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Overcharged on Shipping charges?
Hi eBay Community, hope someone can help me sort this out. I sold an item and purchased my shipping label for around $15.07. Then eBay took another $20.28(!) for additional shipping. There's no way the total cost of shipping for a 3lb box should have been $35.35 through USPS. Plus, there was another $1.50 subtracted for more shipping charges. WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS?! I feel I'm being overcharged and if anyone in the community has experienced something like this (which I'm sure some of you have), I'd be grateful for any advice you can give. 1000 thanks!
7 comments
mr_lincoln
Mentor10 months agoHI @victorypalace
On this page look over on the right to the Recent activity file and open the transaction details OR you can do the same thing on the item in your Orders file. Seller Hub | Your financial summary | eBay
The order details will show everything the Buyer paid, eBay fees and the shipping you paid. I see $ 15.00 to ship that item from IL to PA so I think something is wrong here for you. Did you use a USPS flat rate priority mail box and then print your label through eBay and affix it to the package? If so the label type you paid for would have to match the flat rate Priority Mail box used.
You should have also added additional insurance to cover the item price up to the accepted offer amount it sold for. USPS only covers you for $ 100, you have to pay more for extra insurance but certainly not 20 bucks.
victorypalace
OP10 months agoHi @mr_lincoln Thanks for the response. I used a regular box I had at home. Shipping charges were initially calculated from IL to PA, but was shipped to UT. Could this explain the extra shipping costs? But $35.35? It seems like a bit much for only a 3lb box. And the label was priority mail. IDK...
mr_lincoln
Mentor10 months ago@victorypalace
What were the dimensions on the box you had there at home? I am in PA and I know coast to coast shipments can go up quite a bit. But I agree that 20 bucks more sounds excessive. USPS charges $ 4.00 surcharge for boxes measuring over 22" then $ 15 more for boxes over 34" long.
Priority Mail is also more expensive than USPS Ground Advantage which is what I use on my listings.
victorypalace
OP10 months agoSorry, can't recall the exact dimensions, but best guess would be 22w x 11d x 10h. Sent from IL to UT via priority.
mr_lincoln
Mentor10 months ago@victorypalace
Okay, this one has to be chalked up to experience then ... here is the USPS shipping calculator with IL to UT zip codes on a 3 lbs 22 x 11 x 10 box. You are being charged for Volume weight, meaning any box over a total of 1,728 cubic inches has a surcharge. Your dimensions (multiply each number L x W x H) equate to 2,420 cubic inches ... which I think is probably a little high because priority Mail would be more than what you were ultimately charged (green arrow). USPS Ground Advantage (blue arrow) would be less.
Reference:
Retail Postage Price Calculator
victorypalace
OP10 months agoMr Lincoln, I truly appreciate all your efforts in helping sort this out for me. Yes, experience always seems to cost some money. Thank you for everything. Going forward, I'll have to come up with something more accurate, or if there's another way to calculate shipping wherein I won't have to take a bath on the shipping.
mr_lincoln
Mentor10 months ago@victorypalace
You are more than welcome. I can tell you are open to advice. Here is the rule of thumb I use.
-Measure the item to be sold
-ADD 2" all around for a box size and when you sell the item make sure the box you use is at or smaller then those dimensions
-Weigh the item with an empty box on the scale with it. (if you don't have one get one, even if it is a simple counter top balance scale)
-For items over 1 lbs round UP to the next nearest pound value, THAT is what USPS does. If an item weights 2 lbs 8 ounces USPS rounds UP to 3 lbs. You can add 1 extra pound if you are not sure.
You may have to cut boxes down in size.