Shipping ChargeBacks - FEDEX - Beware!
Summary: mr.jcmint shared an experience with unexpected additional charges when using FedEx for shipping via eBay labels, citing discrepancies in box dimensions that led to a significant charge beyond the initial cost. annadryl advised against using FedEx and suggested local sales for oversized items, while shire123 emphasized the cost benefits of using FedEx for larger shipments with careful measurement. flexmotoring and stephenmorgan clarified the importance of using exterior box dimensions for accurate charging. tenoem recommended using alternative platforms like Veeqo to compare shipping rates, explaining the inaccuracies in eBay's displayed rates. The discussion included various perspectives on managing shipping costs effectively.
Just a short note bout FEDEX shipping recently that may help you in shipping;
I recently sent a box via FEDEX ground via eBay labels for $32.00 shipping... The box weighed 47.3 Lbs (per FEDEX on the chargeback data) & I had put on the Label I bought through eBay 50Lbs to be safe as it weighed 47.5 on my scale, but the Weight was not the issue...
I bought a box from Office Depot that was 20in x 20in x 20in Square & had 20x20x20 Printed all over the box & I put those dimensions on the eBay label I bought as I always have done & never had issues with any carriers...
The FEDEX Shipping Chargeback data declared that box was 21x22x21 and charged me Another $48.00 atop of my initial $32.00 shipping fee & the box was not 'buldging' or anything like that ….
The Fee Statement also had something on it stating, “Billable Weight By Carrier 59Lbs”, don’t know what that is, but looks ominous as They even stated my actual weight was 47.3 Lbs …
I called eBay & eventually got to a ‘Shipping’ Agent & he said that this has been a Common Issue as of lately with eBay Sellers vs. FEDEX (only) & that many of the Sellers complaints have been that FEDEX is telling them their dimensions are 1 inch off on all or some dimensions & then charging a large Additional shipping fee…
The Agent said that a number of their Agents have sent these complaints by Sellers ‘uphill’, but he has not heard of anything being done as of yet?!?
So just a FYI - maybe use UPS more than FEDEX for larger boxes (USPS way too high for large), or add 2 inches to all the dimensions on all your FEDEX boxes???
It’s kinda sad if FEDEX is doing this intentionally to get in on the small profit cut most of us make - I donno??
The eBay Agent was nice & said he is sending in the complaint to FEDEX shipping for me, hope it helps …
Wonder; is their hope for any even partial shipping refund from FEDEX?
Anyhow I know it sounds like a rant, but iys also a Beware to my fellow Sellers using FEDEX Shipping! :-O
babyers88
·1 week agoa tape measure is your best friend unless you already know for SURE your shipping materials dim's
if it measured 20.3 you have to make it 21 especially with fedex/ups
i have boxes that are marked 21 x 17 x 6 but they are actually 22.3 x 18 x 7.5 so I have to put them in as 23 x 18 x 8
ryry-jj
·2 weeks agoThe OD will be greater. Also know they don't measure from the edge, they measure across at the width and the crown of the box can make it greater. Using the ID understated the Dimensional Weight by about 12#.
And those added charges are at retail rates, too
kibble-net
·2 weeks agoWhile I'm sorry to hear this happened, that's not what a chargeback is. A chargeback is when a credit card purchase is REFUNDED because the customer doesn't recognize the transaction, or is disputing the receipt of the goods.
This is simply a charge, without the "back".
I hope you have a fantastic day and wish you all the positivity I can! :)
tenoem
·2 weeks agoYou should never use ebay's shipping for Fedex or UPS as the rates ebay displays are wrong a majority of the time as they do not use the correct fedex/ups API and they do not take into consideration rural delivery or other surcharges and fees that fedex and UPS impose.
You can open an account on veeqo and compare the shipping rates they give you for fedex which is accurate.
mr.jcmint
OP2 weeks agobut those big % off the shipping costs we get using eBay lables - dont those %s off create a much less shipping price for us rather than going direct to a carrier for shipping?
tenoem
·2 weeks agoYou get the same discounts on veeqo, it's a shipping service like pirate ship or ship station, but it costs nothing if you just use it for labels (so far) and you get 5% cash back for the first two months.
mr.jcmint
OP2 weeks agoThanks, do you tie it into your eBay account or just treat it like you would go to Paypal and buy a lable?
stephenmorgan
·2 weeks agoThe box from Office Depo measuring 20 X 20 X 20 is for inside dimensions and the outside dimensions would have rounded up to 21 X 21 X 21 and your fee should have been based on 56 pounds.
You say FedEx measures the box at 21 X 22 X 21 and charged you for 59 pounds. (“Billable Weight By Carrier 59Lbs”)
I have never seen a box with the size marked on the box being off by 2 inches. They always round up to the next inch from printed size but never round up by two inches. It is a small amount but I think you should have been billed based on 56 pounds and not 59 pounds. Did you keep the receipt from the box purchase?
mr.jcmint
OP2 weeks ago · EditedI'm looking for that reciept for the box, its a common 20x20x20 at Office Depot, but I never had to do something like this before but Now I'll keep Everything & take pictures with dimensions when dealing with FEDEX & when I drop off at FEDEX have Them measure it also...
mr.jcmint
OP2 weeks agoflexmotoring
·2 weeks agoYou know that the box dimensions are inside dimensions right? if it says 20x20x20, it is absolutely at minimum 21x21x21 exterior, and you enter that. You've been doing it all wrong.
mr.jcmint
OP2 weeks ago.. never knew that, my bad I guess - but still, if so be, like 1 inch over & they charge me 125% in Addition to what I paid them on eBay, does that sound right?
annadryl
·2 weeks agoThanks. This is common and there are many threads about it. Sorry it happened, just don't use fedex. It's also very risky to ship oversized and/or heavy items with any shipper. Some things should just sell local.
shire123
·2 weeks agoWhile I agree that in general avoiding FedEx will save you in some cases, when you need to ship somewhat larger/heavier packages Fedex is often the least expensive option.
I often ship things that are heavier and larger. Over the years I have saved thousands of dollars in shipping costs by using FedEx. But I am extremely careful with sizing and weighing. To date, (knock on wood), I have yet to get a cost adjustment from Fed Ex.
So a blanket avoidance of FedEx may not be the best recommendation.