eBay Standard Envelope Tracking and Shipping Not Compatible with the USPS

[historyfinder]

I have many Buyers who prefer the eBay Standard Shipping Envelope and tracking. Although eBay provides a tracking number, it's pretty much irrelevant or useless. I am dealing with a Buyer right now who has not received a postcard shipped Dec. 8. eBay's last tracking update, Dec. 10th, shows the item is in Virginia and has not been delivered. The buyer wants a refund. I contacted eBay. Basically, they said the buyer has to wait until such and such a date. He can then contact eBay and if the item has not been delivered, eBay will give him a refund. eBay assured me that the refund would not come out of my pocket, since I am using their shipping and tracking but the item is still lost or it may show up and the buyer has been refunded. This has happened to me 3 times this month. In 2 cases, one person got a refund and, in the other, the item showed up after almost 3 weeks of waiting. I am on the verge of telling Buyers that eBay Standard Envelope is not a shipping option I use because the tracking is worthless and the buyer can become easily frustrated and angry with me-not eBay.  Or I may post a "disclaimer" and the facts about eBay shipping in my listing description. Thoughts?

[wastingtime101]

@historyfinder Review this page for the packing requirements (size, flexibility, label placement, etc) and category restrictions (a qualifying item must be listed in a qualifying category):
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/ebay-labels-services/ebay-domestic-shipping-services/ebay...

And also read this page:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

Review this page for some of the fine print (like items over $20 don't qualify, for example):
https://pages.ebay.com/sell/standarddelivery/termsofservice.html

If you don't see ESE on the listing form you may need to adjust package dimensions to 11x6

When you use auction format, if the auction goes over $20 and you offered ESE, the buyer can still choose it at checkout, but you will not be able to purchase an ESE label due to the item's value.

If your item is eligible then you will be able to purchase a label through eBay following the normal process. You'll see it as a service option right next to all the others (ground, priority, etc).

If you find the tracking on eBay to be lacking, you can track the ESUS number on this site:
https://parcelsapp.com/en

Remember, this is a metered mail shipment so it does not receive traditional tracking scans and the clerk at the PO counter cannot scan it. Instead you should drop these envelopes in your PO's metered mail slot. The envelope will be scanned by sorting machinery at distribution centers along the way.

Common reasons ESE envelopes don't get scans include:
- Overpacking. Envelopes are too stiff. It's not recommended to use trading card top loaders or cardboard mailers.
- Placement of label. Label should be placed in the upper right corner with 1/8" clearance from edges. If it's placed too far from the corner the machinery won't scan it.

With ESE, a 'delivered' scan generally occurs at the last sort facility before it gets to the buyer, so typically the buyer will receive their order a day or two after the delivered scan.

If an item doesn't have a delivered scan and a buyer files a not received claim, you'll have to refund through the claim. ESE shipments do have insurance coverage for item cost and the claims process is outlined on the page linked above.

[pjcdn2005]

eBay customer service gave you some incorrect information.   If the buyer doesn't receive their item by the estimated delivery date they can open an item not received claim on the following day.  Unless delivery confirmation shows that the package was delivered (which it currently doesn't) you will be responsible to refund the buyer with 3 (?) days.   However, the program does refund lost shipments up to $20. You can find the information on how to do that on THIS page. Scroll down to 'filing a claim'.

[pjcdn2005]

There is no point in writing a disclaimer as sellers are responsible for an item until the buyer receives it regardless of what the listing says.

One exception is when items are sent through the ebay international shipping program (EIS) but standard envelope does not have the same seller protection as EIS.

[12345jamesstamps]

eBay Standard envelope because it has no stamp on it is considered meter mail and it should go in that slot. But not all cities have 2 or 3 slots. eBay supposedly can see the tracking....anyone else?...hard to say.

Are those eBay standard envelopes lost...probably not.

I just use a .66 stamp and have not lost an item yet in the USA this year. 

Some buyers are not honest(I hate that word)...but when you input tracking and buyer doesn't see it a buyer can say INR...but they might have gotten it.

Most of my items are inexpensive and my buyers don't expect tracking...I love my "repeat buyers" especially.

I use tracking for high end sales...tracking does take longer.

No tracking on my items make it cross country in USA 4-5 days....and THIS is how I get "repeat buyers".