Postage Overcharge?

[#1]

I recently purchased an item from another Etsy seller and had paid $4.95 in shipping charges. When the box arrived I noticed the postage paid was $2.30.

I am very happy with the item, and it did arrive quickly and in good condition, but I feel more than a little cheated on the postage. I know that it can be difficult to estimate the postage and sellers don't want to lose money on it - but this feels like a big difference to me. Because the product quality was good, something like this wouldn't make me leave negative feedback, but it would certainly stop me from ordering from her shop again.

I've been stewing on this for a few days, and it bugs me but I don't know what to do about it. Take a deep breath and let it go?

[Former_Member]

When I ship it cost me a dollar for the box, and about 1.50 for tracking (with the USPS) plus all of the materials I use for cushioning and personal touches. On top of that, all of the time it takes to package  and  get it to the post office wait in line and so on. None of that shows up on the postage amount that is printed on the postage, but it dose get factored into my shipping price, and I still end up paying more on shipping then I charge. 

[Former_Member]

Some sellers apply other things to their postage, such as shipping supplies cost or listing fees. It is their option, however, I can understand how this disturbs you.

[Former_Member]

Another point I have to take into account in additon to packaging and shipping supplies is the 20 mile round trip to the post office, these days that adds up to $3 or $4 per trip and most of the time that is to drop off a single order / item.

[Former_Member]

i think of it as shipping and handling as well

[BeauTeaStudio]

I've refunded money back to their paypal account if I was off by a lot. But I do take into consideration materials for shipping. The 1.50 rule by Kathy Oakes is good guide line.

[Former_Member]

I make sure the shipping price is never on the label. . .

;)

[BlackKittenVintage]

I refund shipping overages over $1.50, and I inform all buyers of this. Same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago, I had paid something like $6.00 for shipping and saw $2.50 on the shipping label-it irritated me. I contacted the seller and she refunded, but keep in mind that some overage is probably used for packing, packaging, taking to the post office, etc.

[thegardenstudio]

I do my best to estimate as close to the actual cost as possible and admit to typically having to eat my handling costs including, but certainly not limited to, the cost of the packaging, packing materials, cost to take it to the post office, etc.

Recently, the post office, in what I simply must question the efficacy of, has started a practice of what I would consider to be overcharging by claiming parcel rates for standard envelopes and increasing the packaging charges by claiming the package is one thing when in fact it something different. I've now started printing out the postal regulations and taking them with me when I have to mail packages and finally got one of the clerks to admit the post office was in need of the extra funds. This was after I was in line with one clerk who claimed a package charge was double what I'd weighed and calculated prior to going to the post office and then when I asked for a manager because the cost did not make sense, that clerk had me stand in line for someone else who told me my postage was perfect and no additional charges were necessary and further could not identify why the other clerk was quoting me a different price.

So, my point is merely that while I certainly understand the frustration, it sometimes is a moving target when dealing with the post office and their inconsistent standards. I, for one, would make myself ill trying to calculate how much I've lost by not charging enough postage for items. So, please don't feel too bad. The seller may have a decent explanation and it's definitely worth sharing your concerns directly with the seller.

[Former_Member]

Anna, If you feel 'cheated' on what you paid in postage why didn't you contact the seller before you made your purchase? That would have been the time to inquire about the shipping costs and not after the package arrived.

'Shipping' is more than just postage. It also includes the cost of packaging, labels, tape, and anything else that goes into getting the purchase to you.

[Former_Member]

Ditto to Dani.... Most of our items ship cheaper then we charge. The old adage of 'Shipping & Handling' may apply in this case. This helps the seller absorb the cost of damaged shipments, packing supplies (not cheap at all!) and other things that have nothing to do with the product itself.

Understanding this as a seller, I would still contact them. This way they can give you piece of mind and hopefully a satisfactory explanation.

[Former_Member]

well! For myself, I include the the cost of packaging into the shipping cost, not just the postage. Cuz it does cost a lot while buying a good quality bubble envelope or paper box...etc.

[Former_Member]

In my other shop my shipping is higher than the actual cost of shipping but when I print the labels online, they dont see it. When I have to go into the post office to pay and the sticker is put on the package with the actual postage amount, it doesnt worry me.

I have to pay for gas to get to the post office, It takes a bit of time to package properly, and I have to pay for the packaging/ shipping supplies. When its all said and done, the shipping is actually cheaper than what is listed.

We lose some on shipping, we gain some. It all works out. We also have to pay for our time, handling, and supplies. I have it in my policies that shipping does include "shipping and handling".

[Former_Member]

I agree with the people above. You are paying for shipping AND handling but what you saw on the sticker was only the postage cost.

A dollar for your box and wrapping, another dollar for her time and petrol, I think that's quite fair.

It surprised me that some people actually think it is "cheated"...

[NomadWhite]

Think about the trip to the store to get the wrapping, the envelope, the tape, then all of the cost of that, then the gas and time to get to the post office. It all adds up!