Refusing delivery because of postage due on USPS Flat-Rate boxes...

[fractalbay]

Hi all,

This is the first time I've encountered this scenario so I figured I'd post about it. I've read about this from the seller's perspective but I figured I'd post from a buyer's perspective.

Today I received a shipment from a seller who used a First Class Flat-Rate Box from USPS. The mail carrier told me there was postage due for $4.17. I had already paid the seller postage so I wondered why the extra cost.

The mail carrier told me the shipper (seller) had changed the proportions of the Flat-Rate box by cutting or folding it but had paid for Flat-Rate box postage. Since the box was no longer a Flat-Rate size, extra postage was due.

I refused to accept delivery because the extra postage would have doubled the postage fee I paid. This is, after all, the shipper's (seller's) problem and not mine. I'm sure the shipper will not be happy with the refused package and extra postage due that they will have to pay, but then it was their mistake and not mine.

If you're a seller using USPS, keep in mind that if you use Flat-Rate postage, you must adhere to Flat-Rate boxes—dimensions count!

[donsdetour]

Well the problem with this is: you declined the delivery so that could violate your buyers guarantee.

If you have the postage due in written form:

as in with tracking number shown, or it shows as such in the tracking; you should be alright.

Other wise you are hoping the seller is honest and will return your money.

[ed8108]

It appears that unfortunately, you have become a victim of USPS in their attempt to discourage eBay seller creativity.

Contact this seller.

[comics-scifi-collectibles]

@fractalbay   Let us know how getting your refund goes.  You may end up having to contact CS once the tracking shows it was delivered back to the seller

Just sharing the following to avoid any confusion that you were within your rights as a buyer to refuse the package. 

Buyer obligations

Generally, the buyer is responsible for accepting the item when it arrives. If the buyer refuses delivery, their claim is not eligible for the eBay Money Back Guarantee.

Exceptions:

• The buyer can provide, via written proof from the carrier, that they refused the package because it arrived empty or was damaged in shipping
• The buyer accepted and opened the package only to determine that it was an empty box
• The item arrived COD because it didn't have enough postage on it

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

[toysaver]

I received a shipment from a seller who used a First Class Flat-Rate Box from USPS

I've never heard of First Class Flat Rate packaging from the PO.   Are you sure you don't mean Priority?   It sounds like the seller put first class postage on a small Priority box, that would be about $4 difference.

I'm pretty sure my garage shelves would be bulging if free first class boxes from the PO existed.   One of the harder things for me to access is free little tiny boxes.   I get some at the grocery store and some with my free seller allotment but never anything from the PO for First Class.  

[fractalbay]

Mea culpa. I should have written Priority Flat-Rate. Not first-class.

[simba6]

The postal service did say you could not restyle a flat rate box. That included making a parallelogram shaped flat rate boxes. 

[fractalbay]

I agree with @ed8108 and indeed I did contact the seller.

So, the seller apologized for the extra postage cost incurred. They are re-sending items in the correct box. In their defense, they said the post office told them "cutting the box down was OK as long as [they] pay for Priority shipping."

There might have been some confusion on the seller's part between Flat-Rate box and "choose your own box" in Priority shipping but I'm only speculating here.

[fragilememories]

Yes,  sellers must pay Priority rate when using Priority boxes, common misconception, free boxes are not 'free' .