Being Charged Additional Postage by USPS Excessively Last 3 weeks
Summary: scotte.z. expressed frustration about being repeatedly charged additional postage by USPS for receiving sports card shipments, with some overcharges reaching over $6. bdmh-enterprises and other participants explained that these issues likely stem from sellers not following USPS's packaging requirements, such as envelope flexibility. They suggested refusing delivery of postage-due packages and filing 'item not received' claims to get refunds. Others mentioned the difference between USPS and eBay's shipping rates and advised better vetting of sellers to avoid these issues in the future.
I have been charged by USPS over 20 times in the month of September for receiving envelopes with Sports cards.
Usually it is only $.49 which is crap but not going to make a big stink of it.
4 of those times were for excessive over charges of $6.94 (Twice), $7.24 & $7.37.
Meaning for 2 of these literally was over $8.00 shipping. These are all envelopes that should easily ship for under $2.00.
I am a seller as well but been on buying spree for last month. I contacted ebay about this & the filed return request.
Not what I wanted & it seems there agents do not understand what I am telling them.
I should not have to pay additional postage for reviewing my items & sellers should not be persecuted for it either.
It is select USPS location doing this & unfortunately I live in one of those.
The only thing I will say in USPS defense is postage just went up a stamp is now $.82.
So if You are sending out collectible cards for $.78 You are mailing them out with insufficient postage.
I been on eBay since 1997 buying & selling but I would appreciate any insight of how to right this injustice.
This is garbage & trying to figure out what else I can do to stop this from happening in the future.
Any insight is greatly appreciated
Thank You
Scott
Ebay ID scotte.z.
fm2000
·1 week ago · EditedYour sellers are sending out envelopes that are not flexible enough, you are being forced to pay the non-machineable charge and in some cases you are being hammered with package rates.
You need to vet your sellers better. Check feedback, check longevity. Many of us who have been around know how to use ESE (letter mail) correctly and demonstrate that in our feedback. Some can't figure out the whole it-must-be-flexible and a certain size thing for whatever reason. If something comes postage due, refuse and let it get sent back to the seller (especially package rate, yikes). If you must accept them, ask the seller point blank to reimburse you, you can be reasonable and friendly but be firm. A reasonable seller will apologize and make it right.
ESE is only 78 cents because we get a commercial metered mail rate. It is not an error. The problem is the envelopes are not flexible, and/or possibly oversized. Any postmaster who does not know Pitney Bowes provides discounted metered mail postage should not be a postmaster.
hollyd7770
·1 week ago · EditedI see that the biggest problem is the no more than 1/4 thick for letter size. Most people only go by the 3 once for ESE, but not the size issue. USPS seems to be enforcing the rules more now 2.
1786davycrockett
·1 week ago@scotte.z.
If you are receiving packages marked "Postage Due," just refuse them, and they will be returned to the sellers, and the sellers will need to cough up the extra $$$ on the returns.
Then open up "item not received" cases against those sellers, with the excuse that the items arrived with postage due -- eBay will refund you.
While the current USPS First Class postal rate is 82 cents, the eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) rate is still 78 cents, since it is official Pitney Bowes contracted metered mail -- your post office person is confused about that (but she isn't the only one).
Bubble-wrap can not be used for the ESEs, and anything which makes the ESE too rigid is useless as well.
Next time, just refuse delivery and file "item not received" cases.
bdmh-enterprises
·1 week agoThere's no injustice, your sellers are simply not packing their envelopes to meet the strict flexibility rules of First Class Letter mail. I'm going to guess that the envelopes having problems include cards in top loaders or maybe cardboard mailers? They make the envelope too stiff for the sorting machines and you are getting them with non machinable or Ground Advantage postage due.
eBay allows buyers to refuse postage due items and still be able to file a 'not received' claim for a refund. For the ones you've paid for, absolutely message your sellers with your displeasure. There's no way to force them to repay you, but any competent seller should do so.
As for the price, eBay has negotiated commercial rates for their tracked envelope service. $0.78 is the correct postage and what sellers pay for the label.
scotte.z.
OP1 week agoPost office told me stamps went up to $.82 & $.78 is no longer sufficiant, That came from my local post master.
Yes all card were exactly as You said but have gotten other cards with no Up charge. $6.94, $7.27 & $7,33 is eccessive
I literally covered the label up & said I needed to know postage on these items & 3 of 4 were less that $2.00 & the other was Less than $2.50. So why was I charged 3 X that ? The lady I dealt with had an obvious problem with ebay, she did not waste words on her dismay toward ebay,
scotte.z.
OP1 week ago3 of the 4 high charged ones were not stiff. Very much opposite floppy & envelopes much bigger than the needed to be.
One was in a standard letter envelope with obvious wrapped in bubble wrap. Bulky, oversize & flopy. Only 1 was stiff. Was a standard envelope with 8 cards in it all in top loaders, Bottom line I should not be stuck paying the extra. I sell as well but do not have this problem because I send everything out at the actual post office. I also refuse to sell single cards. I do not list anything I can't sell for less than $10.00. My packaging is often praised in my feedback.
scotte.z.
OP1 week ago · EditedI have contacted all 4 sellers of the 4 times I felt were excessive & there reaction was sorry.
No accountability. My local post office only covers 2 area codes & I really think they have targeted me. I been on a buying spree. I bought over 160 cards over last month & been nailed with postage due around 20 times. all but 4 times for under $1.00. Usually only $,49 in which is no big deal. But $6,94, $7.27 & $7.33 is total garbage.
scotte.z.
OP1 week agoNon of the excessive charges were in card board mailers. Card board mailers were $.49 everytime accept 2 times $.24 & $.53.
scotte.z.
OP1 week agoI have contacted ebay & the filled return merchandise cases. I do not want to return this cards I want to be reimbursed for the additional shipping. Ebay agents seemed to be ignorant of what I am asking.
I am going to try again. My buying spree is over for now so they will not be able to victimize much more. I go one a buying spree every 6 months & my current spree is over. No more nailing with me 12 more items & I am clear. I buy comics as well but no up charges on them just cards.
nyr134
·1 week agoThe bubble wrap is bringing the thickness to greater than ESE’s maximum 1/4” and into Ground Advantage territory. Hence, that high additional charge.
If your sellers are being unresponsive, consider these factors in your feedback.