How long does it take for an answer from USPS when disputing an underpaid charge adjustment?

[train_slide_central]

I shipped 6 comedy CD's via media mail and it was in a plain cardboard box 8 x 6 x 4" .  I shipped it Media Mail and it was $5.50  I got a notice of underpaid adjustment and they claim I sent it in a Large Priority flat rate box measuring 12.25" x 12" x 6" , and they gave me an additional charge of $14.28.. It says service used did not match service on label. 

This is 100%  not true, I have never used a large Priority flat rate box in my life. Is there anything I can do about it? 

On December 20 I sent in the dispute to Verifypostagehelp@usps.gov and received an acknowledgement that they received it, but it has been 2 1/2 weeks, and no further communication.

[ebooksdiva]

If your weight  and measurements were off that would be another reason for the charge. 
How long does it take for an answer to your appeal? I wouldn’t know because I’ve never done that. 
FYI… They don’t charge flat rate prices for under paid adjustments. They use straight  priority rates.

[stainlessenginecovers · Accepted solution]

Can take a couple months...

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @train_slide_central 

My guess would include them thinking you were abusing the Media Mail shipping service based on the box size and weight you shipped without opening the package and verifying the contents.  

[train_slide_central]

My weights and measurements were not incorrect.  Their updated measurements of a large priority box were wrong. 

[train_slide_central]

That wasn't my question. And the box size they say I used was many times the size of my actual box.

[train_slide_central]

I don't know what rate they are using when overcharging me. But I am just telling what their e-mail says. They claim I used a large flat rate box. And they charged me an additional  $14.28

[mr_lincoln]

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@train_slide_central wrote:

That wasn't my question. And the box size they say I used was many times the size of my actual box.

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@train_slide_central 

No but it could be the reason you wound up having to ask the question in the first place.  

[stainlessenginecovers]

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@train_slide_central wrote:

My weights and measurements were not incorrect.  Their updated measurements of a large priority box were wrong. 

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It happens; happened to me- said the item weighed 35 lbs...I couldn't fit 35 lbs of pure melted steel in the box that I used. 

I said that.

Took a couple months; got my $$ back. 

[cashmeredelight]

there's a special number to call to request a review but it's been awhile so I forgot it. Apparently a photo is made when the weight is questioned but sometimes the clerk clicks on the choice.The rep who helped me solvedmydilemma and credited me the money within 15 minutes.

[wastingtime101]

Hey @train_slide_central . The answer is (link) :

How long will it take USPS to review my dispute? How can I check the status of my dispute?

USPS may review all scan data relating to your piece in question, including image analysis, and if such an error has occurred, we will work through our PC Postage partners to return the amount in question. Most responses can be expected in 2-5 business days, and at most 15 business days. The status of your dispute claim is available from your PC Postage provider and may be updated daily.

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Posting my standard APV appeal advice below for anybody that may find it helpful:

This happens to me all the time. It's a pain in the ass, but it's easy to appeal. Send USPS an email verifypostagehelp@usps.gov with the following details:

In order for USPS to investigate your dispute they must have the following information:

• Full Name
• Phone Number with area code
• Email
• 10 digit Revenue Assurance ID or USPS Adjustment ID of each record to be reviewed
• IMpb or tracking number starting with 94 or 420

I generally describe the problem, as well. Shipped 8 oz t-shirt in plain white polymailer with eBay logo, was up charged based on a Priority Flat Rate Envelope packaging which was not used.

Educated guess: packages sometimes get stuck together or are too close together when going through the sorting machinery so the scans are reading a different package. When you file an appeal, USPS will look at the actual photos taken during sorting and they will see the package and grant the refund.

USPS sends the refund to your original source of payment (credit card, bank, paypal, etc).

https://www.ebay.com/ship/lmng

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Automated-Package-Verification-Program

[1786davycrockett]

@train_slide_central 

This also happened to me several years ago -- I received the USPS email thru my regular eBay account.

Basically the same type of notice:  my USPS Media item was tagged as a much larger USPS Priority box, even though the weights were significantly different, and I wasn't using any USPS Priority materials.

I actually made my appeal through the 800 phone number supplied through the USPS email, and talked with a REAL LIVE HUMAN BEING!  She informed me that this happens a lot, largely because a piece of tape from one item has attached itself to another nearby item.  She provided me with an appeal number, and informed me that an investigation would be made of the offending camera scan.

I received my refund a few days later.  Unfortunately, my USPS Media package was still stuck to the other USPS Priority box, and never was received by my buyer, so I sent my buyer a refund, with an apology and an explanation.

Moral:  Make sure your tape is secure, with no exposed sticky flaps.

[anasazirose]

Try calling.  I was able to get someone on the phone rather quickly the

one time I had to call.

[b86fiero]

It took about 8 days for my dispute to be resolved. USPS refunded the additional funds they charged me through eBay.

I had shipped a 3oz first class/ground advantage 4x6" bubble mailer and USPS claimed it was a 2lb box. 

I called the USPS phone number provided and spoke with a very nice male employee. He explained the process and that USPS would look at the camera footage to determine what the issue was. He told me that often in these cases two packages hit the scale at the same time and skews the actual weight.

Hope yours resolves to your favor quickly.