eBay

jbsound8o2e · ‎02-16-2019

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.

johnrj1226 · ‎03-22-2019

If it is convenient for you you can pick up some of the small flat rate boxes and other Priority boxes and mailing envelopes at your local PO. But they won't have all that are available via USPS.com

"I have the right to remain silent but I didn't have the ability." Ron White, Fritch, Texas
"Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution." A. Einstein
"The Devil made me do it!" - Flip Wilson
"If the band can only play loud - they ain't no good - peps too!" J.R. Johnson

johnrj1226 · ‎03-22-2019

@nobody*s_perfect

FYI there is a Priority box that is 12 x12 x* label Large Mail Box.

That Regional C box you are referring tooo exceeded tha 1 cu. ft. size criteria for std rates.

"I have the right to remain silent but I didn't have the ability." Ron White, Fritch, Texas
"Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution." A. Einstein
"The Devil made me do it!" - Flip Wilson
"If the band can only play loud - they ain't no good - peps too!" J.R. Johnson

nobody*s_perfect · ‎03-22-2019

@johnrj1226 wrote:
@nobody*s_perfect
FYI there is a Priority box that is 12 x12 x* label Large Mail Box.
That Regional C box you are referring tooo exceeded tha 1 cu. ft. size criteria for std rates.

I agree, which is why I stated back in post #37: "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."

johnrj1226 · ‎03-22-2019

@nobody*s_perfect

DISREGARD MY PREVIOUS POST - ran out of editing time on the previous post.

FYI there is a std. Priority box that is 12 x 12 x8 labeled Large Mail Box. O-Box7 Issued 01.03.2001 - still available to order & in stock.

https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-box---7-P_O_BOX7

That Regional C box you are referring to exceeded that 1 cu. ft. size criteria for std priority rates when it was converted to a std Priority shipping box - the regional C box was a screw up by USPS from day one

"I have the right to remain silent but I didn't have the ability." Ron White, Fritch, Texas
"Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution." A. Einstein
"The Devil made me do it!" - Flip Wilson
"If the band can only play loud - they ain't no good - peps too!" J.R. Johnson

robot-hands · ‎03-23-2019

@penguins_dont_fly wrote:
@robot-hands wrote:
@penguins_dont_fly wrote:
or bulges so that the flaps aren't folded correctly, they no longer qualify for "Flat Rate" postage.

If it fits, it ships.

Someone gave you bad intel on that.
If it doesn't fit, it doesn't ship.

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2016/pb22435/html/updt_002.htm

Whats that go to do with a bulge?

Again: if it fits, it ships.

penguins_dont_fly · ‎03-23-2019

@robot-hands wrote:
@penguins_dont_fly wrote:
@robot-hands wrote:
@penguins_dont_fly wrote:
or bulges so that the flaps aren't folded correctly, they no longer qualify for "Flat Rate" postage.

If it fits, it ships.

Someone gave you bad intel on that.
If it doesn't fit, it doesn't ship.

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2016/pb22435/html/updt_002.htm
Whats that go to do with a bulge?

Again: if it fits, it ships.

You took only a portion of my original post. I am talking about when an FRE or FRB does not close correctly. AKA "does not fit in the container without modification of the container"

What I originally said in post #9 was:

The other thing to consider when using any "Flat Rate" Box or envelope .... They must be able to close, as intended, with no modifications to the box/envelope. If the box is modified in any way, or bulges so that the flaps aren't folded correctly, they no longer qualify for "Flat Rate" postage.

And the DMM says:

the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flaps and seams to reinforce the container, provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and the container is not reconstructed in any way.

The weight restriction for domestic Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes is 70 lbs.

If an FRE or FRB is presented at the office of mailing and the customer has manipulated or reconstructed it, the container is accepted using weight and zone — not the Flat Rate price

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

robot-hands · ‎03-24-2019

@penguins_dont_fly wrote:
@robot-hands wrote:
@penguins_dont_fly wrote:
@robot-hands wrote:
@penguins_dont_fly wrote:
or bulges so that the flaps aren't folded correctly, they no longer qualify for "Flat Rate" postage.

If it fits, it ships.

Someone gave you bad intel on that.
If it doesn't fit, it doesn't ship.

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2016/pb22435/html/updt_002.htm
Whats that go to do with a bulge?

Again: if it fits, it ships.
You took only a portion of my original post. I am talking about when an FRE or FRB does not close correctly. AKA "does not fit in the container without modification of the container"

What I originally said in post #9 was:
The other thing to consider when using any "Flat Rate" Box or envelope .... They must be able to close, as intended, with no modifications to the box/envelope. If the box is modified in any way, or bulges so that the flaps aren't folded correctly, they no longer qualify for "Flat Rate" postage.

And the DMM says:
the container flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flaps and seams to reinforce the container, provided the design of the container is not enlarged by opening the sides and the container is not reconstructed in any way.

The weight restriction for domestic Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes is 70 lbs.
If an FRE or FRB is presented at the office of mailing and the customer has manipulated or reconstructed it, the container is accepted using weight and zone — not the Flat Rate price

Then you and I are saying the same thing. Not sure why you would argue with your own post.

penguins_dont_fly · ‎03-24-2019

@robot-hands

Then you and I are saying the same thing. Not sure why you would argue with your own post.

Because you cropped my original statement to make it look like I was saying something else ... and then argued "if it fits it ships" and told me I had incorrect information ...

Done.

Out.

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

robot-hands · ‎03-25-2019

@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

Done.
Out.

You don't have to summon me to agree.

berserkerplanet · ‎03-25-2019

>>You don't have to summon me to agree.

But the puff of smoke when you come out of your bottle is so kewl!

shopellabella · ‎05-04-2020

I just had two. In my case they claimed I used a flat rate box. I don't have any flat rate boxes in my possession. Like you I have never had adjustments before. Frustrating....

toysaver · ‎05-04-2020

I found if I was using older USPS Flat Rate Boxes (any size) that did not have a Data Matrix Code plus the standard UPC type barcode I had cost adjustments.

kh-vince · ‎05-05-2020

Hello Everyone,

Due to the age of the thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thanks for understanding!