eBay Automatically Changing Shipping Address?

[pls-consignments]

This just happened to me while processing a shipment...

In eBay Shipping, a message showed up above the package dimensions that said:

Warning: the shipping address ZIP Code (92880-1420) may be wrong. We think it should be 92878-5820.  "Change it for me"

In order to avoid a INR claim, I chose to use the zip code provided by the Buyer. HOWEVER, when I processed the shipping label, eBay changed the zip code anyway, and printed the label with the edited zip code! Therefore, there is no choice.  So, I decided to take screenshots of each page showing the automatic change. Not sure if this has happened before, I just happen to catch it. 

Has anyone had an issue with this?  What would you have done?

[brightlightbookseller]

Buyer probably entered it wrong.  You  should be okay in the event of an INR claim since you can show that eBay changed it, but I guess it could end up being a difficult fight.  Chances are that won't happen, but I'm glad you saved the screenshots just in case.  We don't use eBay Labels, we use Stamps.com and zip codes are fairly regularly wrong based on the customer's entry, and we just change them without any issues so far.  Never had a false INR claim on one of those that I know of.

[ittybitnot]

@pls-consignments 

Other than the "annoyance factor" of eBay suggesting you have a choice NOT "to change it for me", and forcing on it you anyway, I think you will probably be ok.  That area of CA did have some Zip Code changes back in 2020,  Me...I would be hand writing the Zip provided by the buyer on that label, too, taking a photo of it just in case....LOL. 

[ittybitnot]

@pls-consignments 

See the first two on this page:

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2020/pb22550/html/info_001.htm#:~:text=Post%20Office%20Change....

[a_c_green]

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@pls-consignments wrote:

In order to avoid a INR claim, I chose to use the zip code provided by the Buyer. HOWEVER, when I processed the shipping label, eBay changed the zip code anyway, and printed the label with the edited zip code! Therefore, there is no choice.  So, I decided to take screenshots of each page showing the automatic change. Not sure if this has happened before, I just happen to catch it. 

Has anyone had an issue with this?  What would you have done?

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When you purchase the label, its address is verified against the USPS database and minor corrections may be made behind the scenes (e.g. changing "Avenue" to "Ave" or "Suite" to "STE"; that kind of thing), and 5-digit ZIP codes will be expanded to the correct ZIP+4 code. I didn't know that eBay was doing some kind of pre-validation on their own, but there you are.

I would definitely let eBay make the corrections that they're already apparently aware of as needing to be done, and print the label however it comes out.

[richard1rst]

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@pls-consignments wrote:

This just happened to me while processing a shipment...

In eBay Shipping, a message showed up above the package dimensions that said:

Warning: the shipping address ZIP Code (92880-1420) may be wrong. We think it should be 92878-5820.  "Change it for me"

In order to avoid a INR claim, I chose to use the zip code provided by the Buyer. HOWEVER, when I processed the shipping label, eBay changed the zip code anyway, and printed the label with the edited zip code! Therefore, there is no choice.  So, I decided to take screenshots of each page showing the automatic change. Not sure if this has happened before, I just happen to catch it. 

Has anyone had an issue with this?  What would you have done?

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Some time ago due to the growth of my city the USPS found it necessary to break my ZIP code into 2 numbers. Some of us who had xx015 remained the same, but some of us (myself included) suddenly became xx011. It might be something as simple as that.

[ltldpr]

Did you ask the buyer about it?

Might be worth a try.

[pls-consignments]

Carrier comes early. Didn't have time to wait for a reply.

[pls-consignments]

It was the actually 5-digit zip that changed. Would be nice if this was on the front end when the buyer makes a purchase. Otherwise, it places an unneccessary hassle and risk for Sellers.

[bad_box1]

We have had issues with this and eBay has consistently instructed us to cancel the order and message the buyer to edit their address.  Their seller protections policy needs to be updated to clarify that should their system change a zip code based upon the carrier verification, that sellers will not lose those.  We have lost four orders in three weeks due this exact issue and not being able to print labels d/t buyers exceeding character limits and sent them screenshots of each instance.  Their response is below:

[pls-consignments]

Interesting, how long ago did this happen to you?

[bad_box1]

Last week and the two weeks prior.  Their response was received last week as well.

[stuff4divas]

@pls-consignments   did u get a chance to put the address into the USPS website or internet search box to see what zip code comes up?

[pls-consignments]

No I didn't. Was pressed for time to get my orders packed.  

The link provided by @ittybitnot actually showed the zip code was changed recently. Buyer probably forgot to change it on all her online accounts.