Prices for shipping changing from when I buy label to when it's charged

[princessjainascloset]

For a few weeks now I've been noticing that the Ebay shipping label fees, when they get posted to my payment account, seem higher than the cost I remember paying when I bought the label. I started keeping screenshots. On Feb. 5, I shipped a figure to the US with Fedex, through Ebay, and it charged me $18.68. I took two screenshots.  I've checked every day to see when that would be posted, and it was today, February 11, and the charge is $24.37.  I suspect this is happening on more shipments and if it's happening to me, it could be happening to others. I'm waiting for Ebay to call me and will ask them about it, but posting in the meantime so others can start checking the amounts charged for shipments and whether or not that matches what's actually coming through. 

[reallynicestamps]

FEdex are notorious for adding to advertised fees.

Don't trust what you see.

Use UPS which may appear more expensive but which is more reliable, or Canada Post when the package fits their acceptable parameters.

Bonus- while UPS is an American company and all profits go south, Canada Post's profits go to the Canadian treasury.

It's not eBay it's FedEx.

[princessjainascloset]

Thanks, Ebay customer service confirmed this.  Will be asking why this is permitted and why we are not notified when Fedex "adjusts" a shipment, and why Ebay can't put in the proper formula to quote actual Fedex prices. 

Also interesting - I was clearly not the first call about this, she knew exactly what I was talking about. Just kept saying that Fedex was permitted to change the cost based on the weight and size they calculated (and my calculations are accurate).  Kept saying it wasn't Ebay, it was Fedex, and could not answer why Ebay could not use the Fedex formula to give us accurate pricing. Did not also answer when I asked if UPS and Canada Post could also change the costs after purchase.  She also could not answer when I asked why this wasn't in the fine print at the bottom, or why Ebay wouldn't notify sellers that the actual price might be different in the fine print before purchasing the label.

[brettjet38]

FedEx packaging guidelines

Calculating Dimensional Weight

Dimensional weight applies when the package is relatively light compared with its volume. If the dimensional weight exceeds the actual weight, charges based on the dimensional weight will be assessed. To calculate dimensional weight:

• Multiply length by width by height in centimeters.
• Divide by 5000 for domestic and international shipments and round up to determine the dimensional weight in kilograms.
• Compare the dimensional weight and actual weight. Your billable weight is the greater of the actual weight or dimensional weight.

Dimensions

Providing accurate dimensions is critical to getting an accurate shipping quote and ensuring there are no surprises after you ship, such as the item being returned or additional charges.

Measuring Length and Girth

Step 1: Determining Length

• Measure the longest side of the package, rounding to the nearest centimeter. This is your length.

Step 2: Determining Girth (2 x width + 2 x height)

• Measure the width of the package, rounding to the nearest centimeter. Multiply this number by 2.
• Measure the height of the package, rounding to the nearest centimeter. Multiply this number by 2.
• Add these to numbers together. This is your girth.

Shipment Size and Weight Restrictions

• You can ship packages up to 68 kg (higher of actual or dimensional weight).
• Package dimensions can be up to 274 cm in length and 419 cm in length and girth depending on selected service.
• Learn more about FedEx size and weight restrictions.

Consequences For Exceeding Size and Weight Limits

Make sure you do not exceed the weight and size restrictions. If the package exceeds these weight and size restrictions, the carrier may still accept your parcel, but you will be billed for additional charges that can be very high.Learn more about other charges that can affect your FedEx Shipping rate.

This information is shown when you select Fed Ex using eBay Canada Shipping labels, did you read it?

For UPS it says

UPS packaging guidelines

Calculating Dimensional Weight

Dimensional weight applies when the package is relatively light compared with its volume. If the dimensional weight exceeds the actual weight, charges based on the dimensional weight will be assessed. To calculate dimensional weight:

• Multiply length by width by height in centimeters.
• Divide by 5000 for domestic and international shipments and round up to determine the dimensional weight in kilograms.
• Compare the dimensional weight and actual weight. Your billable weight is the greater of the actual weight or dimensional weight.

Dimensions

Providing accurate dimensions is critical to getting an accurate shipping quote and ensuring there are no surprises after you ship, such as the item being returned or additional charges.

Measuring Length and Girth

Step 1: Determining Length

• Measure the longest side of the package, rounding to the nearest centimeter. This is your length.

Step 2: Determining Girth (2 x width + 2 x height)

• Measure the width of the package, rounding to the nearest centimeter. Multiply this number by 2.
• Measure the height of the package, rounding to the nearest centimeter. Multiply this number by 2.
• Add these to numbers together. This is your girth.

Shipment Size and Weight Restrictions

• You can ship packages up to 68 kg (higher of actual or dimensional weight).
• Package dimensions can be up to 274 cm in length and 419 cm in length and girth.
• Learn more about UPS size and weight restrictions.

Consequences For Exceeding Size and Weight Limits

Make sure you do not exceed the weight and size restrictions. If the package exceeds these weight and size restrictions, the carrier may still accept your parcel, but you will be billed for additional charges that can be very high.Learn more about other charges that can affect your UPS Shipping rate.

[princessjainascloset]

TLDR - Ebay doesn't know why my Fedex label increased in price. Consider checking yours.

First Ebay customer service agent tried to tell me that this was normal and that Fedex could just do this whenever.  I asked to speak to a manager who, after confirming all information, admitted that this was unusual and said she'd be looking into it and creating a service ticket. Said that if there are adjustments from carriers from time to time, like for a weight or size entered incorrectly, they are always given a reason which is clearly shown, and that there's nothing like that in this case. She could also see the price I originally agreed to without me sending screenshots.  She hopes to have an answer from Fedex within 2 weeks. I hope that the service ticket will also expose if this is happening to more people. 

[flipistics]

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@princessjainascloset wrote:

TLDR - Ebay doesn't know why my Fedex label increased in price. Consider checking yours.

First Ebay customer service agent tried to tell me that this was normal and that Fedex could just do this whenever.  I asked to speak to a manager who, after confirming all information, admitted that this was unusual and said she'd be looking into it and creating a service ticket. Said that if there are adjustments from carriers from time to time, like for a weight or size entered incorrectly, they are always given a reason which is clearly shown, and that there's nothing like that in this case. She could also see the price I originally agreed to without me sending screenshots.  She hopes to have an answer from Fedex within 2 weeks. I hope that the service ticket will also expose if this is happening to more people. 

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Fedex is notorious for this stuff.  Be thankful it was a $6 charge instead of $600. The best option is to just not use them.  I've had no issues with UPS (so far). The only issues I've had with Canada Post have been for Expedited Lite when either eBay or Canada Post periodically apply dimensional rates when they shouldn't.

[recped]

FYI - The price eBay shows when you buy a FedEx label are only estimates, if any of the dozens of possible surcharges FedEx might apply none of these will be shown by eBay in the estimate.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@recped wrote:

FYI - The price eBay shows when you buy a FedEx label are only estimates, if any of the dozens of possible surcharges FedEx might apply none of these will be shown by eBay in the estimate.

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devon@ebay 

@princessjainascloset 

@recped 

With UPS/Fedex if the amount displayed when seller creates a label is an estimate, it would be good to know what buyer is being shown when the invoice is sent to them for payment? Especially when calculated shipping is in play and accurate measurements have been provided. Give or take, around  or a guesstimate is not super helpful from a sellers perspective. Billing is real time as is payment. 

-Lotz

Regarding Fedex/UPS being "notorious" for upcharges, when eBay first announced these add on negotiated rates they came with an explanation of what was or wasn't included. If that original information is still available I am unable to confirm. There may have been modifications after the fact. I believe 2 were residentual pickup/residential delivery at no extra charge. Anything like that should be tied to the calculator and the negotiated rate, including any add on surcharges etc. This way no surprises for both seller or buyer. 

[brianm1962]

I don't use ebay much but just sold something and used ebay Canada Post label. At checkout it was $4.## then when ebay settled the transaction it jumped to $11.##

Completely unacceptable business practice and should be illegal.

[snuggletumbletoys]

It is also happening with UPS and Canada post labels. I just had a batch of 10 today that every single one was up charged.   8 UPS and 2 Canada post.  Including 2 to the hub of which I was again up charged over $8 each on.

In the last month 95% of the labels that I have purchased have later been upcharged. I have called everytime a new batch is uploaded and still nothing has been resolved.

[reallynicestamps]

devon@ebay

A surge in upcharging from advertised rates?

[ultrasushi27]

The same thing just happened to me with a UPS shipping label, sent to the international hub Mississauga for an eIS order going to the US. Initial cost paid was $18.32, and I was charged $27.30 through the transactions page today. I called eBay first thing, they said they didn't have any info and to check with UPS. Called UPS, they said they charged eBay $19 and some change, but they claimed they don't know where the $27.30 amount is coming from. They've forwarded my request to their Finance department and told me to expect an email from them in the next few days.

This has happened to be a few times with Canada Post (a few dollars or cents difference each time) but never with UPS for such a big difference.

Whyyyyyy is selling online becoming such a pain in the derrière. It's like every step of the way there's an extra tax, an extra charge, an extra challenge. It's exhausting.

[ultrasushi27]

Huh, I now realize that when the customer service lady from UPS told me they billed ebay for $19.34, that was probably USD because that would convert to 27.30$ CAD. I got someone from eBay to file a dispute for me, we'll see who between eBay and UPS can explain to me why I was charged an extra 9$ on a shipping label with absolutely no explanation.

I'm used to having some discrepancies with Canada Post labels when my weight or measurements are slightly off (they have literally charged me for a 5 gram difference in the past), but I've never had a UPS label cost 49% more that what was agreed upon before. Absolutely wild.

[flipistics]

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@ultrasushi27 wrote:

Huh, I now realize that when the customer service lady from UPS told me they billed ebay for $19.34, that was probably USD because that would convert to 27.30$ CAD. I got someone from eBay to file a dispute for me, we'll see who between eBay and UPS can explain to me why I was charged an extra 9$ on a shipping label with absolutely no explanation.

I'm used to having some discrepancies with Canada Post labels when my weight or measurements are slightly off (they have literally charged me for a 5 gram difference in the past), but I've never had a UPS label cost 49% more that what was agreed upon before. Absolutely wild.

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Check your tracking. Was there a change in the address or something like that?

[ultrasushi27]

Yes there was, I believe they adjusted the postal code to the eIS warehouse in Mississauga because eBay got it wrong in the beginning (hopefully it's been fixed now). Could that be why? The tracking didn't mention there would be any fees involved for fixing a postal code, and when I called UPS billing customer service they didn't mention any additional fees. 

[flipistics]

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@ultrasushi27 wrote:

Yes there was, I believe they adjusted the postal code to the eIS warehouse in Mississauga because eBay got it wrong in the beginning (hopefully it's been fixed now). Could that be why? The tracking didn't mention there would be any fees involved for fixing a postal code, and when I called UPS billing customer service they didn't mention any additional fees. 

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Maybe, I'm not sure. UPS does normally charge for an address correction, but I'm not sure if just a postal code change triggers it or not. I had two I shipped to eIS with UPS via Click Ship that had the address changed and (so far) I haven't been charged extra. I WAS charged extra on the eBay Canada Post labels I bought going to the hub though 🙄.

Did the volume on the label match what you expected? eBay seems to be changing label size with some Canada Post labels right now, so I'm wondering if they may also be changing them with UPS.

Easy Ship (has a free tier for limited volume), Click Ship (no tiers), and Sendle (1 year of premium tier when you sign up) are options you may want to look into if you continue to have label issues. You may even save some money.

[an_709184]

I've been getting the same thing for all my regular "Expedited" labels. I suspect that there is a bug on eBay where they are showing a greater discount (lower price) than the real price. So, the buyer pays less, and you end up eating up the cost.

I've had it with Canada Post and UPS. Canada Post Expedited is about an extra $2-$3.5 every time. I've only used UPS a couple of times during the strike; I had an extra $1-2 every time. One of the labels had an address adjustment because the buyer input the wrong postal code, and I got a $9 tacked on. I've heard the same happened from people who ship to the eIS hub with UPS. I'd avoid that ASAP.

All in all, I don't think most of them are "adjustments"; it's just straight-up eBay charging the buyer the wrong amount due to an error in the calculated shipping cost formula. This isn't to say that they don't cheat and add on fake charges. Half of the labels I get from Shippo have fake weight and size "adjustments". I've stopped buying them from there after it happened a few times. Up until the strike ended, eBay correctly charged the labels.

[jtg204]

I've had the opposite.

Excluding Expedited Lite labels and looking only at Expedited Parcels I haven't had any adjustments using Shippo for expedited parcels yet, but I sent 3 Expedited parcels with ebay labels from Oct 28 to Nov 4th and all 3 have came out to the calculated amounts.

@ultrasushi27 Your UPS charge to the hub might be the same as this other case, the amount is close but different:

https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/UPS-label-overcharges/m-p/531444

[an_709184]

To be fair, I should've mentioned that it's usually hit-or-miss, and that these fake weight/dimension adjustment price increases are passed on by Canada Post, not Shippo. Anywhere outside of eBay, if your weight and dimensions are close to being on the next price bracket, Canada Post will falsify the weight or dimensions so they can bill you extra charges. I have up to 20 different box sizes, so I always try to minimize the label cost with the smallest size possible. The internet documents this very well. I believe there is a lawsuit currently in Alberta for this reason or something along those lines.

[morepleaseshop]

This seems to be on the rise with all of them...

I was just upcharged for 2 parcels going Canada post to the eIS hub, one of them about 50% more!

And Canada post seems to be the worst, because ebay reps tell me that they have no way to investigate or to open any claims with them, yet Canada post refuses to deal with us sellers at all, they just say "I can't tell you anything because you are not an account owner. That is ebay and they should contact us". At least with UPS ebay can "open the case".

Hours and hours of wasted time. I wonder if everyone of us will call ebay for each instance of overcharge wll the amount of money they have to pay to their reps finally make it worthwhile to sort it out with Canada post?...