Using FedEx smartpost

[dottie_debut]

I just got burned by using FedEx Smart post by charging me astronomical shipping charges . Of course EBay would not do anything about it.  I know many members of the eBay community have had the same problem.  However instead of just stop using this service,  I think we need to band together and do. Something about it! 

[dougsue123b]

As a buyer when I see smart post I run, its slower than getting something from china in a lot of cases.

[waterbed_bigfoot]

We've been using more Fed EX home delivery and some USPS Priority Mail.  In January Fed EX changed their rates for certain packages.  One of them was a large poly envelope package and that is rated higher than a box.  We use those for Soft Goods like mattress pads.  So we check our invoices regularly and even weekly on items that have not billed yet.  I caught the $12.00 each charges pretty quickly so now we solved it by shipping the same mattress pads in a box.  I still use Fed Ex smart post occassionally but have switched how I do it.  So look at your charges and see if you got charged extra for dimensional sizes and if so go on the fed ex website and it will tell you which packaging is getting those charges.  I also don't put 3.5 pounds but round up to 4 pounds so it covers the extra for tape and packing materials but it isn't extra to ship.  I have switched the listings that I always seem to ship by fed ex home or priority mail to reflect that too so the buyer is happy.  Most buyers don't like fed ex smart post because of the extra handling days between fed ex and the regional post offices.  So I found that raising my price a couple of dollars to cover the extra postage seemed to work the best for me.  Hope this litlle ramble helps.  

[kim_y_buran]

There's only one type of package I ship smartpost - 6x4x4 box weighing 1-2 lb.  Anything else - I just don't dare anymore.

[berserkerplanet]

For one of those shipments post the dimensions, weight, from and to zipcodes, how it was packaged, original estimated charge, details of amount actually charged along with billed weight and dimensions and any surcharges and I'll tell you if you were overcharged.

[berserkerplanet]

>>One of them was a large poly envelope package and that is rated higher than a box.

That's a $12 additional handling charge for shipping in a poly bag. In the service guide.

>>I also don't put 3.5 pounds but round up to 4 pounds so it covers
>>the extra for tape and packing materials but it isn't extra to ship.

ANYTHING over 3 pounds (like 3lb 0.1 oz) rounds up to the next even pound and ships at 4 lb