eBay

refindrelics · ‎02-24-2020

Has anybody had any luck dealing with Canada Post on underpaid shipping charges that are being charged both on Paypal and Shippo labels? I get these charges quite regularly, but my packages are correctly weighed and measured. In fact, if you compare your measurements to what Canada Post is claiming the package measures, some of them are WAY off the mark.

2nd-time-around-jewelry · ‎02-25-2020

I had the same thing happen to me recently. I posted about it a few days ago. Only had it happen once.

triber · ‎02-25-2020

I have had that happen several times when mailing expedited within Canada. I have phoned Canada Post and the tell me that if the package is not completely flat, the measurement it bigger when it has to go over the bulge because it is checked with a laser. I have started adding to the measurements I put in, or tried to keep the package as flat as possible.

mrdutch1001 · ‎02-25-2020

Only happened once for me...a couple of years ago...

I am now more careful with the measuring and account for any non-flat packages by measuring the max. of any bulges...I also measure all sides of packages in several different locations to acquire the most precise and accurate measurements...

pjcdn2005 · ‎02-25-2020

I’ve never received an underpaid notice so haven’t had to challenge one but the post office might be able to give you a better idea if there is one particular problem...for example the depth measurement. Are these mostly envelopes rather than boxes?

Just to confirm, you are measuring and not using the measurements printed on the outside of the box? Just thought I would check because at one time I didn’t realize that there was such a difference between the inside measurement written on the box and actual outside measurements.

richardcm · ‎02-25-2020

Just to confirm that dimensions printed on the bottom of a box are inside dimensions NOT outside dimensions. That is the standard because when buying boxes most businesses want to know what will fit inside the box. So a box outside dimensions can be 1/4 to 1/2 inch bigger that what is written on the box. Always measure the box when packed taking into account bulging sides.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎02-25-2020

@refindrelics

If your magic ruler says 16.5 cm....I would use 17. Some clerks will input the .5 but I never take a chance. If that happens all the way around (3 measurements) it can definitely change the calculations with dimensional weight and bump up the final price.

-Lotz

pjcdn2005 · ‎02-25-2020

I think that we just said the same thing but perhaps mine wasn't that clear. 🙂

refindrelics · ‎02-25-2020

Just wondering, once out of how many packages? What shipping method do you use. Most of my packages are expedited.

refindrelics · ‎02-25-2020

I have allowed for bulges and measured the largest measurement, even added more. However, one package in particular came in with a measurement 15 cm more than my measurement. I question their lasers. It could be picking up some other object beside or behind it. In any case, there is no accountability. I don't know anybody who measures packages with a laser except Canada Post. I don't have a laser. They shouldn't expect me to. They don't measure with a laser at the actual post office. I took 3 packages to my local post office today and had them measure and weigh my packages. They got the same measurements I did. So if Canada Post charges me for more again, I will be letting them know that their own employees measured my packages.

triber · ‎02-25-2020

@refindrelics wrote:
I took 3 packages to my local post office today and had them measure and weigh my packages. They got the same measurements I did. So if Canada Post charges me for more again, I will be letting them know that their own employees measured my packages.

That is a good idea, I have done the same thing, and so far, the post office has the same measurements as me, but I still add a cm to each side, so far, no more problems in the last couple of months.

ypdc_dennis · ‎02-26-2020

@refindrelics wrote:
... I don't know anybody who measures packages with a laser except Canada Post.

... I took 3 packages to my local post office today and had them measure and weigh my packages. They got the same measurements I did. So if Canada Post charges me for more again, I will be letting them know that their own employees measured my packages.

I know you are frustrated, but laser measurement is a pretty standard automation method. USPS, Royal Mail, UPS, FedEx are a few of those that use it.

Getting your package measurements double checked at your local post office is good idea. If it happens again it is a post office problem, not your problem. And Canada Post should investigate if bad equipment or perhaps a disgruntled employee is causing problems for your shipments.

-..-

fatdane · ‎02-26-2020

It has been a few years, but my feeble old memory recalls that Lee Valley Tools sued Canada Post Post for being overcharged on parcels shipped by Lee Valley. In 2013 Canada Post agreed to pay $5 million plus legal fees to settle the lawsuit but did not "admit" any guilt.

katlover1952 · ‎02-27-2020

Not only is there no accountability, there is no recourse. I recently had this happen to me & it was a box so no bulges & I am very careful with my measurements going on the high side rather than the low. Seems like there is nothing you can do about it either. The parcel is gone & no way to prove anything for either party. But they do not have to prove anything you just have to pay the extra.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎02-27-2020

@katlover1952

It's not documented in any way? Just the amount billed to your account?

-Lotz

katlover1952 · ‎02-27-2020

It does tell you which parcel but really it is just charged so I do not see that you have any recourse. Kind of like your word against theirs only their word is louder. LOL

My husband had a business where we did a lot of shipping of goods & this was a common occurrence. Every month we were billed for some where the PO said we underpaid.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎02-27-2020

@katlover1952

One would think in this day and age there would be some sort of verification. Maybe an actual image of the measurement discrepancy? How quickly are you seeing these new charges? In some instances(some customers) they could have been just honest typos. With the current Shoppo label (Tracked USA) it displays the keyed in weight only. No measurements. Looking at an Expedited Canada shipment it shows the measurements and the calculated Dim weight but not the weight I typed in. I believe at 1 time it did show both. In the past(several years ago) reviewing freight invoices(Fedex/UPS Air) it showed any discrepancy between actual weight and dimensional weight on the invoice. I had to sign off on the invoices. Difficult to debate a charge when they are able to show the math.

-Lotz

ypdc_dennis · ‎02-28-2020

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
...With the current Shoppo label (Tracked USA) it displays the keyed in weight only. No measurements.
... Looking at an Expedited Canada shipment it shows the measurements and the calculated Dim weight but not the weight I typed in. I believe at 1 time it did show both.

Small Packet and Tracked Packet do not have a dimensional weight adjustment.

Expedited Parcel (Canada) labels display either the actual weight or the dimensional weight (whichever is highest). I couldn't find any that had both.

The current style of label has been in use since June 2016. Dimensions are shown on the label. Previous style of label before 2016 did not display dimensions, just a weight.

I store my old PDF shipping labels on my computer. Switched away from keeping paper back in 2015 to cut back on the shovelling of paper snowdrifts.