Postage due on Ebay purchase - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 08:35:32 pm
content: I picked up a 8x8 RGB LED matrix on Ebay for $2.99 w/ free shipping. The item arrived in a small bubble pack envelope that had a single standard letter postage stamp on it.It was in my mail box but had a red stamp on it "POSTAGE DUE $1.83"It was my understanding that if you send with insufficient postage, it either gets returned or the postman hand delivers it to your door and retrieves the postage from you, or you get a card in your box to go to the post office. The fact it was left in my mailbox makes me wonder if I'm going to be mailed some kind of bill from the post office. So I'm reluctant to fill out any ratings on ebay for the seller.The pins on the module were also poking through the envelope and bent over at about a 60 degree angle. The seller had mounted it on some white foam but it was only about 3mm thick.This was a US seller and arrived within 4 days or so, so it shouldn't be a case of "Well that's what you get when you order from China"Anyone else had a postage due package left in their mailbox?

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 08:40:20 pm
content: In my case buying from ebay everything is either free shipping or 50$ shipping+ 37$ import taxes.Man, i would already have an oscilloscope if not those crazy shipping costs.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 09:29:29 pm
content: About the cheapest way a package can be shipped in the U.S. is by 1st Class Mail. Minimum charge is $2.32, so the Post Office is correct.Maybe the seller meant the shipping was free for them?

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 09:36:34 pm
content: "The US has implemented taxes on all eBay purchases. All purchases made on eBay and shipped to a US address will be charged and billed for the amount shown on the package when it arrives. This charge will be reflected on your tax statement at the end of the tax year."No not really, but I'm sure they'll do something like that someday. US government will sooner or later want their cut from online sales.As for the charge, weird. As the OP already said, the mailman usually knocks on the door asking for the money, leaves a note to pick it up, or the item is returned to the seller for insufficient postage. However, if the item comes from out of country, I would suspect that the postal service does one of the first two instead, leaving the charge to the buyer.I find it very unusual that he received the package, without paying the postage due.Maybe the package WAS sent back to the seller, and the seller paid it and just used the same envelope to send back to you.

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 10:02:09 pm
content: probably, but then again, the US can afford to spend $30,000 on a toilet seat, $40,000 on a hammer.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 10:25:09 pm
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on December 21, 2014, 10:02:09 pmJust because we do it, doesn't mean we can afford it. Unfortunately that's a habit of ours for a few decades now.

author: Postal666
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 10:46:42 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on December 21, 2014, 08:35:32 pmEither:1. You had a "noob" carrier that just got hired and doesn't know what postage due means2. Your regular carrier paid it for you; you can pay them back3. You weren't home during delivery, and your carrier just saved you a trip to the PO4. Carrier that day had too much shit to deal with and just wanted to get rid of the damn package and get on with the other thousands of pieces of mail for the dayYes, the packet needed $1.83 in additional postage, and you were required to pay it (and settle up with the seller if you want) before delivery. No, you won't go to jail. I doubt any Postal Inspector will come looking for it. Merry Christmas. I generally always pay the postage due fees for my customers (<$5 that is) and just leave them a note to pay me back, and they do usually. People tend to appreciate saving them a trip to the local PO for a $.17 postage due on Aunt Sally's letter. If it gets to bothering you just leave the money in an envelope with "postage due" and date delivered on it. It WILL disappear and your conscious will be clear.Otherwise, just consider it a win.As for the poor packing, well, that's not the PO's fault.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 10:54:18 pm
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on December 21, 2014, 09:36:34 pmIt would not be possible to have insufficient postage on an international incoming mail package once it lands in the target country, since the receiving end's postal service doesn't really get paid to deliver it at all.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 05:55:06 am
content: I have seen ebay sellers change postage in mid fly on an article, from free to ridiculous. I pretty much expect all parcels to me to require duty, but never postage. Govmt wants it's cut on everything, and the PO gets a share of that.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 11:55:51 am
content: You're lucky!Here in the UK, you get a bloody red card through the door stating postage fee is due and you have to go and collect it providing a birth certificate and blood sample to prove you are who you say you are.I must admit I have only ever been caught once from Ebay with import fees, the rest of the time if postage is free it tends to arrive without hassle.DHL are the worst for import duty, got caught on some Maxim samples...I never picked them up, didn't think they were worth £7, I just re-sampled them a month later and they arrived no probs.If you do get hit with any kind of mis-payment of postage or something is incorrect they add £1 just for the pleasure of it before adding any actual charges!

author: ignator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 02:18:00 pm
content: Do not leave feedback for the item. And open an eBay resolution on the item.You do need to pay the PO. You also need to make the seller pay you back.Had a similar issue last year, seller sent the item 4th class, and the USPS opened it and verified it was not book or media. They also had a postage due, and my carrier required me to give them $ before delivery. Pay with a check and get a receipt, as your resolution will include the images of the USPS receipt scanned in, showing you paid the USPS money for the delivery.Then you can leave feedback after you get your postage due refund.