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.

[myboardid]

All of this speculating really doesn't matter.  OP, you have a choice - refund the $3 or take a neg which, if written correctly, will stick.  I'm sor5y if you are getting scammed but there is truly no way to prove or disprove it. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

You want a refund of any kind? Prove why. Don't come to me and tell me you threw out the proof this morning before contacting me. 

[couldabeenworse]

You want a refund of any kind? Prove why. Don't come to me and tell me you threw out the proof this morning before contacting me. 

I don't know if the buyer even requested a refund.  The initial contact was just  "what's up with that?".  The buyer was clearly not expecting the Spanish Inquisition.

[midohioimports]

I messged the buyer yesterday afternoon to let her know what was going on and to relay the information requested by the post office. I haven't heard back. Which, by the way is the way of a smart scammer. Stay off Ebay's radar, keep throwing small amounts at the wall and see what sticks. Large scams have a shelf life. Nickel & dime stuff like this doesn't.

If she has done anything wrong, she can do it over and over again banking on sellers' inexperience, the small amount of money and fear of negative feedback. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

My spidey sense says she is a scammer. Someone who was truly bothered by a real $3 extra fee would send a picture of the "postage due" label that the USPS slaps on the package, and demand that you refund that money, make sure they did not throw the proof away. They would not message the seller in this what's up with that? and throw the proof away. That she threw it away the very same morning reeks of that it never existed in the first place. 

Yes, people will scam for $3. Ebay is a haggler's paradise, so why wouldn't they try after the sale too? The worst of them do. 

And FYI...the worst shoplifters are not drug addicts or some other looked down upon class in society, but actually women in their 50's who can afford what they steal. Odd but true statistic. 

Do update us with the USPS verdict! 

[mr_lincoln]

@midohioimports  FACT: We take our pacakges to the Post Office, stand in line and get a scan.  IF any package does NOT have the postage to cover the shipping weight THEY WON'T TAKE IT without us paying more, PERIOD.  If other post offices work differently (which would surprise me) then it could be an issue.  I do not see how this situation of yours could even happen and in the back of my mind I am thinking the Buyer decided they deserved a $ 3.00 Plus refund.  Your post states that eBay shows it delivered ... that is a carrier scan uploaded to the post office when they return from their route.  I can not see them dropping off a package with Postage Due plus a note ... this sounds fishy to me and an issue at the Buyer's end or a scam. 

[buyselljack2016]

@mr_lincoln

 When we take packages to a PO with POS  (point of service) system it goes on the scale, weighed, scanned, and reciept is given.

When we go to a tiny office with a scale, and a postage meter they just take the packages to another table, and scan them. 

No connection between scale, and anything else.

Last I knew at these small offices USPS had stopped purchasing the updted postage rate chips. Items are weighed, and the employee has to look up the postage cost manually.  

Actually had an employee at one office ask me how they would know if my stealth postage package had enough postage paid.  Seriously, I was asked that.  Told her, if the weight matches, and class it correct, it's all good.

[rixstuff]

One dimwit at our local PO ROUTINELY insists that we underpaid the postage.  No, its called a discount (online, paypal, ebay, whichever).  I stopped putting the postage on the label and that helps but she always gives me a look like I am getting over.  I try to go when she isnt there.

[midohioimports]

Still no word from the buyer which really makes me wonder if they were just going for an easy discount. She was responding almost immediately yesterday but as soon as I mentioned the reason it wasn't left (No safe location) and needing more info so they could find the transaction she disappeared.

[mr_lincoln]

@buyselljack2016

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

@mr_lincoln

 When we take packages to a PO with POS  (point of service) system it goes on the scale, weighed, scanned, and reciept is given.

When we go to a tiny office with a scale, and a postage meter they just take the packages to another table, and scan them. 

No connection between scale, and anything else.

Last I knew at these small offices USPS had stopped purchasing the updted postage rate chips. Items are weighed, and the employee has to look up the postage cost manually.  

Actually had an employee at one office ask me how they would know if my stealth postage package had enough postage paid.  Seriously, I was asked that.  Told her, if the weight matches, and class it correct, it's all good.

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That is correct, the weight is printed on the eBay shipping label.  If we are at or under that amount our Post Office could care less what we paid, THEY get credit for processing the package which ultimately helps them stay open.  If the package weighs more than the label they ask us what we paid and then they charge the Counter rate adder Plus the equivilent of our discount because they can not honor the discount ... then they add an additional bar code for tracking ... yes, it gets convoluted when you are off on your weight.  So for us, we decide to either pay the overage right then and there or take the package home, void the label and reprint a new one (and yes that works).  If it is a heavy or Priority package then magic number is around 54 cents, that is the cost for us to drive the 4.4 miles round trip.   So if the difference is a couple bucks its worth it to do a new label.  This has only happened less than a handful of times and we are talking like 1 ounce over and boom you have to pay more. 

[thenobletuckylife]

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@buyselljack2016 wrote:

@mr_lincoln

 When we take packages to a PO with POS  (point of service) system it goes on the scale, weighed, scanned, and reciept is given.

When we go to a tiny office with a scale, and a postage meter they just take the packages to another table, and scan them. 

No connection between scale, and anything else.

Last I knew at these small offices USPS had stopped purchasing the updted postage rate chips. Items are weighed, and the employee has to look up the postage cost manually.  

Actually had an employee at one office ask me how they would know if my stealth postage package had enough postage paid.  Seriously, I was asked that.  Told her, if the weight matches, and class it correct, it's all good.

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Evening,

You have described the Post Office at Dexter City to a T!

Finally someone else has the exact same scenario we have run into.

Mr C

[ted_200]

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@relztrah wrote:

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". 

---

I know, but I'm reminded of something I've used as a siggy before...

"My transaction involves eBay, PayPal, and the United States Postal Service... what could possibly go wrong?".

Post office does crazy inconsistent stuff, shoppers do crazy inconsistent stuff (and eBay and PayPal encourage them), you're sitting halfway across the country, flying blind. 

Given it's only 3 bucks, I'm thinking it's the post office.  Problem eBay buyers mostly recognize they can do way better than that.   If you can't tell what's really going on, I'm not sure I'd want to die on this hill over $3.   

[midohioimports]

Well, the buyer flatly refused to provide any information to help locate a receipt. I finally heard back with a nasty message and a negative feedback. I'm irritated, mostly because after a very long stretch at 100% this is the third time I've been negged for not caving to demands etc in the last two months. 

After the last message, I'm pretty sure she was just trying for a discount. To everyone who advised just refunding, I understand that point of view but doing that would really bother me. I really appreciate all the input 

This is the PM:

"Over 3.18? You should've just reimbursed me"

My response: "I just want to find out what's going on. If you had a receipt I would have already reimbursed you and taken it up with the post office."

Seconds later: Neg

[rolenboy01]

All I know is everywhere I've ever lived and it may just be in the area I live in but the garbage man has always come and gone long before the post office ever opens.

[Anonymous]

The last time I received a package with postage due was a while back..It was a item I won for $ 3.00 free shipping . at a buy now. When it arrived postage due 70 cents it was posted on the label so I sent a picture of the package to the seller and she said Oh well, Thats what her Post office told her.......No I am sorry , Let me look into it.....Nothing... I left neg feed back Not because of the money But because of the Seller...... It happens