eBay

jogar8015 · ‎07-10-2024

Warning to sellers. I just paid $23.65 for a book I sold. It was held at the destination post office at the buyers request. After 10 days the package was marked undeliverable and marked return to sender. It was returned to me with the above amount for postage due. I sent the book Media Mail but it was returned Priority, which the post office said was policy. It also took several weeks in the return process. The post office also said If I chose to not pay, no mail would be delivered to my address. Just a fair warning of the post office policies.

wastingtime101 · ‎07-10-2024

@jogar8015 wrote:
The post office also said If I chose to not pay, no mail would be delivered to my address. Just a fair warning of the post office policies.

That's bologna. If you choose not to pay then USPS keeps the package but it does not affect the rest of your mail delivery. If you're being told otherwise then you need to get on the phone with your postmaster or file a formal complaint through usps.com if your post office attempts to go through with such made-up rules.

As for the eBay transaction, you are not required to refund the buyer in this situation. Which also means you are not required to retrieve the package from the post office.

GLORIOUS!

lux.ra_14 · ‎07-10-2024

@jogar8015 wrote:
I sent the book Media Mail but it was returned Priority, which the post office said was policy.

I thought that returned mail was sent back using the same service. Unless there's been a change for some new money grab, a Media Mail package should come back as MM.

Maybe you're getting bad "policy" info from one postal employee. That extortion bit about no more mail delivery if you don't pay up for the returned package is just bunk.

adamcartwright · ‎07-10-2024

If you get an answer that doesn't sit right from any employee anywhere, get a second opinion from a higher-up. This sounds sus.

wastingtime101 · ‎07-10-2024

@lux.ra_14 wrote:
I thought that returned mail was sent back using the same service. Unless there's been a change for some new money grab, a Media Mail package should come back as MM.

It is @lux.ra_14 . If the seller paid their post office for Priority and the item qualified for Media Mail and was originally shipped using Media Mail then the seller's post office really pulled a fast one. Here's a USPS page confirming return ship cost should have been Media Mail, emphasis mine:

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Return-to-Sender-Mail

"Note: Mail that is returned to sender returns in the same mail class used to send it."

The only reason to upcharge would be if the contents did not qualify for Media Mail, in which case the PO could charge for Priority. I'm assuming the book really did qualify for Media so the upcharge was a local PO clerk having a power trip, or 100% uninformed about actual USPS policy and decided to make up their own rules.

I wish the seller had come here to ask about it before paying the $24 ransom.

Edit to add: If you'd like to file a formal complaint @jogar8015 , here is the link:

https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/postal-facility-inquiry

GLORIOUS!

luckythewinner · ‎07-10-2024

The post office also said If I chose to not pay, no mail would be delivered to my address

I would have asked to talk to the postmaster and cited the USPS Rules & Regulations:

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Return-to-Sender-Mail

"Note: Mail that is returned to sender returns in the same mail class used to send it."

I would tell them that I am not responsible for the fact that the recipient's post office failed to follow USPS rules and regulations and used the wrong mail class.

zakstreasuretrove · ‎07-10-2024

Yeah that sounds right up there with, "we can only scan 5 packages at a time." That being after I wait in line for a half hour while the clerk explains how an address works to people who have apparently never mailed anything before.

I like the idea: "Get the post master and show me in the statutes or policy." Otherwise they are lying. Report and pursue. Don't let people get away with it. I know it's time consuming and a hassle, but it is a valuable use of your time and will benefit you and others in the long run.