Issue with FedEx Smartpost Billing Quote

[sirshadow1001]

Wondered if anyone else was having trouble with the shipping quotes being given when they try to use FedEx Smartpost through eBay labels.  I'm in Chicago and the system is acting like I'm located in California.  For example, if I try to ship to Indiana the system quotes me a rate that's 1800 miles away, not 150 as Indiana is.  If I try to ship to California the system does the opposite.  Now I know FedEx will rerate the package and charge me the appropriate rate, but I like the eBay quote as a guide.  Anyone having a similar issue?

[sam9876]

I suggest that you not use Smartpost.

[llco3xmk]

I am having difficulty with smart post as well.  The buyer isn't being charged enough for shipping.  I've spoken to customer service and have been told this is a long term problem.  I stopped using smart post.

[berserkerplanet]

Not a Smartpost issue I've ever seen or heard about lately here as an issue. Does sound suspiciously like a problem other sellers have with USPS when they are seiing incorrect calculated amounts.

This sounds like your "ship from" zipcode is incorrect and may have an address and/or zipcode entered that's close to California.

Go to one of those sold items, choose "Print another label" (or whatever it is if using seller hub), and verify that the "ship from" address and zipcode on the left side of the eBay label page is yours and is correct.

Also, if you want, post the dimensions, weight, zone (or from and to zips), and quoted amount for one of those shipments and we can maybe see something.

[dougsue123b]

Smart post is not smart.

[sirshadow1001]

The "ship from" zipcode is the same as it's always been and this isn't an issue of dimensional weight or anything like that.  This is definitely eBay using the wrong originating location  when I ask for a quote using Smartpost.  Let's assume I put in a 2 pound package (measuring 8 x 4 x 1 if you like) going to a location that's less than 150 miles away and see what happens.  When I select FedEx Smartpost the system gives me a base charge of $10.98.  Which is the base charge for a Zone 8 shipment (1801+ miles away).  Without modifying anything, if I switch to FedEx Home Delivery it now gives me a base charge of $8.36 which is exactly what I would expect from a Zone 2 shipment.  If I switch to USPS it gives me $7.10 which is what I'd expect for Priority Mail to Zone 2.  Nothing changed in all this except the service in question.  So obviously something is going wrong when I try to get a Smartpost quote.

[berserkerplanet]

Yep. Your numbers are all correct. Those are the correct base rates from the published FedEx and USPS rate tables. Never seen that happen before, and can't even wrap my mind around how the calculator(s) could do that.

Does it happen when you use http://www.ebay.com/shp/Calculator and also on the actual eBay label creation page?

You said in you OP that the opposite happens when you try to create a label for zone 8 - that the Smartpost base rate is for zone 2. What happens if you try zone 4 or 5? (trying to see a pattern here if there is any)

[gr33ngerbil]

Buyer pays 6.30 shipping... when I go to make a label the cost is 7.80. Ebay shipping calculator says 6.30. Same exact numbers. They're just ripping us off.

[berserkerplanet]

►Buyer pays 6.30 shipping... when I go to make a label the cost is 7.80.
►Ebay shipping calculator says 6.30. Same exact numbers.

For what? Smartpost? Pkg dimensions and weight?