Carrier Changed By Seller

[sobergirl]

When checking out I chose the FedEx carrier/delivery option but when looking at my informed delivery page and tracking on eBay, I see USPS. I double-checked and the price on my receipt shows the price for FedEx. 

Why would the seller change without asking me?

What if any are my options at this point?

Thank you

[ebooksdiva]

Your seller maybe using FedEx smart post. The item starts at a FedEx store then FedEx transfers the parcel to USPS where it completes delivery to you the buyer. 

[sobergirl]

Nope, arrived the other day and was Priority. But I guess if he wanted to pay the higher price it’s fine with me. Thank you 😊 

[natoman777]

It might have been that they couldn't get to the fed ex drop off and instead chose to ship USPS.  Did your item come on time?

[fab_finds4u]

Priority Mail is Expedited which is faster than FedEx, which is Standard. The OP got an upgrade on the shipping.

[lakefor94]

I sometimes change the carrier if it is in the afternoon and the designated carrier in the listing has already picked up in my area and I can get the shipment out with another carrier.

I normally let the buyer know there was a change in the carrier.  

[richard1rst]

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@lakefor94 wrote:

I sometimes change the carrier if it is in the afternoon and the designated carrier in the listing has already picked up in my area and I can get the shipment out with another carrier.

I normally let the buyer know there was a change in the carrier.  

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Unfortunately, that can,on occasion, be risky and costly.

I have seen various posts on these boards from buyers who abhor one carrier or another. The reasons stated varied but, for the purposes of this post, whether they are real or imaginary and/or overly nitpicking they are irrelevant. They have made it clear they would never buy from a seller using the disliked carrier

So if you list a carrier the buyer likes and then arbitrarily change to the disliked carrier you run the risk of negative feedback.

If you are going to change the carrier it would be best to let them know ahead of time, not after the fact.

Forewarned - forearmed.

[rjackshoes]

As a seller I learned early on not to change a customers delivery carrier without notifying them and getting the ok. The customer wanted USPS and I shipped the item FEDEX because it was cheaper and didn't notify the buyer. The buyer contacted me and stated that the FEDEX office where they live is horrible, they always misplace packages and they never want to deal with them that's why they specifically wanted USPS...long story short...they did receive the package and all was good. Your should have notified you, here are some reasons they changed the carrier; 1. Cheaper 2. Problem with printing a Fedex label, 3. USPS delivers for Fedex so it may not matter if the label says Fedex or USPS 4. Simple mistake 5. Getting it to you quicker...etc. I would contact the seller and ask why.

[albertabrightalberta]

Generally, I don't care how a seller ships as long as I get the item and it's as described. 

However if the seller offers a choice of shipping methods, I would expect the carrier I chose, especially in a case in which the seller's choice to ship by another method is a downgrade.

I'm curious @sobergirl . If you go to the listing and click USPS and Fedex, what are the shipping costs shown? If you paid more for Fedex than the price shown for priority mail, the seller should give you a refund of the difference.

[buzzapparel]

So what’s the problem?

[rangerdoe]

I know some addresses will not accept FedEx. But they are usually very remote locations. I had one in Montana once.

[sobergirl]

Thank you

He def paid more but didn’t charge me the difference. Sometimes it’s easier for me to get FedEx bc they drive to my home and rarely will the usps but I had asked the question before it had been delivered and forgot to delete the question. 

[mikeh880]

there ya go. thats the attitude to have.. as a seller whos much less experienced than you as a buyer ive been curious about this situation becauses on my end since day 1 i noticed when shipping it will show a shipping service and say buyer selected. and it seems to have no meaning on my end because i set my policies and it may say something different.... maybe you bought from me hahaha..  but it says something ive not even made a policy for and isnt listed as a shipping optioin for the item and is therefore not even paid accordingly. I have never had a complaint or a question from a buyer about shipping options.  I can set multiple options on a policy but to me that complicates the process so i usually just end up selecting the best option. no i pretty much ship everything either USPSGround Advantage and thats anything with a Dimensional weight value below 24 pounds most anything over that goes fedex ground or home delivery. as a buyer ive never even been presented shipping "options" that ive noticed.  i guess this will remain somewhat of a mystery.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@mikeh880 wrote:

 on my end since day 1 i noticed when shipping it will show a shipping service and say buyer selected. and it seems to have no meaning on my end because i set my policies and it may say something different.... 

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I don't offer my buyers more than one option. Depending on the item, I offer either GA or priority mail. The buyer doesn't really have a choice however when someone buys an item, it shows as "buyer chose" based on what that listing showed as the shipping method. 

[anasazirose]

As long as delivery is the same amount of time or earlier, I may change the shipper based on where I am headed.  I go past the UPS store 3x a week, but I go by the PO every day, so even if it costs a little more, I may change the shipper to save my time or gas.  Generally I stick with USPS unless the item is large.  On listings where I offer UPS, I usually mention that I may change the shipper and if the buyer does not want me to, to please let me know at the time of purchase. 

I don't use Fed Ex because of their horrible chargebacks and they aren't convenient.