USPS Cost Adjustment is out of control

[jbsound8o2e]

I have been selling on eBay for several years and have never had a single USPS cost adjustment. Now, in a span of two weeks I have had three. All three have been small flat rate boxes where the post office says the service on label was USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box but the actual service was USPS Priority Mail Service.

First of all, I don't use priority mail that often as I sell small stuff that usually goes first class, so I remember each of the three small flat rate boxes I sent out recently. It is hard to screw up a flat rate box. None of the packages were over a couple of pounds, so I was well within the weight limit for a small flat rate box. The only error I can think of is I put a flat rate label on one of my boxes. I didn't think I did that on the first package, and I know for a fact that I didn't do it on the second two.

After the first email stating I had automatically been charged an adjustment, I contact the post office and filed an appeal. I learned they actually take pictures of each package and would be able to see if I had made a mistake. A couple of days ago I got notification that my money the automatically took from my account had been refunded, so I guess I hadn't made a mistake after all. I will be filing a claim again on the second two packages because I am 100% sure I used small flat rate postage and packages on both of them.

It is just too coincidental that after years of not having this problem, I have had three in such a short span, all on the same kind of shipments. In fact, I am pretty sure I have only had three small flat rate boxes sent out over the last few weeks and 100% of them have been adjusted. My question to the community is are any of you having this issue or is it just me? Thanks in advance for any feedback or ideas.

[stick100]

This week, I have received 5 cost adjustments for identical packages I have been shipping for a year. They all state that my labels say Region A, but I was using Region B boxes. I only order Region A boxes, and ship hundreds of this item. It looks like there may be another barcode error. Does anyone know what the proper barcode is for Region A rectangular boxes is? Has anyone else seen this cost adjustment error recently? This has the possibility of costing sellers millions of dollars in “Fraudulent” charges. It seems like they only care if they get caught.

[nobody*s_perfect]

From the supplies section at usps.com:

[etrusca]

Hi late seeing this thread - the other regular Priority box similar to the small flat rate is actually a good bit larger

and thicker and is very well suited to things exceeding 8 in on the diagonal for safety/ packing reasons - ie silverware , jewelry etc lightweight frames no glass - headbands , scarves for rigidity vs padded mailer.

Because the small flat rate cant accomodate very much or things have to be squished.  I am very happy that this other box is available - works for so many things - the advantage is that it isnt fixed price so often for lighter things it can be cheaper than the flat rate PLUS you potentially get more of a discount on it if TR seller on Ebay labels - can be special order through usps.com as well as a good sturdy 7 " cube. They can be ordered in batches of 10 or 25 at no cost to you - It behoves you to place a large varied order as who knows when the PO will stop offering these for free since they also own Ready Post which I didnt find out until recently. 

[berserkerplanet]

>>Does anyone know what the proper barcode is for Region A rectangular boxes is?

PS00014000052 for the Reg A RRBA2/RRB-A2 Side Loader (~ 13x11x2½)
PS00014000053 for the Reg A RRBA1/RRB-A1 Top Loader (~ 10x7x5)

PS00014000054 for the Reg B RRBB2/RRB-B2 Side Loader (~ 16x14x3)
PS00014000055 for the Reg B RRBB1 /RRB-B1 Top Loader (~ 12x10x5)


What number is on the Reg A RRBA1 boxes you have that were upcharged? And the date?

[etrusca]

This is to everyone on this thread - I will throw out an additional possibility - besides the run of incorrect barcode (s) on the usps flat rate boxes themselves - has anyone reprinted their actual label to see if the revised Ebay label system that went into effect on 1/28 is actually printing the correct barcode postage matching what you had chosen in the listing - or also could it be wrong or off itself - I have seen a few comments about overcharging on postage. I noticed between the recent carrier rate hikes and switching to the new Ebay label system there doesnt seem to be as much of a discount as before.  Granted there is always only a nominal discount if any on flat rate as they cant double discount it but I have already experienced a major problem back on 1/30 when the UPS option disappeared from the page and created havoc for me that I am still trying to get a defect removed for no scan showing even though data > to UPS and then UPS 2nd confirmation page lost data and I had to reload.  I had a receipt scan from drop off and Quantum view delivery confirmation none of which went back into Ebay. Have not done a UPS package since but at the time it looked like a severed relationship in favor of Fedex. Ebay shipping CS Rep after 6th call finally admitted to issues though his page description was very different from what I saw on 1/30. Bottom line I am not sure the current Ebay label system is stable. So if you are still able to reprint your label and take it into the PO at least you could have them read that postage barcode off it and it should state flat rate even if you havent offered the "show price option. " except that they dont know the Ebay rates at all. I also use Flat Rate A and B Boxes - its always hard enough to find them on either site's list and the C has been discontinued but is the same size as the new "large non flat rate box" which my clerk said I could reuse and will just cover the C over as I overstocked them never anticipating they would discontinue a good thing. Sadly we have to really start scrutinizing everything.  Given the new Ebay label platform has been reconfigured and so many tech problems in Ebay I wouldnt be surprised too if there were hidden glitches that they havent even identified. No one called me back as promised 2 weeks ago until recently "just to see if anyone called" - he didnt even bother to read the notes ahead yet knew to call as I gave low feedback on questionaire- Round 7 of reporting this issue, then had to be sent yet again to Seller Performance with the shipping and selling depts not coordinating between all three & confirming problems. Feel like I am behind the iron curtain.

[pcobra93]

I had this happen about 8 months ago. I always use REG A boxes.....ebay sent me a message saying I owed $2.50 as I shipped in a REG B box...... I have not had one of those in years. I went through the USPS email **bleep** system to appeal it.....not a peep from USPS or ebay about a refund. About 2 months later I see a credit on my ebay invoice for $2.50. The best part of this is that I always have the ladies at my local post office scan and give me a receipt.....they had no issue with accepting it. Why did it not red flag there? If they accept it then it should be good IMO.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@etrusca wrote: ... has anyone reprinted their actual label to see if the revised Ebay label system that went into effect on 1/28 is actually printing the correct barcode postage matching what you had chosen in the listing -...

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It's not possible to reprint an eBay postage label more than 24 hours after purchase.

If this was a widespread problem related to the rate changes on January 27, which was nearly 2 months ago, surely we would have heard more about it by now.

The Regional rate boxes should not be referred to as "flat rate" boxes.

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@etrusca wrote: the C has been discontinued but is the same size as the new "large non flat rate box" which my clerk said I could reuse and will just cover the C over as I overstocked them never anticipating they would discontinue a good thing. ...

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There is no new large non-flat-rate box.  The #7 box has been around for years, and measures 12x12x8 inches. The Regional C boxes can now just be shipped at the regular rates, but they are  12x12x15 inches, so if you're shipping them to Zones 5 - 9 they will ship at the "dimensional weight" of 12 pounds.

The postage prices for the Regional C boxes were the same as the regular online rates for 17 pounds, and the boxes had a weight limit of 25 pounds, so they were probably doomed from the start because of having such a narrow weight range where they actually saved money.

[berserkerplanet]

At this point this is about actual misprinted barcodes. Other APV issues could be for other reasons.

And yes, of course it is possible for the printed labels to be wrong, and I already asked for samples back in post 12 here, but highly doubtful. Reprinting the labels isn't am option - labels can only be reprinted for 24 hours which is long before APV corrective charges show up, and I seem to be the only one in the world that downloads and archives shipping labels.

OP showed an image of one of his SFRBs that has the wrong barcode printed on it (and USPS CS confirmed it - although that can always be suspect same as when eBay CS says something like that).

That is very likely what caused his issue, and I'm trying to get others complaining about these PM SFRB APV upcharges to post the barcode numbers so we can see if there are other misprinted barcodes or if there is a pattern, but it's like pulling teeth.


Now that I think about it, the misprinted boxes must be a very recent (distributed) batch - the reports of the upcharges are clustering recently, so it's unlikely it was a batch distributed 2 years ago that all of a sudden everybody started using recently. Or it indicates it's something else like a USPS APV software glitch or incorrect labels printed, etc. More data required.

[berserkerplanet]

>>Why did it not red flag there?

Because the PO counter systems are probably not the same systems as the APV systems in the sorting centers, and are
1) not configured to compare box barcodes to label data
2) counter clerks don't scan the box barcodes only the label barcodes
3) most PO clerks have no clue about any of this.

>>If they accept it then it should be good IMO

Only if you purchase postage at the counter.


Your "overcharge" was either due to a USPS system software issue, a misread (there was a Reg B box near your Reg A - one scanner scanned your label and the other scanned the Reg B box barcode type of thing), or there are other barcode misprints in circulation (Reg A boxes with Reg B barcodes).

It really shouldn't be possible for the scanners to misread a PS00014000052 Reg A barcode as a PS00014000054 Reg B barcode (even though there is only a 1 digit difference) because there is a checksum encoded in there which wouldn't match unless there was a perfect storm of fail.

As it's unlikely you have another one of the Reg A boxes from the same batch as that one that was flagged, and likely don't have a copy of the label (which still wouldn't be enough info but might reveal something), nothing further can be divined.

There are a lot of ways the APV system can fail, but for the most part it doesn't (I've never heard a peep from it but I'm low volume). When external forces throw a monkey wrench like wrongly printed box barcodes into the system, all bets are off. Software glitches can happen, and probably do, and scanning errors (matching box code to label scan, measuring weight and dimensions, etc) can also occur. Most issues Ive heard about are seller error (1 lb 3 oz rounds down to 1 lb, FCP label on PM box, etc)

[mysalonsavings]

I had the same thing happen. I used a medium flat rate priority box. Then took it to the post office and got a receipt. Later was charged an additional 48.00. They said it was not a flat rate box. It was a flat rate box. I ordered them from USPS. I double checked and yes they were flat rate and one box (the one I used) was missing from the pack. Nothing I could do that ook it out of my Paypal account. Angered me, so goes business. 

[mysalonsavings]

Lol well must be the medium flat rates have the same issue!

[mysalonsavings]

The way they notify you is a deduction from you Paypal account.

[oldguy59]

Glad To See This Article As I had ordered what I thought Was flat rate small.TG I did not use any of them or I would have been in same boat as you.I best get Some small flat rate ordered.there Is a Small difference when I folded it Thicker It is.

[etrusca]

Thank you for clarifying certain things - I was tired when I wrote - you are correct I didnt mean to call Regional rate flat rate - I know better, as for me its frankly often only economical for my region East Coast. 

I will have to check with my clerk as he confirmed I could use the C (with info covered) as a regular Priority box.

I had to educate my large PO as I was the only Ebay seller ordering packaging to their store years ago and they had no clue of the different options and never look online.

So I double checked I do have a newer Priority  "Large Mailing Box" so titled ordered from USPS last year or 2017 which is in fact the same size as C - dated on the box LMB-1 Jan 2016 15 x 12 x 12 - barcode xxx004

maybe you havent seen it - I just checked the postal store - they dont seem to be making them anymore- glad I ordered great boxes - I know #7 well have been using forever. I have not ordered boxes in a while - just noticed ready posts have crept on page 2 at cost so the transition has started... order what you like free while you can !

[etrusca]