Shipping charges

[mayfieldm96]

I recently sold an item and charged the buyer for $7.99 with USPS Ground Advantage. Upon checking it later on I found that I was charged $30.87 for the shipping label. I live in NY and shipped the item to California, it weighed less than 2 pounds. I haven’t received any explanation as to why it was so much more expensive than the $7.99. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[evry1nositswindy · Accepted solution]

What were the dimensions of the box/package?  It sounds like you had a dimensional fee and if you shipped it with improper postage for this, you were charged a non-compliance fee.  https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Parcel-Size-Weight-Fee-Standards  

[mayfieldm96]

It was a medium sized duffle bag when folded was approximately 14x14x2 

[wastingtime101]

Hi @mayfieldm96 . Was $30.87 the initial label cost or did it come through as a cost adjustment? If it was an adjustment, what was the original cost and what was the adjustment amount?

Can you confirm if you used USPS or another carrier and which service? This page will tell you for sure:

https://www.ebay.com/ship/labels/seller-hub

[mayfieldm96]

I have to check the USPS receipt but I think it was for $7.99. It definitely didn’t say $30.87. However, I do recall now that the USPS employee said that it was 3 oz more than I had previously stated. They never mentioned anything about the label would be significantly more expensive. And when I went back to ship another item they didn’t have any idea as to the higher charge when I asked about it.

[wastingtime101]

Did you buy the shipping label at the post office or on eBay? Are you sure the exact amount was $30.87? Can you confirm the shipping service?

[mayfieldm96]

I definitely used USPS. The option I choose is USPS Ground Adbantage, it stated that in the finalized after sale paperwork. I went to USPS to drop it off to be shipped. Maybe I should ask one of the supervisors at the post office I used. 

[wastingtime101]

If you bought the label on eBay, the PO supervisor will have no clue. I'm going back to my original questions that are still unanswered:

Was $30.87 the initial label cost or did it come through as a cost adjustment?

If it was an adjustment, what was the original cost and what was the adjustment amount?

Also, are you 100% sure these were the exact dimensions of the box you used: 14x14x2 ?

Reason I'm asking is the rate of $30.87 can be explained by a package to zone 8 (NY to CA) with a 17 lb dimensional weight (L x W x H / 166 = dimensional weight) plus a $4 surcharge for the Nonstandard Length fee > 22"<=30".

A 14 x 14 x 14 package could result in that rate. I'm wondering if maybe you put a typo in the dimensions, or if you used a box larger than you thought you did.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@mayfieldm96 wrote:

I recently sold an item and charged the buyer for $7.99 with USPS Ground Advantage. Upon checking it later on I found that I was charged $30.87 for the shipping label. I live in NY and shipped the item to California, it weighed less than 2 pounds. I haven’t received any explanation as to why it was so much more expensive than the $7.99. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

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@mayfieldm96 wrote:

It was a medium sized duffle bag when folded was approximately 14x14x2 

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If it's the NYPD duffle bag and measured 14" x 14" x 2", I can't imaging that it would weigh <2 lbs. 

Are you sure of the weight? Who weighed it? 

Your measurements say what the size of the bag is when folded, but what was the size of the box you shipped it in?

A box large enough to fit an item measuring 14x14x2 would likely weigh 2 lbs. so with a duffle in it, it'd weigh considerably more. 

[mayfieldm96]

The label was bought through eBay.

The first time I saw the $30.87 was when I noticed it deducted was from my funds.

 I packed it in a poly bag, the dimensions were approximately what I previously mentioned.

When plugging the dimensions in to the dimensional formula you posted, it comes out to 2.36. So, unfortunately it’s possible that it was a typo as you said, I have seen on occasion that eBay seems to auto fill some dimensions. 

I thank you for your time and help!!

[evry1nositswindy]

Never let eBay auto-fill in anything.  YOU choose the size of the box and the weight.

[buyselljack2016]

that item was set for $7.99 buyer postage to any Zip Zone 1 through Zone 8.

[petencharlie]

I go back to when we read an announcement here about the length x height x width would cost us more if you inserted an item in a larger box.

I always say, the tighter the box--the better.  Of course, shipping from coast to coast will cost more compared to let's say from the Midwest to Seattle (as an example.)

However, if you are shipping anything to Alaska or Hawaii--that's an entirely different conversation.

[buyselljack2016]

I'm on a PC. I see the label cost at the time that I purchase the label. (before purchasing)

Seems that the APV should "credit" the overcharge on that item as it processes through the system.

 

[rckr43]

This is why I will never again offer free shipping. 

Free shipping does promote sales, but..... getting screwed once was enough for me. When using calculated shipping per buyer's location I've never had a problem and actual shipping price has been reasonable when buying and printing labels thru eBay.