ebay allowing Packlink to over charge for postage

[bellabellabeauty]

 I recently posted two items via Evri using labels bought off ebay. Packlink, who facilitate all the transaction on behalf of Evri and other carriers, claim that the postage was underpaid and have charged me £3.18 extra per parcel, which ebay are trying to deduct from my payments. Both parcels were within Evri's weight and dimension restrictions shown on ebay. ebay have refused to do anything about it and told me to contact Evri. Actually, they should have told me to contact Packlink. Maybe they don't because the company is based in Spain.  

I've googled this, and apparently it's happening a lot to sellers. You get an unpaid postage fee from Packlink that ebay deducts from your balance or bank account, and you basically have no way of challenging it. This seems a tad fraudulent to me! 

I'm closing my ebay account (after 11 years) and will not use Evri or Packlink again. 

[rjwilmsi]

Yes, it seems to be the a recurring problem involving Evri. I don't think it makes any particular difference whether the label was purchased from Packlink, another third party or directly with Evri.

I'm assuming what happens is something along the lines of multiple parcels getting stuck together and then an automated machine incorrectly associates the weight of two parcels with a single barcode. Then a supplementary fee is automatically applied when it isn't valid.

I would not recommend using Packlink at all, they provide no customer service. If you want to use one of the economy couriers such as Evri, purchase a label directly from their website, then it takes a (useless) intermediary out of the loop.

I believe if you want to challenge the additional fees you need to supply photographic evidence of your parcel on a scale showing the weight and with a tape measure showing the correct dimensions, or whichever is needed to disprove their claim. Realistically of course very few sellers are going to take those photos before sending the parcel. So if you don't have that evidence, I believe there is little you can do with Packlink or Evri. You might want to contact your bank or card provider to raise a payment dispute over these charges.

[lighting_signs_and_vintage]

Packlink based themselves in Spain for no other reason than to evade scrutiny. If an am wrong then sue for for defamation. They moved the minute we left the EEA when 3rd country status protected them for pretty much any right (or at least, easy access to) we would have otherwise enjoyed to challenge them. They have NO OTHER BUSINESS in that country. 99.9% of their employees are based in the UK 'working remotely' who they used to employ. Do not use them. They are scumbags.

[bellabellabeauty]

I believe that the only carrier ebay sell postage labels for that isn't involved with Packlink is Royal Mail. I suppose the best thing to do is not buy labels on ebay.

[bellabellabeauty]

On the other hand, I suppose the only way Packlink can justify the extra charge is to produce similar pictures. I don't expect they have them. But there are rules for some, eh?

The money ebay say I owe Packlink has been deducted from my balance, which doesn't exit, so I'm in debit. ebay have asked for bank details. I've instructed my bank to not allow ebay to deduct any money from my account. 

I've bought and sold a lot of stuff on ebay over the past 11 years. All my furniture is from ebay. But I think the changes recently made have made life more difficult for sellers, so I'm off..... 

[johnwash1]

Packlink have caused outraged threads in these forums for literally years.  Some with 1,000s of postings.

Yet ebay continue to promote them.

[kath3735_wxmjn]

why close your account, just stop using Packlink and Evri!

[kath3735_wxmjn]

and even worse, people continue to use them!

[bellabellabeauty]

Because I no longer feel eBay are to be trusted. They are facilitating this scam. And I think there are better sites to sell on now. eBay are really making life harder for sellers as they give buyers more rights to cancel orders on a whim, etc. 

[bellabellabeauty]

Which is why I'm closing my account. Customer services were very unhelpful, especially bearing in mind they must get the same complaint from many people and know the extra fee is not legit. 

[lighting_signs_and_vintage]

---

@kath3735_wxmjn wrote:

why close your account, just stop using Packlink and Evri!

---

Exactly, RM options are better with no risks of hidden or non challengeable charges.

[johnwash1]

---

@bellabellabeauty wrote:

Because I no longer feel eBay are to be trusted. They are facilitating this scam. And I think there are better sites to sell on now. eBay are really making life harder for sellers as they give buyers more rights to cancel orders on a whim, etc. 

---

I do wish that whenever people make this "there are better sites..." suggestion, they'd actually follow up with a list of them for us.

[jodavy15]

I have also had the same problem

with packlink! Used Evri for years and never had issues, they are saying a small teddy weighing approx 300g weighs 1.25kg. I’m not sure I own any teddies weighing this solely. I have appealed and the buyer has kindly weighed so fingers crossed but this will be the last time I use pack link! 

[bellabellabeauty]

Maybe they think Ted is a mule! 😉 Good luck!

[caden-3595]

Same

im doing a chargeback through my bank and reporting to the FCA

[caden-3595]

I don’t believe that there’s little you can do.

its up to them to provide evidence that your parcel didn’t meet the costing criteria.

Also, once the agent at the drop off point has accepted the parcel, the rest is between the parcel carrier and the agent at the service point. It is not the customers fault if the procedures do not have the correct check points in place.

They should not be taking payments from people’s bank accounts without consent.

My contract for use of my debit card is contractual with eBay not Auctane.

THIS needs reporting to the FCA

[caden-3595]

The more sellers who report this as a scam/fraud through their banks dispute process the better.

Then the banks will have more punch to do something about it.

It is not up to them seller to provide evidence It is up to Packlink to provision the evidence, as they are making the accusation.

Knowing a high % of sellers will not have photographs, they are using private parking penalty notices to take money from innocent people, by unnerving them into thinking that it is up to the seller to prove they were not in the wrong.

It is Packlink who need to offer the evidence and THEY DON’T have any, because the EVRI scanning system fails to take photographic evidence.

They would need to have tolerance band to allow for system Inaccuracies .

They would therefore, need to provision to the seller what percentage these allowances are for the scanner they are using and evidence the measurement and weight of the parcel, much like the police do with a speed camera.

[bits_agus_bobs]

Just got on the same boat with you. As I am using post office drop off for Evri I have post office receipts, in post office we have to weight items again before put them in blue Evri bags. I have submitted case with Packlink. We shall see for outcome. If this going to work, I will drop new reply.