AVOID FedEx Smartpost: huge HIDDEN SHIPPING FEES charged

[luckynekko14]

I am an experienced eBay buyer and seller. Weighed and measured the package accurately (7.2 lbs., 12x8x6). Compared shipping options. USPS would have been $20.41. FedEx SmartPost was $13.78, so I selected that. Next eBay invoice charges the shipping as $39.77 and package "reweighed" at 22 lbs. Called eBay; they said call FedEx. FedEx said call USPS. No one could give me a proper answer as to the huge discrepancy in shipping fees. Eventually called eBay again who said they would investigate. A month later, still no refund. Called eBay, who said call FedEx, who said call eBay. Frustration mounting seriously. The last eBay rep told me FedEx uses "dimensional weight" not actual dimensions or weight. He said there's nothing eBay can do. He said there is fine print that the shipper agrees to about the postage being only an estimate. I will look more carefully again, but I am infuriated that eBay would allow such an irresponsible shipping practice. AVOID USING FEDEX SMARTPOST. We lost a significant amount of money on selling this one item. Protect yourself from a similar experience.

[twice*new]

I had a similar situation last November & it is still not settled.  FedEx told me they charge with the information provided by ebay.  I shipped a sweater that weighed 1.3# and was charged for 13#.  No way a small petite sweater weighs 13#.  No one would ever do anything about it.  Ebay customer service is not what it used to be.

[berserkerplanet]

Dimensional weight does not currently apply to FedEx Smartpost shipments (until January 2018 when it will start to do so).

Sounds like a classic case of "thumb on the scale" or another pkg on top of yours when it was weighed on the FedEx conveyors.

Let's see if we can get the liaisons in here to help: @Anonymous alan@ebay

[the_fancy_fox]

Effective January 22, 2018, FedEx will apply dimensional weight pricing with a dimensional divisor of 139 and a per pound rate to all packages over 71 lbs on all SmartPost packages. Dimensional weights are of course (length x width x height) divided by a DIM factor, which is set by default at 139.

[berserkerplanet]

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Effective January 22, 2018, FedEx will apply dimensional weight pricing with a dimensional divisor of 139 and a per pound rate to all packages over 71 lbs on all SmartPost packages. Dimensional weights are of course (length x width x height) divided by a DIM factor, which is set by default at 139.

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Not sure what you did there (you either conflated 2 issues together or it reads wrong due to lack of punctuation and a couple of missing words), but the above is incorrect as written as it implies that dim weight will only apply to 71+ lb pkgs.

From the FedEx website:  http://www.fedex.com/us/smartpostguide/guide.html

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Effective Jan. 22, 2018, FedEx SmartPost will apply dimensional weight pricing with a dimensional weight divisor of 139 to all shipments except FedEx SmartPost rates by ounce. This change will align the FedEx SmartPost dimensional weight pricing with the FedEx Express and the FedEx Ground dimensional weight pricing.

Effective Jan. 22, 2018, FedEx SmartPost will introduce per-pound rates for the packages rated above 70 lbs. The shipping charges for a FedEx SmartPost Oversize package will be based on the greatest of the package’s actual rounded weight, dimensional weight and 71 lbs.

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What that means is that all Smartpost pkgs shipped via eBay labels (pound rates) will now be subject to dimensional weight considerations the same as Ground and Express have been for years.

Smartpost ounce rates are not available through eBay)

The second paragraph changes how Smartpost pkgs over 70lb and oversized pkgs are charged.

Currently Smartpost has a 70lb max limit.  For 2018, it appears pkgs over 70lb will be allowed (I assume up to FedEx networks 150lb limit?), and will be charged on a per pound basis  (weight * $X/lb)

Oversize pkgs currently have a fixed zoned rate ( approx 15% more than the 70lb rate) in the charts, but in 2018 will be charged based on the max of the actual weight, dim weight, or the 71 lb rate.

So very large pkgs could be billed at a dim weight well beyond 70lb starting in 2018. (ie: 26x26x26 pkg has L+G=130" (the max), and a dim weight=26x26x26/139=127 lb which is the weight it would ship at unless actual weight is more than that)

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Next time you wish to mail such a small box, consider USPS Priority Mail options such as the Regional A box or the medium FRB. Both cost much less than zoned Priority Mail to distant destinations, and both are cheaper and provide faster service than FedEx Smartpost. I realize that these boxes may be a bit snug; in that case, the Regional B box or the large FRB are still cheaper than $20+. By the way, $20.41 is the Priority Mail commercial rate for only 5 lbs. to Zone 8. ~~C~~

[mr_lincoln]

@luckynekko14  Read your post, really sorry that happened ... FedEx has been an issue for quite some time.  I think it some kind of a racket as well as maybe helping to drive more eBay shipping to USPS instead.  I've have shipments where Buyer pays one amount and I get charged a higher amount ... eBay knows about it but ... has ... done ... nothing ... to negotiate a more accurate shipping setup with FedEx, period.

[kensgiftshop]

I used Fedex one time and had the same thing happen. Bought the label through Ebay for one price, then get the next Ebay invoice and was charged almost twice what I was told.

[phcd1]

FedEx has used "dimensional weight" for quite some time now, although its due to increase in 2018. I always worry if any one dimension goes past 12", that just my rule for ANY shipper. I would hazard a guess that you were off a little and this is the result. I have had little problem with FedEx smartpost or any other eBay calculated shipping partner.

[berserkerplanet]

Dimensional weight does not apply to Smartpost, so OP's issue must be something else.

(Smartpost WILL be subject to dim weight considerations starting 1/22/18)

[myangelandmyprincess]

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@phcd1 wrote:

FedEx has used "dimensional weight" for quite some time now, although its due to increase in 2018. I always worry if any one dimension goes past 12", that just my rule for ANY shipper. I would hazard a guess that you were off a little and this is the result. I have had little problem with FedEx smartpost or any other eBay calculated shipping partner.

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Fed ex has had dimensional weight yes. But not for fed ex smart post 

[kate_lily]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@luckynekko14  Read your post, really sorry that happened ... FedEx has been an issue for quite some time.  I think it some kind of a racket as well as maybe helping to drive more eBay shipping to USPS instead.  I've have shipments where Buyer pays one amount and I get charged a higher amount ... eBay knows about it but ... has ... done ... nothing ... to negotiate a more accurate shipping setup with FedEx, period.

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@mr_lincoln

So happy to see I'm not alone on this. I thought I was crazy. Buyer pays one shipping fee; I go to purchase postage from eBay and they charge me a higher fee. No change in weight or dimensions. 

I thought maybe FedEx rates were like the stock market and fluctuated during the day, lol. Buyer purchases at 10:00am for $4.49 shipping. I print shipping label an hour label for $4.54.

[kate_lily]

@luckynekko14

I received great advice from a mentor when I started seling:

When you drop off the item at FedEx, REQUEST they weigh it and update it in the system so the actual weight prints out on the FedEx receipt. If you purchased postage with accurate weight and dimensions, you shouldn't have any billing surprises later.

Some FedEx employees claim they can't makes changes (update) the weight in the system on pre-printed eBay labels, but it is untrue! See attached photo.

Per FedEx website: "For each shipment, your charge is based on the dimensional weight or actual weight of the package--whichever is greater."

[mr_lincoln]

@kate_lily  Great post, will check my recent receipt to see if they printed with updated weight, I know they never measure them.

[kate_lily]

@mr_lincoln

My eBay mentor advised me, due to his repeated experiences of $8 postage turning into a surprising $38 billing fee on his monthly inoice.

FedEx will not update the weight unless you strongly request it at time of drop-off. Some of the drop-off agents I have encounted have a lot of attitude. So I kindly explain, "I had a billing issue before, so when I called FedEx they advised me to always have the weight updated." Then they begrundingly update the weight.

I have seen several sellers complain about this issue here on the boards... many of them accusing FedEx of having fat fingers when it comes to billing. I don't think this is the case. In my experience working in warehouse shipping environments, most times it is just that packages get too close to each other on the conveyor belt and sometimes one box -and-  half of the next box end up on the scale together, resulting in inaccurate billing weights.

Those surprising charges on the monthly invoices may still happen, but at least with the updated receipt, you have solid proof the FedEx agent weighed it at time of drop-off, so FedEx will then adjust the charges.