First sale -- issues

[decadyne]

Hi, hoping I can get some help from the community on this.

1. I sold a fragile item. I'm not an experienced seller -- this is the first item I've sold in more than a decade.

2. The buyer paid for estimated shipping via USPS. 

3. I went to look for the address and in the process of doing so, I accidentally purchased a shipping label for the estimated shipping.

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The issues are these:

1.  I really don't want to use USPS for this item. FedEx would probably be better. Also, I think that the shipping label is far too expensive for the item, after getting a quote from FedEx. It has cut significantly into the profit of the sale. 

2. What's the correct process for getting my money refunded for the USPS label? 

3. Do I need to communicate with ebay on any of this?

4. I'm supposed to ship by tomorrow (per the handling date). If this takes longer to correct, is that OK?

Thanks.

[gator08041971]

You do have an option to void the label.  You can use this link to manage your shipping:

https://www.ebay.com/ship/labels/seller-hub

Hit the drop down here:

Then you can void.  Please note, it will take a couple weeks for it to refund you.

Then you can choose the method you want, purchase that label, then update the tracking for the order.

https://www.ebay.com/sh/ord/?filter=status:ALL_ORDERS

When looking at the order, there will be a tracking number already there.  You can click edit to remove it, or change it to the one you want.

Be sure to let your buyer know, in case they get notified of the change.

Good luck!

[decadyne]

Thank you so much, Gator, for taking the time to help me. I have a couple follow-ons, if you happen to be able to answer:

1. If I choose a different shipping method from within ebay and underestimate, I would pay the difference at the drop-off, correct?

2. I don't *have* to configure a label from ebay, right? I can just go to a shipper with the box, ship, and get the tracking number to then re-enter in ebay, correct?

Sorry for the rudimentary questions...

[1786davycrockett]

@decadyne 

You can void the USPS label, and it will be credited to your account within a few weeks.

Go to your "Orders" page.

Hover over "Orders," and scroll down to "Shipping labels."

Click on "Shipping labels," and find the item that you have sold.

Hover over "Actions," and scroll down to "Void label."

Just follow the instructions.

[gator08041971]

1. If I choose a different shipping method from within ebay and underestimate, I would pay the difference at the drop-off, correct?

Not sure I follow.  If you are paying for the label on ebay and pay on ebay, you are done. If you can print your own label and put it on the package, you are even better.  There is no cost difference.  Prices for labels on ebay are discounted for sellers.  You don't pay more to drop it off, unless (like my UPS drop off) they charge a $1 for drop off packages.  lol

I print my own labels, so what I pay on ebay is what I pay.  I charge the buyer retail, and that helps cover packaging materials and any miscalculation you may have made. Though you should always get that as close as possible.

2. I don't *have* to configure a label from ebay, right? I can just go to a shipper with the box, ship, and get the tracking number to then re-enter in ebay, correct?

I think I answered that in a way, but no, you can buy a label from anywhere.  But its hard to compete with the seller discounted pricing on ebay.  Pirateship is also good on pricing I hear, but that's a individual website that does labels.  And you still have to print your own.

Speaking of printing, you can use an inkjet or laserjet printer, cut the label out, and secure it with clear packing tape to the package.  Make sure to cover the entire label, especially for ink jet printers.

[gator08041971]

An amendment to the previous post.  If you are talking about not weighing or dimensioning the package correctly when buying a label, that error won't show up till the package is in the system. You would get hit with a cost difference later on after it was delivered.

Use a tape measure and round up to the next inch for all 3 sides.  When weighing, if less than a pound, round up to the next nearest ounce.  Over a pound, round up to the next pound.  Pretty simple.

Tracking, yes, you can enter the tracking number manually.

[decadyne]

"An amendment to the previous post.  If you are talking about not weighing or dimensioning the package correctly when buying a label, that error won't show up till the package is in the system. You would get hit with a cost difference later on after it was delivered."

Yes, this is what I was getting at. The original label was significanlty overestimated and therefore was very expensive. I don't see a way to correct for that overage if I went out and actually used the label to ship -- I simply would be overpaying. (Unless when I drop off the package a postal worker  says "Hey, you overpaid for this and you only need to pay X amount," and then proceeds to refund the difference, which I don't think is a thing.)

The directions you gave about padding the measurement are helpful and make sense. (My original sin was using a "similar item template" during listing creation -- this was the source of the overestimation.)

[gator08041971]

The directions you gave about padding the measurement are helpful and make sense. (My original sin was using a "similar item template" during listing creation -- this was the source of the overestimation.)

Well.  If your buyer's original purchase was under estimated, you may end up taking a hit. Go with the lowest cost option that meets or exceeds the "buyer selected" option and go from there.  If the buyer over paid, then you always refund them a bit of it as a goodwill for the buyer.

Never trust the ebay recommended, they are hardly ever right.  And its not padding so much as just sticking to nearest inch, oz, or lb. 

I use mostly USPS for all my shipments.  Haven't had any issues, and you can combat most issues with excellent packaging. I shipped an antique mirror once to Detroit. Got there without an issue, and even got feedback praise about it.

[kensgiftshop]

The buyer paid for USPS Ground Advantage and that's how you should ship it.

Before changing the carrier, make sure it's OK with the buyer.

FedEx is good about adding extra charges after the package has been delivered.

[splendidthreads]

If this is the record player and you haven't already, keep in mind that any company you go with is going to charge by the size of the final box as well as the weight of it. There are extra charges if the box is bigger than a certain size. 

Here's what it shows on the USPS site for Ground Advantage

Nonstandard Fee

You’ll pay an extra fee for sending a nonstandard size. Fees vary based on the length and cubic feet:

If your package is:

• Between 22 and 30 inches long: add $4.00
• More than 30 inches long: add $8.40
• More than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches): add $18.00

Dimensional Weight

Dimensional (DIM) weight rates apply to large, lightweight packages. If your package is larger than 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches):

1. Multiply Length x Width x Height and divide by 166 to get the DIM weight in pounds.
2. If the DIM weight is greater than the actual package weight, you’ll need to pay the DIM weight price.

If you omit or give inaccurate dimensions and/or don’t pay the DIM weight rate (when it applies), you’ll pay a dimension-noncompliance fee..

https://www.usps.com/ship/ground-advantage.htm

Also, whichever company you use, when you get the new label, be sure to insure it for the full amount.  USPS will include up to $100 in insurance, and you can add the amount over that for an additional charge. I'm not sure what Fedex or UPS includes or charges. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@decadyne wrote:

....
1. If I choose a different shipping method from within ebay and underestimate, I would pay the difference at the drop-off, correct?

2. I don't *have* to configure a label from ebay, right? I can just go to a shipper with the box, ship, and get the tracking number to then re-enter in ebay, correct?...

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Regardless of how and where  you purchase the shipping (online through eBay, or at the carrier's counter, either USPS or FedEx), you will pay the full cost, not a "difference," regardless of what the buyer paid to you.  And purchasing the shipping at the carrier's counter (either USPS or FedEx) will cost more than purchasing the equivalent service through eBay.

What are the weight and dimensions of your package? Are the actual weight and dimensions different from what was used when you generated the first label? Why do you think that the USPS postage that you already paid is wrong?

As noted in another post, FedEx is infamous for adding-on fees and surcharges after the seller has shipped the item, for things like residential address. Also (as noted in another post), before you change carriers you should check with your buyer.

USPS has a package verification system in place at their sorting centers which detects underpaid or overpaid postage labels, and which will adjust the sender's account (either a credit or a fee) if an error is detected. So if you use the label you already have, you will get a credit if you overpaid.

[decadyne]

"USPS has a package verification system in place at their sorting centers which detects underpaid or overpaid postage labels, and which will adjust the sender's account (either a credit or a fee) if an error is detected. So if you use the label you already have, you will get a credit if you overpaid."

This is helpful. I didn't know this.

I had already voided the label by the time  you replied. My "refund request" has been sent to USPS and is pending. How do I just create a new package size, weight, and label from whatever shipper I select? I'm assuming this won't be subtracted from pending funds that are supposed to be returned from the original label.

I've bungled this shipping process quite well, I think.

[junkinabox]

To void the USPS label go to the "Orders" page, scroll down, and select "Shipping labels."

Find the item and go to "Void Label".

[nobody*s_perfect]

"Bungle" is a rather strong word; don't be so hard on yourself.

If you start the process of "Purchase another label for this order," you should get a new label setup screen where you can revise any info including weight, dimensions, service, etc.  Funds for this label will probably come from the same source as the original label.

When you void a label it takes 2 - 3 weeks before you get the refund, because USPS wants to be sure that you really didn't use the label.  Therefore, it is apparently possible to use a label even if the void process has been initiated.  I've seen a few posts where the seller voided a label, purchased a second one, and then accidentally used the first one to ship the item and the item was delivered uneventfully though of course the void request was rejected.  I've never heard of anyone getting penalized in any way for using a label after the void process had been initiated.

Here's some information about the APV system.

  
https://link.usps.com/2017/10/05/what-is-apv/

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/ship-smart/ebay-shipping-partners/avoid-extra-postage-costs....

[aeparts1]

"I sold a fragile item. I'm not an experienced seller -- this is the first item I've sold in more than a decade."

This statement scares the "whatever" out of me.

You sold a $625 vintage turntable. Can you afford to lose the turntable & what you pay for shipping? Folks like you are prime targets of eBay scammers.

Make sure you insure the package, ship only to the address eBay provides, pay for signature required, double or triple box the turntable, read up on the eBay money back guarantee.