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.

[bigmotormania]

Without a copy of the postage receipt you have no proof that it wasn't delivered to their porch.

I'd say operate based on what the tracking says, and go from there. If they file an INR against you then upload the tracking that says delivered.

I don't like to take sides since I understand both the buyers and the sellers perspective, but I also don't see why any post office would claim delivered to porch and yet hold it at the post office for postage due, that makes no sense.

[mg152]

Yeah, you need to see the postage due notice, receipt or something. Her PO or mail carrier can surely get a copy. I would do nothing & if you get bad FB call ebay & demand they remove it.

[bigmotormania]

Also, if they do provide a receipt, make sure it has the same tracking and the same post dates, looking at your experience I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, though.

[midohioimports]

Thanks @bigmotormania & @mg152

That's pretty much what I'm thinking.

For the most part, I love selling on Ebay and most of the people are great. But those few that aren't great are usually doozies. I hate that I'm messaging this person and thinking things like, "Of COURSE the garbage man JUST came. Of COURSE your 86 year old mother is the one who had to go to the post office. Of COURSE the tracking doesn't show anything out of the ordinary." 

I'm not one of those sellers that shrieks scam every time I have a return or some such thing...everyone makes mistakes and sometimes that one is me. But those few problem customers... 

[iart]

I don't know. It seems like a lot of effort to scam someone out of 3 bucks.

Since it was 1st class package, the only way $3 could be added is if the weight was under and they shipped it Priority instead of 1st Class. At 15 ounces, that's a possibility. Scales could differ that one ounce.

Or maybe the buyer confused your purchase with another?

[couldabeenworse]

Putting paranoia aside, it is not uncommon for first class parcels to get "upgraded" to priority if they are over weight, too thin, or if priority products were used.  It is also not uncommon for some post office along the line to be mistaken about one of the above.

There is no good reason to assume this is a "problem customer".  If she wanted to scam you, there are a thousand more productive ways to do so.

[relztrah]

Since when does the post office charge to retrieve an item that was supposedly left on the front porch? I'm thinking this one doesn't pass the "stink test". 

[couldabeenworse]

Since when does the post office charge to retrieve an item that was supposedly left on the front porch?

Again putting paranoia aside, the most likely explanation is that the carrier scanned it, then took it  back to the post office when nobody was home to pay the overdue postage.

[midohioimports]

I'm not sure what I think about it at this point. There are thinks that make me think both ways. 

As far as it being a lot of effort for $3...for one, if I had $3 back on every Ebay purchase I've ever made it would be a LOT of money. Also, it keeps you off Ebay's radar because there's no case filed. 

I'm not saying the buyer is trying to scam me but I'm not sure she isn't.

[couldabeenworse]

I'm not saying the buyer is trying to scam me but I'm not sure she isn't.

There are buyers out there that would think the same thing about the seller.

The reality is that for these penny ante sums, the most likely explanation is always that somebody (seller, buyer, usps, eBay) screwed up. 

[bigmotormania]

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@couldabeenworse wrote:

Since when does the post office charge to retrieve an item that was supposedly left on the front porch?

Again putting paranoia aside, the most likely explanation is that the carrier scanned it, then took it  back to the post office when nobody was home to pay the overdue postage.

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I have never heard of such a thing. There is literally no point in doing that. Also, every time I've owed extra postage due they charged me BEFORE it was shipped, they refused to ship it without paying the extra due postage.

Why go through the effort of attempting delivery when they would have already known postage was due?

This instance is confusing to me.

[midohioimports]

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@couldabeenworse wrote:

Since when does the post office charge to retrieve an item that was supposedly left on the front porch?

Again putting paranoia aside, the most likely explanation is that the carrier scanned it, then took it  back to the post office when nobody was home to pay the overdue postage.

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If that was the case it should not say delivered. Also there is no reason for postage to be owed. Packed, it weighs 14.2 ounces. Shipped as 15.  Package is 4 inches thick.  This is one of two things: error by a postal employee or someone trying for a partial refund.

[midohioimports]

So, I finally got through to the post office there and they said that they attempted to deliver but that there was no secure location. The guy on also said that it didn't seem like enough postage. I explained commercial plus etc and he said that if she could give the day and time they picked it up, that they could try to recreate the receipt. So, to be continued.

[bigmotormania]

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@midohioimports wrote:

So, I finally got through to the post office there and they said that they attempted to deliver but that there was no secure location. The guy on also said that it didn't seem like enough postage. I explained commercial plus etc and he said that if she could give the day and time they picked it up, that they could try to recreate the receipt. So, to be continued.

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The idea that any post office would mark a package as delivered when it wasn't is absolutely baffling to me.

No wonder they only have a 2 star review, that screams of incompetence.