eBay

mustangtonic · ‎07-08-2024

Just another story of FedEx doing "cost adjustments" and Ebay being completely inept at getting their customer's money back.
I literally had the customer service guy (5 minutes ago) run the "FedEx adjusted" numbers and the results were exactly what I initially paid. FedEx had " investigated " and determined nothing to see here, and Ebay goes right along with it.
So, I can have the Rep do the shipping numbers and see a problem, I see the problem, yet FedEx and Ebay in general don't give a crap about fixing it.

And before you get off on the " It's billable weigggggghhhttttt" That's part of Ebay's shipping algorithm, or else EVERYONE would be having problems.

BTW, UPS was only a few dollars more, so either everyone is wrong... or FedEx are criminals who use this deceptive tactic to increase their bottom line.

wastingtime101 · ‎07-08-2024

Did you view the details of the adjustment? What reason was given for the cost adjustment?

GLORIOUS!

mustangtonic · ‎07-08-2024

From what was apparent, I put 18.3 lbs and adjusted to 18.4lbs. Size was still the same. Go ahead and run the numbers through Ebay.. except my zip code..
88101 buyer
35*25*5 18.4lbs
Seller 84101---close enough

Charged `$26 initial with a ~$31 additional charge.

wastingtime101 · ‎07-08-2024

Nah, that weight difference is not the reason for the adjustment. Open up the details and expand the "see cost breakdown" section on the bottom right. What does it say?

The example shown below is for "additional handling" because this package was shipped in a round tube. That section usually clues you in to the charge, but occasionally it doesn't. eBay CS should have been able to give you the specific reason.

Did you ship in a plain brown box or a polymailer or use a lot of tape? Yes, all that stuff counts when using UPS and FedEx.

Go to page 102 of this document. That will give you info for all of the "additional handling surcharge" factors that are not included in eBay's shipping calculator.

GLORIOUS!

mustangtonic · ‎07-08-2024

I know how to ship stuff through ebay... 20 plus years. Factory box.
This is the only info given for the adjustment.. so please TELL ME where the problem is... because apparently where the RED !!! isn't the problem according to you. Do you even bother at all to investigate the info posted or is your knee jerk reaction that FedEx and UPS can do no wrong??? You're not helping anything.
cost adjustment.jpg

wastingtime101 · ‎07-08-2024

You're kidding, right? I asked for the "cost breakdown" info specifically to investigate this and help you figure out why you were upcharged. If it's in error, as we often see with FedEx/UPS labels purchased through eBay, then it can be appealed. But I'm not going to tell a seller to waste their time appealing if it's a legit charge like nonstandard packaging.

Based on your screenshot we can see the bulk of the charge is for "additional handling" $27.45 so you'd need to figure out why FedEx applied an additional handling charge. If page 102 of the document I linked above does not help then you'll have to contact CS. Not sure if FedEx can tell you or if you have to go through eBay CS. If there is an error, then the only way to appeal is to ask eBay CS to file the appeal with FedEx since the label was purchased using eBay's FedEx account.

I'll leave the rest of the details to you since it appears you don't my help. Good luck.

GLORIOUS!

orangehound · ‎07-08-2024

@mustangtonic wrote:
I know how to ship stuff through ebay... 20 plus years. Factory box.
This is the only info given for the adjustment.. so please TELL ME where the problem is...

@mustangtonic

The additional charges all look proper to me.

You have a delivery area surcharge of $5.70 ... this means that the zip code where the package is delivered is in an extended service area (typically rural).
You have an additional "packaging" handling surcharge of $24 (zones 5-6), which is documented on page 125 of the 2024 FedEx Service Guide. This means that your packaging was not a plain, rectangular cardboard box sealed with packaging tape. If you wrapped it in mylar, put on duct tape, the box had banding straps, the product was poking through the cardboard, or the package was irregular in shape, then you get slapped with this surcharge.
You have a "demand" surcharge of $3.45 (documented on this page) which is because FedEx is short staffed and they are assessing a penalty anytime some has to handle the package manually.

pjcdn2005 · ‎07-08-2024

I don't use Fedex but from what I know, carriers do not charge for larger packages in ounce increments as the price is based on the number of pounds and / or dimensions. So the change from 18.38 - 18.4 isn't going to make a difference in price as @wastingtime101 stated. He was attempting to help you by explaining that there must be a different reason for the overcharge and that it may or may not be able to be removed.

toysaver · ‎07-08-2024

I get a dimensional weight of 32 pounds for a 35x25x5 box with a weight of 18.4 pounds.

The shipping charge is based on the dimensional weight or actual weight of the package, whichever is greater.

Dimensional Weight Calculator (omnicalculator.com)

wastingtime101 · ‎07-08-2024

Dimensional weight is not the problem @toysaver . eBay's calculator factors in dimensional weight and charges rates accordingly. As you can see from the screenshot above, the "billable weight" was 28 lbs. That's the weight that was used for this label. I suggest using eBay's dimensional weight guide for proper divisors because 32 lb is not accurate. https://ir.ebaystatic.com/pictures/aw/shipping/DIM_Weight_Guide.pdf

36 x 25 x 5 / 166 = 27.1 which means the original billable weight of 28 lbs is correct. No issue there.

In addition to the difference between 18.38 and 18.4 lbs being a moot point (because both would be billed as 19 lb), the actual weight was never a factor and FedEx never disputed the package dimensions or billable (dimensional) weight of 28 lbs.

Something about the package resulted in $27.45 "additional handling" - whether it's because the "factory box" mentioned was not a plain brown box, whether there was FedEx's favorite "too much tape" or some other reason, the "additional handling" is the primary reason for this cost adjustment.

GLORIOUS!

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎07-08-2024

@wastingtime101 wrote:
You're kidding, right? I asked for the "cost breakdown" info specifically to investigate this and help you figure out why you were upcharged. If it's in error, as we often see with FedEx/UPS labels purchased through eBay, then it can be appealed. But I'm not going to tell a seller to waste their time appealing if it's a legit charge like nonstandard packaging.

Based on your screenshot we can see the bulk of the charge is for "additional handling" $27.45 so you'd need to figure out why FedEx applied an additional handling charge. If page 102 of the document I linked above does not help then you'll have to contact CS. Not sure if FedEx can tell you or if you have to go through eBay CS. If there is an error, then the only way to appeal is to ask eBay CS to file the appeal with FedEx since the label was purchased using eBay's FedEx account.

I'll leave the rest of the details to you since it appears you don't my help. Good luck.

@wastingtime101

@mustangtonic

Not sure how exactly it works on dot com but on dot ca when you get an "upcharge" it just shows up on your fees. It references the original tracking number but no additional details. CA sellers report this happening quite regularly. It's a major challenge to find out the why and then to get it corrected. Because you cannot contact anyone directly at eBay labels it's very challenging. If the situation with Canadapost and you contact them, they will suggest contacting eBay and it just goes back and forth. Similar resolving claims issues with carriers.

wastingtime101 · ‎07-08-2024

It's different in US and Canada. Here in the US we can usually see the reason for the cost adjustment. With UPS/FedEx the reason provided may be somewhat broad (like additional handling) or vague, they don't necessarily provide the specific details (like when additional handling is applied because a package is shrink wrapped, for example). With USPS the reason provided is always straightforward.

As you can see from screenshots above, there is a reason provided in the cost breakdown for this label. It's up to the seller to figure out if the charge is legit or if it should be appealed.

Appealing through USPS is very straightforward, done through email or phone to USPS. Appealing UPS/FedEx has to be done through eBay CS - they file the appeal on your behalf. It's very common.

GLORIOUS!

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎07-08-2024

@wastingtime101 wrote:
It's different in US and Canada. Here in the US we can usually see the reason for the cost adjustment. With UPS/FedEx the reason provided may be somewhat broad (like additional handling) or vague, they don't necessarily provide the specific details (like when additional handling is applied because a package is shrink wrapped, for example). With USPS the reason provided is always straightforward.

As you can see from screenshots above, there is a reason provided in the cost breakdown for this label. It's up to the seller to figure out if the charge is legit or if it should be appealed.

Appealing through USPS is very straightforward, done through email or phone to USPS. Appealing UPS/FedEx has to be done through eBay CS - they file the appeal on your behalf. It's very common.

@wastingtime101

Thanks for the clarification. We have been asking for detailed bills with Canadapost, Fedex and UPS for years. Unfortunately no headway on that front. Many sellers need to claim any tax charged for business purposes. The revised charges are a more recent thing but have never included an explanation. They can show up a week later or several weeks. Out of the blue. And these charges are for sellers that know what they are doing. Used Shippo for close to 5 years. The one time I got a new bill it included reasoning. Corrected measurements. Clear and simple.

With shipping tubes if you were to purchase a label on CP you could tick off the check box and charge added automatically. With ebay labels no such option. Have yet to try to test signature required. Printed bill has EVERYTHING imbedded and isn't viewable to shipper.

-Lotz

orangehound · ‎07-09-2024

@wastingtime101 wrote:
I'll leave the rest of the details to you since it appears you don't my help. Good luck.

Something about the package resulted in $27.45 "additional handling" - whether it's because the "factory box" mentioned was not a plain brown box, whether there was FedEx's favorite "too much tape" or some other reason, the "additional handling" is the primary reason for this cost adjustment.

OP hasn't returned with comments to this thread, despite being tagged.

Likely because, as both you and I pointed out, his shipment had improper packaging that FedEx doesn't allow through their automated package handling system. Someone can have 20+ years of USPS shipping experience, and it doesn't mean a hill of beans when you ship with FedEx ... FedEx uses a different set of shipping rules, and they are merciless at enforcing them.