eBay

nerdology559 · ‎06-25-2022

So, I had an order that failed to deliver as of a first attempt yesterday. Buyer informed me and also sent a picture of a USPS notice they received.

Number one, it says the package needed $5.30 in shipping cost. The buyer paid $5.50 on shipping, and the generated label was $4.15 after eBay's discount from buying here on the platform.

The order was for a recent necktie of mine that sold. Package dimensions: 6 ounces, 11 x 9 x 2. Shipped in a mailing box provided by the USPS.

Number two, the package was noted as being in a Priority Mail Box, but not checked off. (I have never had a problem shipping First-Class with these boxes) I have shipped multiple previous orders like this before without a problem.

Number three, the buyer has told me that the USPS has up charged due to the fact is was shipped "Priority Mail." On my end, eBay says that it was shipped First-Class, and says no secure location available when tracking. Buyer wants a refund for the up charge.

Any advisement would be appreciated. I'm a little confused as to why the issue appeared, and how to continue going about this. Is it a USPS system error? Is it an eBay generated label issue? Or is it my shipping box? Not sure.

rosszonebricks · ‎06-25-2022

Did you put a First-Class label on a Priority Shipping Box?

stainlessenginecovers · ‎06-25-2022

If you shipped in a 'mailing box' provided by USPS- was it a Priority Mailing Box? If so, you put a First Class Label on a Priority Box- which you CANNOT do. The fee is correct. Bummer that USPS is charging your customer instead of you (sometimes you can get a message from eBay that USPS is charging YOU an additional $ABC.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎06-25-2022

If you used a USPS Priority Mail box, then the issue is indeed your box. If you use a Priority box, then you have to pay for Priority shipping. I'm surprised that you have never had one come up with Postage Due before this. You owe your buyer for the postage difference that he had to pay.

mandisattictoyz · ‎06-25-2022

What you did is illegal technically. You can’t ship first class in free paid by usps priority mail boxes and expect for any reason not to pay the priority mailing rate. I am glad they caught you doing this and no wonder the postage keeps going up. Using free boxes to ship cheap rates, shame on you.

klhmdg · ‎06-25-2022

If you used a Priority USPS box and only paid for First class postage, then yes you are at fault.

Priority boxes can only be used by paying Priority postage.

There are no 1st class USPS boxes.

You will need to pay the charge to the buyer.

klhmdg • Volunteer Community Mentor

bashort · ‎06-25-2022

I am surprised that you just did not get charged the extra through ebay.

I have had a couple where I accidently put a regional a label on a non regional box, they have been just billing me through ebay, and I have had quite a few where I bought postage for a weight greater than what it actually weighed and have been getting credited for these.

albertabrightalberta · ‎06-25-2022

@nerdology559 wrote:
So, I had an order that failed to deliver as of a first attempt yesterday. Buyer informed me and also sent a picture of a USPS notice they received.

Number one, it says the package needed $5.30 in shipping cost. The buyer paid $5.50 on shipping, and the generated label was $4.15 after eBay's discount from buying here on the platform.

The order was for a recent necktie of mine that sold. Package dimensions: 6 ounces, 11 x 9 x 2. Shipped in a mailing box provided by the USPS.

Number two, the package was noted as being in a Priority Mail Box, but not checked off. (I have never had a problem shipping First-Class with these boxes) I have shipped multiple previous orders like this before without a problem.

Number three, the buyer has told me that the USPS has up charged due to the fact is was shipped "Priority Mail." On my end, eBay says that it was shipped First-Class, and says no secure location available when tracking. Buyer wants a refund for the up charge.

Any advisement would be appreciated. I'm a little confused as to why the issue appeared, and how to continue going about this. Is it a USPS system error? Is it an eBay generated label issue? Or is it my shipping box? Not sure.

The reason the package was "undeliverable" is probably because the buyer wasn't home to pay for the COD balance.

This whole debacle is a result of your own wrongdoing. As you've been told, you can't use priority packaging for non-priority mail. In fact, it states right on the boxes and priority envelopes that it's only for use with USPS priority services.

As for ebay showing "that it was shipped First-Class" that's because that's the service you paid for.

You not only owe the buyer a full refund of the upcharge but IMO, you owe the buyer a full sincere apology and instead of making excuses that you do this all the time, own your mistake and learn a lesson.

If I'd made this mistake, I'd not only refund the buyer for the extra payment but I'd issue a full refund of the entire amount for the inconvenience he/she experienced. It would be an inexpensive lesson to you to ensure it will never happen again.

albertabrightalberta
Volunteer Community Mentor

onlinecentral · ‎06-25-2022

Is it a USPS system error? Is it an eBay generated label issue? Or is it my shipping box?

A USPS provided Priority Mail box requires Priority Mail rate postage. It was your error for attempting to circumvent USPS rules.

(I have never had a problem shipping First-Class with these boxes)

You were lucky that the USPS did not upcharge those packages in the past.

Buyer wants a refund for the up charge.

You should refund the up charge to the buyer.

nerdology559 · ‎06-25-2022

To be honest, I did not know. I have expected issues to come up, as I continue to get into selling on eBay more, and add variety. Haven't had hardly any problems appear so far. As to why my previous orders didn't get flagged or get up charged, I'm not sure about that either. I thought I was in the clear in regards to shipping the same way. Would've been clarified on this issue months ago if I had gone through this back then.

I'll basically invest in some more non-USPS boxes, possibly the same dimensions. Might be a personal prevention to do so for future business. And of course refund the buyer. Thank you @rosszonebricks, @stainlessenginecovers, @nobody*s_perfect, @mandisattictoyz, @klhmdg, @bashort, @albertabrightalberta, and @onlinecentral.

With refunding the buyer directly, will I still be notified to pay the extra charge through eBay then??? I believe I had a weight issue appear in my beginning days of selling, that eBay notified me about. I went through eBay without communication with a buyer. I wouldn't want to be charged twice.

As far prevention goes, would it be better to ideally avoid using USPS for light items??? Most of the orders I've had to ship recently are small items typically better to be placed in a bubble mailer not-USPS related. I had used a mailing box for the necktie assuming the tie would be safer and better protected. But, now, I obviously used the wrong sort of box.

714ricki · ‎06-25-2022

There could be a couple of scenarios.

1) The possible use of a Priority Mail box or envelope

2) A Priority Mail sticker or tape was on your box or parcel

The dimensions & weight appear to be OK & wouldn;t trigger the parcel up to Priority Mail.

nerdology559 · ‎06-25-2022

If it wasn't for the USPS mailing box, it would've been just fine. Just not the right box was used.

nerdology559 · ‎06-25-2022

I know, that's one of the surprising parts about it. I'm still wondering if I'll be charged directly by the USPS. Even with sending a refund. I just don't want to be charged twice.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎06-25-2022

@nerdology559 wrote: ... would it be better to ideally avoid using USPS for light items??? Most of the orders I've had to ship recently are small items typically better to be placed in a bubble mailer not-USPS related. ....

USPS First Class package is the best shipping option for packages up to 1 pound. But you have to provide the packaging, you can't use the Priority Mail boxes or envelopes.