Shipping issue using FedEx Ground Economy (previous SmartPost) to a Post Office PO Box

[retrotoyhunterfet]

Hi all.

I sold an item yesterday that was large (33" x 12" x 7") so decided to offer FedEx Ground as one of the shipping options. I didn't think eBay would let someone use that option if they were shipping to a PO Box, but it did. Now when I try to print the label and choose FedEx SmartPost (the only service that will deliver to a PO Box), it is greyed out saying "We could not get a quote for this service because the parcel is below or exceeding the weight and size limits. Max weight 70 lbs Max dimensions 130" (length + girth)"

Needless to say, this is not the case. The length + girth is 71".   And it's only 4 lbs.

Trying to do some quick research, I looked on the FedEx site, and see that FedEx SmartPost doesn't exist anymore. They've rebranded the service as FedEx Ground Economy.

Postal charges to the PO Box are 1.5x what the calculated eBay charge was using FedEx, so to send it via USPS I'll lose half the value of the item 😞  But eBay won't let me send it FedEx.  Is it they just aren't up-to-date with the latest FedEx shipping services???

I have an OLD FedEx account that I can still sign into. It looks like it will let me create a label through the FedEx site, to the PO Box using FedEx Ground service (assuming Economy).  I've always printed labels THROUGH eBay before. If I print / pay for a FedEx label outside of eBay, can I still upload that tracking#, and will it be 'official' shipping as far as eBay is concerned?

Suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks in advance for your answers all!

[janet9988]

these are the options you offered your buyer.

[retrotoyhunterfet]

Hi.  Yes, you are correct.   The buyer chose FedEx Ground / Home Delivery, and I did offer that as one of the choices because of the size/weight.  However, the shipping address they have registered with eBay is ONLY a PO Box.  FedEx Ground / Home Delivery will not deliver to a PO Box. I didn't expect eBay to let them choose that option with an invalid shipping address!

However, when I try to print the label, eBay won't let me choose Home Delivery BECAUSE it's a PO box, and it won't let me choose FedEx Ground Economy (previously SmartPost) because it says the weight / dimensions aren't valid (which they are).  Please see the images below.

So... it won't let me ship via the option the buyer chose (because they have a PO Box), and it won't let me choose the appropriate FedEx option (SmartPost) because it says the dimensions / weight are invalid ... which they aren't.  Something seems amiss here.

OPTION 1: what the buyer selected... why would it let them select this if the shipping address (PO Box) isn't valid?

OPTION 2: The weight and dimensions are NOT over / above what it states.