Shipping 15 lbs to Hawaii as a USPS flat rate envelope?

[gowanus_king]

Hi all:

Never had this happen so need advice... I sold a computer to someone in Hawaii, in a 'remote area' no less. I always prefer shipping UPS Ground just cuz I know them better. I specified that in my description, see screenshot below. 

Buyer used 'buy it now' and paid me. Ebay or buyer allowed/forced a change from my choice of shipper to 'USPS flat rate envelope'. Clearly this computer will not fit in a flat rate envelope. The UPS (not USPS) website gives me a price of about $250 and will only accept a 2nd Day Air shipment. 

I can print a USPS shipper label which shows 'flat rate envelope'. What happens if I take this to the post office? Will they accept it? If they do will they ding me later with a bill for the excess freight? Or will they charge the buyer? Or should I just cancel the order? I usually specify 'free shipping lower 48' but missed it on this one. OTOH I said 'UPS Ground Saver' which doesn't exist to Hawaii. 

[wastingtime101]

That's not what happened @gowanus_king .

You offered UPS Ground. Technically the buyer selected UPS Ground as it was the only shipping option.

Because UPS Ground is not available to Hawaii through eBay, you are unable to purchase a UPS Ground label and the system is defaulting to USPS Priority Flat Rate because it's the cheapest option.

But you absolutely cannot buy a Priority Flat Rate label for this package.

First, the laptop won't fit. Second, a preowned laptop has to comply with all hazmat regulations which means it cannot ship Priority - it has to ship Ground (surface transportation) with appropriate markings and take the slow boat to Hawaii.

You can ship using USPS Ground Advantage if the buyer agrees since it's not the advertised shipping method on the listing. The buyer should be informed it could take a couple weeks longer to arrive.

If the buyer does not want to wait and files a non-receipt claim after you ship, you'll be forced to refund.

Bottom line: You need to apply an exclusion to AK/HI/PO Boxes when the only service you're offering is UPS or FedEx. If you did that, the buyer would have never been able to purchase.

If you cancel you will need to use the "out of stock" reason. This is not a problem with the buyer's address; it's a problem with your settings and shipping exclusions.

[gowanus_king]

Thanks for the helpful advice on how this went down. I should have specified that it's a desktop, not a laptop, so no lithium batteries involved here. 

[wastingtime101]

Ah, sorry - I should have looked at the listing. Advice still stands on the rest.

Now you know how it happened and what steps to take next (and how to prevent in future). Communicate the buyer and figure out what you're going to do - use a different shipping service or cancel the order.

[gowanus_king]

Thanks for the great advice. I cancelled the order, ebay accepted, and I messaged the buyer explaining why. Relisted with proper exclusions.