eBay

whitedavidp · ‎12-09-2019

Ebay shipping, via USPS, has been great for me and I recommend it. Recently, EBay added FedEx as an alternate shipping method. I used it to send an item a month ago and did this because the price shown was about $7 less than for USPS given the same weight and dimensions. In this case the cost shown was $13.88. With FedEx, unlike with USPS, you do NOT PayPal to pay the shipping. It is simply added to your monthly invoice along with other fees. This morning I got the invoice that contained this shipping charge. Normally I do not look at these in any detail but for some reason the total seemed high and so I did look. I discovered that the actual amount changed by FedEx for shipping this item was $34.86. That is a difference of over $20! I double checked everything and can see on my EBay records not only the amount and dimensions entered but also the price that was quoted. I called EBay, of course, and was given some **bleep** and bull story that FedEx decided to charge more (for reasons unclear - I was told at least 2 conflicting stories) and so EBay turned this around and charged me whatever FedEx says. Of course, I disputed that and the person on the phone said she would submit a dispute and pass it along to her boss. She also said that this was not the first time she had encountered this issue. I said I would never use FedEx via EBay again and she said that would be what she recommends. Finally, I disputed the charge with the credit card used to pay my EBay bill. So we will see how this all works out. But meantime, I would urged anyone to avoid FedEx via EBay. Obviously, FedEx via other services, like Bike Flights, is still on my list. But sheesh!

You have been warned...

corvettestainless · ‎12-09-2019

Just so you are aware, you cannot dispute 'part' of a payment on your CC. It's all or nothing.

Did you run that package (size/weight) through fed ex on line- what was the difference?

erkosuniverse · ‎12-09-2019

I had some bad experiences with fed ex as well,bike flights was no good for me,it was over-packaged for the small parts i bought and i was charged for the exact dimensions which the small items would have fit into a smaller box to begin with is my point.Also have bought things from other selling sites and received my items damaged proof of being the boxes were thrown or partially crushed.

Most of all i tried using their rates through a shipping source and it turned out lower than their web site offers,i was given story that the "source" must have an account to have the lower rates,etc. not making sense,but needless to say Yes,I myself avoid them as well,I hope no one else is "lured" in by their so called lower rates.

Once in a while i will have a buyer request fed-ex or ups,in which i will oblige the buyer and ship it that way,beforehand i caution the buyer these carriers are not the best.

cvillesales2012 · ‎12-09-2019

Same issue here with FedEx. In September I shipped an art print, that is, a piece of paper, cost was $13.80. In checking my Ebay charges at the end of the month, I was charged $142.29. I have been going around and around with EBay and do not see much hope for getting my money back. Cannot talk to FedEx because the account belongs to Ebay. Ebay should not offer FedEx as a shipper if they are going to continue to steal money, there are a lot of complaints in the community discussions over this issue. Sorry to hear they got you too, I intend to be the best free advertising Fedex has ever had, and am not too happy with Ebay's feeble attempts to straighten out the issue.

writertypes · ‎12-09-2019

I ship heavy-ish stuff, 20 to 30 pounds. Been using FedEx since 2007. Have tried the others. FedEx -- certainly for me -- has been HANDS-DOWN THE BEST carrier I could ever hope to use. They handle things properly, are mindful of "THIS SIDE UP" and "FRAGILE" notices. I wouldn't even consider shipping with anyone else.

Sorry you had problems. Packing well and smart is Job One. FedEx gets it there as intended.

richard1rst · ‎12-10-2019

Well, you could open your own FedEx account and avoid the eBay/FedEx finger pointing blame game. And you would get the discounts as the primary account.

You provide them with a credit card and your card is charged immediately so you can see exactly what the charge was right away. And as the primary account holder you would have direct standing to challenge anything you thought was wrong.

Problem solved.

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand

lja440 · ‎12-10-2019

I beg to differ. In all my years buying and selling FedEx has greatly outstripped UPS and USPS in mishandling packages. In these years I have had one damaged package via UPS and one via USPS, both were poorly packed in the extreme.

With FedEx half the time I struggle just to get the package. The drivers arrive at my house and more often than not slap a door tag on the front of my mailbox on the road and turn around and leave. A few times they have dumped it out in the middle of the driveway as they turn around. My drive fish hooks and goes uphill so I don't see it until I am almost on top of it.

There have been other careless delivery'. Packages flipped into the bed of the farm truck. (this is a tall 4x4 and has a bed that will hold water when it rains, yes soaked packages). They also have flipped it into the bed of my daughters friends truck when they were visiting. Packages have been thrown hard enough to skid through sawdust hitting the back of the garage. I had a camera that from the way the tire immediately went over the package had to be placed directly in back of the tire. The kicker was a parrot cage, it had been pouring rain all day. One of the few times I had the garage door down. FedEx placed it directly blocking the entry door. Package was drenched and I had to tear it down with my car keys just to get into my house.

I have only shipped FedEx returning damaged cell phones to Verizon insurance. Shipped back 3 and none ever reached the destination causing me to have to pay full price. The next one I shipped back on my dime via USPS, arrived in 2 days and account was credited without issue.

Oh and FedEx charged me $11.45 just to pick up a prepaid package, USPS package pick-up is free.

cvillesales2012 · ‎12-10-2019

The item was well packed and arrived in perfect condition, the issue is the $128.49 overcharge on shipping.

coast_of_maine_antiques · ‎12-10-2019

Yikes! I have been very happy with Fedex all the way around, but then... I have never "confirmed" the "estimated" cost that appears on the shipping label. I will now for sure.

I am who I am- those who matter don't mind. Those who mind, don't matter.

mvls1 · ‎12-10-2019

Wow what bad luck! We have shipped over 10,000 packages, about 10-15% with FedEx and only had 1 problem ( an over charge). Their service has been as good as USPS and better than UPS for us.

lja440 · ‎12-10-2019

I have no clue on the pricing for FedEx, the $11.45 pick up fee alone was enough to turn me off.

In all my years I have shipped USPS without issue. When asked I will ship UPS but I tell them I will have to use the UPS Store and it will be my day off before I can get there.

Damages incoming is one each via USPS and UPS and was getting close to 50% of the packages ACTUALLY delivered were arriving damage or damaged because of where they were delivered via FedEx.

writertypes · ‎12-12-2019

There are some wide variations in FedEx, indeed all shippers, reports. Seems to me quality of service is local or regional. If so, then what we're really experiencing is varied *quality of mid-tier management* among all shippers.