Is there a reason to keep Post Office Receipts with Regards to Seller Protection?
Hello Everyone.
I am wondering if there are any reasons to keep receipts from the Post Office with regards to Seller Protection if a Package is Lost, Damaged, etc?
I used to keep receipts for every purchase, but after a couple hundred packages and just having to throw them out and deal with them each time, I just haven't bothered taking receipts the last 50 or so packages, unless it's an expensive sale.
I was just thinking about this a few minutes ago, and I was thinking that I might just stop getting receipts for any package, so I think that it might be best to ask the Community here to see if there is anything I can learn about why it would be smart to keep a receipt, or if there is actually no point?
I was just thinking that we already have the Tracking Info on the site, and I wait in line to make sure the package is actually scanned in at the Post Office (Or else it wouldn't generate the Receipt). After it is scanned in, The Tracking on eBay says that the Package was scanned in at the Post Office, so is there really any need to keep a Receipt if the verification is on the website? To me, the Receipt is just verification that the Post Office has your Package, as well as the Tracking # being on the receipt, but if it's all Digital, and we can see everything from eBay, what's the point of a Physical copy?
The only thing I can see a Physical copy being good for is if there is a Claim needed for Lost/Damaged goods, but shouldn't the eBay Tracking and Screen Shots of the sale suffice in that instance? I'm trying to remember the one time I had a Claim 2 years ago, with FedEx, that I believe i just sent them info from eBay, but I'm not sure if I also had sent screen shots of the Receipt too, as I had kept that one.
Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm curious how others, especially big sellers, deal with Receipts.
simply-the-best-for-you
·8 months ago@ratoliprova I'm not the person you asked, but "scanner being set to the wrong setting" means it was set to dropped off rather than "picked up", so it reads to the buyer as delivered rather than sent. It happens periodically. If you ever just stop a carrier on the street or in their truck & ask them to take your pkg, remind them to set the scanner to 'picked up', otherwise most of them will have it set to delivered b/c they spend all day delivering pkgs.
As for the receipts in general, I've just started questioning this myself. I usually keep them for 6 months or so, but I don't think I have EVER gone back to refer to one, even though I've had a number of the issues talked about here. I've just never had to look up the actual paper receipt. I keep the Shipping Label purchases electronically for Tax purposes. I am only getting Acceptance receipts, I don't PAY for the shipping at the PO, so IDK how they would help for tax purpose. The deduction comes from BUYING the label, not dropping it off.
adamcartwright
·8 months ago@ratoliprova
I'm not a big seller but always take mine by email.
You could set up a rule in your email host to automatically file them in a designated folder.
bonanza125
·8 months agoJust for proof or if something gets lost you can bring it to the USPS so the manager can look at the tracking number on the receipt. Also if you make a transaction as in money not just scanning you need the receipt to total up shipping cost. I get rid of my receipts once I pay my yearly taxes. All transactions would have been satisfied and completed by then for the previous year. If you have old receipts from 2024 or older get rid of them.
monica-sells
·8 months agoI am anything but a meticulous bookkeeper, but I do save them for 2 main reasons,,,
(not organized, but there if I need them)
1. They display the weight of the parcel associated with the tracking number
2. Proof of a physical visit to the Post Office for mileage deduction. (I also have a handwritten log/calendar)
like I said, not very meticulous.......
ratoliprova
OP8 months agoThank you everyone for all of your help thus far!!
@liawri-75 I noticed this might be a good idea for multiple packages, but for a single package once it gets scanned in, it should be good, and the information is in the orders tab in the tracking.
@meme6253 Thanks. I used to hold on to them, but it just became a garbage issue and I felt no need to hold them, unless it was an expensive item, I figured that would be worth it to hold on to, but Since thinking about it last night, and the replies I've gotten, it seems that everything being digital helps a ton.
Have you found the physical receipt to be necessary for an issue you've had, compared to the one online?
@bashort Have you ever had an instance where the package wasn't scanned in at USPS but got a Receipt? My thought was that the only way to get the receipt was for them to have to scan and acknowledge the transaction. Someone said the scanners could be on a "Different Mode," but what exactly changes with the scanners? Price lookup of a Stamp or something? I just can't see the system acknowledging the package, getting a receipt and then it not actually being scanned in, but I don't know how their systems work. Do you have any clue what could go wrong to cause these sorts of isssues?
I've never had issues at my local PO either, they are great people, but I'm not sure if an issue COULD happen and if a receipt would help.
@inhawaii Thank you! You're the second person who mentioned getting home pickups. You must sell a lot, so it makes me wonder if this is a service you pay for, or what? I looked it up and I do see there is a free service for pickup, and a paid service to get it picked up at a specific time, so I'm curious how you do it? It seems you would schedule it through your USPS account online?
IS there a concern with a package not getting scanned when picked up this way? The ONLY package I had an issue with was dropped off at a place that has pickup for all services, it was scanned there, but the FedEX Driver didn't scan it in... The package was lost for a month until FedEX Customer Service found the package, and then it was delivered damaged. It was a Mid-Sized Computer Case, so I don't know how they "Lost" a big package like that, or that it wasn't scanned at all on pickup, so that's why I ask if there could be a concern with them NOT scanning it on pickup.
At the same time, When they are picking up at a store, them not scanning everything makes sense, as it takes a lot of time, which is what the store mentioned. A few packages at home should be more manageable for these Drivers, I would think?
I appreciate your input, so you don't even care for a receipt for anything then? Have you had Buyer issues? You don't even need it for that? Others have mentioned package weight issues, but I guess you haven't had that issue either? I figured I would just take a photo of the package on the scale, with Tracking Visible, for any "Disputes," if needed, as well as I have other packages that were the same size and weight so that is verifiable from others. One person said they had a 3lb package that was 16lbs from USPS, so if something like that happened, it wouldn't make sense for my items, as most of my items are the same weight and get the same packaging. Although lately I have started boxing them up differently and the weight has increased a little bit, but not 3 to 16lbs difference... From 4oz to 10oz or so(Last Package had 3 items and was 1lb 2 oz which was surprising, but otherwise the weights for the last 5 or so were 10-11oz).
@monica-sells Thank you for the information. Others have mentioned weight issues, have you experienced a weight discrepancy that having a physical receipt saved you from issues?
I figured I would just take a photo of the package on the scale, with Tracking Visible, for any "Disputes," if needed, as well as I have other packages that were the same size and weight so that is verifiable from others. One person said they had a 3lb package that was 16lbs from USPS, so if something like that happened, it wouldn't make sense for my items, as most of my items are the same weight and get the same packaging. Although lately I have started boxing them up differently and the weight has increased a little bit, but not 3 to 16lbs difference... From 4oz to 10oz or so(Last Package had 3 items and was 1lb 2 oz which was surprising, but otherwise the weights for the last 5 or so were 10-11oz).
Others have also mentioned the Mileage stuff, that might be something I should look into, but my PO is right down the road from me, a few mins away.
Thank you Everyone!
inhawaii
·8 months agoThe pick up service is free.
If my packages fit in my mailbox, I just put them in there and put up the red flag. If my packages are too many or too big to fit in my mailbox, I schedule a pick up online the night before and indicate that the packages are on the front porch. Fortunately I live in a low crime area and have never had a package stolen from me.
inhawaii
·8 months agoEvery single one of my packages is picked up daily by my mail carrier at my residence.
It's scanned immediately on the truck and shows within minutes on the online tracking that it was "picked up".
I've never had a package not get scanned.
I make 0 trips to the post office.
I save 0 receipts.
bashort
·8 months agoas far as ebay is concerned the only thing that matters is what the online tracking shows.
The only thing that I believe the paper receipt could possible be used for is if you drop off, get a receipt, find later that the package never got a USPS scan you could take your receipt to the local USPS.
I love my local USPS, drop off every day with no receipt always 100% scanned in. I just wish the whole USPS was ran like my local USPS.
meme6253
·8 months agoI hold on to my postal receipts for about 2 months, Making sure the item is delivered & there are no issues with the buyer & then I toss them.
liawri-75
·8 months agoYes keep the receipts because it shows you scanned your items. Once the item is delivered you can trash the receipt.
However, if you keep a spreadsheet, you may want to enter the PO Barcode number just for safety.
ratoliprova
OP8 months agoI'm not sure what just happened... My reply is gone... I quoted everyone and wrote a massive reply, it was posted, and then I accidentally closed the tab, reopened it, and now its' gone.
I was post 8, now there are only 7 before this... nice... Did I quote too many people or something? Too long of a message?
Maybe I'll rewrite it tomorrow, I spent way too much time on that reply for it to just disappear like that.
EDIT: It looks like it might have went for Moderation, because the post appears now, above this one. I thought that might have been the case, but I recall in the past it usually says it's going for Moderation, this one just disappeared. I'm glad that it wasn't just deleted for some reason. I guess having too big of a message triggered something in the system.
fm2000
·8 months agoOne thing to keep in mind is eBay buyer protection is much shorter than the average credit card buyer chargeback/protection.
Most credit cards have a chargeback period of at least 6 months, so I would save those receipts at least 6 months. Some credit cards allow for a chargeback up to a year or sometimes even more. If an item is really valuable, you might want to keep the receipt for a year or two. That receipt could help in the event of a surprise CC chargeback.
I normally have my packages picked up, but if I have an item so expensive I can't afford to lose it, I drop it off at the post office or UPS/Fedex, wait in line and get a receipt, and hold onto it for at least 6 months.
ratoliprova
OP8 months agoThis is what I was thinking, thank you!!
@mamacassidy Oh this is an interesting concern, thank you for bringing it up! I didn't think something like that could happen, but weird things can occur.
I just thought that maybe I will start taking photos of me weighing the packages on the scale. Sure, they could claim "scale isn't correct," but 3lbs vs 16lbs is a HUGE difference, and a scale shouldn't be that off. When I've looked at receipts in the past though, I have noticed that UPS/USPS is a little bit heavier than what my scale says, but since we round up on weight, that's usually never an issue for 1-3oz difference compared to the other scales.
I would assume that having photo verification would be sufficient, instead of needing the Receipt though.
I also figure that since I had previous packages get delivered that would weigh the same, that would be proof. I can pull up past USPS labels that are all very similar I can prove my package weight that way, since most of my items are the exact same item and would weigh and be packed the exact same, unless someone purchased more than 1. So USPS should be able to see that the previous packages all being the same for similiar orders and this one being different would be an error on their end.
This is what I had thought. That we have everything here on eBay, so there isn't a need for a Physical receipt. Thank you.
@lakelake1 What do you mean by "There is none for lost of damaged packages" Are you saying there eBay protection for lost/damaged packages in general, or are you saying that there is no reason to keep the receipt for eBay protection?
Thank you for your experience. This is what I figured, once it's scanned and in the system ,there should be no need for a physical receipt.
The 1 damaged item from FedEX I had was a Computer Case, but they lost the item right away after scan at the store, and a month later it appeared and got delivered.
Since you mentioned you have thousands and thousands of Orders do you ever buy Additional Package protection? I've been wondering if it's even worth it to purchase it. I usually do when it's above $100, but others have said they don't, while some do.
I find that it does add up over time. I'm just not sure if there will be another incident like the FedEx one.
@christworks I don't really have much of a Line at my PO, it's usually fairly quick drop off, but I make sure that they scan it in, in front of me. I don't need the Physical receipt once I see the transaction went through. I had noticed that it is possible one package could not be scanned, but usually it shows it on the screen in front of you.
What you mean by the "Scanner is set to the wrong setting?" What setting would it be on?
I think the weight issue is a very valid concern, but as I had mentioned to mamacassidy, I had thought that I might just take pictures of all of my packages with the label on it so it shows my weighin, to verify, as my scale and their scale is about the same. I also figure that since I had previous packages get delivered that would weigh the same, that would be proof. I can pull up past USPS labels that are all very similar I can prove my package weight that way, since most of my items are the exact same item and would weigh and be packed the exact same, unless someone purchased more than 1. So USPS should be able to see that the previous packages all being the same for similiar orders and this one being different would be an error on their end.
@fm2000 That's an interesting point, but having a physical receipt doesn't help with Chargeback though, right? The Seller Protection is on eBays site, so a Physical verification of a receipt shouldn't affect anything, and the Label on the website should be enough verification... right? Or am I missing something?
Also, how would a Chargeback work in this situation if we have verification of delivery, etc? eBay would get involved in this, right? I've heard about scamming with regards to saying it wasn't delivered when it was, even with proof, and people attempting to say INR, etc.
christworks
·8 months ago@ratoliprova I obtain receipts because the receipt shows me the package(s) were scanned accepted. If I do not get a receipt, what is the point of me standing in line? On occasion the handheld scanner is set to the wrong setting, and I won't catch that if I do not have a receipt.
As @mamacassidy said, the receipt also has the weight of the package on it, should you have any issue with back charges later on. I had one with USPS back in September. I filed an appeal and submitted my receipt with proof of what the package weighed. I was promptly refunded.
The receipt also serves as evidence that I took packages to the post office, and backs up my mileage claims on my taxes.
It is very easy to simply scan the receipts in so they are not taking up physical space. In fact, it is wise to do that since USPS prints no thermal paper, which fades over time.
lakefor94
·8 months ago@ratoliprova wrote: "Seller Protection if a Package is Lost, Damaged,"
If you are referring to "eBay seller protection", there is none for lost or damaged packages.
Our mail carriers and post offices scan everything, all the time, so I never ask for receipts.
The UPS drop-off store also scans everything, including the USPS packages I drop there occasionally.
Like many sellers, I have shipped thousands upon thousands of orders and never has one been lost.
YMMV....
Only ever had one damage complaint and that was on me for shipping an 80 lb package via UPS.
I still sell those computer rails but max out the weight at about 50 lbs in which most every UPS driver can handle.
ten_o_nine
·8 months agoIs there a reason to keep Post Office Receipts with Regards to Seller Protection?
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I have 20+ years on eBay and never kept post office receipts. Once it's scanned, eBay's tracking is usually enough for claims. Digital records are solid proof.
mamacassidy
·8 months agoI keep mine for a couple of months because it shows the weight. I had to use it once when USPS sent me an extra overage charge saying my package weighed 16lbs, when in fact, it only weighed 3lbs.
kibble-net
·8 months agoThe only reason I can see to keep receipts is for tax purposes. All you need is the tracking number, and possibly proof of signature if applicable, which can be obtained online.