eBay, etc. General Question/Answer Thread
- Thread starter Japster
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I handed a first class package to my carrier on November 30, a Monday. I was assured by the post master at both my post office and the receiving post office that the package was moving in the system. For two weeks, NOTHING. Just a pre-shipment scan. Finally, this Monday December 14th, it was 'scanned in' at my post office at 11pm. I feel it sat somewhere for this time, just who knows where? The package is finally on its way and I am relieved. Once it's in the USPS system, they can actually 'see' it and find it if necessary. I think this is pretty typical these days. Hopefully ebay would back you if one of your customers opens a INR case. Good luck and know you're not alone.
Thanks.
I've been copying/pasting the same message when I answer every message now. I've also been including this notification from USPS.
I used to have this problem. I kept calling my local post office to complain that packages weren't being scanned upon pickup and I was getting bad ratings because it appeared I didn't ship on time. It's been a few years but now they always scan upon pickup from my house. If you know your carrier, you can talk to him or her about scanning your packages or leave him a note.
That can be a problem but this year is different from any other anyway. I either take packages to the post office where they scan as "accepted" or my carrier scans it when he picks it up at my house but even then, there are a few cases when it's been 3 or 4 days before it has a scan showing that it arrived at the local hub. Or it'll get to a distribution facility and sit for days.
So it appears (to the casual observer) that it sat in a post office for days.
Here's one of my examples that shows no movement between Dec. 8 and 14.
This is another example. I mailed this item on Dec. 5 and it arrived at her state's distribution center on December 9 (a day after ebay's "estimated" delivery of Dec. 8).
Although there's only 12 miles between the distribution center in Oak Creek and the buyer's city of Franklin, it took 5 more days for it to get to her.
Although there's only 12 miles between the distribution center in Oak Creek and the buyer's city of Franklin, it took 5 more days for it to get to her.
This happens to me too, but at least if I have the pick up scan, the buyer can't blame me for not shipping it, or think I'm lying when I say I already shipped it.
Normally my carrier scans at Pickup. I’ve had so many for him to pick up lately .... at least 5 or 6 a day...... so that’s when he said no time to scan. last Saturday and this past Monday I drove my packages to the post office to get around this “no scanning at pickup” or so I thought. They were so busy that drop offs were told to leave in a certain area on the counter. It’s a small post office and I’m sure they are experiencing current staff shortages. I left my packages in the drop off counter both days. One package was to my daughter in the same state. Today is Friday.....still no scan on that one either.
Yeah....this seems to be my problem. The only way to get a scan in my town is to wait in the insanely long line. Then if the lady that patrols the line sees that you are waiting with a package that already has a label she will pull you out and ask that you leave it in the designated area. I know I have to right to refuse but it is a big deal with the “line police” at my post office. I’ve witnessed crazy fights/arguments when a customer insists on a scan for a preprinted label. Total shaming if you remain in line.
Fights and arguments? Between the postal staff or with other customers waiting in line?
Postal staff are usually happy when they see me because my packages are always wrapped and labels are pre-addressed properly (the other day one remarked that I always do things correctly)
I'm usually only at the counter less than a minute. It's a quick transaction, but it gives them a chance to breathe, unlike the dozen other customers some of whom have never been in a post office in their entire lives and need a Ted Talk on how to mail something.
Cusomers shouldn't have an issue either. Everyone gets their turn. I sympathize with those who seem truly confused, but others I laugh internally or roll my eyes when they throw a tantrum when told overnight shipping is not an option for next morning delivery when it is 4:45 pm or why they can't use a flate rate box and pay the weight based cost or my personal favorite, angry that the post office cannot accept their Fed Ex or UPS package. Only time I want the scream and shout is when the customer knows the clerk or is overely chatty with clerk. Then I'm all, you're done, step away from the counter! Have a reunion on your own time! There are people waiting!!
Can you print a SCAN form? It is a post office document that has the tracking numbers of all the labels you print at a time. Then the carrier only has to scan the document and all packages are automatically in the system.
My local post office has a policy that they will not scan any pre-paid package that you carry to the counter. The line is too long and they don't want unnecessary things holding it up. If you drop it off, they tell you it will get scanned when they get around to it. They won't do it when you are there.
I will try this! Can the carrier scan this form when he does a pick up? I can leave it for him if so.
Yes, you leave the scan form with the packages and all he has to do is scan the form. The only problem with it is that you have to buy all your postage at once from the same place, like ebay or stamps.com. I haven't done it in a long time, so you'll have to figure out how to do it so all the tracking numbers get on the form.
I am also experiencing huge difficulties with the delivery time at the moment. it all started about 3 weeks ago, and some buyers are going crazy and blaming me despite all the news shouting about USPS delays. some of the packages were picked up on December 2-7, and have not shown up anywhere else so far. I keep filling "where is my package" and "missing mail" forms at USPS site, of course it doesn't help.
I do understand my buyers, most of these purchases are Christmas gifts, but what else I can do here. I have been selling on ebay and other sites for about 8 years, but there has never been such a collapse. covid x Christmas
. I just need to whine about it in a place where people understand me and have the same issues
I'm so tired and stressed out
I do understand my buyers, most of these purchases are Christmas gifts, but what else I can do here. I have been selling on ebay and other sites for about 8 years, but there has never been such a collapse. covid x Christmas
. I just need to whine about it in a place where people understand me and have the same issues I'm so tired and stressed out
It is very frustrating this year. Luckily most of my customers have been understanding!I am also experiencing huge difficulties with the delivery time at the moment. it all started about 3 weeks ago, and some buyers are going crazy and blaming me despite all the news shouting about USPS delays. some of the packages were picked up on December 2-7, and have not shown up anywhere else so far. I keep filling "where is my package" and "missing mail" forms at USPS site, of course it doesn't help.
I do understand my buyers, most of these purchases are Christmas gifts, but what else I can do here. I have been selling on ebay and other sites for about 8 years, but there has never been such a collapse. covid x Christmas