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My Postal Carrier is not scanning my packages
I have placed a request for my mail carrier to pick up my outgoing packages daily. This started at the end of September. This mail carrier is not scanning my packages. So it looks like they were never shipped. I have several packages that he has not scanned that I know of. There are probably more that I don't. I have filed a complaint on the USPS website for the ones I know of, and I have spoken with my local postmaster. He said he would talk to this carrier. He also informed me that it was my regular carrier, and that seems to make me feel worse. They only get scanned once. So if he doesn't scan them, they are shipping all over the country and no way to track them. Tonight, I was looking at my account and eBay has given me a ding for not having packages with a valid carrier scan. Uploading tracking was on time by me, but this was never scanned by the USPS mail carrier that I am entrusting to do his job and scan my packages. I talked to eBay tonight and I was told if they did not take it away, that I would lose my fee discount. I am worried about losing my account. Please let me know what to do. If you have any suggestions, they will be greatly appreciated. I sell on multiple platforms and I am worried. I don't want to lose my accounts because my carrier is not doing his job responsibilities.
wooden_flower
Mentor3 years agoAre you using a SCAN form? Print your labels using bulk shipping, then generate a SCAN form for all of your shipments. Your carrier scans the SCAN form, and all of your packages get marked as picked up.
After printing your labels using bulk shipping, click scan form in the upper right. You can create multiple scan forms if you print multiple batches of labels, but try to keep it to one whenever possible.
https://gslblui.ebay.com/gslblui/bulk
When you use the SCAN form for the first time, try to catch your carrier and show it to him. Then you can explain in person how important that first scan is for you, and now this form will make it easier.
Your packages should get scanned as they move through the mail system, although during the holidays temp sorting facilities are used that do not scan. It should get better after the holidays. Your packages should always get scanned at delivery.
You won't lose your account for lack of carrier scans, but it can cost you top rates seller and the discount that goes with it.
wv_nurse
OP3 years agoI appreciate your response. I have never used the bulk shipping tool. I usually print labels one at a time throughout the day as they come in when I am working.
wooden_flower
Mentor3 years ago@wv_nurseYou can use the bulk shipping page to print a single label, but I do not know if it will accumulate the labels for a single form. Most services do accumulate your labels. I am going to ask another mentor who has more volume than I have, now that I am retired 🙂
@inceptions Do you know if you can print labels at multiple different times and generate a single scan form? I know at one time, you have to do them all at once. Thanks!
inceptions
Mentor3 years agoHi@wv_nurse , @wooden_flower
When you create single labels, they will not be added to the scan form (there is no way to get a scan form on eBay unless you use batch). When I need a single label, I still use the batch process so I can get a scan form. Since you have to select multiple shipments to use batch, you can pick a sale you've already shipped along with your new shipment, and on the batch list just delete the one you don't need so you're creating a batch of one.
You can print multiple batches of labels and they will be accumulated for one scan for. But I wouldn't do a batch at night and expect it to be on the scan form you print the next day (I haven't tried it, but I wouldn't count on it working).
You can give your carrier multiple scan forms. This is what I typically do this time of year...
I create my labels for all the packages I have when I'm finishing up at night before bed and print the scan form for those. I create labels in the morning for the sales that came in overnight and print a scan form for those. If there is time to get more ready before my carrier arrives, I repeat the process. So I usually have 2-3 scan forms for her by the time she gets here... (after a heavy weekend, I might have more).
wv_nurse
OP3 years agoI sell on multiple platforms and a couple of them I can't do bulk scan for. He would still have multiple forms.
wooden_flower
Mentor3 years agoConsider pirateship.com. There is no subscription fee, and they can import your shipping info from multiple sites, and then send the tracking info back to those sites.
pirateship didn’t exist when I was selling, but I used a similar service for many years. One batch of labels, one SCAN form - sometimes 2 as @inceptions described.
The usps rates are the same as eBay (and all online providers). I don’t use ups, but I understand pirateship has better ups rates than eBay.
inceptions
Mentor3 years agoGreat suggestion from @wooden_flower for sellers who sell on multiple platforms (or when eBay shipping goes down).
Don't worry too much about having multiple forms. The carrier is supposed to scan the forms (not the packages).
I tried pirateship the other night for some personal shipments I was mailing. It took a little white to figure it out, but once you go through the steps, it's easier the next time. Best thing to do is try it out for the first time when you aren't under tremendous pressure...that's a killer! Then you'll be prepared if you have to use it when you ARE under pressure.