USPS Shipping Label Adjustment
Summary: anything_goes_2005 noted a discrepancy with a USPS shipping label adjustment, where they were charged extra despite frequently overpaying. They detailed adding weight to a package to benefit from a lower shipping cost, and questioned recent USPS price changes. shire123 explained a recent price increase, which may have impacted the adjustment. Others in the discussion wondered about the legitimacy of increasing package weight, while some questioned if altering the weight in such a manner could affect customer satisfaction. anything_goes_2005 clarified that they legitimately added weight and acknowledged the need to keep postal receipts for future reference.
I just received a USPS shipping label adjustment message (weight discrepancy, underpaid) that I know is wrong. With any package I send, I always add an extra 1"-2" on package dimensions and add anywhere from 2-4 extra ounces on package weight. 99% of any shipping label adjustments (USPS/FedEx) I receive result in a credit because I "overpaid".
The package in question was mailed on 8/1/26 (CA to PA), USPS Ground label purchased on Ebay for $8.05. The package dimensions was 17"x12"x5" and weighed 2 pounds 2 ounces. Shipping label weight was 2 pounds 4 ounces, USPS claims the package weighed 2 pounds 0 ounces. This was a package that I physically added weight to (plastic bag with gravel) because it was cheaper to send it at a 2 pound 1 ounce plus weight. Generating the same label on Ebay now at 2 pounds 0 ounces results in a $10.80 cost and at 2 pounds 1 ounce $10.05. What happened to the $8.05 price? Am I paying for an Ebay glitch? I looked for any USPS cost adjustments between 8/1/26 and now and did not find any.
Whenever I receive a shipping label adjustment, credit/charges are almost instant. In this case the underpaid adjustment of $2.75 has not been removed from my account yet which seems weird. Just wondering if more label adjustments are on the way.
anything_goes_2005
OP2 weeks agoJust following up with an update. In a nutshell, Ebay subtracted $2.75 for the supposed underpaid adjustment. I opened a USPS dispute link to initiate an investigation and roughly 5-6 days later, Ebay credited the $2.75 that was wrongly taken from me. So if any of you run across a situation where USPS is claiming a weight discrepancy, requiring additional funds that you know is wrong, initiate the dispute process and see what happens. It doesn't cost anything accept a few minutes of your time and most likely you will win your dispute.
stainlessenginecovers
·Aug 12, 2026 at 6:54 PMadded gravel to save a few bucks?? I'm sure your buyer LOVED that!
dbmm-media
·Aug 12, 2026 at 6:28 PMadded weight to (plastic bag with gravel)
Surprised the buyer didn't neg you for that
shire123
·Aug 12, 2026 at 5:15 PMas to what happened to the $8.05, as of 8 August the USPS increased GA shipping by $2 for shipping from CA to PA.
anything_goes_2005
OPAug 12, 2026 at 5:44 PMThanks for the info, I missed the August 8 zone cost increase. My package in question was delivered August 8. So the USPS Ground Advantage label that I purchased on 8/1/26 at $8.05, because it was delivered on August 8, qualifies for the price increase? If the package was delivered August 7 or earlier would I have dodged the label adjustment?
shire123
·Aug 12, 2026 at 5:49 PMNot sure about your questions but as I look at the data you provided I wonder the USPS claimed 2.0 package would not have qualified for the lower 2+ pound rate at the time???
There has been conjecture on these boards about people upping the weight of the package in order to get the lower price. I think I remember one specific poster stating they got a charge adjustment for doing that.
anything_goes_2005
OPAug 12, 2026 at 6:03 PMJust wanted to clarify that I physically added more weight to my package (plastic bag with gravel), I did not just state that my package was heavier to get the price discount. My package was about 1 pound 5 ounces (which cost more to ship) so I physically added more weight to get to the 2 pound 2 ounce mark. At that point in time, the price difference between a 2 pound or less package and a 2 pound 1 ounce package was a couple dollars.
deserdog
·Aug 12, 2026 at 6:11 PMDid you have your package wieghed and scanned in at the post office? I do all of mine. I alos have the weight and dimensions written on the package, usually in the lower left hand corner. I always have a receipt theat verifies the weight.
anything_goes_2005
OPAug 12, 2026 at 6:38 PMYes, I take all my USPS packages to the counter for a scan and receipt. Unfortunately I throw away all the receipts; need to change that habit now.