Erroneous FedEx Underpaid Adjustment Charge
This happens every few months, so I deliver my packages directly to FedEx and started having the FedEx clerk measure my box and write the dimensions on my receipt with their initials, even though I print my labels on eBay labels. Once again, FedEx has charged me an underserved underpayment charge on an item that I have shipped dozens of times. Same box, same dimensions and weight every time.
My box measures 79"x6"x4" (actually closer to 78-1/2"x5-1/4"x3-1/2", but I round up of course, as required). It weighs just over 25 lbs., but I enter 26 lbs. The one I got the underpayment charge on cost me $31.70 for FedEx 2 Day One Rate Extra Large Box for a 26 lb. 79x6x4 box. (the clerk measured and wrote down 79x5x4, even smaller than my entered dimensions) This allows for up to 50lbs. and up to 2200 cubic inches and I can use my own packaging. The cubic inches of my package is 1896, so under the 2200. The weight being 26 lbs. is under the 50 lb. allowance as well. Today, I see that I have been charged and EXTRA $114.56 for this shipment and the reason given is that it measured 7x79x4, which conveniently brings it to 2212 cubic inches and outside of the One Rate Large Box allowance. I have the receipt to prove otherwise and receipts for all the other boxes I have shipped, showing the dimensions as measured by the clerk. Now I have to convince eBay to credit me back my $114.86. A while back FedEx tried this on one of these boxes, but said the box measured like 75x30x15, or something outlandish, and charged me an extra almost $500! Thankfully, I got my money back because FedEx had a photo of the box when it was left on the guy's porch and it clearly wasn't the size of a refrigerator. This is why I now have the clerk measure every box when I drop it off and have them write the dimensions with their initials on my receipt. I shouldn't have to do this!. 
jholt1978
·8 months agoThis happened to two of my packages last week. I shipped FedEx with correct dimensions and weight through ebay. Then I am hit with owing more money for both packages due to Fedex claiming they weigh more, which is a complete lie. One package weighed 5.12 lbs and Fedex claims 13lbs, the other package weighed 7.4 lbs and Fedex claimed it weigh 25lbs. This seems like some type of scam, maybe it should be reported to the Department of Justice. I'm not using Fedex anymore.
added shipping by FedEx
added shipping by FedEx
Original label purchase
Original label purchase
robbie31415
·8 months agoCan someone explain how the FedEx agreement works for one rate and using your own packaging and direct me to something official that what the OP did is allowed?
Because bases on Fedex's site, it isnt.
For my own reference purpose, thanks.
Edit.. I see eBay site says its allowed... Seems like risky business, and a lot of fighting.
 
Also something I read...
"
3. The "Audit" Crackdown
​In the past, FedEx's automated sorters weren't as aggressive at flagging these discrepancies. If you slapped a One Rate label on a brown box, it often slipped through.
wastingtime101
·8 months agoFedEx One Rate through eBay has very different rules and pricing than FedEx One Rate through FedEx @robbie31415 . It's comparing oranges to limes - both citrus, but pretty different. 🙂
eBay FedEx One Rate:
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/choosing-a-carrier-and-service/fedex-and-ebay-labels#faqs
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoThanks for putting the link on here. Many don't know about the FedEx/eBay allowance for the seller's own packaging. I've been using it since it was first offered and am very cautious about entering the correct rounded up dimensions when I buy the label, because any little mistake can push it either to the next level package size, or in worst case, out of the program all together. My original post shows that, even with the correct dimensions given when buying the label, FedEx can still say it is bigger, and move it out of the One Rate pricing. Thankfully, it sounds like eBay is working towards a refund of the $114.86 underpaid charge on my original $31.70 label. I had photos and written evidence from the FedEx Office clerk showing my entered dimensions were correct and FedEx's claim was incorrect. The 1" difference in the width of the box claimed by Fedex pushed it out of the One Rate pricing.
wastingtime101
·8 months agoGreat to hear you disputed the adjustment @barretttradingcompany . I hope it works out in your favor.
robbie31415
·8 months agoI don't think its very different.
Since the size id suspect it was manually measured?
Maybe an employee doesnt think they should be using one rate, and intentionally increased the size so it would fall out.
wastingtime101
·8 months agoHey @barretttradingcompany . I did not read any of the replies yet so if this has already been discussed please forgive repetition.
On your screenshot showing the cost adjustment, you're not showing us the reason for the adjustment. Yes, they claimed the dimensions were 1" off, however that may not have affected the rate since this was a OneRate package.
See on the bottom right where it says "see cost breakdown"? THAT is the essential info. Please expand that section and post a screenshot.
I'm guessing we will see an "additional handling" surcharge, which FedEx will have applied because of "too much tape" because your box is "encased in plastic" - terms they use, hence the quotation marks. On your end it will just appear as additional handling, but seeing photos of the box it's easy to see the reason will be the excessive tape.
I could be wrong, but we'll need to see the cost breakdown to know for sure.
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoNo, the reason is simply because the 1" added to the dimension moved it out of the One Rate 2200 cu. in. maximum. See my original post and photos. It changed it from being 1896 cu. in. to 2212 cu. in. Once out of the One Rate it charges the full 2 day air rate for the package, which based upon the dimensions, puts it at a 40 lb. dimensional weight. The breakdown - "Postage $143.71 and Additional Handling $2.85".
wastingtime101
·8 months agoAh, that totally tracks. Sorry I usually run all the numbers checking weight/dim/volume/service etc before replying to posts like this one. Couldn't do that earlier as I was on my phone - prob should have waited to reply until I could get to a computer. I just saw all that tape and I know how FedEx likes to (ridiculously) upcharge for that so I wanted to make sure all bases were covered.
You probably know this, but it's pretty difficult to have a dispute ruled in your favor over 1", but in your shoes I'd really push for it. I'd contact eBay CS on social because you can upload pics to DMs. Send them pics showing the measurements and ask them to dispute the adjustment with FedEx (if you haven't already). FedEx may deny it saying the package was skewed or crushed and measurement bumped out in transit which is often true, but in this situation that's highly unlikely considering they're saying the length is off. If your package was disfigured in transit it's the W or H that would have been impacted on that long skinny taped up box.
So fight it for sure and good luck!
Will come back to this later when I can fully read everything. 🙃
fullers_uk
·8 months agoExcessive tape, all my parcels are covered completely in tape and have been for 25 years and have never had a surcharge for that.
fullers_uk
·8 months agoDont know what your shipping but if the box was to kink a little in transit before it gets measured that can increase the size of it and so increase the volumetric weight.
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoI could see that for some items, but I'm shipping very rigid snow skis in a very sturdy box. Thanks.
stainlessenginecovers
·8 months ago@fullers_uk there is no way it could 'kink' from 5" to 9"
fullers_uk
·8 months agoFrom 5" to 9" = 4" so if the parcel kinked in the middle that would be 2", shipping is based on the size the parcels takes not its displacement if it was submerged in a water tank and the water displaced measured.
berrybestdeals
·8 months agoRidiculous- Just had a message about an "adjustment" for a 46" gold driver that weighed 2.3 lbs.
The adjustment was from 48" to to 51"
the weight was from 2.3 lbs to 40lbs YES they say the driver weighed 40lbs.
My original $21 label was charged an additional $71 for a total of $92 to ship a single golf club inside the US.
This is criminal.
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoYes. It is either machine error, human error, or willful theft when FedEx claims a package is larger than what it is causing the price to sky rocket. I am still waiting on the verdic on my package "adjustment". I have all of the proof on my side (photos of package with measuring tape showing all dimensions, written measurement confirmation by FedEx oOffice staff on my drop off receipt), FedEx has nothing to prove their claims. In a court of law, I would win hands down. I hope you get your $71 back!
ryry-jj
·8 months agoI have no idea how they come up with $31.70 in the first place. I have a business FedEx account, not for eBay, but I use it everyday for B2B and my best rate for between those two zips is fedEx ground for $100. The base rate is $44.80, then all the added fees. The length adds $38.50 to it alone. This includes a $9 pick up fee (not in photo) that pops up when estimating that would drop off, so minimum $91 to ship is TN to PA ground, not even 2 day
To me, the problem is what FedEx charges us has always been what eBay estimates the base rate to be. And I believe we are only quoted & showing the estimated base rate to ship with eBay and FedEx. They never give us all the add on handling, fuel charges and fees that are real at the back end.
On my account I will also get hit with a $10-15 residential fee if my items go to a home since I am set up as business to business. That is only seen when I'm billed, unless I check "residential address" box when I'm actually printing the label. So on the above example add $15 more if that shipment to PA was to a home
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoWhat you have described with your rates are why I use eBay labels for this particular package (snow skis) is because it offers a FedEx Two Day One Rate Extra Large Box option. It is a fixed rate, no matter where it goes in the lower 48 states. It just has to fit within the guidelines. Up to 50 lbs. and different size limits. They offer a small box - $14.15 (up to 420 cu. in), medium - $17.54 (up to 650 cu. in.), large - $23.56 (up to 1100 cu. in.) and extra large - $31.70 (up to 2200 cu. in.) box rate. Rates are going up soon, but I don't know how much.
ryry-jj
·8 months agoBut that is the problem I think we see on eBay with FedEx, that one rate seems to be the base rate, then all the surcharges get added on. I have no other way to explain why we see so many later added charges when using FedEx, or UPS on ebay. eBay nor fedex have ever addressed this and explained why we see these charges
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoThe One Rate is not a base rate as long as the package meets the criteria of dimensions and weight. It is available from FedEx directly, not just through eBay. Ebay gives a better rate (about $6 off). In my case, the added charges are simply because they have erroneously added an inch to one of my package's dimensions, thereby pushing it out of the One Rate criteria. 2200 cu. in. is the max and by adding the inch, it pushed it to 2212. That means that they then charged the full rate of a two day service on a long skinny box. I have send many of these boxes over the years and they are all identical. My represented dimensions of 79x6x4 are correct (rounded up). FedEx saying it is 79x7x4 is bogus and very convenient to push my package out of the One Rate pricing.
stephenmorgan
·8 months agoThat sucks. I would not use FedEx from eBay because it is too difficult to deal with issues such as this.
Have you tied the fedex.com/welisten?
There is a option to add your comments to the survey at the end.
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoThank you for your reply. I'll check out Fedex.com/welisten. Not using FedEx through eBay is not a good option because of the discounts I receive through eBay are much better than with FedEx directly. (even with the ocassional underpaid charge hassles)
hotwheelsbum
·8 months agoI wonder if there's any way to add "Notes" to the receipt when the FedEx Guy scans the package in when dropping off. I'd rather have the measurements there on the computer receipt as a "Note" over those little hand written measurements after the receipt was printed. That way it's also "In The System" when you go to ebay and FedEx disputing this. Anybody could be FH. FH could be Farmer Hank down at the Flea Market who wrote this for you. And the moment you go to FedEx in person to fight this, somehow FH never existed at THAT location.
barretttradingcompany
OP8 months agoGood idea. I'll ask next time about entering it somehow in the system. I go to this location every day just about and they know when I come in to take out the measuring tape! They won't have any problem confirming their intials. They are very customer service oriented at this FedEx Office location.