- This topic has 18 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 3 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
USPS didn’t scan a package, my buyer just messaged me asking when I was going to ship it. I dropped it off a week ago. I immediately checked my car to be sure, even though I explicitly remember dropping it off. I have fully refunded my buyer. I am planning on stopping into USPS tomorrow to speak with someone about this issue but I am not optimistic that they will even care. It might have been $10 this time but what about next time? It’s just making me really anxious about trusting them to do their job when I drop things off using their drop box.
-
-
As long as a package is scanned at some point in the journey from you to buyer, it will be ok, even if the USPS skips the acceptance scan. This happens a lot. I once had the post office scan all my stuff as “Delivered” instead of “Accepted”. It was a temporary, minor hassle, but it ended up ok when the item was delivered for real.
Did you check the tracking number on the usps website? Sometimes I can view more tracking information there than I can on the ebay site.
I would also take the tracking number and ask the post office to trace the package. They have access to a lot more detailed information on where parcels are in the postal stream than what the consumer can view. If they don’t give you an answer you like at the counter, you can contact them via the website. They actually *do* respond to comments and complaints, and pass on the issue to the correct local post master to sort out. I have written twice with issues, and both times I received either a phone call or email THE NEXT DAY from my local p.o., (in Illinois and then in Texas).
-
I think you may have refunded your buyer prematurely.
Many times the scan will not show up until it hits the destination city. Also there are times when a package is scanned, but does not show up on the USPS.com website even though it may be present on the USPS internal website.
A week may be slow, but it not that unusual with some packages.
You probably want to call your local Post Office to see if they have any information on your packages. I personally won’t consider issuing a refund until it has been at least 10 days.
The only way to guarantee a scan is to go to the counter and get a receipt.
In the past, I have had packages arrive late.. some really late, but to date all have arrived.
Good Luck.
-
If USPS makes you uncomfortable, it’s going to be tough selling on eBay!
The Post Office is our biggest partner in this venture. Anytime we have issues, we speak to the person who picks up our packages, or call the local office. They’re great.
With the millions of packages they handle every day, they is bound to be errors here and there. Doesn’t mean we have to be happy and let it slide, but it’s a good point of reference.
I’m actually in awe of how few problems we’ve had in 10 years mailing tens of thousands of packages. It’s really incredible.
-
Thank you for your replies. I did some reading on this issue last night and learned that not all packages get scanned initially. I do realize I refunded my buyer prematurely, but I really want to be a good seller.
I did not realize that no scanning was a thing. I guess my worry is that if they accept a package but lose it without scanning it how do I prove they even have the package? I’m better now realizing that all sellers deal with this issue, but I also still feel like my particular location just started to become a bit more lazy.
Thanks helping me through my initial frenzy. This was a $10 lesson, I didn’t realize initially what was going on. I will continue to use USPS, but now I know what to do. Thank you!
-
I had this issue as well. I found a few of my first class packages didn’t get scanned until they were delivered. Then a media mail package got delayed 9 days before scanning! My buyer had contacted me about a week after I had dropped it in the drop box, and I told him that media mail is slower and that he should wait a few more days. I was about to call the USPS when the scan finally came through.
My solution is to wait in line and have the clerks hand scan in my packages. Because of my new policy, I no longer drop off packages on Sundays and holidays or after 5PM.
If you print shipping labels for multiple packages at a time, there is a point where eBay gives you the option to print out a scan list. I learned about that on this forum just a month or so ago. You print out the scan list and bring it to the counter with your items. The clerks then just scan your list and not each individual item. It saves time, and the clerks appreciate it.
Usually, waiting in line is no big deal. However, yesterday, I had to wait in line for about 15 min. I came at a later time than normal, so maybe I need to be careful about my timing.
When I check the tracking numbers, I don’t necessarily see the scan right after I’ve brought the packages in. I think that the scan doesn’t get into their system right away or maybe they have to verify the packages before it is allowed to post. Sometimes the scans don’t show up until the next morning. However, I have had no problem with my packages not getting scanned properly. Perhaps this will help me keep my TRS status in line with the new policy for 95% on-time rate.
Hope this helps.
-
My issue is that I don’t have the time to go to the post office when it is open. For high dollar items I will have to figure out a way to do it in person, but everything else I just have to risk it. I am working a job that requires 50 hours a week. My partner and I work out the drop off but neither of us are consistently available during USPS business hours.
-
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I went through a similar issue a while back, because my carrier wasn’t scanning all of the pickups. It turned out to be a whole lot about nothing.
Most buyers aren’t paying attention to their deliveries and aren’t concerned. For the occasional buyer who messages me, I send a friendly message explaining the procedures of the USPS and basically advise them to wait a few days.
Ebay is aware of the procedures too. I was concerned about my Top Rated Seller status. Even though some of my packages aren’t showing a scan within the 1 business day, I have not been penalized.
You have to do what enables you to sleep at night. I understand that. Unless packages start to disappear, I wouldn’t worry too much.
Good Luck
-
Good advice. And we should all remember that eBay looks for ONE of three things:
–a valid USPS scan within handling time.
–or that tracking says delivered within the expected handling time
–or the buyer clicks “yes, this was delivered on time”.So there are fail safes if the carrier forgets to scan.
-
-
I had this situation happen on a $250 package once, almost gave me a heart attack! Fortunately after 8 days it eventually showed up.
My biggest pet peeve at the moment with USPS tracking is when the mailperson at the end of the delivery forgets to scan the package and you get the dreaded “Delivery Status Not Updated”. I have this happen on maybe 1 out of every 100 packages, and haven’t had any issues yet, but I’m waiting for a buyer to say that they never received the package. I wish the system would at least flip it to delivered if it sits in this status for too long.
One thing to remember is that on Priority packages we get an automatic $50 (or $100 at TRS I think) of insurance. So long as it gets scanned once, you have at least that level of protection.
-
Speak of the devil and is she comes…
I checked my seller dashboard and I had four late shipments for the President’s day holiday sales…
All for late shipments.. Validation of tracking…
I shipped them all on time.
I called Ebay and informed them that I have no control over the Post Office Scanning procedures. I inquired as to whether it would be beneficial to change my handling time.
They checked all four and said they would remove the defects.
Her guess was that it was a fluke based on the Holiday weekend and she was not aware of any policy changes…
CHECK YOU SELLER DASHBOARD.. Lesson learned by me..
-
We have a contract Post Office located in a gas station right near our house. They scan prepaids anytime day or night, Sundays and holidays. The wait is never more than a couple minutes and I’m now on first name basis with most of the employees. I always come away with receipts. I have a same day shipping commitment on sales made in the AM my time so I occasionally make more than one trip a day. Lots of eBayers and other on line sellers use it. And you can buy gas too. You might look for something like this near you.
-
-
Nanisdad – I was just going to suggest the same thing. Find out if there are any Postal Contract Units near you. I think you can do a search on the USPS site by zip code. Like mentioned above a PCU will give you an ‘Acceptance’ scan and take your package to hold until the USPS truck picks up either same or next day. Mine is awesome as well, it’s main business is hardware and lumber, open 7 am til 6 pm.
-
Wow, I just noticed two more late shipments on my dashboard.. What a drag.
I don’t have the time to go to the Post Office every day and my Postal Carrier (who is often someone different) does not scan my pickups on a consistent basis. I’m shipping within one day without fail… Bummer.
I’ll call Ebay and get them removed, but I can’t be doing that every week either. I’ve got a current buyer who tried to cancel a sale because it isn’t showing as picked up yet. Now it has scanned in 1 1/2 days after the pickup.
This is not a new situation with me. I’ve spoken to my carrier and called the Post Office. Everyone is apologetic, but nobody is responsible. I don’t see a solution with them.
Obviously I won’t be doing guaranteed delivery and may just move to 2 or 5 day handling… All because the Post Office can’t be relied on to scan my pickups.
It’s just a little frustrating.
-
-
Thanks Ryanne. unfortunately it’s been an ongoing problem, but Ebay hasn’t been hitting me with the late defects. Now it looks like they’re focusing in that direction again.
I’ve tried signs on the porch and I put a note to scan all packages when I send in the pickup request.
Oh well, It’s not the end of the world. I’m not going to make the change in my handling time just yet. There’s always Etsy…
Thanks.
Update.. I just got off the phone with Ebay. They couldn’t remove these, but they are aware of the problem and and are getting the same calls from other sellers. I fell pretty confident they will come up with an answer.. Alas the sky is not falling…
-
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.