I have been getting a lot of USPS postage underpayment claims lately.

These are mostly dimension errors and it’s a few bucks so I don’t bother to dispute but today’s was a claim that a box I said weighed 4 pounds actually weighed 18 pounds.

The wrong dimension claims were erroneous because I only use ULINE boxes with the dimensions printed on the underside. But to overstate the weight by 14 pounds is infuriating.

Each time the USPS reclaims whatever “discount” they offered when I purchased postage through eBay. The problem is, I always pass that along to buyers.

Has anyone else been running into this ridiculousness? The USPS is blatantly lying to steal my money.

EDIT: people have pointed out the size of my box, 24x20x6 was the issue…dimensional weight. I guess the USPS figures my 1 box = 2-3 regular size boxes so they charge accordingly. Thanks to everyone for your responses.

in Ebayby dweedledee

77%

14d

NotWithoutMyTrauma

14d

Had this happen to me last month and I was pissed because it made no sense.

I shipped a Priority Mail Flat Rate Padded Envelope. Meaning as long as it fits in the envelope and it's under I think 60lbs you pay a flat rate.

I always over estimate the weight in all my packages by a few ounces to prevent adjustments.

In this case my package was half the size of the envelope and the weight was 1lb exactly. I enter the weight as 1lb 4 ounces and paid the standard flat rate for that envelope type.

I got an adjustment of $12 over what I paid which made no sense at all. When I checked what USPS weight my package at in their system (I can do so in my selling platform) they said the package was 1.01lbs.

So.... where did the $12 came from? Package type was correct. Weight was actually under what I entered for the Priority Mail label.

I disputed it and they refunded me.

dweedledee

14d

This would be even more irksome! You used their standard rate packing and they disputed their charge that packing.

I know I’m not going to win this because I sent a plain box and took no pictures but this has happened to me at least 4 times in the past 3 months.

AMundaneSpectacle

14d

What a pain in the ass. That seems like an error and it’s great they refunded you but I’m sure you lost time and energy dealing with it

NotWithoutMyTrauma

14d

It really was a pain. I had to fill this form with a bunch of info, then it took like 3 weeks to hear back and have it approved, and then since I bought the label through a third part (the platform I sell in) they had to refund it to them and them to me.

That's why I get adjustments for a couple of bucks every couple months I don't even fight it. Again BS because I use only 2 type of packaging which are always the same measurements and I always round a bunch up on the weight side.

redredditer91

14d

What size boxes are you using? If they are on the larger side, it could be due to dimensional weight. Also, are you adding an inch to each dimension? The printed measurements are usually the interior dimensions and when measured from the outside need rounded up.

dweedledee

14d

24x20x6.

king_nothing_

14d

The dimensional weight equation (for USPS) is (LxWxH)/166.

(24x20x6)/166, rounded up, is 18 lbs., which is what you said they charged you for.

iHateRedditSimps

12d

Yes, I understand dimensional weight but if you put the dimensions and the weight incorrectly, when making the label there should not be a charge

But I also agree that you do need to measure your packages. I’ve had large items with lots of packaging make a package over an inch longer than it said it was on the side once it was all packaged and taped up.

GrownUpDisneyFamily

14d

I did not know that.

Mycatreallyhatesyou

14d

Those printed dimensions represent the inside of the box, not the outside. That may be part of the problem.

Adventurous_Wait9406

-2

14d

I've never heard of this before tbh

dweedledee

-2

14d

I think these were all large boxes but after I entered the dimensions as they are printed on the box, I recall seeing wording like “…up to …inches…total” and I’m usually pretty far from that total. (I didn’t pay much attention to the previous claims because they were small discrepancies although I’m sure they were wrong).

trolltidetroll1

14d

Happened to me too. My package which was 2.01lbs which I purchased a 3lb label for tripled in weight to 6+ lbs.

nagetech

14d

This is why we use pirateship. They make it easy to dispute this. The amount of times USPS has incorrectly hit me with a charge after the fact is mind blowing.

Switch to pirateship and trust me, you'll be happy you did :)

coltreasurehunt

14d

My package was 8 ounces and they said 5 pounds. Coincidentally both were through the global shipping program.

AVehicleLee

14d

Just had a 7 pound box claimed at 28 pounds. It was absolutely only 7 pounds, I weigh them before sending out.

Manic_Mini

14d

The dimesnions on the box are INTERIOR dimensions. You need to enter the exterior dimensions.

No_Finding_

🍰

13d

Boxes are maybe 1/6 inch thick?

Manic_Mini

13d

The cheapest corrugated cardboard boxes are going to be 1/8" and most amazon style boxes are double that at 1/4"

Label_Myself

14d

I feel like it's random, I mostly ship in bags, always the same size, but for a short time I was getting a small overage hit maybe every other month. Haven't had one in years. I'm guessing this is enforced on the local level, so some postmaster has an extra person they can use to check it, and they do- or even one local PO has a scanner that can detect size and automatically hit everyone.

No-Fold9113

14d

I had on yesterday, it said it was 12oz but there is no way. I have another same item, weighted it with the box and bubble wrap, 2.6oz. It a dollar and I don't think it's going to be worth the time to dispute it for $1.

bufflehead202

14d

This just happened to me, too, and I’m sure they’re wrong so I’m disputing it.

I’ve been selling for 20+ years and have never had a problem, but this is the second USPS issue this year. In March I was charged for a voided label that they said was actually used like 3 months after the fact, which also was completely impossible. I opened a case with USPS and the auto reply email said they’d look into it within 15 days. I didn’t hear anything for two months. Then one day I got an email from eBay saying that I was being refunded for the label. It was very odd and so I thought it was just a one-off until this latest issue…

FurTradingSeal

-8

14d

Stop using USPS, people! It is not a serious carrier. They are not able to deliver packages on time anymore. When they delay over a month, you are going to lose out when the customer claims INR.

Got-A-Goat

13d

USPS is much more reliable than FedEx or UPS in my experience

FurTradingSeal

13d

Absolutely not out of my hub and certain other hubs. I have had packages and letters delayed 1-3 months, and a couple completely lost forever in the past year alone. I have now ended up paying out on an INR claim for a package USPS delayed excessively, and have stopped using them completely. I consider USPS to be actively adversarial to my activities on ebay--I'm exaggerating, obviously, but the outcomes of incompetence and sabotage often look identical.

With UPS, I have had one package lost in my entire lifetime of almost 40 years, and the worst I experienced with FedEx was during the pandemic, their delivery estimates would commonly be off by a couple days, one time 2 weeks, but never a month. Both UPS and FedEx are now totally back to normal and at the tops of their game.

SingleRelationship25

14d

Sounds like it was dimensional weight based on the size of the box

Kilgore47

13d

I make a lot of my own boxes or modify them and I play around with the box size in the shipping settings to see what size box will be the cheapest (especially with large boxes). I often get to a point where I can watch the price jump from actual weight to dimensional by increasing the size by 1". I can tell you that most 24" boxes will hit dimensional weight automatically, and any box over 22" is automatically $7 more anyways- so its good to keep your dimensions as tight as possible. Also, like people have already said, the dimensions printed on the box are for the inside, if the outside of the box is 1/8" bigger than whats printed, then you have to round up a whole inch

Ambitious_Fault_1416

13d

Do you use QR codes?If you take packages to post office clerk they will give you a receipt with the weight on it.

dweedledee

11d

I don’t. Do you think that would make a difference?

I get an email with the QR code but I also print the label and attach it myself. The postal employees used to be able to verify my shipping costs but a while ago they told me they can’t do any longer. I was told that at different offices so I believed them.

Ambitious_Fault_1416

11d

If you get a receipt when you drop off the package.You would have proof of weight!

dweedledee

11d

Oh wow! I always get a receipt just for proof I dropped it off in case they lose it. I honestly never looked at the receipt since it was already labeled and they haven’t lost anything in years.

herrdietr

12d

If you enter the correct weight and dimensions why doesn't ebay postage calculate it properly?

dweedledee

11d

I was wondering if there was a problem with the eBay postage calculator. In each case when the USPS has done this, they have charged me the equivalent of my eBay postage “discount” which, in the past I refunded to buyers once they received their item. I think there was even an option to pass the savings on to the buyer directly at one point. I held off this time and in all cases the amount I wound up owing the USPS basically negated any “discount”.

I’ve been using these same boxes for years and it’s only been an issue very recently.

I’ve learned a few things. The large/oversized box will be charged this extra fee in either size or weight so ignore any “discount” mentioned at the time of purchase. Look into alternative shipping methods. Hold off on refunding shipping cost differences until the final number is known or just take the box to the PO and have them calculate shipping after the sale.

TeaAppropriate2122

12d

You aren’t the only one, I’m so fed up that I’m starting to mark up my dimensions an extra inch and marking my weight an extra pound. Let’s see if they say I overpaid like I always underpay when I know it’s been measured correctly

sciolist10

I got my first two "cost adjustment" claim. One adjustment alleged that my 11 oz box actually weighed 11 lbs and was three times larger than it actually was. The second adjustment alleged that my box was 17in X 17in X 17in, WAY larger than reality. The alleged underpayment on that one was $53!!!
I disputed the adjustments via email and included a photo of the receipt from the post office. Waiting for their response.

ssateneth

14d

dimensional weight. if something is more than 1 cubic foot in size, its charged the greater of dimensional weight and actual weight. 18 pounds dimensional weight is about 1.44 cubic feet, or like if every side was about 13.5"

dweedledee

14d

Well this makes sense. The box was 24x20x6.

ssateneth

14d

dimensional weight 20.719 LB. i think you got lucky

boosted_b5awd

14d

FYI I also only use ULine and their boxes are consistently half an inch larger than advertised in at least one dimension (typically H, which factors into girth calculations as mentioned by others)

davef139

14d

That is because dimensions list are inner not outer

ImaginaryBig1705

14d

Whatever system they are using is doing this a lot. Yes you dispute and they pay you back but ffs is time not worth anything to anyone else?

Ticonderogue

13d

Haven't encountered overpayment claim by USPS yet. FedEx, you gotta watch them. I keep a copy of my FedEx quote in my computer if they do that, and a receipt from dropping it off, showing weight (I make sure it matches label, or I go home and redo it).

I actually got a USPS REFUND last week that said I overpaid. It said something like, my 1 lb package only weighed... 0.10 oz. 🤦 Somewhere along the route their scale was broken I guess. Or a stroke of sabotage. Who knows.

ICantArgueWithStupid

13d

Stand in line and wait and let them weigh and scan it in front of you and you wont have any issues.

dweedledee

11d

I already wait in line to make sure I get a drop off receipt. I used to ask them to double check my size and weight and postage. I was never wrong. About a year ago they started saying they can’t do that any longer? I heard this from more than one office so I didn’t question it.

Agigator-TunaTater

14d

Not with USPS but with fedex they have to be spot on.

Just pad the numbers a bit when you put the dimensions and weight in. They don't recalibrate the scales.

Economics_Low

14d

I received an eBay package last week that had $4.25 postage due. It was a small package (small Amazon box) and I had paid the seller $16 shipping to send it to me. It couldn’t have weighed much because it was doll clothes. Something is definitely wrong at USPS. (Note that the seller did refund me the postage due, even though I didn’t ask them to. I had already given them a positive review and just told them about it to let them know something was off with USPS.)

Dor1981

14d

I've only had this problem with ups. One time, i asked a veteran clerk at USPS to confirm the dimension and shipping cost. I was told that they have no idea what eBay charges and can't confirm whether my shipping expense is correct. If this is true, I'm not sure how they would know how much underpayment to charge you.

YesterdaySad1198

13d

Its been an ongoing issue all year. It's gotten to the point where I won't buy postage through ebay anymore.

dweedledee

I’m going to do the same. I’ll do the calculator on the site so the buyer pays the postage then I’ll take it to the post office and pay for postage there.

bigfoot_76

-3

14d

Precisely why you NEVER use eBay shipping. Use pirateship so you can fight APV claims.

dweedledee

14d

Never heard of it but I’ll look into it for sure. Thanks.

_MisterR

14d

All I use to ship, avoids so many headaches.

Mycatreallyhatesyou

14d

I won’t use them after I had to fight to get a voided label refunded.

Grouchy_Ad_5741

14d

Seriously wish we had pirate ship in Canada. I hear nothing but great things. Their website says Canada is a work in progress so fingers crossed I can get on there sooner than later !

dweedledee

14d

After seeing these comments about interior vs. Exterior size of boxes I’m wondering whether the eBay shipping calculator is faulty. I’ve gotten 4 of these in the past 3 months, and in over a decade of selling never got any before that time.

I enter the box dimensions as they are printed on the box so the interior size. However, there is always a response that up a certain dimension the charge is unchanged and my measurements are usually far from that limit.

Maybe some inattentive person just attributed the discrepancy to weight, sent that email, when it really should have been dimensions.

FurTradingSeal

14d

I used to work at a UPS Store. You’ve got to physically measure the boxes. There is no way around this. If you don’t do it right, the carrier will do it for you.

FurTradingSeal

-3

14d

With UPS, they always round up. If your box says 18x18x10 on the outside of the box, the correct dimensions that UPS wants are “19x19x11.” If you put 18x18x10, and someone looks at it and the price is different, you’re going to get an underpayment charge. Also, if your box bulges out on one side because you overstuffed the packing material, they absolutely might nail you for that.

I assume any underpayment charge with USPS is some sort of grift that a corrupt employee is profiting from or otherwise the result of incompetence. USPS is not a functional shipping carrier, and frankly, I’d strongly recommend AGAINST using them.