The MLP Arena
TCB => Trader & Shipping Support => Topic started by: Spectrum on March 13, 2013, 11:52:15 AM
-
Err, having some shipping problems here..
I've been shipping things for some time internationally for around 5 dollars, but today I went to my same place with the same shipping option for international, I go to ship and it was.. NINETY DOLLARS? For a baby pony? WHAT? x_X
I feel really bad about it x__x I'll probably get a negative on my ebay too when I tell them I have to refund them their money..
-
I'm curious- where are you sending it? Is this an "express" rate? Via USPS or FedEx?
-
I'm curious- where are you sending it? Is this an "express" rate? Via USPS or FedEx?
I was sending it to France. I tried USPS and FedEx, it was both the same price, for First Class.
-
Hmm, unless you're sending it in a lead box it shouldn't be more than $12.75 first class.
-
Hmm, unless you're sending it in a lead box it shouldn't be more than $12.75 first class.
That's what I was thinking :huh: It's a very small box at that. But I was told that was the cheapest option.
-
I mailed a small bubble mailer to Germany reciently an it cost me nearly $10 to ship it :blink:
-
Hmm, unless you're sending it in a lead box it shouldn't be more than $12.75 first class.
That's what I was thinking :huh: It's a very small box at that. But I was told that was the cheapest option.
I suggest going again. The clerk must be mistaken.
-
That clerk was either leaning on the scale or hit some wrong buttons. No way should it cost that much.
-
Have you double-checked the measurements you are putting in? I know at least for Canada Post, you can put in both metric and imperial measurements/weights... picking the wrong one could make a HUGE different (ie 2 pounds is a lot different than 2 kilograms).
A few years back I sent a fair-sized package to Greece (from Canada), and it was ~$30.
-
Well, the clerk double checked by weighing them two times, and still the same thing :( Like I said, I feel SO bad about it, and it's not going to look good out of my 20 feedback, 2 are possibly going to be negative..
-
How much did the weight come out to? A baby pony shouldn't be more that 4 or 5 ounces. What does the Usps website say? I am wondering if they told you something other than first class.
-
How much did the weight come out to? A baby pony shouldn't be more that 4 or 5 ounces. What does the Usps website say? I am wondering if they told you something other than first class.
Yea, the weight was 4 ounces I believe. USPS website said 6 dollars :(
-
Those other estimates are wrong unless you are trying to get tracking or send another method of post. I'd try again. Maybe print off the quote an take it with you.
-
That's absolutely insane. Is this place an actual post office or some sort of shipping center?
If it's a shipping center, I'd honestly recommend going to a regular post office before you refund anything or write to the buyer. From what I've seen, shipping centers overcharge, even if you're sending it via a USPS shipping method.
I sold a lamp once, brought it to the shipping center, and their price came out to like, double what I'd been paid total for the lamp+shipping. Granted, the price they gave was including them packing it, but still... Ended up taking it home, packing it myself, and shipping it at the post office for less than I charged the buyer.
-
That's absolutely insane. Is this place an actual post office or some sort of shipping center?
If it's a shipping center, I'd honestly recommend going to a regular post office before you refund anything or write to the buyer. From what I've seen, shipping centers overcharge, even if you're sending it via a USPS shipping method.
I sold a lamp once, brought it to the shipping center, and their price came out to like, double what I'd been paid total for the lamp+shipping. Granted, the price they gave was including them packing it, but still... Ended up taking it home, packing it myself, and shipping it at the post office for less than I charged the buyer.
Yep, it's a postal office x-x I'm just shocked at the insane price boost.
-
Huh. That is really weird, then.
I have noticed that the international shipping calculator on their website seems to be off by a few dollars; I recently shipped a small package that I'd calculated shipping on as $7, and the actual shipping was close to $10. But even if the calculator is off a little/hasn't been updated/whatever, there should definitely NOT be an $84 difference.
If I were you, I'd calculate it again, with the exact weight and package dimensions, print out the quote it gives you, and go back to the post office with the quote. Show the site quote to them, explain what happened before, and see if anything comes out different this time. If it's still coming out at $90, see if they can offer any explanation as to why it's coming out so much higher than you were quoted.
Is it a high value item, maybe? I'm wondering if the value marked on the package has anything to do with it. Or maybe the cashier made a typo putting in the information?
-
That doesn't make any sense. They were giving you the Express International rate I imagine-
I wonder if you had by accident packaged it in a box that said International Express? I have almost made that mistake before because the boxes look identical to regular priority boxes.
-
No way it's $90! I sent a lovely Arena member a MIB Monster High doll express shipping to Italy and it was $46. And that was after the price increase! I've been sending packages overseas to Germany too, and first class costs about $16.
There is something very amiss at your post office! Is there another office close to you? I'd take my overseas packages elsewhere babe, cause $90 is just insane.
-
Maybe if your shipping a brick.. but not a pony. I suggest you go in and see a different clerk that knows how to run the system. Sounds like you got someone who's a bit fresh at the postal game.
-
That is most definitely not right.
I am curious though if you sold the item on ebay, why are you not printing your labels through there. I can gurantee if you do that it will not cost you $90, it will be more like $8.99.
-
wooh I don't even live in the us but I know that has to be a mistake. Maybe she didn't zero the scales? I would try a different p.o
-
That has to be a mistake. If it's not.. then I am completely terrified to go to the post office and mail something internationally next week!
I say go in and try it again but try and get a different clerk to help you. Or go over to a different post office. That just can not be right..
-
There is no WAY a 4 - 5 ounce box should cost $90 to ship to France! I would try to go again when another clerk is hopefully on duty or try another post office. (Even the Large size flat rate priority international box doesn't cost that much to ship to France, according to their website!)
-
What the... how does that even... what?
Somebody already suggested this, but I'm going to signal-boost it: Print out the USPS calculator quote and bring it with you to the Post Office. Ask them why their quote is so insane. This is clearly unreasonable.
-
Maybe it would cost that much to like, overnight it there or something (is that even possible?) but yeesh. I'd love to know what the problem could be. I'd just take it there again and try again to ship it. I feel like they couldn't possibly missquote you that badly twice!
-
I mailed a box to the UK and the postal worker told me it would be $48 (it weighed a little over three pounds I think) I kept telling her that I didn't think it would be THAT much, but she insisted she was right. The postal worker next to her told her that it shouldn't be that much if it was less than 4 pounds and it turns out the other one was pressing the wrong button so it turned out to be $27 instead. Mistakes can happen so I think it's clearly a mistake on the $90 quote! I would take it to another post office or ask for another postal worker to check :)
-
Yep, went back a few hours ago with a different person, still the same quote.. I honestly think it is a mistake on the post office's part, but it's the only post office around here that'll ship internationally.
It doesn't help that the buyer has already canceled the cancel transaction and won't respond to me.. :(
-
Yep, went back a few hours ago with a different person, still the same quote.. I honestly think it is a mistake on the post office's part, but it's the only post office around here that'll ship internationally.
It doesn't help that the buyer has already canceled the cancel transaction and won't respond to me.. :(
Okay, how many times have you been in now and how many people have you seen? Because I'm finding it hard to believe that everyone at your post office is making this mistake. I mean I know there are some postal workers who aren't as sharp as others, but NONE of them should see a 4oz box come up with a $90 price and not think something is wrong.
Did you do as suggested and take in the shipping quote from their website?
-
Yep, went back a few hours ago with a different person, still the same quote.. I honestly think it is a mistake on the post office's part, but it's the only post office around here that'll ship internationally.
It doesn't help that the buyer has already canceled the cancel transaction and won't respond to me.. :(
Okay, how many times have you been in now and how many people have you seen? Because I'm finding it hard to believe that everyone at your post office is making this mistake. I mean I know there are some postal workers who aren't as sharp as others, but NONE of them should see a 4oz box come up with a $90 price and not think something is wrong.
Did you do as suggested and take in the shipping quote from their website?
I've been in twice with two different people. x-x I took in the shipping quote, and I was told that sometimes 'USPS's shipping quotes are inaccurate' :argh:
-
Okay... but... I'm sorry, I do not know a SINGLE postal employee who would see a difference of over $80 as just an "inaccuracy." A few dollars here or there yes, but I just cannot imagine anyone seeing that price difference and not seeing anything wrong with it. You need to go in and ask for a supervisor.
-
Okay... but... I'm sorry, I do not know a SINGLE postal employee who would see a difference of over $80 as just an "inaccuracy." A few dollars here or there yes, but I just cannot imagine anyone seeing that price difference and not seeing anything wrong with it. You need to go in and ask for a supervisor.
Alright, I'll be sure to do that. :) Let's hope it works out..
-
I've been in twice with two different people. x-x I took in the shipping quote, and I was told that sometimes 'USPS's shipping quotes are inaccurate' :argh:
At the same post office? For something that light it should be nowhere near $90 for first class. Is that office's computer system working properly I wonder? I'd print out shipping through ebay or take it into a different post office... this is just bazaar! :shocked:
-
i honestly think it is a mistake on the post office's part, but it's the only post office around here that'll ship internationally.
Any post office should be able to ship internationally.
-
i honestly think it is a mistake on the post office's part, but it's the only post office around here that'll ship internationally.
Any post office should be able to ship internationally.
'Should' is the keyword :huh: The other post office told me that it was too much of a pain.
-
This --->
That is most definitely not right.
I am curious though if you sold the item on ebay, why are you not printing your labels through there. I can gurantee if you do that it will not cost you $90, it will be more like $8.99.
Print the shipping label directly from ebay, tape it on the package and ship it out :)
-
That is absolutely bonkers. I always print out the eBay shipping labels, so I haven't had this issue...I'd suggest you do that as well!
-
Girl go to a post office. Not fedex or UPS. Go to the post office and ask them about it. Because that is OUTRAGES!
-
i honestly think it is a mistake on the post office's part, but it's the only post office around here that'll ship internationally.
Any post office should be able to ship internationally.
'Should' is the keyword :huh: The other post office told me that it was too much of a pain.
Um, I'm fairly sure post offices aren't allowed to refuse to provide services whenever they feel like it. If this is truly the case, you need to file a complaint with someone.
-
Okay it sounds to me that you are using a postal office but its not the true government usps. The true usps can not turn down shipping international. There is a huge difference in using aneighborhood postal store verses the usps. They will over charge you. I quit using those places as they are shady. You will need to drive to the true usps in your area. If there is not one because its a small town...then do not ship internationally. That shipping rate is not correct. I would report this business as well if that is possible. Privately owned postal offices are huge over chargers, but this is the worst I have ever heard of. The government postal office can not charge you like that. Their quotes will not apply at the private locations. Also if trying fed x you must go to the real fed x...again..not a hub. When the mail carrier delivers your mail ask them where the nearest government office is..as they are the only ones authorized to deliver besides ups and fed x..so..there is an office close or you would not get mail evenat a po box.
-
I have to agree with Tulagirl. It sounds like you are going to some place like Mailboxes Etc. You need to locate your government owned USPS post office. Where the workers are all in USPS uniforms.
Good luck.
-
I have nothing to add to this but wow, you guys have pretend post offices? That is quite strange. I hope the OP can get to a real post office run by the govt and get a reasonable price for the package :)
-
I've bought from you before. Is it boxed strangely? Maybe the dimensions are weird. If it's in a padded envelope, there shouldn't be a problem. Did you claim a high value on the customs form? I'd ask them what's driving the price up so high.
-
Don't go to that post office anymore. Unless you are sending it express, there is no way a baby pony could cost that much to ship.
-
I have nothing to add to this but wow, you guys have pretend post offices? That is quite strange. I hope the OP can get to a real post office run by the govt and get a reasonable price for the package :)
They are not pretend post offices they are privately owned small businesses that pack and ship and sometimes even have po boxes. They do not however deliver street mail to homes. The USPS delivers mail to them if they have po boxes. Often they handle USPS mail, UPS and Fed-X and can ship from all three carriers. They can decide what they do and do not want to deal with. The thing is though in order for them to make money they charge extra fees on top of the shipping and those fees are quite high. I paid two dollars once just to have them mail a letter because I didn't have a stamp. Thats just not cool with me. They also oversize things that do not qualify as over sized.
-
I have nothing to add to this but wow, you guys have pretend post offices? That is quite strange. I hope the OP can get to a real post office run by the govt and get a reasonable price for the package :)
They are not pretend post offices they are privately owned small businesses that pack and ship and sometimes even have po boxes. They do not however deliver street mail to homes. The USPS delivers mail to them if they have po boxes. Often they handle USPS mail, UPS and Fed-X and can ship from all three carriers. They can decide what they do and do not want to deal with. The thing is though in order for them to make money they charge extra fees on top of the shipping and those fees are quite high. I paid two dollars once just to have them mail a letter because I didn't have a stamp. Thats just not cool with me. They also oversize things that do not qualify as over sized.
They're called licensed retailers, and we have them in Canada too. Go to 7-Eleven to mail something? It costs $20 more... :(
-
Has the OP confirmed it was even being sent from one of these retailers? I didn't see it anywhere but I might have missed it >_<
Las-Pegasus I want to ask again on why you have not tried to print the label through ebay or even Paypal? I can gurantee it is only going to cost you around $8.99 to do so. If you need help on printing labels through ebay, you can PM me and I will walk you through it.
Also if your buyer is unwilling to cancel the transaction it is going to land you in a big mess. It's hardly worth a negative feedback when it can easily be fixed.
-
Has the OP confirmed it was even being sent from one of these retailers? I didn't see it anywhere but I might have missed it >_<
Las-Pegasus I want to ask again on why you have not tried to print the label through ebay or even Paypal? I can gurantee it is only going to cost you around $8.99 to do so. If you need help on printing labels through ebay, you can PM me and I will walk you through it.
Also if your buyer is unwilling to cancel the transaction it is going to land you in a big mess. It's hardly worth a negative feedback when it can easily be fixed.
Last time I checked (which incidentally was about 5 minutes ago) you can't print first class international postage through paypal or the USPS website. I don't recall if that's different if it is coming from an ebay order, but I just printed international shipping for an ebay sale about 15 minutes ago and only recall seeing priority, express, or global express guaranteed services.
If I'm missing a way to print first class international postage online please share - it would make my life way easier! :D
-
Yes, you can most certainly print First Class through Ebay. I have done it for years.
Post Merge: March 14, 2013, 09:13:44 AM
Well almost two to be exact, they changed it some time ago.
-
I didn't think you can print first class international either. Don't you also still need a customs form?
-
I know that ebay/paypal will create the customs form for you, I've just never seen a first class option. I know you certainly can't do it from just a paypal payment. I wonder if ebay will only let you print first class international postage if you specify that as a shipping method with calculated shipping? Because I have never seen that option before when printing postage. And I wonder why ebay will let you do it but paypal and the USPS won't :\
-
I know Ebay has done it, i shipped to Canada a while back.
-
Has the OP confirmed it was even being sent from one of these retailers? I didn't see it anywhere but I might have missed it >_<
Las-Pegasus I want to ask again on why you have not tried to print the label through ebay or even Paypal? I can gurantee it is only going to cost you around $8.99 to do so. If you need help on printing labels through ebay, you can PM me and I will walk you through it.
Also if your buyer is unwilling to cancel the transaction it is going to land you in a big mess. It's hardly worth a negative feedback when it can easily be fixed.
The reason I have come to this conclusion is that its against policy for the USPS to refuse international shipping service unless its an item not allowed to be shipped due to security/forbidden items. The only postal companies that can refused shipping service and charge that kind of fee have to be privately owned retail postal companies, but they are not government usps post offices. If you read everything the op has said happened to her...it all points to retail not government usps. Sometimes people are not aware they are not inside a governement facility. Best way to tell...was mentioned earlier the clerks must be wearing a USPS uniform. If they are in regular clothes...its not a government true post office.
Here it is: on ebay:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/international-shipping-rules.html
-
Thank you for that info Tula, I am well aware of that but again my question stands to the OP??
If she has not specifically said it was shipped from one of these facilities then we have really no other reason than to believe it was shipped from a true PO.
In regards to printing labels off ebay for International, it most certainly can be done. Like I mentioned I have been doing it for almost two years. They are pre-filled out and all you do is declare exactly what is being sent, weight, and value. Click print and you are done. It has nothing to do with calculated shipping, I charge a flat rate with the new price increase. And before that I used calculated.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe you do not list that you will indeed ship First Class, thus not giving you the option. But I am pretty sure there is a drop down menu to let you decide.
-
I have to agree that if postage and a label can be done through ebay, that will certainly solve the problem and it can then be picked up by a regular mail carrier or taken to the usps office..then it will be shipped to France at the proper postage rate.
Oh and ponylady..I know you are directing that to the op...I just wanted to explain that I was the one that suggested retail po might explain the problem...if it applies. :) since we were trying to figure out the 90.00 fee this was my suggested senerio that could explain that fee. Hopefully she can tell us this when she returns.
-
Alright, thanks you guys! Everything's been resolved :) Turns out, it was actually a mistake on the post office's part when I contacted the supervisor, shipping was MUCH cheaper. Thanks for the help! :hug:
-
Alright, thanks you guys! Everything's been resolved :) Turns out, it was actually a mistake on the post office's part when I contacted the supervisor, shipping was MUCH cheaper. Thanks for the help! :hug:
Yayayayayayayaya!!! So happy for you.
-
So glad you were able to get an answer. Sometimes you do just have to insist on a manager/supervisor's help.
-
Alright, thanks you guys! Everything's been resolved :) Turns out, it was actually a mistake on the post office's part when I contacted the supervisor, shipping was MUCH cheaper. Thanks for the help! :hug:
I'm glad they got that taken care of. I hope they haven't been outrageously overcharging other people like that! I just imagine some poor old lady shipping a small birthday gift to her granddaughter and paying nearly $100 because she doesn't know any better... :|
-
so how did they get the quote so wrong in the first place?
-
so how did they get the quote so wrong in the first place?
I am wondering the same thing.
-
so how did they get the quote so wrong in the first place?
I am wondering the same thing.
me too! *shudders to think of how many other people got ripped off by that person if they never questioned the ridiculous prices* :yikes:
I'm very glad you got it resolved now though hun! :hug: yes its definitely worth talking to a supervisor if something sounds off. I've been quoted silly prices in the past by one person at the PO, so I talked to the postmaster there and got the real price - which was much lower.
-
*shudders to think of how many other people got ripped off by that person if they never questioned the ridiculous prices* :yikes:
Me too! This is quite outrageous all in all :S
-
Wow. Even a 4 pond box is only about $50 so god only knows how they came up with $90 - However I have been told stupid things by the USPS before like "alaska is not part of the USA and needs international postage" or that I did not need customs forms for shipping to Europe. They are as bad about giving info out as Petco is about giving correct fish care advice >_< (Seriously, never listen to anything they say about how to care for fish or anything living)
-
I was given the craziest quote once because a package was too small in dimension. It required special handling. I put the entire thing in a bubble mailer, and it went back to the normal price. Postal rates can be weird :/
Anyway, glad it worked out
-
Sounds like a prank to be honest. That's definitely not right...
-
Glad it's resolved :)
-
Yikes.
I've noticed some sites charge an arm and a leg for shipping, like some sites have tried to charge me like neatly sixty odd quid after I convert it to ship a shirt or something but then other places give me much more reasonable rates. But I guess it's due to whatever service they use to ship.
-
Glad it all worked out for you, but I have to wonder why in the world they where qouting such a high shipping price in the first place!
And yes, you can print first class postage (even international!) thru eBay. I do it all the time. You just can't print first class or media mail thru the official usps website. :)
-
I know government workers have the stereotype of being incompetent, but that was just ridiculous! Glad it finally worked out though!