UPS extra charges

[1funkydude]

I’m not posting from my main selling account. 

I sell golf clubs, 5,000 a year. I’ve been in the business a long time. I purchase the labels through eBay for simplicity. The packages are weighed and the 3 boxes I use are all the same length. I enter the next pound up for weight, so 2 pounds for something that weighs 1.5, etc.

Lately, I’ve been getting notices that UPS is adding charges due to weight and dimensions. Some of the weights are more than I’ve never shipped. Some of them are impossible, like a 6 pound claim on a 2 pound package. Some of their claimed dimensions are such that a club wouldn’t fit in the box. 

How does one address this when the label was purchased through eBay? UPS wants an account number so calls to them were unfruitful. I’m not sure what can be done if anything, as they are in a position to not have to verify their claims. 

[slippinjimmy]

If you are shipping that much you should get your own UPS account, your basic shipping costs will probably go down and you will be able to complain about up-charges or lost/damaged claims directly.

[slippinjimmy]

Forgot to add another option,  use Pirate Ship instead of eBay, from what I understand there are no up-charges with them.

[1funkydude]

I suppose you’re right. I’ve been avoiding any changes because I like things simple. I don’t want to mess with uploading all the info, i.e. dimensions, tracking numbers. With the eBay system it’s already there and a couple clicks to done and printing. 

[dbfolks166mt]

     Both UPS and FedEx are infamous for unilateral surcharges where the shipping label has been purchased through eBay. I don't ship a lot with UPS but I quit buying any labels through eBay and utilize Pirate Ship instead. The discounted rates are about the same as eBay, sometimes better, and Pirate Ship has some shipper protection against the unilateral surcharges. 

     I also purchase those labels with a cash back credit card which throughout the year amounts to a pretty good chunk of change. 

[susanb1872]

I sold some golf clubs about 2 years ago and used USPS with an ebay label without a problem (cost at that time was about $12 to ship one club). Others here also gave you good advice on using Pirateship.