FedEx revising invoices, then overcharging by 400%

[avvid]

Alert:

It appears FedEx is now "rescanning" or reprinting labels when in transit, and falsely padding the weight on a given item. This results in crazy add on costs such as:

"Residential surcharge"

"Fuel surcharge"

"Carrier rate"

"Additional handling"

"Misc1 amount"

My latest dispute is a carefully weighed and measured poster! In a tube. It weighed 1.5 lbs. It's just paper, artwork... But FedEx claims it weighed 4 pounds! More than a pair of boots!  Is this some kind of systemic grift on the part of FedEx???? The in your face mendacity has me shellshocked! Is it collusion between FedEx and eBay? This is nuts! I was hardly making any money on this sale to begin with... Now I'm going to lose nearly the cost of the sale in its entirety. I am effing livid.

I'll know within 5 days what the outcome of this dispute is.  Seems like I'm not alone, but what's unclear is how do I prove the absurdity of FedEx' lie? I dont have the poster or the shipping tube in my hands anymore, the customer has it! 

/rant

[alcoforever]

I suspect you were hit with an oversize package surcharge.   I don't know for sure about FedEx but I know that USPS adds $15 to the price when it is a 36" tube.   There is also a lesser charge if the tube is over 22".

Those USPS surcharges have made many items no longer viable on ebay:  fishing rods, curtain rods, pool cues, baseball bats, golf clubs, posters, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't use FedEx if it was the last shipping company on earth.

[pcobra93]

Oh boy....not this issue again I hope.

[pcobra93]

Always get a drop off receipt with the weight the retail center shows on their scale. FedEx does not automatically put it on the receipt (this is deceptive practice) and you have to ask for it. The counter person will tell you they cannot do it, but they 100% can. Tell them to get a manager or push "F8" and then "update weight"....I have fought this battle many times over the years. Fedex and UPS both do it. Usually happens when they change rates after you print the label and before delivery for some reason. Ebay is well aware of the issue. DO NOT get off the phone before the ebay agent issues you a "one time courtesy refund". DO NOT let them tell you they are filing a dispute with FedEx and get back to you....they NEVER will get back to you and you will always lose. Demand they prove the weight by providing a receipt of weight or you want refunded. The amount of overcharge it typically an even amount like $17....which makes no sense. Always fight these if you know you had the correct weight and do not listen to anyone on here that brings up "dimensional weight"....I am tired of that excuse. We put the dimensions and weight in to the calculator for a reason.

[avvid]

pcobra93, that is excellent insight and advice.  Thank you.  Unfortunately, I was already off the phone with eBay when I posted the above message.  They told me they'll have an answer for me within 5 days - by Friday, December 23rd.  I just can't fathom that they'd rule against me - how on earth can a print (poster) be nearly 4 lbs!   It was 1.5 lbs including the 4" x 4" x 23" tube.   A shipping tube with paper and ink inside!   I'm not a novice, I've been buying and selling on eBay for over two decades.

I will definitely have to print out your advice and be ready for "next time".  I figured I'd just have to pay cash in the future rather than purchase FedEx shipping labels via eBay in the future.  But the added weigh in information is invaluable.

In regards to the FedEx "grift", the crime occurs when they claim there is a "Shipping Exception"  - that the  barcode label was unreadable and needs to be replaced.   I mean, are low level FedEx employees really trying to earn brownie points by ripping us off like this?  I can't imagine they'd be getting a bonus or anything!

If I don't get my money back from eBay, I'm not so sure I have any recourse.  If I were a millionaire with time to burn, then I'd definitely sue both eBay and Fedex...   But I'm getting ahead of myself.   Let's just see how this turns out.

need to be recreated.  

[simba6]

This is not new with Fedex.   I would avoid shipping with them.  Been going on over two years now.  I have had package tracking the label was replaced.  Seemed to be a lot of unreadable barcode........

[pcobra93]

Well....it definitely appears we are going to be dealing with this again.... Just got one that was originally $15.94 that ended up being $20.94.....exactly $5 over....Yet no explanation.

[pcobra93]

Where did you get the information on the cost you posted? I used to be able to get this for FedEx (never for UPS) but now since they have changed EVERYTHING....I cannot find it.

[pcobra93]

Just to let you know why this happened on weight is that they have automated weighing systems (USPS calls it "revenue assurance") and when you mail a longer item it gets stuck on the scale with another box. I had this happen a lot when I was mailing out long boxes with antennas. I am not sure if FedEx or UPS takes pictures like USPS....I have never "won" a case with FedEx but have with USPS as their picture clearly shows in on the scale with another box. I don't think FedEx even looks....they just automatically deny ebay on their disputes. I was actually told this by an ebay rep.... that she had never seen one "won" out of hundreds of disputes she filed with FedEx...Looks like I will be going with UPS and USPS for a while now.

[laststopgeneralstore]

dimensional weight. google fedex(insert service, ups, fedex, usps etc...) dimentional weight and you'll have your answer. Gotta be careful when using them. Glad I switched my business model but when I was selling electronics I've had a few instances were this had happened.

[lesegouts]

Avoid FedEx like the plague unless you're a pro.

[pcobra93]

It is NOT dimensional weight. We put in the weight and dimensions...are you saying the calculator is too stupid to calculate that up front?

[avvid]

I won my dispute. I'm thinking eBay just used common sense and saw *what* I had shipped: A sheet of paper! Not a brick! Or perhaps I'm receiving a lucky one time courtesy waiver. I was pretty intense on the phone with eBay Customer Service - there is a dark, vengeful streak in me, I will admit. And I'm sure it came across verbally on the phone.

Excerpt from eBay:
-------------------------------------
"eBay is going to credit these charges back to your account! I have already added the credit to the batch file that gets processed on Mondays, and then will be administered to your eBay account within 10 business days.

Tracking #: xxxxxxxxx
Amount Credited: $27.94

Here are the details as to why FedEx charged these added charges for future reference:

The Additional Handling Surcharge was assessed for weight.

Please let us know if you have any questions – we’re happy to help!

Thank you,
xxxxxx|FedEx Disputes Team

Additional Handling Charges
https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/Fees_Shipping_Information.pdf
---------------------------------------------
Thank you, everyone, for your input. pcobra93 for the solid CYA advice, which I will follow through with. alcoforever, you're absolutely right about some items no longer being viable on eBay, due to shipping cost. FedEx is definitely rotten - but I'm thinking it depends on specific managers at a given location. I would definitely join any Class Action lawsuit against FedEx. Also thanks laststopgeneralstore, lesegouts, and simba6.

pcobra93, I was able to get one of the screenshots from

1. EBAY web site --> My eBay Selling Overview --> Selling --> Shipping Labels --> click on FedEx Home Delivery (in the Shipment details / Cost column) --> Show more

2. FEDEX web site --> tracking

In summary, my hard lesson learned:

Certain FedEx locations have learned how to generate additional revenue for their store - reprinting a label, with finger or foot pressed on the scale to pad the weight and therefore cost. We need to Cover Our A**es by not buying a label via eBay (in spite of the discount). If you DO decide to buy the label, perhaps print out 3 or 4 and slap them multiple times on the box or tube (to circumvent the unlikely "barcode label unreadable" scam). Otherwise, pay cash in person at a FedEx drop off, and have them print out a receipt with the weight itemized on the receipt. But knowing FedEx now, even this wouldn't protect you entirely - I wouldn't be surprised seeing them snail mailing you an invoice as well.

For the record, I do use USPS ninety percent of the time. But for larger items, I typically have to go with FedEx Home Delivery to save on shipping. I'm mainly a buyer on eBay! But have sold hundreds of items over the years. I'm not a pro, but arguably an "experienced" seller. 

[pcobra93]

Sounds like ebay just gave you a "courtesy" refund in the end which is good. They always have to me when I called them out on it. I still think they have a legal responsibility to provide you with a detailed shipping invoice....which they cannot provide. When  I was having all my trouble with this a few years ago, I was asking FedEx to put the weight on the label (which they said they could not for a long time until I got a manager involved and figured out how to) and they asked me why I wanted it. I explained the situation and originally they seriously said "they do not take the weight we come up with here at the store anyway and that is why we do not include it on the drop off receipt".....I paused and asked them "are you charging people based on your weight you get here at the store? How do you charge someone extra if they do not pay with a credit card and accept terms that you can charge more".....and "what do you think the bureau of weights and measures for the state would say considering your scale here at the store is certified by the sticker there on the side"...That is when they got my point I think and researched how to add the weight for me. When you have the drop off receipt from their retail store showing the weight, they have no legal way of charging you any surcharge for weight. Again, dimensional weight is a bogus argument since we put in the weight AND dimensions. I am glad you got the refund!

[carlmarxx]

It  appears  that  you have  a odd sized  package   based  on  size  . but  the final  2 charges don't make any since.   I never  heard   of   extra handling charge  or  Miscl amt.   .   they may have damaged the barcode.   It does help to tape up the  label  for additional protection .