Problem with tracking numbers on newly purchases USPS labels
Summary: The discussion centers around issues with USPS tracking numbers for packages shipped via platforms like eBay, Etsy, Mercari, PirateShip, and Stamps.com. Participants highlight that while eBay states only a small number of users are affected, wastingtime101 and others confirm that eBay is disproportionately impacted due to higher volume. There is some confusion about whether sellers need to report to customer service; the consensus seems to be that automatic credits will be provided by eBay unless a claim or negative feedback is received. A participant experienced tracking inaccuracies and noted discrepancies between USPS and eBay tracking data. Users express frustration over these issues, seeking clarification and resolutions.
There are multiple report of seller purchased USPS labels with a re-used tracking number that is recently delivered or in transit already.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Ask-a-Mentor/Tracking-issue-USPS/m-p/35138809
kh-christelle
·2 months agoHi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
travel_3070
·3 months agoMine are not showing used, they are not getting scanned in and after they reach Memphis, TN no more tracking until i open a case. I have dropped off at 4 of my surrounding PO's including my own. They are in 3 different counties. Now mind you these are small town PO's. 2 of them had problems with them being scanned in at PO. First one I dropped off 2 packages together at same time. 1 got scanned in that day, May 12th. The other one didn't get scanned in. It was too late in the day to call about it, so i waited until the next day. When i called lady said hang on and i'll get that taken care of. She did in just a few minutes. Now when the package that was scanned in on the 12th showed up with no problems but 1. The package that didn't get scanned in until the 13th also showed up at that customers address. The other PO in a different county, also a small town PO, did not go the same. I dropped off 2 packages. 1 showed being scanned in that day May 18th, the other one did not show being scanned in. I was unable to contact that PO until May 20th. They told me that there was nothing they could do, that if it didn't scan, it would be sent on towards it's destination on the label. That package did not show up, but the package that did get scanned in showed up at the destination of the customer that the package was not scanned in. I dropped 4 off at an even smaller PO. Got a hand written receipt with a stamp. Next stop Memphis. 3 packages show up next day like normal. 1 package took 5 days to get to Memphis, not normal at all. Normal is next day. It sat in Memphis for a week, also not normal. The other 3 no problems. They all should have been on the same truck to Memphis and it was not a small package like the one to never show up, it was quite large. That is just from my local PO's, that is not mentioning after the get to Memphis. Never had any problems with shipping for over a year until about a month ago. Anyone got any ideas or insight?
catnipdelight
·1 year agoWas finally able to get eBay on FB chat. They changed their software so that is why they didn't reply before. I also tried by phone, but that rep knew zero about the shipping label issue and was clueless. The Facebook rep considered what I explained and said the buyer needs to file, Item Not Received. Period.
catnipdelight
·1 year agoI just found out today that I have one package that was affected by this situation. The package was supposed to go to Texas, however, it went to Ohio where it shows "delivered" on the USPS tracking site (days before I even put it in the mail to Texas), so this Ohio train of events is in accordance with that tracking number's previous life ... Meanwhile, according to Ebay's tracking, the package keeps bouncing between 3 different USPS sorting/distribution stations in Ohio, but it's also been to Kentucky and Chicago. It's a very discouraging feeling. I have completed a missing mail form on the USPS website and asked that the package be returned to ME and my shipping address so I can then reship it to the buyer in Texas. I reached out to ebay via Facebook message, but I'm sure it's far to early to get an answer from them. I hesitate to call ebay, because it seems like I'll sink time into a situation that won't get resolved by eBay ...
cobra_viper
·1 year agoOnce USPS updates the tracking number with MIS-SHIPPED then it will find it's way to Texas. That was the same problem that I was having with Package 3. It kept bouncing around the St. Louis stations until they finally marked it as mis-shipped, fixed the internal USPS tracking number delivery information and finally got it delivered to the correct destination yesterday. Don't give up hope just yet.
cobra_viper
·1 year agoUPDATE:
3rd Buyer - The package is out for delivery today. The tracking number is updating through Ebay, but not on USPS.COM.
This ordeal will finally be over. To say it has been stressful has been an understatement. I did end up sending a buyer a replacement when we thought package 3 was lost...so I took a $32.00 loss for Ebay/USPS's mistake with the shipping labels...and there is no way I can get the items or the money back. For me this has not been a good experience. I'm not in business to take losses on money and merchandise...but it is what it is.
I'd also like to say that I am disappointed with both Ebay and USPS over this issue. Ebay customer service didn't do anything to help me with this situation. They just kept blaming USPS and telling me that they were working on getting the issue resolved. I spoke with 4 different U.S. based customer service reps through Facebook and none of them were the least bit helpful in regards to this situation.
USPS was willing to help. If I went to the local post office, they would provide me with print outs of the GPS locations of where the packages were along the way. That's great, but the tracking did not update on USPS.COM like it was supposed to. Without proof of delivery, sellers are left hanging and buyers can easily get their money back whether it be through Ebay or a chargeback.
cobra_viper
·1 year agoUPDATE: I drove 14 miles this morning to go talk to the local postmaster about this issue. He was able to provide me with a GPS coordinates sheet that shows exactly where the package is right now. It is not lost, it was mis-sent to California (as the Ebay tracking shows) and was relabeled in California and shipped back out to go to Minnesota.
With that being said, both Ebay and USPS.COM are NOT showing these additional (new) updates.
My advice to everyone having this issue is to go talk to your local postmaster and see if they will do the same for you. That way you have concrete evidence to show your buyers that you did indeed ship their package and that it will get to them.
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@cobra_viper
Thank you for your updates
I see Kyle posted an update here
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/Tracking-info-update/m-p/35140940/thread-id/507389
For Item Not Received cases where we have been asked to step in and help, we’ll place the case on hold while we work to update accurate tracking events. We’ll only close the case once the tracking information is accurate."
The original message said
We will also protect your seller performance metrics, including tracking uploads, late shipments, defects, and negative feedback related to these transactions."
If you have negative metrics or had to refund the buyer, please follow up with Customer Service again.
craigkevin
·1 year agoThis is incorrect. I received an Item Not Received. Tracking showed item bouncing all over the place. That alone should have kept the issue open. But ebay stepped in and closed in Buyer favor of course stealing the money from my account. Filed appeal. No reply message said item was delivered to wrong city. Duh! And two weeks before this actual transaction so if anyone there actually read they would have noticed the tracking was re-cycled. So called Ebay CS. Futile as you all know. Couldn't even understand the question! Ebay does not protect honest, diligent sellers.
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@craigkevin
Please use eBay's social media customer service to get assistance and give them the ticket of: ALERT16019
With the ticket they can look up the situation.
- https://www.facebook.com/ebay
- https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/
Just sent a private message to the page explaining what happened.
catnipdelight
·1 year agoA month later ... my package is still bouncing around Ohio in spite of my missing mail request ... I called USPS again today and seemed to get a more helpful customer service rep. The buyer is very patient, he wants the item. At first after I put in the missing mail request, the package seemed to be going in the right direction, but then ... it FROZE. Ebay has never responded or read the message I sent to them regarding this issue.
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@catnipdelight
1) When you message the facebook page, it will come back with a response to verify yourself. Did you do that? If not, they will not respond.
Please send another message and look for the verify response.
2) If you filed a 'missing mail' request with USPS already, please file an insurance claim
https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm
I am sorry this is happening, and I am glad you have a patient buyer.
catnipdelight
·1 year agoIt didn't give me a prompt to identify myself. The ebay messenger message popped up a disclaimer saying:
"Thanks for messaging eBay. Before we help you with your query, we want you to know that we'll never ask for any personally identifiable or payment-related information. We’ll be with you shortly. If you'd like to file a complaint regarding eBay policies, products or services, please go to (link)
That link takes me back to ebay.
USPS is giving me double talk today. Completely different answers than 2 days ago and the package is still sitting in Ohio at a "sorting facility." With "no w
cobra_viper
·1 year agokyle@ebay - Here is another example of the tracking on Ebay not being correct. This was the first buyer to contact me about the shipping problem. Ebay is showing that the package was delivered to Middletown, Ohio on June 28th...which is not the correct information. The buyer (who lives in Jamaica, NY) messaged me on June 30th to let me know they received the package. The tracking on USPS.COM does show that it arrived at the Jamaica post office on June 30th...but it never updates with the scan showing the package was actually delivered. Nowhere on Ebay's tracking does it ever show any updates for Jamaica, NY.
This is a huge problem for sellers because we have no proof that our items our getting delivered to the correct addresses which leaves us wide open for claims and chargebacks.
cobra_viper
·1 year agoAlso (in case anyone else tries to reach out to Ebay customer support through Facebook) they will not help with this issue. I have talked to 4 different service reps through Facebook and all of them could not do anything about this issue. They all said Ebay is aware of the issue and is working on getting it taken care of...but that they didn't have a time frame on when the issue would be resolved.
I feel like they are stalling until the issue eventually goes away because everyone will eventually give up because nobody will do anything about it. USPS told me to file a claim but since the tracking already has a "delivered" scan on it, the claim will more than likely get denied since they have proof of delivery on their end. This whole ordeal is **bleep**.
cobra_viper
·1 year agoUPDATE: As of this afternoon I am now dealing with a third buyer who has not received their order that was shipped with shipping labels purchased through Ebay on June 21st.
1 st Buyer - Package was delivered 3 days ago. The tracking number did update with new updates on the day of delivery.
2nd Buyer - Package is missing. The tracking number isn't showing any updates for June/July 2025...all it shows is tracking info from May 26 - 29th. I didn't mail my package until June 22nd. The buyer has not received it and USPS has called me several times today to look into the matter. As of right now, they do not know where the package is.
3rd Buyer - Buyers tracking number is showing old tracking info as well as new updates while in transit. It currently looks like the package is stuck in St. Louis, MO.
This whole ordeal has been very frustrating...
cobra_viper
·1 year agokyle@ebay
UPDATE:
1 st Buyer - The package was delivered. The tracking number did update on the day of delivery. To this day, the tracking number on both Ebay and USPS does not specifically state that the package was ever "delivered". It only updated with the "out for delivery" scan on USPS.COM on the day of delivery and I only know that it was delivered because I contacted the buyer and they let me know that they did receive the package. The Ebay tracking information never updated with any new information while in transit.
2nd Buyer - The package has finally been delivered after 2 full weeks of being missing. There were no new updates to either Ebay or the USPS.COM tracking number information. I only know that it was delivered because the buyer was kind enough to message me to let me know that they had received it today.
3rd Buyer - This package is stuck in St. Louis, MO limbo. It keeps bouncing between 3 different USPS sorting/distribution stations. It's like they can't figure out where it needs to go to...which is Texas. The tracking information on Ebay shows new updates, while the tracking information on USPS.COM only shows the old/already used information from when the tracking number was previously used on another package back in May 2025.
cobra_viper
·1 year agoI'm dealing with the ALERT16091 issue at the moment...Ebay wants to blame USPS and USPS wants to blame Ebay and nobody is willing to help solve the problem.
loft_km
·1 year agoWe have the same issue. 5 of 12 packages sent 23 June, showed delivered a week before purchase. 3 have resolved and were delivered. 2 going to East Coast show differing status (depending on whether you look at USPS tracking or Ebay). One still shows delviered on USPS at completely wrong address and the other shows insufficient address in TX, again completely wrong location. Neither has been delivered and trying to submit a help request via USPS goes in circles, with one saying it was already delivered and the other saying it's still in transit. What a mess. Customers are not happy and no help from eBay or USPS at his point. If someone has resolved this in some way - please pass on info so we can duplicate resolution.
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@loft_km
eBay is protecting you on these transactions. Additionally, should you need to report anything to customer service, use this ticket ALERT16019
Text in italics is from eBay, the source is the link shown.
UPDATE: "Transactions impacted by this issue will display accurate tracking events on eBay, although the USPS website may show tracking information from a previous shipment."
"We've identified a small number of USPS tracking numbers for eBay-purchased labels that show tracking activity—such as a 'Delivered' status—before the label was actually created. If you have an unshipped order affected by this issue, please purchase and use a new shipping label to fulfill the order. Since the original labels cannot be voided, we will refund their cost.
For any affected orders that have already shipped, we are working with USPS to ensure delivery is not disrupted. We will also protect your seller performance metrics, including tracking uploads, late shipments, defects, and negative feedback related to these transactions."
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/Tracking-info-update/m-p/35140940/thread-id/507389
loft_km
·1 year agoWondering what happens if the items are never delivered. The eBay tracking for one of mine mailed 23 Jun shows the package was attempted delivery in Texas on 30 Jun with insufficient address (this is the package going to Boston, MA) and there's been no update since. I opened a find package request on USPS and have had no reponse. The buyer hasn't recieved the item.
The other package also mailed 23 Jun going to MI - Ebay tracking shows it going in circles around the US and now at numerous locations in Florida since 29 Jun with no progress toward MI. This customer needed the item this week for a trip. I submitted a service request to USPS and they emailed that they'd try to find the package and strike through the tracking number and process manually, but didn't indicate how tracking would be done or how delivery would be confirmed. This package also appears to be lost in the shuffle and may never arrive. If it ever does arrive, there may be no confirmation and the buyer has said it will be too late for them to use.
So, how will compensation be made in these cases.
Is there a comprehensive list of the tracking numbers affected to ensure we're covered or some place to identify our affected tracking numbers to request assistance for issues like my 2 above?
Thanks,
Karla
powderpuffprincess
·1 year agoOn 6/23/25 (Sunday night for Monday deliveries), we printed 30 shipping labels using bulk printing. The system encountered a glitch and displayed an error that prevented us from printing the batch. Despite the error, we were charged for the full batch. In order to fulfill our orders promptly, we proceeded to reprint each label individually.
Of these 30 orders, four were affected by a serious tracking issue:
Today, we printed the bulk labels with scan sheet. one of those customers opened a case for item not received, as the tracking from the original label still incorrectly shows a delivery prior to purchase to the wrong location. The item already shipped!
We have the following urgent questions:
Are third-party shipping tools (e.g., Pirate Ship, ShipStation) experiencing this same issue, or is this specific to labels purchased through eBay?
Please let us know how this situation will be addressed, including potential label refunds, seller protection, and ongoing platform-wide updates.
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@powderpuffprincess
Text in red is from eBay, the source is the link shown.
I don't know if it is bulk shipping only. I know I do individual shipping and it did not occur to me, but that isn't conclusive. Maybe try individual shipping for 1-2 days. This should be resolved soon.
This issue is specific to eBay/USPS and I do not believe it would impact Pirate Ship.
UPDATE: "Transactions impacted by this issue will display accurate tracking events on eBay, although the USPS website may show tracking information from a previous shipment."
"We've identified a small number of USPS tracking numbers for eBay-purchased labels that show tracking activity—such as a 'Delivered' status—before the label was actually created. If you have an unshipped order affected by this issue, please purchase and use a new shipping label to fulfill the order. Since the original labels cannot be voided, we will refund their cost.
For any affected orders that have already shipped, we are working with USPS to ensure delivery is not disrupted. We will also protect your seller performance metrics, including tracking uploads, late shipments, defects, and negative feedback related to these transactions."
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/Tracking-info-update/m-p/35140940/thread-id/507389
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Additionally from me
Report the impact to your account using this ticket ALERT16019
Use eBay's social media customer service to get assistance on refunded labels
- https://www.facebook.com/ebay
- https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/
Just sent a private message to the page explaining what happened.
wastingtime101
·1 year agoTons of great info from you on this discussion @eastlaneave .
Regarding the quoted sentence, that's not correct. This is not specific to eBay. It's a USPS issue and also happening with USPS labels on Etsy, Mercari, PirateShip, Stamps.com - and I think I saw reports of 1 other platform yesterday, but can't remember which one.
As eBay said, "it's only affecting a small number" which is correct in relation to the number of USPS labels being generated, but it does seem like eBay has been affected more than other platforms (Etsy coming in second). Maybe that's because eBay does more volume.
---------
Also, I don't think it's necessary for sellers to report to CS as eBay already said they will be automatically crediting those labels. @kyle@ebay can correct me if my understanding on that point is wrong. I believe the only reason to contact CS will be if the buyer files an INR or leaves neg feedback.
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@wastingtime101
thankyou for the clarifications!
kyle@ebay
Hey @wastingtime101 that is correct! No need to reach out to CS for label credits. Only if there's a claim or a feedback that needs to be addressed.
wastingtime101
·1 year agoExcellent - thank you for confirming, Kyle.
cobra_viper
·1 year agoThat is false. Ebay is not showing accurate tracking events. I shipped a package on June 22nd to Minneapolis, Minnesota and the updates on Ebay are not showing the correct information.
kyle@ebay - My screenshots shown below are evidence that the tracking on Ebay is not updating with the correct information. I have already reached out to USPS and they said they have no record of me ever mailing a package with that tracking number on it and my order details page clearly shows the tracking number as well as the buyer's location of where the item was supposed to be shipped to.
ca42388
·1 year agoI've only had one so far, the delivered another state. Seller purchased on the 24th, I shipped on the 25th, delivery notification on the 26th. Buyer opened case for not arrived, which was my prompt to look into it. I saw it went to another state, but nothing added up. So I went to my post master, whom contacted the wrong state post master. They are looking into it. The post master felt it's stolen tracking numbers. What I don't like and feel comfortable with is the drop off was on the 21th, (days before my purchase) at my post office location.
I reported it as a technical issue with the ticket alert16019, which I think thats where there is no follow up from them and reached out on facebook message last night, which I'm still waiting for a reply.
I have seen a few others like yours unable to cancel the labels due to it showing delivered.
This issue is not good and in my opinion in not just a technical issue, but an internal fraud issue, which I hope I am wrong. How can the duplicate tracking number be dropped at the post office I use?
I do know the USPS can tell if the same tracking number is used and if both are delivered. Monday I am hoping they can tell me my buyer got their package.
I hope ebay resolves this quickly and you and everyone that has pending refunds is resolved.
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@vietbay
"We've identified a small number of USPS tracking numbers for eBay-purchased labels that show tracking activity—such as a 'Delivered' status—before the label was actually created. If you have an unshipped order affected by this issue, please purchase and use a new shipping label to fulfill the order. Since the original labels cannot be voided, we will refund their cost.
For any affected orders that have already shipped, we are working with USPS to ensure delivery is not disrupted. We will also protect your seller performance metrics, including tracking uploads, late shipments, defects, and negative feedback related to these transactions."
https://community.ebay.com/.../m-p/35140940/thread-id/507389
Report the impact to your account using this ticket ALERT16019
Use eBay's social media customer service to get assistance
- https://www.facebook.com/ebay
- https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/
Just sent a private message to the page explaining what happened.
vietbay
·1 year agoAnd 1 more same issue. Printed a label on June22 afternoon for an USPS package it shows delivered June 17th in NJ
vietbay
·1 year agoI have the same issue. Printed a label on June22 afternoon for an USPS package it shows delivered June 17th in GA
eastlaneave
OP1 year agoHere is the advice
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/Tracking-info-update/m-p/35140940/thread-id/507389
The ticket for reporting and refunds is Reference ID: ALERT16019
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@modulok!
I don't know if it is ongoing, it hasn't affected any of my labels. It only impacts some.
modulok!
·1 year agoIs this still happening for labels purchased today Monday 6/23/25? Or has it been solved? Anyone?
retroenvy
·1 year agoIt is still happening as of today 6/24/2025. I wish they would get this straightened out! I have two packages so far that are affected. One appeared in the past few hours. Tracking is also at a stand still for my shipment from yesterday. It just says "Picked up". Hopefully it shows they are moving soon. Does anyone have any updates as of 6/24?
eastlaneave
OP1 year ago@retroenvy
This is the only update that I have. Please report the issue as described below.
"We've identified a small number of USPS tracking numbers for eBay-purchased labels that show tracking activity—such as a 'Delivered' status—before the label was actually created. If you have an unshipped order affected by this issue, please purchase and use a new shipping label to fulfill the order. Since the original labels cannot be voided, we will refund their cost.
For any affected orders that have already shipped, we are working with USPS to ensure delivery is not disrupted. We will also protect your seller performance metrics, including tracking uploads, late shipments, defects, and negative feedback related to these transactions."
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/Tracking-info-update/m-p/35140940/thread-id/507389
Report the impact to your account using this ticket ALERT16019
Use eBay's social media customer service to get assistance
- https://www.facebook.com/ebay
- https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/
Just sent a private message to the page explaining what happened.
toysaver
·1 year agoI had three of 6 with used tracking numbers I was set to drop off this morning. I went ahead and voided the labels and printed new ones. USPS tracking now looks as it should but took longer to post.
Unavailable member
·1 year agoYep I have the same issue. Printed a label yesterday afternoon for an eIS package it shows delivered June 21st in North Carolina! 9400108105462966464986
I will be having eBay do a call back later today during business hours.