FedEx SmartPost doesn't use FedEx anymore?

[clutchc]

Did something change?  I have used FedEx Smartpost shipping for many years.  The Ebay-provided label always had both a FedEx bar code and a USPS barcode on it.  FedEx would take the package most of the way, and USPS would take it to the final destination.  Therefore, I always dropped off the package at FedEx.

Now however, FedEx won't accept the package because there is only a single USPS barcode on the label.  I have to take the package to USPS instead, where they tell me USPS takes it all the way themselves.  Why then is the Smartpost option still listed under the FedEx shipping options at Ebay?  And why is Smartpost cheaper than the USPS shipping options if USPS does all the work?  No complaints, just confused.

[dtexley3]

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@clutchc wrote:

Did something change?  I have used FedEx Smartpost shipping for many years.  The Ebay-provided label always had both a FedEx bar code and a USPS barcode on it.  FedEx would take the package most of the way, and USPS would take it to the final destination.  Therefore, I always dropped off the package at FedEx.

Now however, FedEx won't accept the package because there is only a single USPS barcode on the label.  I have to take the package to USPS instead, where they tell me USPS takes it all the way themselves.  Why then is the Smartpost option still listed under the FedEx shipping options at Ebay?  And why is Smartpost cheaper than the USPS shipping options if USPS does all the work?  No complaints, just confused.

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@clutchc Printed 2 FedEx Smartpost labels last night, both printed exactly the same as always. BUT, I used the workaround to get back to the classic shipping page so the labels would print in the correct orientation.

[clutchc]

@ dtexley3
Is this 'work-around' something obvious that I could do? Or would you rather not post it?

[dtexley3]

It's been posted elsewhere, so not a secret.  In the URL replace "new_label" with "back_to_classic" and then hit enter.  It will take you to the old label flow (at least for now).

@clutchc 

[coco9619]

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@johnrj1226 wrote:

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Here is a "for real" tracking report on a purchase that was shipped from Wisconsin via FedEx Smart post August 27. I suspect it will be handed over to USPS shortly as it is in Georgia right now. The tracking number format does not look like any USPS tracking # I have ever seen. USPS tracking has 22 digits - looks like FedEx uses 20.

Can't say where this seller bought their shipping label but it looks like Fed Ex is handling the first leg.

Tracking details

FedEx tracking #74899991286534809244

• Aug 30, 2019
• 12:36pm PDT

• Arrived at FedEx location
• FEDEX SMARTPOST ELLENWOOD, GA 30294

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And there it is, @clutchc. See how it's the same tracking number?

FedEx tracking #74899991286534809244

USPS tracking #9274899991286534809244