Just like everything else, right? Big surprise. I've been annoyed lately at the rising cost of shipping but this one is just ridiculous. I've shipped a few packages recently through SYR. (Great service and I'm very happy to support ProExotics. My gripe has nothing at all to do with them, it's FedEx.)

I checked my online bank statement yesterday and there was a $12.71 charge from ProShipping on there. I inquired with SYR to find out what that was all about. The guy who responded and said he would investigate was very helpful from beginning to end. And again, I fully understand this is "policy", I'm not blaming anyone but corporate greed (Occupy Wall Street! haha). Here's what he told me...


"In the future, please be sure to measure the outside of the sealed package. The measurements shown on the box indicate the internal size. FedEx measures the outside of the package, and they round up to the nearest inch. FedEx then calculates "dimensional weight" with this formula -- W x H x L / 166 -- and rounds up to the nearest pound. This dimensional weight determines the cost of your Priority Overnight shipment. When you enter inaccurate information into the Book a Shipment pages, the additional fees can be significant.

Here are the details:
Order date: Oct. 3, 2011
Entered dimensions: 6*8*10 inches
Dimensional weight: 3 lbs
Measured dimensions: 7*10*12 inches
Dimensional weight: 6 lbs
Additional fee: $12.71"


I estimate I've shipped at least 500 times over the years and this has never happened to me before. The measurements I entered were completely accurate. When I took the package to the FedEx hub, it did weigh in at 1.15 lbs. (2.4 oz. over what I entered.) However, I did not enter it as 3 lbs. like it says. And due to "dimensional weight", my 1lb. tiny box becomes a 6lb. package. The crazy math method they use as their "policy" to rip you off is actually pretty amusing.