I am freaking out a bit
Summary: florida_pcsurplus expressed concern about USPS not updating tracking information for 14 packages dropped off at a kiosk, amounting to over $1300. Several participants, including christworks and 1786davycrockett, advised patience and explained USPS scanning processes, while suggesting ways to mitigate future issues, such as adjusting handling time policies. An update revealed that the local USPS's intranet was down, delaying scans, but the packages were eventually processed. florida_pcsurplus received advice to contact their local postmaster and consider adjusting handling time to prevent similar issues from affecting eBay metrics.
What is going on with USPS??? I dropped off 14 Ebay pre-labeled packages today, scanned them in at the kiosk, printed my receipt with the tracking numbers and stacked them at the package drop off...well its 11:06pm and all the tracking numbers say USPS is waiting for the package.. This has never happened before. Usually within 10mins of leaving the post office I get notifications that each package has been carrier scanned but today nothing. I am really freaking out because the total of all 14 packages was above $1300.
What do I do? I have never had this happen to me before.
primedesigndist
·3 weeks agoYour receipt is the Golden ticket. The kiosk likely did not update or went off line.
sonomaresale
·3 weeks agoUsually when we do end up having to send someone down to USPS we go into the line and have the clerk scan them in. Leaving a package in a blue bin or on the counter to get scanned in later just invites the possibility that the workers there might not scan them in for days.
One of the lessons I had for this was I dropped a package off in a blue bin with a destination just a few hours drive from our location in CA. The workers picked the blue bin up, missorted it, and a month later it was first scanned in at NY.
muha-833432
·3 weeks ago · EditedDon’t panic—this is completely normal with USPS automated kiosks.
Self-service kiosk drop-offs give you an acceptance scan receipt, but the system often does not update the live tracking status on eBay until the packages reach the regional sorting distribution hub (usually between midnight and early morning).
As long as you have that printed kiosk receipt with the date/time stamped within your handling time, your seller metrics (Late Shipment Rate) are protected. If any late delivery defect ever shows up, eBay Seller Support will remove it manually based on that kiosk scan timestamp. Give it until tomorrow morning and you will see the departure scan update!
Best,
Mehreen Jabeen | Scalevia eCommerce Management
authentic*vintage
·3 weeks agoI strongly suggest you increase your handling time. As you can see, it is quite a problem when the unthinkable happens. I battled carrier scans for months, calling the USPS 1-800 number and filing complaints with my postmaster. Believe you me, my post office and carriers are on top of the game now and I receive my carrier scans at every pickup (because if I don't, I file a complaint. It is part of their job)
I have a 2 day handling time, however, I always ship same or next day. Your activity matters and the algorithm makes note of what you do to exceed expectations. Increase your handling time.
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks ago · EditedUPDATE: I went back today to drop off another 12 packages and asked them why the kiosk or them scanning didnt produce a carrier scan. He proceeds to tell me their wifi intranet is down so any scan they do does not get registered....I asked them when they are going to get it fixed, he just shrugged. Now I know why the Carrier scans aren't happening. Last night at 2:30am my phone went nuts with Carrier scans and sorting facility scans. I woke up to a nasty message from ebay saying that I shipped all the packages late. So much so they put me under a verification check all of a sudden. I called them and explained it isnt my fault and I dropped the packages the previous day in the afternoon. I also explained what the USPS guy told me about the intranet being down. Ebay suggested I changed my delivery time to 2 day for now if the carrier scans won't happen in 1 day. That is what I did moving forward. I have a really strong distain for USPS.
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoSorry that happened to you but glad the packages were located.
jonathanbrightlight
·3 weeks agoI’d try to talk to your local Postmaster.
glenvonnie
·3 weeks ago · EditedI drop off my packages out by my mail box, the Post Office people know me because I give them cash and cards at Christmas, all my packages get scanned.
They have made mistakes like leaving their scanners set on "Delivered" after dropping something off for me, but I know the packages will get scanned later.
gurlcat
·3 weeks agoDon't do this on a Monday. Why? Because everybody else is.
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoQ: What do I do?
A: You wait.
Too early to be worried.
Go back tommorow if they don't show movement.
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoI gotta drop off another 12 so I will ask them. Thanks
a_c_green
·3 weeks agoSo... any updates to the on-line tracking this morning?
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoYes I responded above explaining give it a gander.
1786davycrockett
·3 weeks agoUSPS several months ago indicated that many post office branches would not be making an initial scan, but leaving that up to the next level, at the USPS Distribution Centers.
So your 14 packages should receive their initial scan sometime tomorrow.
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoThats so wierd, I have never had that happen before. I have delivered 100's of packages. Will Ebay ding me because USPS indicates they have not received the packages as of today 9/14 which I needed to ship by?
a_c_green
·3 weeks agoI don't believe you're penalized for that if the package still shows as Delivered before the last Estimated Date of Delivery.
Also, the Acceptance scan is timestamped at the point when the clerk pulled the trigger, not when the scan finally shows up in the tracking history, so even if the tracking of that Hazardous package is not showing yet, when it does finally appear on-line, its date will be when the scan occurred, not when the on-line history was updated.
1786davycrockett
·3 weeks agoNo -- you had each of your packages pre-scanned at the 24 hour kiosk, as I've been doing for years -- so you're safe from penalties.
a_c_green
·3 weeks ago · EditedMight you be thinking of stamped mail cancellations? They stated that smaller POs may now skip cancellation of stamped mail and defer that to the origin sort facility, but they are still required to do Acceptance scans on packages, if for no other reason than without the Acceptance scan, they won't be able to document their handling of packages any other way.
They are required to scan a package upon receipt even if the sender is not present (e.g. when emptying a drop box), and (as part of the recent announcement) they will still hand-cancel stamped mail at the counter upon request, such as for mailpieces that must be sent by a certain date.
adamcartwright
·3 weeks agoIf OP scanned at the kiosk, shouldn't tracking reflect that, though?
When I use the kiosk, my tracking reads:
USPS electronic receipt of item for mailing
a_c_green
·3 weeks ago · EditedTracking does reflect that, once the data has been uploaded from the kiosk scanner (and eBay does accept the Provisional Acceptance of a kiosk scan as proof of mailing), though in this case it sounds like nothing has yet been uploaded from that entire PO for whatever reason.
Incidentally, besides just printing out the paper receipt from the kiosk, you can also choose to have your receipt emailed (useful if the receipt printer is out of order), and in my experience that email goes out instantly.
a_c_green
·3 weeks agoI never see the tracking update to Carrier Scanned quite that fast; our local PO usually takes about an hour before the tracking as seen through eBay shows the Acceptance.
Nevertheless, it's probably fine. No one is going to walk out of the PO with 14 packages pulled from the dropoff. Try checking the status on USPS.com and not just on eBay. Things should be caught up by morning.
christworks
·3 weeks agoI think they are worried about their metrics and not meeting their handling time.
I agree, nobody is going to walk out with the boxes and I expect all buyers will get their orders.
christworks
·3 weeks agoThe only way to ensure a package is scanned is to hand it to the clerk, watch them scan it, and double check the receipt. I stopped doing that when they scanned over a dozen packages as delivered and I had to spend hours dealing with buyers and going back to the post office to make them fix it.
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoAm I cooked here?
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoI did hand them one to scan as it was labeled Hazardous (had a Used lithium battery) and even that one still doesn't show anything. I mean I watched him scan that one.
christworks
·3 weeks ago · EditedDid they give you a receipt for the one that was scanned?
If you look up the tracking number(s) on USPS website, does anything show there?
If the acceptance scan comes on 9/15 and your deadline was 9/14, then the tracking uploaded on time metric will be impacted for all 14 packages. The good news is this metric is on a three month roll so they will fall off after 3 months.
The Late Shipment metric is in danager if any packages arrive past their estimated delivery date. Unless you have 400 transactions in a 90-day period, the late shipment rate will look at 12 months of sales history. If all 14 packages were to cause you to get a hit, I won't sugar coat things, that could be a problem. It is doubtful all 14 will arrive past their estimated delivery date. Hopefully it will be none but worse case hopefully less than half.
Edit: I see you have 3 business day handling. I just want to make sure you are excluding the weekend when you count your business days, correct?
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoI dont have 3 business day, its 1 business day. Should be anyway. It has been a insane month for me. blowing past 10k sales. I am up late daily, so it better be 1 day shipping lol. All my listings are one day. Where did you see 3 day? I want to fix it.
fabrics24
·3 weeks agoDefinitely change your policy to 3 business days; it gives you wiggle room for emergencies, and most buyers won't care about the extra handling time. You don't want a buyer that gets cranky about shipping the second they pay for the item anyway.
Account Settings > Business Policies > Edit Shipping Policy > Preferences > Handling Time
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoThe USPS site shows the same.
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoand yes I have the receipt for the one he scanned and from the kiosk.
stuff4divas
·3 weeks ago@florida_pcsurplus did u go to or call the USPS drop off location and ask?
florida_pcsurplus
OP3 weeks agoI did i responded below with the update.