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USPS Tracking Missing For Item I Sold
Summary: mamnys, an eBay seller, expressed concern about a USPS tracking issue with a package sent using Ground Advantage, which wasn't listed on their digital receipt. They have informed the buyer, who is understanding, and are in contact with USPS to resolve the issue. They worry about eBay's potential reaction if tracking isn't resolved but plan to refund the buyer if necessary. selforfun reassured that such issues happen and advised against immediate refunds, suggesting the package might still move through the USPS system without initial scans. They also recommended handling packages directly with a USPS clerk for better tracking assurance.
I'm an ebay seller. On September 14th, I am 100% positive that I mailed four sold items at the USPS. Three were by Ground Advantage and one was by Ebay Standard Envelope. I remember the transaction at USPS. logged it in my records. I only got a digital receipt and now I realize that one of the Ground Advantage packages is not on the receipt. I have contacted USPS and the local post office about it. One of the packages had to be scanned twice, and there is still some hope that there was a scanning glitch and the package might still be delivered to the buyer, or at least show up at a USPS Distribution Center by Tuesday. The buyer knows about this and has been very understanding.
Obviously, if the package isn't received I will issue a refund and I'm sure USPS will not pay any insurance if the package has no proper tracking. But will ebay hold this against me, even if the buyer doesn't issue a complaint? Will it just look like I failed to mail a purchased item, or can I explain this situation to ebay?
I have sold more than sixty packages in the last few months and this is the first USPS or tracking issue I've had. From this point on, I will doublecheck all receipts and tracking numbers before I leave the post office.
selforfun
Mentor3 weeks agoHi @mamnys
It sounds like this one package simply missed its initial USPS acceptance scan. That does happen sometimes, especially when the Post Office is overloaded. Packages can move out in containers to a distribution center before every individual package gets scanned, and sometimes the first tracking update doesn’t appear until it reaches the next facility.
Since your buyer knows what happened and is willing to wait, I wouldn’t refund yet. There is still a good chance the package will suddenly show a scan and continue normally.
eBay is not going to give you a transaction defect simply because USPS missed that first scan. If there is no tracking scan, it could only become an issue later if the buyer reports the item arrived late or opens an Item Not Received request.
Going forward, I would avoid dropping Ground Advantage packages into a bin when possible. Handing them to a clerk and getting an acceptance receipt is the safest option. If your Post Office has a self-service kiosk or Rapid Drop station that allows you to scan prepaid packages, that is another good option - scan each package and keep the receipt.
Seller standards:
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/seller-performance-policy?id=4345
mamnys
OP3 weeks agoThanks for the advice and for the reassurance that all is not lost with package. I'm still hopeful that it will show up.
Thanks again.