eBay sold FedEx label for a APO address but FedEx doesn't ship to APO

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 2 months ago by Temudgin.

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- 09/09/2022 at 10:27 pm #97631
  Sharyn
  Participant
  Location: Central NJ
  @sharyn
  I spent two hours in a chat with eBay today regarding a shipping issue. This is probably a rare occurrence, but I want folks to be aware. And I need to rant.
  
  Someone with an APO address purchased a large Ikea poster frame from me and paid $19.40 for shipping. APO is someone stationed in a military post. The state was given as AE, which is Armed Forces Europe, but I don’t know which country.
  
  The eBay rep really had no idea. He first had me do the typical software things like clearing caches, deleting cookies, and using a different browser. Then he told me to buy the label directly from FedEx. After figuring out my username and then resetting my password (remember, I deleted those cookies), I found that I couldn’t even select APO on their site.
  
  Initially, I couldn’t get a straight answer through Google, but I think I was using the wrong keywords. I finally found a site that said only the USPS can deliver to APO addresses.
  
  I sent a message to the buyer just in case they have a better solution. eBay gave Parcel as the next cheapest at $57.75, and I doubt the buyer will want to repurchase it at that cost. Either way, I will have to cancel the sale tomorrow. And report the software problem to eBay.
- 09/10/2022 at 9:14 am #97632
  Jay
  Keymaster
  Location: Virginia
  @jay
  Sounds like one of those weird little blind spots that eBay has. Im surprised the person who purchased at the military base didnt already know the answer. Maybe they were hoping they could just get the cheaper shipping.
- 09/10/2022 at 11:28 am #97633
  Pikapop
  Participant
  Location: Hampton, VA
  @pikapopblog
  I’m sorry, that is so infuriating. As someone who is sometimes on the other side of that APO/FPO address, it’s crazy how much misinformation there is surrounding shipping to those addresses and how many sellers and even larger companies refuse to ship there even though it really isn’t and shouldn’t be complicated (ship by USPS and include customs form). That is upsetting that even eBay is getting it wrong! I appreciate that you are willing to sell to those addresses!
- 09/10/2022 at 4:07 pm #97636
  Sharyn
  Participant
  Location: Central NJ
  @sharyn
  I have canceled the sale and reported the glitch to eBay for Business on Facebook. Does anyone have another method of reporting software glitches? I just want to make sure that they know about it.
- 09/10/2022 at 9:51 pm #97638
  Temudgin
  Participant
  Location: Jacksonville FL
  @temudgin
  I reported that glitch last year in label feedback and with a CSR by phone but not Facebook. Maybe Griff will do something about it. IIRC it was when managed payments was rolled out that eBay labels stopped generating a proper APO/FPO label. Not only will it allow you to print a FedEx label, which is pretty stupid because as Sharyn found out you can’t buy an APO/FPO label from Fedex; but even if you select USPS on eBay, it will not generate the customs form. Fortunately, PirateShip will do it effortlessly and the price is the same or slightly less than eBay labels. With my challenge coins I regularly get APO/FPO buyers and even the occasional DPO, which is Diplomatic.
- 09/10/2022 at 10:00 pm #97639
  Temudgin
  Participant
  Location: Jacksonville FL
  @temudgin
  Sorry, just realized I misread your post, Sharyn. I take it that eBay labels would NOT print the FedEx label. I went off on my rant prematurely on kind of a different issue. I do know that sellers still complain that a buyer will be allowed to purchase a FedEx or UPS label for a post office box which then cannot be purchased of course.
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