Invalid USPS Cost Adjustments

[inceptions]

Hi brian.t@ebay and tyler@ebay

I don't know how widespread this issue is, but USPS is sending bogus cost adjustment messages for "underweight" packages. I received a message for 10 shipments mailed on 1/29 totaling about $66.

Examples? A packaged pair of socks that weighs 4 ounces they claim weighed 3 pounds 14 ounces! A small catnip toy that weighs 3 ounces, packaged,  they claim weighed 3 pounds 8 ounces. Two packaged tea towels weighing 13 oz they claim weigh 5 lbs 2 oz. All ten packages were shipped First Class mail in padded envelopes weighed on a postal scale and are items I've been selling for years at the correct weighs.

I would attach a screenshot here, but there is too much info I'd need to black out. If you'd like me to forward the whole thing to you, please contact me to let me know how I can provide it.

Since eBay is automatically charging us for these bogus adjustments, I hope eBay will help sort this out with USPS so sellers don't need to spend hours of time on the phone challenging these. I have no problem paying an adjustment if I make an error, but no error was made on these shipments.

Here is a related thread I found this evening that prompted this post:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Member-To-Member-Support/usps-cost-adjustment/qaq-p/30676079/comment-i...

Thanks in advance for any help /insight you can provide!

[rfmtm]

Last time I got a USPS credit using ebay shipping, I received an email from ebay with all the details.  This included the listing information, the tracking number, the explanation of the error, the Revenue Assurance ID (reference number),  and of course the credit amount.   Would hope it would be the same info, if PayPal shipping was used.

[inceptions]

Hi @rfmtm 

Yes, as I mentioned in my post from 3/23, I received all of the same information as you did for an automatic refund of a basic over-payment.

I did not received any communication from either eBay or USPS regarding my dispute of the invalid charges for all shipments sent on 1/29. I only received refund notices from PayPal.

[rfmtm]

It appears that since it wasn't the regular automatic credit back through ebay, ebay may not even be aware of it.  However, you would think USPS, would have sent you some kind of explanation either directly or attached as a note to the PayPal refund transaction.   The system certainly needs further work.

What's is disturbing is USPS is so concerned about us using the wrong postage, while I see some of the so call authorized approved revenue assurance shippers  are under weighing mass mails of packages and USPS doesn't even check on them, because they evidently pinky swore they wouldn't break the rules.

Glad you got your refund, but I sure would't want to have to keep up with a continuing problem in the future.

[inceptions]

@rfmtm 

eBay is aware of it. eBay supplied the bogus cost adjustment details shown in my screenshot above. That's why I posted about this. Undoubtedly some USPS system bug was responsible for these false cost adjustments, but eBay allows USPS to be automatically paid out of a seller's account. Undoubtedly it was due to some system bug, but apparently USPS doesn't have any exception flagging to catch it nor does eBay.

[rfmtm]

I meant that the refund may have been made without notice to ebay, since it appeared to be USPS just refunding directly through PayPal to you.

[rimzak]

I always drop my packages off at the USPS manned window and ask for an "Acceptance Receipt". They weigh and scan the package and my receipt is proof USPS is "in possession" . The receipt also shows the actual weight, date, destination zip code, and tracking#.

[turboterri]

I have now had three in two days, to the tune of a little over $40.  I shipped ONE trading card, with an actual weight of 3 ounces, via First Class Package....they adjusted it to 2 pounds 12 ounces Priority Mail...for ONE trading card.  Spoke with Ebay CS, and they just told me to call USPS customer service number.  If this problem is as widespread as I think it is, then hundreds of thousands of dollars in invalid chargebacks are being assessed to Ebay sellers...with very little recourse for us!!