Improper use of determining handling time for eBay standard shipping with limited tracking
Summary: marker373 expressed frustration with eBay's practice of using limited tracking numbers to determine handling times, noting delays in tracking updates that lead to being penalized for late handling. 1786davycrockett explained that this is an inherent limitation of eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) and suggested using more expensive shipping options for better tracking. stainlessenginecovers reminded that the cost reflects the service level, while kalyoth criticized USPS’s inefficiency. tobaccocardyahoo shared personal challenges with USPS scanning reliability and suggested avoiding ESE for reliable service, emphasizing it might not be suitable for selling inexpensive items.
EBay standard shipping with limited tracking is not tracked when USPS picks up the package at my mailbox daily or when it is placed in outgoing mail at the post office.. The first tracking shows up when the distribution facility receives the package, and it goes thru their sorting machine. This often happens many days after USPS took possession. Ebay is using the tracking number to determine handling time. I have one day handling time, and I am being charged with late handling time when USPS picked up the package the same day the label was created on the same day the buyer paid. Why are they using the limited tracking number to determine handling time?
fern*wood
·1 month agoI saw a mix of handling times in your listings. I would extend this on all listings to help give you more time for the scans.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 month agoI rarely receive a scan on any of my USPS shipments when it is picked up.
I even less often bring my shipments to the PO.
There is always a risk of no scan before my handling time. I set my handling time to minimize the likelihood of a defect.
I will not use ESE, it is an unreliable service when I pack my items to survive shipment. This reinforces my belief that many items are too inexpensive to sell online, and ESE only encourages the sale of items which are not worth having the risks of having a customer to one's account.
kalyoth
·1 month agoIf it has no tracking number upon it as standard, that is scanned at a window or by a carrier, any other tracking process will be flawed & cause you nothing but problems. If USPS was reliable & efficient, it's a great process. However, USPS is horribly inefficient, in many cases no longer the best priced service & antiquated. They have fought efficiency & upgrades for decades to reap political benefits.
stainlessenginecovers
·1 month agoThat's what you get with that specially priced envelope. As they say, you get what you pay for....
1786davycrockett
·1 month ago@marker373 "Why are they using the limited tracking number to determine handling time?"
Because that's the only factor which can be measured when eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) is used.
If you want more accurate tracking, you will need to ship using a more expensive service, such as USPS Ground Advantage.
You may receive faster notification service by dropping your ESEs in one of the USPS "blue" boxes, or in the "Metered Mail" slot in your post office lobby, if it is available, rather than leaving the ESE in your home mailbox.