Need help with APO

[ladsm10]

So I sold an item for 67$ typically I put free shipping because shipping shouldn't had been more than 20$ but this buyer has an APO address which shipping is about 41 $ which in my opinion is not worth it anymore. Should I just cancel it and refund them the money. I even tried printing with FedEx since it would only been about 20 but no it only wants usps which in my opinion 41 dollars for 67$ item is totally not worth it. 

[ladsm10]

And to make it worse this item is like brand new they typically go for 120+ I had it for 75 but with a special time discount of 10%. I think it's unfair they want to force you to pay more shipping on someone military when in my opinion they should pay the difference not the seller

[nobody*s_perfect]

APO is "Army Post Office" so you can only ship via USPS.

I suspect that you have underestimated the postage cost for that item.  You should check what it would cost to ship to a ZIP Code near you or on the east coast; it's probably way more than $20 to any location. APO goes by ZIP Code.

Could you please share the package weight and dimensions, and the buyer's ZIP Code?

[ladsm10]

Actually it shouldn't because to a location such as new York Max it would had been was 22$ from California 

[nobody*s_perfect]

How big is that item? USPS Ground Advantage has a surcharge of $8.40 for packages over 30 inches long.

[ladsm10]

Just double checked and it's 25 to a far location at max so this place is charging 15 more 

[simply-the-best-for-you · Accepted solution]

Yup, it doesn't cost more, it costs the same as to anywhere else.  I also think you underestimated & it's your mistake, you need to ship it.   Is it the workout machine?  If so, it may have had surcharges for the length, which applies to anywhere, has nothing to do with it being an APO.   Depending on the length of the item, there are 2 categories of surcharges, one is like $4 extra & the other is like $18 or 20 extra.  

If you cancel it, you will get a Defect on your account & you are allowed very few defects, you may find your account closed.  

Here's the AI overview for the length surcharges: 

USPS charges a non-standard fee for packages that exceed 22 inches in length. If the length is between 22 and 30 inches, a $4.00 surcharge is applied. If the length is greater than 30 inches, the surcharge increases to $15.00. Additionally, a $15.00 surcharge may be applied if the package's volume exceeds 2 cubic feet. 

[ladsm10]

Either ways it doesn't make sense for me because if the item I normally use FEDEX or UPS but this item is APO and they forcing me to use the most expensive shipper for heavy item of 6lbs 48×6×6

[ladsm10]

Tbh im just going to ship it. Luckily that's the only big item I had. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

It's the 48" that's the issue, there's a $15 USPS surcharge for that.  That's on you for not knowing that, it's been in place for years.  Also, it has NOTHING to do with the APO, that surcharge is for anywhere!   I just posted abut the length surcharge for you, 2 replies above with details.

[ladsm10]

The surcharge I think its only for usps like I said I only ship big items with FedEx and UPS, so this whole forcing to usps for me just seems a bit unfair. But next time I'll put no free shipping on big items. And make them pay

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@ladsm10 wrote:

Tbh im just going to ship it. Luckily that's the only big item I had. 

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You're doing the right thing.  You'd have had to pay the $15 surcharge even if you mailed it next door.  Better to be out $15 than to lose your account.  

I would highly reccomend Calculated Shipping, that way you never have to worry about this.  Just put in the weight AND the dimensions & it will do it all for you automatically.  As you sadly discovered, the dimensions are important even if it's NOT over the length surcharge amount.  Dimensions come into play with USPS over 1 pound now. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@ladsm10 wrote:

The surcharge I think its only for usps like I said I only ship big items with FedEx and UPS, so this whole forcing to usps for me just seems a bit unfair. But next time I'll put no free shipping on big items. And make them pay

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That may be.  I'm not sure, I only use USPS & yeah, you do have to use USPS for APO/FPO.  In my experience of almost 30 years though, I've maybe had 1/2 dozen of these in all that time.  You probably won't get another one for years. 

[ladsm10]

Anyways thanks. Imma just print it out. Have a good day

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Thank you, happy to help.  Sorry you had to learn the hard way, but that's how it goes sometimes.