Scam or Post Office Problem - It's a Problem Either Way

[midohioimports]

I just got a message from a buyer saying "This item was listed as free shipping and I had to go to the post office and pay $3 something for shipping...........what's up with that?"

Tracking says this: Your item was delivered at the front door or porch at 4:14 pm on May 22, 2017 in PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764

If they held the package, shouldn't it show on the tracking?

If they really did charge her it could be one of two things. First it was a 15 ounce first class  package and I've read about some post offices not wanting to honor that. Also, I'm on commercial plus so maybe they just think I underpaid.

So far I've called 5 times. The first time I was hung up on...the next 4 no answer. This particular post office has very low ratings also. Two stars on Google.

I mentioned the tracking and she said that she noticed that too...I offered to refund if she would send a copy of the receipt. Of course the garbage man JUST came.

[midohioimports]

Yes. Exactly - If it was ever marked postage due there should be a record of it.  I think they went to pick it up and the clerk thought it didn't look like enough and charged counter rate or this person is trying to get a partial refund.

I just said, "I'm not making this up" because it was such an odd conversation with the postal employee...I mean really?  A description of the clerk?

[thenobletuckylife]

Hi DH...it took years for our post master to understand that ebay and ebay printed labels through Pitney Bowes was a USPS authorized label....really...like as if there was some other kind of label that allowed products to be accepted/handled/delivered by the Post Office.

She sincerely thought that it was an Ebay thing and had nothing to do with the post office.

It took her 3 years to realize the connection, until then she refused to help, scan, or assist in anything with an ebay label. She told us we need to talk to the postal folks at ebay.

Mr C

[sockmonkeydave]

@midohioimports

I would go to YOUR po and have them look in their system.

I would think postage due  should show up in the postal system.

They can't just throw it in the cash box with no record in the system or can they ?

[midohioimports]

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@thenobletuckylife wrote:
Hi DH...it took years for our post master to understand that ebay and ebay printed labels through Pitney Bowes was a USPS authorized label....really...like as if there was some other kind of label that allowed products to be accepted/handled/delivered by the Post Office.

She sincerely thought that it was an Ebay thing and had nothing to do with the post office.

It took her 3 years to realize the connection, until then she refused to help, scan, or assist in anything with an ebay label. She told us we need to talk to the postal folks at ebay.

Mr C

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Wow. That's (almost) unbelievable. The only issue I've had here is that I routinely get my neighbors' mail. I assume they get mine too. 

[midohioimports]

That's a good idea @sockmonkeydave

I live in a very small town and am far and away their best customer. They even got to replace their ancient van because of me - so they are pretty accomadating.

[vintagecraze50]

You have the choice to research this and find out if you really owe this person $3 bucks. If it were me I would just believe them and send them $3 dollar via a partial refund. It would seem very odd for someone to lie about $3. But it could happen.

[couldabeenworse]

or this person is trying to get a partial refund

OK, first of all, you've confirmed that the buyer did indeed have to go to his post office, even though tracking showed delivery.  You've also confirmed that the carrier thought it might be short on postage.  Isn't it about time to let those suspicions about the buyer go?

If it was ever marked postage due there should be a record of it.  

If the buyer paid the postage at the counter, it could very well be the only record of it is the counter receipt showing payment of postage and perhaps the refund of the original postage.   There would not have to be a designation of "postage due" on it anywhere. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

I've had to pay additional postage for a first class package from an ebay seller. That said, I didn't go back and get it from her because it was just under $2 and I got enough of a deal on the item. But I was given a receipt. What bothers me about this buyer's story is that they threw the receipt away. If you want to be reimbursed for anything in this life, you keep the receipt. 

[thenobletuckylife]

Just a thought, Lots of folks may simply have gone and begrudgingly paid the postage in order to pick up the package.

Ok...they go home...not happy and throw out the receipt and the rest of the packaging.

Then later on when they tell someone about it they say hey "you shouldn't have to pay for that, contact your seller".

Some things that seem too strange to be true many times are...not all folks are as meticulous as us sellers.

Mr C

[sockmonkeydave]

@ersatz_sobriquet

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@ersatz_sobriquet wrote:

I've had to pay additional postage for a first class package from an ebay seller. That said, I didn't go back and get it from her because it was just under $2 and I got enough of a deal on the item. But I was given a receipt. What bothers me about this buyer's story is that they threw the receipt away. If you want to be reimbursed for anything in this life, you keep the receipt. 

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I wonder if the counter receipt had any reference to the tracking number.

Or just a generic postage paid, if this I could see her tossing it.

But it is odd, to not keep it...

She is putting a lot of effort, over 3 bucks.

[thenobletuckylife]

Trust me...one of the little post offices here in Dexter City doesn't even have a scanner and ALL postage is figured out on the scale the old way.

Our LARGE post office here in Caldwell had it's counter scanner break...it was broken for over 5 months before it got repaired. The chute for out going mail in the lobby has been broken since last year and is tapped up and can not be used.

Mr C

[midohioimports]

@couldabeenworse

Well, the buyer left out the part about why it wasn't delivered in the first place. I just want to get to the bottom of it. At this point I'm pretty certain it was an overzealous postal employee who believed they "caught" someone trying to buck the system. however, there is no receipt. She said her mother picked it up today, gave her the receipt which she promptly threw out and it was then picked up by the garbage man. All before noon. 

I have plenty of reason to wonder about the buyer. See above, and remember that from the tracking number and a pretty extensive conversation with the postal employee, absolutely nothing about there being postage due has come up. Sorry, but that combined with the same day disposal of the receipt piques my curiosity. 

You will have to excuse me. Having fallen victim to a couple false SNAD's against which, one is totally helpless...has made me pretty proactive. I don't just roll over. I won't allow my buyer to get shafted for the money if that's what happened. But I'm not just going to say, "Hey, I'll take your word for it" without that receipt or as much research as I can do. I also spend the money and require that people actually return things & don't do partial refunds. If it's inconclusive, I'll have to take her word for it. 

If this is all due to an employee who isn't familiar with online and commercial rates, then maybe it will be your three dollars or that of your customer that gets saved next time.

[tarpedge]

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@midohioimports wrote:

I offered to refund if she would send a copy of the receipt. Of course the garbage man JUST came.

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Tell her no problem: If the USPS took money, they'll have a record of it.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

I completely agree with you. Claim to your sellers that you had to pay $3 postage 1,000 times over a decade and you've just made yourself 3 grand. 

I remember the gas station scam of adding a penny each time someone used the pump. Over time it was figured out that they had made a million dollars. 

[couldabeenworse]

I completely agree with you. Claim to your sellers that you had to pay $3 postage 1,000 times over a decade and you've just made yourself 3 grand. 

Oh come on.  Do we seriously think crooks are that stupid and and can't find something more productive than to shake down 1000 sellers for three bucks each????

It's not hard to see why many buyers would just leave negative feedback in these instances rather than contacting the seller.