eBay

ct-v · ‎07-24-2025

Canada Post are clearing their backlog and charging the shipping labels of the past few weeks. However this week I've had 4 different Expedited Lite parcels being charged the cost of an Expedited Parcel. They first charge the correct amount for the Expedited Lite Label and later in the day they charge the difference between the cost of the Expedited Lite and the Expedited Parcel.

This situation has happened to me for one order in the past. I had contacted Ebay's customer service and they told me to call Canada Post. Then I called Canada Post and they told me to call Ebay...

(And before someone asks, no I did not make a mistake when I entered the dimensions and the weight)

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎08-15-2025

@dinomitesales wrote:
@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
@dinomitesales Would you be able to confirm your measurements for the label using the link and updating to dot com. On it it displays measurements but is moving length to middle box vs first. The ca link does not display the original info. How it looks on 1 of my recent packages on dot com and I always enter length first. Is there a chance they are using the girth formula?

Here is what it looks like on dotCom. I don't see how the position of the numbers would effect anything, considering this was pretty much a square box. I don't understand what girth would have to do with anything.

Clearly what's happening is that Canada Post is taking into consideration the Volumetric Equivalent [VE] of Weight and since it's exceeding 200g it's billing the parcel as a regular Expedited Parcel. This is why thin/flat items in bubble mailers are passing through fine (VE is under 200g), but things in boxes are getting charged the Expedited Parcel rate (the VE of my shipment was just over 300g). I suspect the 5x5x5 on the labels was intended to be a workaround to this, as that's only 25g VE, but that's not how it's working in practice. Parcels are being re-rated in transit and the 5x5x5 isn't being honored.

It's clear that eBay does have an agreement with Canada Post for this service, which is why it's working for small/thin items. There just exists a discrepancy in how eBay is describing the service to it's customers (anything under 200g), and how it's actually being implemented by Canada Post (only applies to less than 200g VE).

@dinomitesales

If they are going to be sending these mysterious bonus bills they need to be sending an explanation as for the reasoning for the difference. Then it would make it easier to confirm what is causing the problem. When a courier sends a revised charge it always comes with explanation. Just basic business practice.

There is this link but unsure what is covered how often it is used.

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/articles/abcs-of-mailing/how-we-charge.page?

jtg204 · ‎08-15-2025

On the times between charges, for my latest one the charges were 5 minutes apart Aug 6, but was in a batch of 3 charges with an unrelated label 2min inbetween.

My two before that on July 28, one was about 3 hours apart, first charge (ebay label price) and then 3 hours later for the extra charge. The extra charge was together with another set of lite/extra charges that were only about a minute apart.

Doesn't seem to take days for them to show up now.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎08-15-2025

@jtg204 wrote:
On the times between charges, for my latest one the charges were 5 minutes apart Aug 6, but was in a batch of 3 charges with an unrelated label 2min inbetween.
My two before that on July 28, one was about 3 hours apart, first charge (ebay label price) and then 3 hours later for the extra charge. The extra charge was together with another set of lite/extra charges that were only about a minute apart.
Doesn't seem to take days for them to show up now.

@jtg204

Mine, as of late have been arriving various time frames and out of order. Have 2 older ones from 5 days ago outstanding and last 1 charged was a sent a few days ago. From what I can tell about a pattern...there isn't one. As far as I know no one from eBay has actually addressed.

phc64 · ‎08-16-2025

@dinomitesales wrote:
Clearly what's happening is that Canada Post is taking into consideration the Volumetric Equivalent [VE] of Weight and since it's exceeding 200g it's billing the parcel as a regular Expedited Parcel.

I think you may very well have solved the mystery, that eBay is using actual weight and Canada Post is using its usual 'higher of VE or actual weight' method.

Has anyone faced these additional charges on Expedited Lite parcels with a VE below 200g?

The VE formula is: length X width X height (in cm) divided by 5000 = VE (in kg).

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Canada Post uses the 'higher of VE or actual weight' for all domestic parcels.

jtg204 · ‎08-21-2025

Yeah, not consistent still. We just got a second charge with the first charge processed Aug 19 5 a.m, and adjustment today Aug 21 1 p.m so they can be days apart unlike my last few.

Should have bought the full rate label on Shippo instead and saved $0.90 this time lol

kalaratic · ‎08-21-2025

Neither side is willing to take responsibility, eBay says they can't get the money back from Canada Post, Canada Post says we never got the money from the upcharge.

Do NOT use Expedited Lite for any boxed shipment, this is a scam service ran both by parties, you will not get your money back.

yoneath · ‎08-23-2025

This happens to me on a semi weekly basis with Canada Post Expedited Lite Shipping labels. I was even charged an additional $12 and change today for an expedited lite shipping label. My dimensions are always well within the 3220 cubic cm limits and still Canada Post is allowed to dip their hands into my funds without notice or reason and I have to fight tooth and nail with both parties to get a resolution. eBay will thank my for my loyalty when I start a report but none of the reps are even aware of Canada Post Expedited Lite Shipping in the first place...very frustrating.

flipistics · ‎08-31-2025

I got hit with another of these today. It was for a CD that I shipped out (so WAY under the size and weight limits). I decided to try it since I knew the overcharge would be relatively small on this one, which it was, and I wanted to see if the issue has been resolved. It hasn't been. Expedited lite is completely pointless to use right now.

devon@ebay

jtg204 · ‎08-31-2025

I wonder if this falls into Deceptive Marketing Practices and should be looked at by the competition bureau (civil regime):

https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/deceptive-marketing-practices/types-deceptive-marketing-prac...

jtg204 · ‎08-31-2025

Did you ever get credit or a response from tech team on this?

flipistics · ‎08-31-2025

@jtg204 wrote:
I wonder if this falls into Deceptive Marketing Practices and should be looked at by the competition bureau (civil regime):

https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/deceptive-marketing-practices/types-deceptive-marketing-prac...

I don't know. I think it really is an honest mistake, and we have no way of knowing whether the problem is on eBay's end or Canada Post's. It's possible when Canada Post moved to the new cloud based system that they messed up porting over some of the special contracts.

Either way, it really needs to be fixed asap.

burning_moon_video · ‎08-31-2025

I just checked my account and have also been getting double charged for Expedited Lite labels. This is completely unnacceptable for Canadian sellers! devon@ebay Can we please have this looked into ASAP

devon@ebay

dinomitesales · ‎09-01-2025

@jtg204 wrote:
Did you ever get credit or a response from tech team on this?

No, not within the 3-5 business days they told me to wait before reaching out again. I haven't had a chance to reach out again, but will be doing so tomorrow to try and follow up on this.

vintageandglamor · ‎09-01-2025

Any resolution to this?

I have found a dozen or so on my account, and all my packages are measured and weighed extremely accurately, and I always measure larger than they really are. Its costing me hundreds and I was just made aware of it.

retro-canada · ‎09-02-2025

This is also happening to me, going all the way back past February. So far the extra charges are over $1000.

dinomitesales · ‎09-02-2025

devon@ebay what is the status of this? This has been going on for a long time and is literally costing some sellers thousands of dollars. Why is it taking so long to fix this issue? And if it can't be fixed, why is eBay Canada still advertising and allowing sellers to purchase this service when it's not working as advertised?

dinomitesales · ‎09-02-2025

Here's my most recent conversation with eBay:

[started with general preamble setting up the background of the overcharge]

eBay: It looks like the label was "Pay On Scan" was and charged after you had dropped this off for some reason. Typically, yes we would be able to run this and 3-5 business days. However, we did see a response and it is a known issue with Canada Post at the moment. From here, they are awaiting for communication from Canada Post with the correct invoice, in order to proceed. I do apologize for the delay. At this time, I don't have an expected time frame.

Me: I mean this isn't really an acceptable response. How do I follow up on this? You (eBay) advertised a service: https://ebay.ca/sellercentre/shipping/ebay-labels/canada-post-expedited-lite I correctly and accurately entered shipping details that were within the parameters specified in the above service article. And I was charged more than what was advertised. Here are images of the package in question that I received the second charge on. As you can see, there is no reason why it should have been charged again: [insert photos of the shipment I took before sending it out].

eBay: I've made a note here on the conversation. I was hoping to find other avenues, but this is something that is directly through Canada Post. Feel free to reach out to them directly, but know that we are working with them as well to get the credit, and ensure this doesn't happen moving forward.

Me: So you're advertising a service and taking money from customers when there's a chance they could be billed more than advertised? Is there any way this can be escalated?

If this is a known issue, why has the service not been removed from use by eBay sellers in Canada?

eBay: It looks to be a bug that is not consistent, but only happening sporadically. When there are two systems that need to communicate, it does take some time to pin down. I do apologize for the delay, and which there was an option to clear this up here and now for you.

Me: Okay so I need to wait for a notification, you're saying. But you also say there is no time line for this to be resolved. My concern is that I get no resolution and the period of time for which I can get reimbursed for the overage elapses. Please advise.

eBay: You are welcome to contact Canada Post as well, and file a claim directly. However, the steps have begun in hopes to take care of it here for you, although it is taking longer than expected.

Me: I am asking what the statute of limitations on you being able to provide a credit for the erroneous charge is. I can't reach out to Canada Post, and I feel like you know that. They are of no help in this situation. The label was purchased from eBay's account and eBay is the purchaser on record. The service "Expedited Lite" is also unique to eBay - it is a negotiated rate between eBay and Canada Post directly. The customer service at Canada Post can't provide any help on this particular service, it isn't mentioned anywhere on their website.

This has been a known error that has been reported on for YEARS on the eBay community forums. What If you don't receive a resolution from Canada Post for an entire year from now. Will I still get a credit on my erroneous charge from an entire year prior?

eBay: Our team is aware that this is an extra charge upon the scan, and is working with Canada Post, to get the credit back to you. I have pinged them for a follow-up, and we do strive to get this credit as soon as possible.

Me: And what do I do if I never see the credit?

eBay: You can always follow up with us if you do not see it come through. Please know, credits from postage carriers can take up to 30 days to complete.

---------------------

So yeah, a bunch of nothing.

flipistics · ‎09-03-2025

It sounds like it is in fact an error with Canada Post. At least that's something interesting from the conversation. If that money wasn't being charged and remitted to Canada Post, eBay wouldn't have to claw the money back before refunding.

dinomitesales · ‎09-03-2025

@flipistics wrote:
It sounds like it is in fact an error with Canada Post. At least that's something interesting from the conversation. If that money wasn't being charged and remitted to Canada Post, eBay wouldn't have to claw the money back before refunding.

I don't understand what you're saying. Why do you think the money isn't being charged and remitted to Canada Post? Canada Post is clearly charging eBay for the difference between Expedited Parcel and Expedited Lite. They are telling eBay it needs to be collected and sent to them and eBay is complying automatically by deducting the funds from our account. eBay isn't providing any refunds for these overcharges - have you seen any evidence of them refunding?

flipistics · ‎09-03-2025

@dinomitesales wrote:
@flipistics wrote:
It sounds like it is in fact an error with Canada Post. At least that's something interesting from the conversation. If that money wasn't being charged and remitted to Canada Post, eBay wouldn't have to claw the money back before refunding.
I don't understand what you're saying. Why do you think the money isn't being charged and remitted to Canada Post? Canada Post is clearly charging eBay for the difference between Expedited Parcel and Expedited Lite. They are telling eBay it needs to be collected and sent to them and eBay is complying automatically by deducting the funds from our account. eBay isn't providing any refunds for these overcharges - have you seen any evidence of them refunding?

I worded that poorly. I meant that it appears Canada Post is actually billing eBay the extra, which likely points to it being an issue with Canada Post. If the error was on eBay's end (sending the wrong measurements or something), you'd think the upcharge values would also be wrong. If eBay was collecting extra without Canada Post billing it, then there'd be no reason they couldn't immediately fix it and refund the overage and they likely wouldn't have to coordinate with Canada Post to do it.