ebay shipping bug to certain remote postal codes (ignores shipping zone settings)

[prosperityreiki]

It looks like Ebay has a bug with shipping to certain (remote, rarely used) postal codes where it will either completely ignore the settings in the shipping zone chart I've created and offer free shipping instead or, in this last case, it charged Alberta urban shipping costs instead of Yukon shipping costs (Y1A5E9). See the attached screenshot showing the order and the xzone chart that should have been used

Will continue to update this thread with the relevant postal codes as I encounter them

I've reported this issue a while ago to customer support but nothing done so far

 

[byto253]

The shipping has been glitchy.  There is an on and off bug where economy from US to Canada uses standard time frames, which is not realistic.   I hope yours is resolved soon, that was a nice bit of work on the table.

[pjcdn2005]

I've never used a zone chart so don't know how it works but it doesn't seem to be working properly.  For example, I'm in Red Deer so not too far away and when I look at your listing in search, I see $102 for shipping.  If I click on the shipping/payment tab, it shows me a faster option for $50+.  Even that seems expensive although it might be in line with the actual costs.

When I entered a downtown Calgary postal code T2G 1N3 it shows me the exact same thing.

A Toronto postal code M5H 2L2 shows that it is less expensive for standard shipping than it is within Alberta.  

[prosperityreiki]

Thanks for checking. It is actually working properly in your case. After cancelling the Yukon order, just in case this person was going to re-order, I changed the shipping cost to Alberta to be the same as the one to Yukon, however I forgot to also change the cost of shipping expedited

[prosperityreiki]

Today it happened again, with an order from Yellowknife this time (X1A3Y6). The buyer was charged the rate for urban Alberta ($52) instead of the rate for NorthWest Territories ($111), right after I had changed the Alberta rate back to a lower rate as I didn't want to lose potential orders from Alberta. Last time I talked to customer service, the guy at first suggested I message the buyer asking him for money, a laughable suggestion. This time I will try asking him for credit directly for the difference so I don't have to cancel the order

[prosperityreiki]

Add another postal code: J0T 2N0 to the list that gets upgraded to free shipping automatically 😛

[mr.special-editions]

This has been an issue since it started.  I agreed and participated in the beta, before they rolled it out to everyone.

I still use it however my suggestion is to only use it on smaller items because the sale is a contract, based on eBay policy you do not have the right to cancel unless you are able to explain to the buyer and they give you permission.  You can cancel however you risk defects and negative feedback.

In my opinion a better approach would be pricing the item higher and offering cheaper shipping rates.  If you find the right balance you can absorb the extra fees through your profits.  Another option is going to calculated shipping, you can put in slightly lower dimensions and weight to offset the overcharge to the buyer.  Also keep in mind if someone really wants to return something they can force it upon you regardless of your return policy.  Shipping to expensive locations can be risky as your refund will include the original shipping paid and shipping you have to pay for the buyer.

Lastly with video game consoles and the high value items you’re putting yourself at extreme risk.  Some quick math can show, even if you are taxing yourself for the buyer after eBay fees your left with low to very little profit depending on the province you ship to.  When you report your income on your taxes you won't have nearly enough left from your sales no matter what tax bracket you fall under.

@femmefan1946  posted a great article recently I'd recommend reading it

https://globe2go.pressreader.com/the-globe-and-mail-ontario-edition/20210813/282050510131448 

[pjcdn2005]

I'm assuming that you are using the zone charts because you don't ship using Canada Post?  Is that correct?

[prosperityreiki]

Correct

[prosperityreiki]

So far, Ebay has been somewhat helpful in that a couple of times, they have agreed to provide me with credits in return for me shipping the item for free. However they agreed that I could cancel the sale if I wanted to since it's a bug on their side and that makes the sale null and void., just like irt would be if the situation was reversed, and the buyer got charged for shipping when he shouldn't have. What I wish though is they would fix the bug so I don't have to pester customer service for a solution every time it happens. Fortunately it doesn't happen very often, as, by virute of the nature of the bug affecting only very few remote rural postal codes, the orders from those areas are few and far between. However, when it does happen, the cost of the shipping is almost double than urban Canadian areas, and it's a potential problem with returns as well.

As far as the tax implications, great article and it's all taken care of although my accountant sure doesn't like dealing with all the receipts I dump on her desk come tax time lol

[mr.special-editions]

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@prosperityreiki wrote:

So far, Ebay has been somewhat helpful in that a couple of times, they have agreed to provide me with credits in return for me shipping the item for free. However they agreed that I could cancel the sale if I wanted to since it's a bug on their side and that makes the sale null and void., just like irt would be if the situation was reversed, and the buyer got charged for shipping when he shouldn't have. What I wish though is they would fix the bug so I don't have to pester customer service for a solution every time it happens. Fortunately it doesn't happen very often, as, by virute of the nature of the bug affecting only very few remote rural postal codes, the orders from those areas are few and far between. However, when it does happen, the cost of the shipping is almost double than urban Canadian areas, and it's a potential problem with returns as well.

As far as the tax implications, great article and it's all taken care of although my accountant sure doesn't like dealing with all the receipts I dump on her desk come tax time lol

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Thanks for sharing that, sounds like they are aware of the issue, I'll keep that in mind if I run into those problems.  I agree the amount of time spent on trying to resolve one issue or even a quick question through customer service is absurd at times.  I wish I could just dump all my reciepts on my accountant at the end of the year!  Well I could but then he would charge me $300 an hour to deal with it haha  Good on you though, I also sell high value items, having an accountant completely removes any worry or stress!

[prosperityreiki]

Still ongoing, another postal code that offers free shipping instead of charging. v0h1h0. Luckily its only $30 from where I am so I let it slide this time

[clemowbooks]

This may explain why I had trouble with a Nunavut address for the Free Shipment Tuesday. Thanks for the reminder.