Disputing High Underpayment Charges for Shipping
I recently sent a package of pillows and was unexpectedly charged an underpayment fee of $50 by the post office, even though the buyer returned the items for a mere $6.87. Has anyone encountered similar issues, and what steps did you take to successfully dispute such charges? Any insights on navigating the postal dispute process or tips on how to prevent such discrepancies in the future would be greatly appreciated!
13 comments
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month agoThe 'return' shipping was predicated on what you originally paid. Since you paid wrong, that 'return' was not effected...but USPS wanted the rest of your 'shipment out' money because it appears you used the wrong type or did not input dimensions correctly
carlmarxx
·1 month agoOP are you shipping USPS Media Mail ? since you are charging between $6.00 & $6.99 shipping ?
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 month agoWas your item hazmat and not properly labeled and stated when you bought shipping?
stok.pame
OP1 month ago · EditedNo.. it was 2 couch pillows..in a box. The buyer returned them and they paid $6.87 for postage..
kensgiftshop
·1 month agoDepending on the size of the box, it was probably the dimensional weight that got you.
If the buyer paid for the label, they probably got hit with it also.
bdmh-enterprises
·1 month agoReturn labels use a different (much cheaper) negotiated rate and don't care about the weight/dims. They also ship at a lower priority than regular GA so often take longer for delivery.
shire123
·1 month ago@tobaccocardyahoo You may on to something here. It might be possible that the original sender used a box that was preprinted as containing "hazmat". That $50 surcharge would seem to indicate that.
As to the return only being $6.87 the buyer may have used a different box or covered up the hazmat labeling.
I almost had the same thing happen to me. Used an old box that I didn't see the hazmat labeling. Was ready to send it off and then flipped the box and saw that. Immediately covered it up.
If a box is labeled hazmat, I doubt the USPS checks out the contents and just assesses the additional $50 charge.
bdmh-enterprises
·1 month agoMy PO told me if the box has any kind of labeling or stickers that would indicate any kind of hazardous item it would have to be shipped hazmat regardless of what was in it. I was asking about shipping empty medical coolers with keep cold labeling and the like.
lesegouts
·1 month agoHazmat pillows?
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 month agoIf the box says hazmat it does not matter if it is pillows, you need to pay the fee or get backcharged.
shire123
·1 month agoWhich shipping company did you use? What was the weight of your original package and more importantly the size of the box/package?
stok.pame
OP1 month ago · EditedI used the USPS and they said that the pillows weight 27lbs. However it was only 2 pillows and there is no way that they weighed that.
shire123
·1 month agoIt might be a dimensional weight that was used. It still haven't answered all the questions. How much did you pay to send them?