on โ25-08-2014 07:20 PM
Hi people just wondering if this is correct.. I sold an item packed it securely as I normally do. The item was under 3 kg. I thought it would fit into a eBay Satchel after being wrapped in newspaper, Bubble wrap and placed in a carton (Cardboard). I was wrong so I wanted to post it. So I Taped the box well together and was going to send it through C & S until I saw the price $ $17.25 From memory. I them went to eBay Labels and selected Medium Box up to 3 kg and the price was $11.70 I printed the label put it in Envelope Enclosed Pouch and went to PO.. Now remember this box is not a standard issue from AP Home Made and slightly larger in height but under 3 kg. I lodged it at the PO and asked the question is this parcel in compliance and was told Yes it is under 3 kg and the label was accepted. When you go to C & S Own Packaging has to be taken to the PO to be sized.. Sellers use eBay Label for packages that may fall into this category. I now have hand packaged a parcel which it just over 4 kg so I have printed a label for the large box will post it tomorrow. Question is how can eBay do it and C & S cannot?
Thank You
โ26-08-2014 03:34 PM - edited โ26-08-2014 03:35 PM
All postage labels used through eBay must be used with their satchels or the range of B boxes from Aust Post.
All postage labels used through Aust Post's site must be used their satchels or B Boxes.
If you use your own box or package,you have to use the assessed postage option (which cubes everything except for the Under 500grms parcel).
Aust Post have new fangled machines that scan parcels as they go through the sorting centres on their way to delivery. If you use a eBay / Aust post standard label with your own package, expect to get an underpaid mail notice the following month.
l speaketh from experience!
My parcel was a B2 box but a cleanskin.
You can purchase B1,2 and 5 boxes that are the correct size, just not branded with Aust Post.
At Australia Post we are constantly striving to improve the efficiency of our operations and to make it as easy as possible for you to use our services. This is why we have partnered with eBay to provide you with the ability to purchase postage for your parcels online and at a lower cost than if your parcel was assessed and processed by our retail staff.
We have also recently introduced Dimension Weigh Scan (DWS) equipment that measures and records your parcelโs length, width, height and weight during processing for comparison to what is expected for the label.
As you have paid postage online, this equipment also enables our retail staff to simply provide you with an acceptance scan when you lodge parcels. Not having to perform a full compliance check of postage paid articles is an initiative to provide you with speedier counter service and reduce the time you and our other customers spend queuing for service.
The DWS equipment we use is certified as Legal for Trade by the National Measurement Institute (NMI) of Australia. With this equipment, errors in application of paid labels, such as those you purchase on eBay, will now be routinely detected during processing and underpaid mail invoices issued.
We will be assessing articles processed in a calendar month and invoicing for underpaid postage, plus an administration fee of $1.50 for each underpaid article, in the following month.
Our assessment: In relation to your parcel our assessment is that you selected Parcel Post flat rate (standard packaging) label when you should be selecting Parcel Post Parcel (own packaging) label and declaring the dimensions and weight of your package.
With your parcel, reassessed charges are based on the dimensions rather than the physical weight.
Please refer to our size and weight guidelines at (link removed) for details of how cubic weight for domestic parcels is calculated. In regard to using Australia Post flat rate postage labels with standard packaging available from the Australia Post eBay store please check the following link (removed)
โ26-08-2014 03:50 PM - edited โ26-08-2014 03:52 PM
@bigbrickshop wrote:It's also pretty clear in the options when printing/paying for the eBay Postage Labels.
The selections are either eBay Aus Post satchels, Aus Post Bx boxes or Parcel Post using own packaging
As usual, it is probably a lack of Aus Post staff training that some PO staff are accepting parcels with incorrect labels.
I don't have any new sold items so couldn't check to see what it said.
Just wondering if people will be attempting to 'try it on' with similarly
shaped boxes (using flat rate).
I don't know how strict Australia Post are and whether
they will be doing checks or letting things through as long as they
are close in dimensions/weight limits.
on โ26-08-2014 03:53 PM
Thanks Ambridge. Sorry to hear that you were fined, but it sounds like you won't be alone if others have been doing the same.
What about this bit ....
We will be assessing articles processed in a calendar month and invoicing for underpaid postage, plus an administration fee of $1.50 for each underpaid article, in the following month.
Does it mean they're going to monitor all of your parcels for the next month?
on โ26-08-2014 03:59 PM
Not sure but l don't care if they do.
The cleanskin boxes that l bought are exactly the same size as the Aust Post ones. I couldn't see any difference in using them but its not to be. No body was getting ripped off or suffering any hardship other than the box didn't have the red Post logo on it. l'm guessing they badly needed the profits from selling the boxes in the first place.
on โ26-08-2014 04:03 PM
I have plain Bx2 size boxes I use for local buyers and also to package items to be posted in the 5kg C&S satchels.
Have you heard anything about all parcels (other than the flat-rate satchels and boxes) of any weight, shape, size being cubed from October?
on โ26-08-2014 04:15 PM
@ambridgebuckskins wrote:l speaketh from experience!
My parcel was a B2 box but a cleanskin.
You can purchase B1,2 and 5 boxes that are the correct size, just not branded with Aust Post.
OK. I had not read the whole post. I am not familiar with 'cleanskins' - I take it they come from the place that makes
the AP ones but lack some of the elements or is it a copy with the same print/pattern/colour but just minus the logo?
on โ26-08-2014 04:20 PM
chezzy, you can buy plain white or brown cardboard boxes that are the same size as the Bx boxes.
on โ26-08-2014 04:52 PM
Brickie - every parcel will soon be cubed (if not in a flat rate box or satchel).
And cubic weight is a rip off as far as l'm concerned. A 2kg item that is the wrong shape for the B2 or too fragile for the satchel can end up being a cubic weight of 7kgs just because of the box size.
And the old antic "if l wrap it non-box shape, they can't cube it' will no longer work because it will go against you. l saw the diagrams on a chart that our postie had just received. Lots of waving a tape measure in the air at a supposed point to make up a cube shape.
Postie says all parcels (except eBay / C&S) are to be cubed and the grace period ends shortly - which could be the October you mention.
From then, if your postie says 'l won't cube it' and runs by weight instead of cubic weight, you can almost wait by your post box for the underpaid bill to arrive!
on โ26-08-2014 05:10 PM
@bigbrickshop wrote:chezzy, you can buy plain white or brown cardboard boxes that are the same size as the Bx boxes.
Well there you go, I did not know that. Found some actually listed on ebay. Will have to do some
price comparisons.
on โ26-08-2014 05:16 PM
@ambridgebuckskins wrote:And the old antic "if l wrap it non-box shape, they can't cube it' will no longer work because it will go against you. l saw the diagrams on a chart that our postie had just received. Lots of waving a tape measure in the air at a supposed point to make up a cube shape.
I hate the cubing thing so much that I have resorted to focusing on selling only items that fit in economical prepaid/flat rate
satchels and boxes.
Imagine the additional time/delays that will be experienced in post offices - I can see more irate customers and even crankier Australia Post staff!