Can buyer paid shipping amount be used if I select a different shipping service to print a label?

[toleigh-0]

I sold an item with calculated cost shipping and the buyer paid for USPS. Can the buyer paid amount ($9.09) be used for another shipping service, like FedEx?

[lja440]

It can BUT!!!!only after the switch is approved of by the buyer. 

For me, that switch (from USPS to FedEx) would result in less than positive feedback because in my area FedEx really SUCKS. So I avoid listings that have FedEx down as shipping.  Another buyer may have similar problems with UPS or USPS in their area.

Tell me what your feelings would be in this situation?

Bought something listed with USPS Priority Shipping. But find out it was shipped FedEx.

History with USPS is over 1000 packages delivered, only one damaged but it was very poorly packed.

FedEx, on the other hand, is running around 50% damaged or returned because they can't be bothered to drive up the driveway (less than 50 yards long) slaps a door tag on the front of mailboxes. The terminal is 2 hours from work so no possibility to get there before it closes. Have to reschedule redelivery for Sat and then maintain vigil or another door tag will appear on the mailbox. Thus ruining my day off. 

[orangehound]

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@toleigh-0 wrote:

I sold an item with calculated cost shipping and the buyer paid for USPS. Can the buyer paid amount ($9.09) be used for another shipping service, like FedEx?

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Yes, it can.   But, if you select another service you might get negative feedback, particularly if you use a terrible service ... I will switch carriers from time to time, but only if the performance of that service is equal to or better than what was purchased.  If you want to ship FedEx Overnight or 2-day instead of USPS Priority Mail, then you should be OK ... but all other FedEx services will be slower.

One point of wisdom would be to NEVER substitute FedEx SmartPost for USPS ... it is an incredibly slow service handled by FedEx Ground, and (as the poster above noted) I've had multiple damaged shipments with FedEx Ground.  (Last I checked, FedEx Ground is basically a separate logistics company from the FedEx Overnight/2-day service).

On many of my heavier items, I list FedEx SmartPost as my shipping method just in case it is a long haul shipment, but if it is on my half of the continent then I will pay a dollor or two more and switch to USPS Priority Mail when shipping.  Never had a complaint, I let buyers know of the upgrade, and buyers have appreciated the upgrade.

[berserkerplanet]

>>Last I checked, FedEx Ground is basically a

>>separate logistics company from the FedEx

>>Overnight/2-day service)

Yep, as far as I know that is still the case.

While UPS is a more unified operation where same facilities and drivers handle express and ground (freight may be more seperated), FedEx is more of an umbrella organization.

FedEx was an express service only outfit, merged with Roadway and bought smaller package delivery companies to form a ground delivery division. They did (and I believe still do) use contract ground drivers - as opposed to UPS.

FedEx freight is also completely seperate, and began with acquistion of Viking freight, and addition of smaller freight and brokerage companies worldwide (I dealt with them on an ocean freight import brokerage deal a few years ago and chatted with them about this a bit).

FedEx exhibited same acquistion approach with retail pulic fcing stores. UPS had their UPS stores for shipping supply retailing and consumer shipping, and FedEx wanted some of that overpriced revenue. Here in Sacramento they bought up the Kinkos copy shops and turned them into all night copy/shipping storefronts (UPS stores are mostly franchises and close at 6 or 9pm sround here)

The FedEx approach is clever: copy shop open 24/7 and piggyback shipping counter on that. I like it since it makes it easy for me to drop off FedEx shipments coming or going past a store any time.

>>but if it is on my half of the continent then I will pay

>>a dollor or two more and switch to USPS Priority Mail

Just had that yesterday. 9# to zone4, buyer chose Smartpost instead of Priority that was also offered. 1 week vs a couple of days. I messaged buyer to ask if they just overlooked the PM option. PM option is 30 cents cheaper than Smartpost in this case (and I have verbiage in those type of listings explaining that and to choose wisely.)

I wonder if buyers are not seeing the 3 shipping options and pricing at checkout (I can't check without buying one of my own items)