Seller claims my package was accidentally sent re-using outdated tracking with QR?

So when my tracking never updated beyond "USPS awaiting item", I contacted seller. At first I wasn't sure why seller was giving me a tracking number different that what eBay provided. In fact, it was a tracking that was dated as delivered before I ever even made my purchase. I pointed this out, but seller was confused why there was two tracking numbers.

Seller even showed a physical PO receipt dated from the correct date of drop-off, but with the same incorrect and outdated tracking number. Seller then realized my shipping info did not match this tracking, as it was in fact the tracking info from a previous shipment. Seller states that she used a QR code to generate the tracking at the PO.

Somehow, seller believes that a label was re-generated using the very same tracking number as a previous shipment she made to another buyer, hence why there is a tracking number from a later dated receipt (May 20) indicating tracking for a previously delivered package (May 13). Seller assumes my package was/is being sent to a previous buyer. Seller is in contact with the buyer, asking them to return my package if they receive it. However, there is no actual tracking as to where this package is, that tracking number had already completed it's journey prior to my package ever being dropped off.

Honestly, this should not even be possible. You should not be able to duplicate a previously used label and actually make it passed the initial scan into USPS, that should not work otherwise you could just keeping using the same label to send packages to the same buyers. But evidently, that somehow has happened and the QR code system for generating the labels has allowed it to happen. Now my package is in limbo, we don't know where it is, we don't know if another buyer will be honest enough to return this non-trackable and highly valuable item that they might receive in error.

We are hoping the package would be flagged, and returned to sender for using an invalid tracking. I can't imagine USPS allowing for this invalid re-use of tracking. I understand that an item not received claim should help me in the end, but I really wanted the item that I ordered and would still rather have my package than to get a refund.

Has anyone heard of this happening, and what typically is the result that you've seen from it? It might be worth noting, the seller was also dropping off for another buyer the same day (shown on the same receipt). I don't know if that buyer had any problems or if they too could potentially end up with my package somehow.

warmsignal21

1008 View listings

Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 1 year ago

11 comments

wastingtime101

·1 year ago

0 View listings

@warmsignal21 wrote:
Has anyone heard of this happening, and what typically is the result that you've seen from it? It might be worth noting, the seller was also dropping off for another buyer the same day (shown on the same receipt).

Hey @warmsignal21 . I'm one of the shipping experts here. All of the information provided by @albertabrightalberta is correct. No scam, no fake tracking, no drop shipping, just an understandable user error.

Honest mistake and very easy to make. Seller goofed and scanned the wrong QR code. The other buyer will receive the package.

The seller will probably get billed for using the label twice if the USPS APV system catches it (it should, but every now and then something slips by).

You'd win a non-receipt claim because the seller won't have confirmed delivery to your address. You have 30 days from estimated delivery to file a claim so there isn't a big rush.

If you're wiling to wait for a bit, you can see if the seller is able to get buyer 1 to return the item so seller can ship to you with the correct label. If you're not willing to wait, you can let the seller know you'd prefer the refund and you can always re-purchase if the seller is able to retrieve it later and relist it.

Seller's in a tough spot because they cannot force buyer 1 to return the package and has to rely on buyer 1's honesty.

Another option is the seller can pay for a package intercept which is approx $20 if successful and only worth it if the item is of higher value. Package intercepts are not always successful, but the seller can try it if the package hasn't been delivered to buyer 1 yet.

dy60609

·1 year ago

0 View listings

@warmsignal21

You have it.

Seller provided the wrong QR code to generate "your package" label.

Seems that USPS has nothing in place to stop the QR code label from being used repeatedly. It's all on the seller to not make that error.

Yours is not the 1st instance of such being noted here on the boards.

albertabrightalberta

·1 year ago

I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.104 View listings

Note that USPS does indeed recycle tracking numbers but it's after several months when the original tracking number no longer comes up in a search.

But that's not what happened in this case.

"Seller even showed a physical PO receipt dated from the correct date of drop-off, but with the same incorrect and outdated tracking number. Seller then realized my shipping info did not match this tracking, as it was in fact the tracking info from a previous shipment."

"Seller states that she used a QR code to generate the label at the PO."

It's NOT a scam.

I think I know exactly what happened and if it's what I suspect, it's a really easy (and honest) mistake to make.

Since you say the seller used a QR code to generate a label at the post office, what they did was show the wrong QR code to the clerk. I've made this same mistake, however in my case, I caught it right away, showed the postal clerk the correct code and he replaced the wrong duplicate label with the correct one.

@warmsignal21

In your case, the seller didn't catch the mistake so the item was shipped to the original buyer of the previous item. (The seller will likely also get a backcharge from USPS for using the same label twice.)

"However, there is no actual tracking as to where this package is, that tracking number had already completed it's journey prior to my package ever being dropped off.

It IS possible to print a label twice. It's a mistake. The QR code is linked to a tracking number/label and there's no error message shown to the postal clerk indicating that it's been used. (It would be the same if the seller printed the label at home. They can erroneously print more than one copy of the same label and if not caught, both labels would be addressed to the same person.

I don't think the seller is stalling to prevent you from filing INR (item not received). I think they're just hopeful that the other buyer will return the item so it can be shipped to you.

12345jamesstamps

·1 year ago

8694 View listings

Sounds like it's a seller who is drop-shipping.

Seller doesn't actually have items...but gets item(s) to ship to you from other stores.

And if item(s) actually does arrive..it made be not the item you ordered.

And returning it will be a hassle.

You can check seller's items currently listed where they are shipped from...are they ALL shipped from the same city, state?

One day after estimated date of arrival open a claim as item not received.

Otherwise, you might receive something else where seller needs a tracking number for item as delivered.

Just my opinion...

warmsignal21

OP1 year ago

1008 View listings

It was a legitimate accident, they are not a drop shipper. They some how sent my package using a previous customers old shipping label. The package was discovered at the PO locker of the town where the re-used label was bound for, it had arrived there yesterday. Manager was able to retrieve it, and mark return to sender just earlier today.

Re-use of the same label twice should not be a thing, but unfortunately it can happen.

12345jamesstamps

·1 year ago

8694 View listings

I am amazed what can be done in a day...'manager was able to retrieve it, and mark return to sender just earlier today'.

'package was discovered at the P O locker of the town where the re-used label was bound for'...again, I am amazed what can be done in a day....

And someone other than the person on the package of the name of the person to whom gets the package I thought was against the law to grab it from a person who's name is not on it.

mudshark61369

·1 year ago

"There is no such thing as foolproof, because fools are so darned ingenious" (unknown)3105 View listings

@warmsignal21,

Your seller is trying to stall you from filing an Item Not Received (INR) dispute, claiming they do not know what went wrong and giving you a different tracking number than the one they posted to the Order.

Go to your purchase history click on the More actions button. If "I haven't received it" does not show in a menu, click on Return Item and it will show in a menu that will open. eBay's automated INR system will look for a delivered scan and if there is not one, it should close the dispute in your favor and issue a refund which could take 3-5 days to show up in your account.

Then what you should do is go to one of ebay's social media outlets (links below) have the seller's username and the Item number of the purchase which are in your order details. write out what has happened stating the tracking info shown on ebay was never received by the USPS, and the seller gave you a different tracking number through ebay messages that had a delivered scan was given for an item, that was Delivered before you bought the item asking them to check your messages between you and the seller. You can also post a screen shot of the tracking info from the number the seller sent you in the messages, showing the label and delivery scan were posted before the date of your purchase as proof of them trying to scam you.

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

https://x.com/askebay

mudshark61369

·1 year ago

"There is no such thing as foolproof, because fools are so darned ingenious" (unknown)3105 View listings

@warmsignal21,

I'm still waking up and didn't think to check your feedback profile page before writing my first reply. On your profile I see you received feedback from 2 sellers whose transactions are listed as Private Listing, with no username. Those tend to be China based sellers who use private listing to hide issues with their products or transactions. These days you have to check the feedback profile of each seller before buying from one. If either or both has a high number of feedback and a percentage of 98.6% or less you should have avoided buying from them.

warmsignal21

OP1 year ago

1008 View listings

I honestly don't believe they are making up a fake story. Like I said, the seller showed me a picture of the physical PO drop-off receipt. The drop-off transaction date and acceptace on the receipt is 5-20-25, with a tracking number on it that tracks from 5-8-25 and delivered on 5-13-25. This tracking number happens to line up perfectly with the their feedback showing an item they sold on 5-8-25. I believe it's that buyer's tracking number.

I would be shocked if I'm dealing with someone from China. Their English and dialect is perfectly natural, they've been in frequent contact with me, sending me pictures, screen-shots of their seller hub, updating me on all they've done to try and resolve the issue. Every step they've gone through sounds exactly like what I would do in this situation.

It seems as though USPS has scanned in and accepted the same shipping label that was previously used by the seller for a second time, after seller mistakenly scanned the wrong QR to generate the label. That shouldn't be possible, but it seems so because this outdated tracking number appears on a drop-off receipt from May 20th. There's no way to fake the photo. I could tell if it was photo-shopped and it is not.

ittybitnot

·1 year ago

18 View listings

I honestly don't believe they are making up a fake story

@warmsignal21

I do think there is something amiss here fake story or not, though I tend to think it is a REAL FAKE STORY . Since there is a "delivered " scan associated with your order, and you did not receive anything, and the tracking was apparently initiated prior to the transaction, this has all the makings of the typical "fake tracking scam". You can take your order information and the tracking number associated with same to your local Post Office and ask them if the parcel with that tracking was even intended for you in the first place.

If not, ask for a written note (they may or may not give you one) attesting to the fact it was NOT addressed to you.

Then use one of the links to the eBay social media customer service provided to you in message #2 to contact eBay. Explain you think you are a victim of a "fake tracking scam", and what you need to do. They aren't as fussy as in years past, and may just issue you a refund on the spot.

If you file an "item not received" claim, you will lose due to the "delivered" status even if it is fake. Learn what to do and especially what NOT to due under these circumstances. Even if it was some sort of mistake the process for you should be the same since you got NOTHING.

For your reading pleasure:

Jan. 2025

Feb. 2025

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/DHL-Messing-up-shipping-or-a-scam/m-p/34918930#M513039
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Item-shipped-to-wrong-address/m-p/34918657#M513034
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Fake-Tracking-Scam-how-do-I-prepare/m-p/34920656#M513092
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Seller-scamming-me/m-p/34954964#M514849
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-just-got-scammed-and-I-don-t-know-how-to-proceed/m-p/34955823#M514900

March 2025

April 2025

May 2025

albertabrightalberta

·1 year ago

I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.104 View listings

There are plenty of fake (or fraudulent) tracking scams but this case isn't one of them.

This is simply a case of the seller showing the wrong QR code to the postal clerk.