INACCURATE LABEL SHIPPING ADJUSTMENTS

[SWAGcollectibles]

For the past few weeks, every time I sell something on Etsy, I am getting emails showing I am being billed for a "Shipping Label Adjustment."

Is there a glitch of some kind?

Back to back these emails come like it is some kind of a special TAX I either have to fight one at a time, or simply let my money be taken.

I shipped a cookie jar that normally weighs 7 pounds after it is boxed, but the email I got weeks later claims it weighs 19 POUNDS.

Last week I got another one after I sold one of my Lofton Holiday figurines that, once boxed, weight 6 pounds. But the Shipping Label Adjustment letter I got later claims the box weighed 14 pounds and charged me an extra $1.77. Making matters worse, I shipped the box 2 weeks ago and the customer still hasn't received the box as the USPS mail has been stalled, yet I am still being billed for the adjustments on the item the customer still has not received.

I shipped a set of TV trays. One box had the 4 metal legs and 1 taller metal cart that made the box a little taller and wider, but not heavier, but just shipping that box cost from Illinois to Texas cost $105.47. But then I received a shipping label adjustment on that box claiming I owe an additional $84.95! Then I also got another shipping label adjustment after I shipped the 4 trays!

At this point, I can depend on getting these shipping label adjustments every time I sell something, but I know that these emails are not accurate because I take my shipping process very seriously. I also add an extra pound on just to be safe and when I measure I ALWAYS calculate to the higher inch.

(All of these are US packages shipped to US customers.)

Also, just to confirm, I have another scale that I checked this morning to make sure there is not a problem on my end, and both scales ARE ACCURATE and say the same thing.

I have other things to do and I don't want to spend hours on the phone or writing letters about a single shipping adjustment because the time of disputing these inaccurate claims is worth far more than the money taken out of my account.

Why is this happening so consistently?

What would be the best way to address this?

I have been an Etsy seller since 2016 and opened my own business in 1994, so I know when something is off.

The Math is not math-ing.

[JMOldeVintage]

@SWAGcollectibles  - USPS made some changes (Last year, I think) to fees on packages. There's always been the dimensional weight calculation but they added in fees for packages with one dimension over a certain length, etc.

If you've accounted for all that - and since your packages would seem to be on the larger size - it's possible your package(s) hid a box(s) underneath it. When scanned the weight of that package added to your package. They sent you the adjustment. 

You'll need to decide if you want to contest the adjustment fee. Like you mentioned, $1.77 is one thing, the $84.95 is another.

[bradgoodell]

Here is USPS's article on it:  https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Automated-Package-Verification-Program

You will need to dispute them.

For your larger, heavier, or more bulky packages, I suggest changing to FedEx or UPS.  You will likely save money.  You could still potentially get adjustments, because they were were USPS got the idea from.  But the prices are often much better for heavier orders.

[SWAGcollectibles]

Thank you for all the kind suggestions.

After I posted this, I called the USPS number attached to the Label Adjustment (1-844-819-5187) and was on the phone for about 30 minutes.

I do think I need to look at other avenues for my larger packages, like FedEx or UPS. Based on what it cost me to ship a simple set of TV trays, I need to look at other options because what I have had to pay now unreasonable.

Also, I think I am going to go to USPS (the Post Office) directly and pay up front for the small and medium sized packages so I won't get any surprises with any Label Adjustments. 

I will see how this works out and hopefully it was be a more CLEAR way to see what I am paying to have a package shipped.

Thanks again for all your help.

[TheRhinestoneBlonde]

I had this happen for the first time today.  What's ridiculous is what they charged me!  They literally charged me double the original label and I've done nothing different for the last 4 years!! 

[ArtesaniasJosMar]

I have been having this issue as well.  My larger items are shipped Fed Ex because the price is so much better that USPS.  The issue is that Fed Ex charges dimensional weight or actual weight (whichever is higher).  This is taken directly from their website.  Etsy does not take this into account when we purchase labels from Etsy.  Etsy does not take this into account when estimating shipping charges at the time of listing our items.  This is quite frustrating because it makes pricing our items more difficult.  I have made numerous calls to Etsy to try to address this issue and I have had little help.  I was on the phone today for over an hour and a half with someone who could not get passed this being my fault.  I could not get this person to understand that I did not input the shipping weight incorrectly.  The adjustment explanation shows very clearly that the weight and dimensions used to purchase the label are correct.  The adjustment made was because of dimensional weight.  I ended up paying $35 more for this label.  Pricing is tricky enough without having to deal with this type of issue.  I know it is most definitely hurting my bottom line.

[WhitebarkVintage]

Have you ever gotten Etsy to refund for adjustments? I still want to be protected under the seller's protection plan. I have gotten about 5 adjustments from Etsy totaling around 200 bucks.  

[WhitebarkVintage]

If showing that they scanned my package upon drop off will they honor the price Etsy gave me for a FedEx label?

[Adorabilities]

@WhitebarkVintage 

You do not have to use Etsy labels to have your orders covered under the protection plan.

[hopeandjoystudios]

@WhitebarkVintage if the label you purchased via Etsy gets upcharged via FedEx for oversized or an address upcharge no they are not going to honor the Etsy label if it was not enough. Was it a large package? Some adjustments are due to(usps) packages getting scanned on top of another package. I think ups and FedEx both add more for some addresses being too rural or whatever.  Not sure why Etsy's calculator can't figure that out by the address.

[hopeandjoystudios]

you have a lot of large items. Maybe talk to FedEx directly to get a better idea about what the charges will be.

[BagmakerSupply]

@WhitebarkVintage: "If showing that they scanned my package upon drop off will they honor the price Etsy gave me for a FedEx label?" "When you purchase a FedEx® Shipping Label on Etsy, the label’s cost is an estimate from FedEx based on your entered shipping service, weight, dimensions, origin zip code, and destination zip code. When the package is delivered, FedEx will verify that all of the information you entered is accurate. If any discrepancies are found at that time, FedEx will adjust the final cost of the label." [emphasis added] per https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000337447-FedEx-Shipping-Labels-on-Etsy?segment=selling

[PsychoCreators]

@WhitebarkVintage @BagmakerSupply I am having the same issue with FedEx. BUT when you go to the office of FedEx or call their customer service. They say that it is the Etsy Labels that are the issue because, Etsy uses their labels to "save us money," you purchase the label, then they come back and charge you saying "Label Adjustment."  

I have been on chat and on phone calls with etsy and I keep being told that they will contact me, it has to be escalated to a different department. 

[sweetstonesjewelry]

I got a charge saying I shipped the item priority but only paid for ground. I looked at the label and it says ground. How they bumped it to priority, charged me for it and still sent it ground is beyond me.   

[RedWallet]

This happened to me as well. After getting no reply from Etsy, I went to the post office where they were able to pull up scans of the package. I was being charged for Priority Mail when it was shipping Ground Advantage. To this day I have had no reply from Etsy and the post office sent a notice to say I had 60 days to resolve with them, and it was now 60 days and my time was up! Issue cancelled, no further response will be forthcoming. My local post office was able to see the size and label and refunded the charge to me.

[RavenKingCrafts]

Dispute it with them. After doing so once and not getting the money back I now photograph each order with the packaging it will go in. (I also did this after a customer managed to get money from Etsy lying about the packaging. ) Now every dispute has resulted in a refund. 

All their malarky adjustments add up. So if you photograph and make sure you measure and weigh your packages you should be fine. 

I had issues with someone in Pennsylvania upgrading all my packages to priority flat rate boxes at least twice a year. Since I sent a complaint with a photo it has not happened again. It turned out someone there was taking any envelope shaped package that had tracking and upgrading them because they thought packages had to be boxes to have tracking... yes it really was that stupid. They would repackage my orders in a flat rate box to bill me as much as they could. I assume they were trying to meet some sort of quota or some malarky because it makes no sense. 

Anyway, lesson was always photograph your orders. It also makes 90% of the claims through etsy go away when it is a scammer. It also makes it easier if you have a lost package as you can show exactly what was in it. 

Don't bother with Etsy though go straight through USPS. 

[LuckyVintagePainter]

I have been having this problem with Fed Ex Labels. Usually it is a dollar or two but I just got a $13 bump. I am done with Fed Ex labels. 

[PsychoCreators]

@LuckyVintagePainter It's not Fed Ex. When you purchase from Etsy, they are Etsy labels, not Fed Ex. Etsy has an issue with their label system and they don't seem to know how to fix it.  

[TheSilverSteamTrunk]

Yes! This is so frustrating. I’ve reached out repeatedly to Etsy asking for some assistance. I only have experienced this problem with FedEx.
All of my packages were measured and weighed accurately I even took the packages into FedEx to have them double check and verify my calculations. They have always told me my calculations are correct and they issued me a receipt confirming my dimensions and weight.
However after delivery FedEx is adding an upcharge and they’re calling it a “dimensional rate”.

This seems very dishonest. When I reach out to Etsy customer service they just advise me to ‘be sure to enter the correct measurements and weight’ and I repeatedly let them know that the information I entered was correct and verified by official FedEx locations and employees. 

I finally discontinued using FedEx because it is very misleading. Every few months I try shipping with FedEx to see if the issue has been addressed and I just received a notice that an additional $44.87 is being added to the original $21 they quoted and charged me. 

Very frustrating.

If you find a resolution please let me know. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. 

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