might recall that I introduced new scent varieties for my Coconut Oil Free Shampoo bar in February, and it's been such a hit that I've added another scent, Lemongrass Ginger! It joins my other lovely options: Unscented, Basil Cedar, and Lavender Orange.

There are also some beautiful new square handmade ceramic dishes in the shop, courtesy of my talented ceramist friend. These are perfect for the square solid dish soaps or any of my square soap bars.

On the subject of square soaps, I heard the call for a lemongrass body soap and got right to work! You'll now find a Lemon Sugar soap in my Etsy shop. Sugar is a wonderful addition to soap, boosting lather, acting as a humectant, and helping to create a longer-lasting bar.

Not all changes involve new products, though. I regularly review my offerings to see what isn't performing well or is challenging to ship. Earlier this year, I made the decision to discontinue the bath salts and shower steamers. I'm also planning to discontinue the large rectangle shaped solid dish bars once they sell out.

Your continued support of my small business is deeply appreciated – it truly means everything. Like many others, I'm keeping a close eye on potential tariff impacts on my ingredient availability and costs. It's hard to say what the coming weeks will bring in terms of pricing. If anything in the shop has caught your eye, now might be a good time to treat yourself! I'll be sure to keep you updated as things evolve.

New Year Updates and Two New Products

Life took an unexpected turn at the end of last year. Just before Christmas, I lost my mom. While her passing wasn't a surprise, the grief is profound. For the past five years, she's been a constant presence in my life. Those of you caring for elderly parents understand the constant worry, the endless to-do lists, and the ever-present awareness of their needs. Even when I wasn't directly caring for her, she was always on my mind. I still instinctively reach for my phone, half-expecting a call about a pharmacy run or a fall. I know these feelings will fade in time, replaced by cherished memories of the vibrant woman she was.

Sharing this feels important, but I also wanted to share some exciting shop updates. Since the Coconut Oil Free Shampoo bar has been so popular, I've added two new scents: the earthy Basil Cedarwood and the refreshing Lavender Orange, both available now on my website and Etsy shop.

My ceramist has also been busy creating beautiful new bowls designed specifically for my 3" round solid dish bars. These bowls feature a raised, patterned center, similar to my handmade plates, to keep the bars dry. They offer a lovely alternative to the plates and are available in several colors on Etsy.

Like many small businesses, I'm facing rising ingredient and shipping costs. I've absorbed these increases for the past year and will continue to do so as long as possible. I recently restocked my supplies, so I anticipate holding prices steady for the next month or two, at which point I'll reassess. Please note, I always offer slightly lower prices on my website.

Finally, a couple of travel notes: I'll be taking a short break from February 28th to March 8th for a yoga retreat in Nicaragua, and then visiting my granddaughter on the East Coast from April 5th to 14th. My shops will remain open during these times, and I've arranged for help with shipping. I'm also busy stocking up on products to minimize any potential sell-outs.

Happy New Year! A little belated, but I wanted to personally thank you for being a part of the Lora's Beauty community. Your support means the world to me.

Gift a Bar, Keep a Bar; A Sale and My Holiday Market Schedule

The holiday season is upon us, and I'm thrilled to share that I'll be participating in the enchanting Portland German American Society's Weihnachtsmarkt! 

This year's market promises to be a magical experience, filled with festive cheer, delicious treats, and unique handcrafted gifts.

I have such a good time at the Portland German American Society's Weihnachtsmarkt every year and this year will be no exception, I'm sure. This market takes place December 7 in Portland at the German American Society (5626 NE Alameda Street Portland, Oregon)

I've got some great gift ideas I'll bring, including my German Flag Soaps.

Springerlee Soap Gift Sets.

And my new Pink Ribbon Gift Bars which include a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. These bars are unscented so they will make a nice gift to anyone going thru treatment. Pink Ribbon Bars are also available on my Etsy shop and my website if you're not able to attend the market.

I'll also offer free gift boxes and reusable fabric gift wrapping for purchase!

Can't make it to the market? No worries! You can shop my Etsy store or website for these items and more. Plus, I'm currently offering a 10% discount on all products in my Etsy shop as part of the Etsy Cyber Event, valid until December 3rd. 

I'm committed to providing fast shipping, so you can expect your orders to be shipped within one day.

I can't wait to see you at the market or online!

More Eco-Friendly Additions to the Lora's Beauty Product Line!

I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my new coconut oil free shampoo bar! This product came to life thanks to a thoughtful suggestion from one of my valued customers. As someone who loves to create products that cater to specific needs, I was excited to take on this challenge.

This bar is crafted with the same nourishing ingredients as my other popular shampoo bars, minus the coconut oil. Instead, it features a blend of olive oil, rice bran oil, avocado butter, aloe vera water, silk fibers, and sugar for a gentle yet effective lather. This unique combination makes it perfect for those with coconut oil allergies.

To minimize allergens even further, I'm initially offering this bar in an unscented variety. However, I'm already envisioning a future lineup of scented options to suit various preferences.

Inspired by my personal commitment to reducing plastic waste, I've developed a new automatic dishwashing detergent. After searching in vain for powdered options at the local grocery stores (suddenly all the detergent comes in plastic pods!), I decided to take matters into my own hands.

My homemade detergent is made with just five simple ingredients: washing soda, baking soda, sea salt, citric acid, and lemongrass essential oil. It comes packaged in a paper zip-top bag and is accompanied by a wooden scoop. Each bag contains 25 ounces, and two scoops are typically sufficient for a full load of dishes, providing you with enough detergent for approximately 45 loads.

Please note that some dishwashers may require the use of specific brand detergents to maintain warranty coverage. While my detergent has been thoroughly tested in my own dishwasher and found to be safe, it's essential to consider this factor if your dishwasher is still under warranty.

I hope you're as excited as I am about these new additions to my product line! To learn more or place your order, please visit my website or Etsy Shop. Thank you for your continued support!

From Summer Bliss to Holiday Hustle

There's a hint of crispness in the air where I live, tempting me to banish my portable AC back to the closet. As much as I’d love to reclaim the corner of my living room, a pang of summer nostalgia holds me back. 

Before I bid farewell to this lovely season, I'd like to share some exciting news. I'll be taking a short trip to visit my granddaughter the first week of September. To ensure uninterrupted service, I've arranged for assistance to handle orders during my absence.

Many of you are already immersed in back-to-school grind, juggling work schedules and reluctant students. Before you can catch your breath, the holiday season will be upon us, starting with Halloween.

So, while I savor these final summer days, I'm also secretly plotting my holiday strategy. It’s a strange juxtaposition: air conditioner sitting in the living room, and Christmas prepping in my soap studio.

I've overhauled my holiday prep this year, and so far, it’s a game-changer. Last year's investment in larger soap molds has been a total win. Less frequent, bigger batches mean I've stayed stocked all year. Each batch is still very much part of a small operation as evidenced by this video of me making the popular shampoo bar.

While I'm on the topic of my Shampoo Bars, I'd like to spotlight one of the ingredients I use for it. At the beginning of the video I'm pouring oils into a pitcher. One of these oils is rice bran oil. 

Rice bran oil is extracted from the germ and husk of the rice grain. It is an excellent ingredient for cosmetics, and hair and skin care products due to it's high concentration of fatty acids including vitamin E. Fatty acids can nourish hair and scalp, and may help with hair growth, thickness, and shine. They also help prevent dandruff, breakage, and dryness, and reduce hair loss by counteracting inflammation.

I purchase this oil and most of my ingredients from a local supplier here in Portland, Oregon. It is kosher, non-GMO, and never tested on animals.

As always, I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with others and for the continued support of my wonderful customers. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!