USPS Shipping Adjustments
 

Forget Postage Rate increases, looks like USPS is back to randomly pulling packages in certain locations, and just slapping rate adjustments on them, whether they deserve it or not.

Several years ago, I noticed specific regions were doing this, more then others, right about the same time.

Opened my Stamps.com account and noticed my account was in the negative. That's a red flag for an adjustment being made. Racked my brain. Did I send something out that got hit with a bubble adjustment? Was the package too long with the new specs.

No. Was a 4 ounce package holding a $6.95 card.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234406729655

Shipped to Lilburn, Georgia, and delivered last week:

USPS tracking# 9400111108033861214586

They got me for an additional $15.72. :eek::eek:

WTF!!

Claimed I used incorrect packaging, and decided to finish it's journey in a Large Flat Rate Box. Didn't even bother changing the weight of the package. :D:D

I pack my cards solid, in small 6x8 envelopes with rigid cardboard reinforcement inside. Generally bomb proof, but light.

Ended up costing me almost 20 bucks to ship that card to Georgia.

I filed an appeal, but last time I did that I never even got the courtesy of a response from them, so not holding my breath.

So, check your accounts for random rate adjustments. I don't get them often, but when they do, they usually start to come in bunches.

What does incorrect packaging mean? Did you use cut up Priority Mail boxes in the envelope?

4 ounces. Large flat rate. That’s beyond absurd.

Surprisingly, I already heard back from my appeal and received a refund. :)

I'd read on some of the Ebay boards, that back when this was happening a lot in 2020, when the packages were going through the postal adjustment machines, if a little package was hitching a ride on top of a bigger package, the little package could get dinged by the machines.

So check your accounts and see if you have any weird looking adjustments. Not an ounce here or there, but literal lb's., or a ridiculous upgrade in your packaging requirements.

Crappy thing is, it's hard to notice when you get an adjustment because they never e-mail notice when you get one. It just shows up in your account, and it has to be patently obvious when you notice you're in the red, or if you check your history regularly.

I have also gotten occasional credit adjustments in my favor, but it's always less then a dollar or so, if I've overestimated my weight on a 1st Class Package I sent out.

Good news is, the appeal process works if you take the time to use it. At least for now. ;)