Carriers not scanning labels
Summary: gottaknowjoe is experiencing significant issues with unreliable package scanning by USPS, FedEx, and UPS, affecting their business operations. Initially noticed during COVID, the problem persists with many packages traveling without being scanned, causing delays and customer dissatisfaction. shado-x suggests obtaining acceptance scans in person or through kiosks to ensure packages are recorded. christworks notes that provisional scans from kiosks aren't equivalent to final acceptance scans. bluegrasstreasure expresses frustration over the poor service and lack of accountability from USPS, particularly with standard envelopes.
Hey folks, I’m trying to understand why package scanning has become so unreliable.
I first noticed this problem during COVID. Packages that we dropped off—or that USPS, FedEx, or UPS picked up from our shop’s unmanned drop box—often weren’t scanned. At the time, some employees told me they were trying to avoid handling packages more than necessary because they were concerned about contracting the virus. USPS was by far the worst, although I’ve experienced this problem with all three carriers.
Now, several years later, the problem has only gotten worse. I can’t count how many packages have shown absolutely no movement—not even an acceptance scan. If I didn’t save every drop-off receipt proving that I handed the packages over to the carrier, I would be screwed and wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.
Sometimes a package travels halfway across the United States—or even gets close to its destination—before the tracking information finally updates and becomes visible to my customers. Meanwhile, my customers are angry as hornets because it looks like I haven’t shipped their orders or done my job.
I’ve contacted USPS, UPS, and FedEx repeatedly. UPS seems to be the most consistent about scanning, but this still happens with all three carriers. I don’t understand how a package can travel across the country without being scanned. I always assumed those scans were part of how packages were tracked and routed through the system.
None of the carriers has been able to give me a real explanation. They simply apologize for the inconvenience.
Is anyone else experiencing this regularly? Has anyone found a way to get reliable acceptance scans or prevent these long gaps in tracking?
I’ve been selling on eBay since 2012 and have operated several stores, so this isn’t my first day on the job. This has become a serious and growing problem for my business.
bluegrasstreasure
·1 month agoHow much longer are we going to have to put up with pathetic service from usps with standard envelope . They need to be held responsible and at least issue refunds when our buyers are opening cases because items aren’t getting delivered!!!!!
buyselljack2016
·1 month ago@bluegrasstreasure
if your ESE gets a processing scan anywhere along the way you can use the eBay insurance for any ESE INR that you refund the buyer for.
shado-x
·1 month ago · EditedWell for the USPS, wait in line and get an acceptance scan, or go to a Kiosk and get an acceptance scan. Dropping it off inside the building is the same as dropping it off outside on the curb. For FedEx and UPS, wait in line and get an acceptance scan, or use their automatic kiosks and get an acceptance scan. No excuses, not getting one yourself means you risk the embedded insurance to kick in. My Post Office even gives me a departure scan, rare that it is.
christworks
·1 month ago@shado-x For USPS, scanning and dropping it off through the kiosk provides a provisional scan only. That is not the same as a final acceptance scan as what you get from handing to the clerk at the counter or to the carrier.
This is similar to how FedEx and UPS operates when I drop off packages at Walgreens. Walgreens can scan they have it, but that's not the same at FedEx and/or UPS having it.