So, about those USPS shipping adjustments...
Hi Guys - over the past few weeks I have been getting hit left and right with shipping adjustments, all of them for USPS Flat Rate Envelopes, for orders going as far back as April this year.
I've opened a case about it (case ID 21410358691), talked with forum mods about it on different posts, and Amazon's stance is: we agree with the adjustments, the charges come from USPS not us, so get over it and stop bugging us.
I have maintained throughout this situation that the problem is not us, it's not USPS - it's that Amazon is showing us the wrong price during the Buy Shipping process (which Amazon denies).
Well, boys and girls, I have my proof. Today I got an order (111-8811061-0803464), and one of the shipping options offered during Buy Shipping was the USPS Flat Rate Envelope for $9.62:
This immediately caught my attention, because the current commercial rate for USPS Flat Rate Envelopes is $11.12. I went ahead and double checked on Pirate Ship, using the same order details, and they agree that the price should be $11.12:
What happens is we pay the $9.62, and then a few months later we get hit with an adjustment for $1.50. We open a case, and Amazon says 'the adjustments don't come from us, they come from USPS, so go kick rocks.'
Amazon - we use the price displayed to us during Buy Shipping to determine what shipping method we use. Every time we have ever chosen USPS Flat Rate Envelopes is because it was $0.50 or so cheaper than the other options. But it isn't actually cheaper, is it Amazon? In the end we aren't saving $0.50, we're actually paying a dollar more, all because you're giving us bad information during Buy Shipping.
Amazon - compensate us for all the adjustments we got due to your error and fix your shoddy system, it's broken.
PS: the only reason I can think Amazon has an army of mods on the forums adamantly denying these USPS adjustments are their fault is because they know if they admit the mistake, they will be responsible for the charges. I have dozens of these $1.50 adjustments, so I imagine if you add up all the adjustments across all 3rd party sellers it could easily add up to double digit millions. And, of course, Amazon would rather force it's 3rd party sellers to bear that burden than take responsibility for their own mistake.
So, about those USPS shipping adjustments...
Hi Guys - over the past few weeks I have been getting hit left and right with shipping adjustments, all of them for USPS Flat Rate Envelopes, for orders going as far back as April this year.
I've opened a case about it (case ID 21410358691), talked with forum mods about it on different posts, and Amazon's stance is: we agree with the adjustments, the charges come from USPS not us, so get over it and stop bugging us.
I have maintained throughout this situation that the problem is not us, it's not USPS - it's that Amazon is showing us the wrong price during the Buy Shipping process (which Amazon denies).
Well, boys and girls, I have my proof. Today I got an order (111-8811061-0803464), and one of the shipping options offered during Buy Shipping was the USPS Flat Rate Envelope for $9.62:
This immediately caught my attention, because the current commercial rate for USPS Flat Rate Envelopes is $11.12. I went ahead and double checked on Pirate Ship, using the same order details, and they agree that the price should be $11.12:
What happens is we pay the $9.62, and then a few months later we get hit with an adjustment for $1.50. We open a case, and Amazon says 'the adjustments don't come from us, they come from USPS, so go kick rocks.'
Amazon - we use the price displayed to us during Buy Shipping to determine what shipping method we use. Every time we have ever chosen USPS Flat Rate Envelopes is because it was $0.50 or so cheaper than the other options. But it isn't actually cheaper, is it Amazon? In the end we aren't saving $0.50, we're actually paying a dollar more, all because you're giving us bad information during Buy Shipping.
Amazon - compensate us for all the adjustments we got due to your error and fix your shoddy system, it's broken.
PS: the only reason I can think Amazon has an army of mods on the forums adamantly denying these USPS adjustments are their fault is because they know if they admit the mistake, they will be responsible for the charges. I have dozens of these $1.50 adjustments, so I imagine if you add up all the adjustments across all 3rd party sellers it could easily add up to double digit millions. And, of course, Amazon would rather force it's 3rd party sellers to bear that burden than take responsibility for their own mistake.
70 replies
Seller_LAhuiXJ4eMubd
So, Amazon, you respond to every other post I made about this subject, but not this one? Now that I have proof, you have nothing to say?
While processing orders this morning, I noticed several other orders where the price for a USPS Flat-Rate Envelope was listed as $9.62 during Buy Shipping.
As mentioned previously, all the shipping adjustments I'm getting for USPS Flat-Rate Envelopes are exactly $1.50. Looking at the orders that got the shipping adjustments, I paid $9.62 for the flat-rate envelopes, and the $1.50 adjustments brings that to the correct price of $11.12.
Amazon - you are displaying the wrong price. Compensate us all for your mistake and fix your busted Buy Shipping system.
Angie_Amazon
Hi @Seller_LAhuiXJ4eMubd,
We reviewed your case and the related escalations. The adjustments on your account were disputed with USPS on your behalf — USPS reviewed and confirmed the charges are accurate and stand as billed.
The prices shown during Buy Shipping are estimates. Amazon operates a pass-through billing model with USPS, and USPS can audit packages after label purchase through their Automated Package Verification (APV) system and adjust postage accordingly.
Angie
Seller_HRcJa1gdGHeov
The prices shown during Buy Shipping are estimates. Amazon operates a pass-through billing model with USPS, and USPS can audit packages after label purchase through their Automated Package Verification (APV) system and adjust postage accordingly.
Why is Amazon using the pass through model? If Amazon negotiated rates with the 3 main carriers, they could get substantially better rates (see recent price hikes from USPS); those savings could help 3P sellers and potentially make products cheaper for buyers. This seems like a win/win to me; negotiated rates would protect 3P sellers from commercial rate hikes from UPS, USPS, and FedEx.
Seller_Hvi3HBW45jas9
What in the heck?! We are going by your companies stupid "estimates". As usual, Amazon drops the ball and the seller gets screwed.
Seller_kZvm6BR3doXxX
I was told by a rep that amazon agreed that my flat rate adjustments were in error and I would be refunded. No additional info other than a total and how many orders they got wrong.
But nothing else at all. I am still getting them too.
But not from other label purchasing platforms.
Seller_tjEFut1sYItOY
We got hit with a couple dozen of these over the past week. Ours are for incorrect shipping charges on Bound Printed Matter and Media Mail. They need to fix it pronto!
Seller_xlf3vF516IRli
I am in this EXACT SAME SITUATION. I was SHOWN 9.62 and then 2 months later hit with $1.50 adjustment. It's NOT ACCURATE and AMAZON KNOWS IT and is not willing to FIX the problem.
I fought for 2 weeks with SS on this and NO ONE would even acknowledge that this is an API ISSUE.
Thankfully I don't do too many of the Flat Rate Envelopes, and since it's CLEARLY $11.12, I won't use that option unless I'm willing to pay THAT later regardless of whats on the screen at time of purchase. An "estimate" is GARBAGE. We RELY on these numbers for "profit" margins etc. When we are only making $3-5 on an order, and you come back and take $1.50 of that it REALLY hurts sellers.
FIX YOUR API AMAZON.
Seller_YBfUTeoG971hG
Why is USPS flat-rate shipping being estimated AT ALL? The weight and distance don't matter, it is, as the name suggests, a flat rate for all packages. We know what it costs. Amazon knows what it costs. It's not, as they say, rocket surgery.
I can (sort of) understand the occasional minor adjustment for a mis-calculated weight for a Media Mail, Bound Printed or Ground Advantage parcel -- but even then it shouldn't be more than $1 or so in such cases.
I weigh each item very carefully, and know exactly what my packaging weighs and the total is what I enter in the required spaces on the Buy Shipping template. Amazon knows where it is going, and which mailing service I have designated. But a few weeks ago I got -- without ANY explanation -- a "General Adjustment" fee of nearly $200.
Seller_lGARPNvsQ2yLz
I keep getting hit with Denied claims on VOIDED labels. I contact support and they say it's USPS fault. The problem I have found is someone in Chicago has reused all my voided labels, stuff actually got shipped a few weeks after I voided the labels, all originating from Chicago and all went on funky trips around the country till they got delivered to some far off land. I swear the post office is purposely messing with rates, upcharges and reusing labels on Amazon because it's easy money the USPS can rake in since nobody claims responsibility.
Seller_ShEjIiK61nFnr
You are 100 percent right about your accusations.
Amazon should be on the hook for this, but now you have forum mods
claiming the buy shipping process is NOW ESTIMATES.
But in the last 5 to 8 years however long the buy shipping has been around,
these were not estimates. Now they are?
If Amazon cant stand behind their own shipping process, when they are getting huge discounts for their own packages, it might be time to BOYCOTT the amazon buy shipping.
I have switched over to shipstation integration, and I do not use flat rate, but all of the shipping im seeing is exactly what shipstation is providing.
But these forum mods are saying Amazon is not at faul and all shipping is estimates, so carriers can come back months later and take money from your account without any proof.
I have never seen anything like this where Amazon stands back and allows fraud from shipping charges to process through 3p sellers account with no proof or any information.
I shipped thousands and thousands of items without this buy shipping scam before it was a a thing, now I will switch and not have to worry about fraudulent charges.
Shame on Amazon and shame on the forum mods for allowing fraud to happen right in front of them and pass the buck.
