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Ebay Standard Envelope shows as late with no scans at all
Hello all. I sent a sticker with ESE. Buyer said he hasn't received it yet. Tracking shows NO scans, but says running behind, original estimate was Wed, Apr 3 - Sat Apr 6. What's my next step? If the buyer files an INR, or even if he just never gets it, how do I file a claim for the value? I had seeds never show as delivered, but the buyer got them. This shows no scans but it's obvious they have it by the 'running late comment'.
I've read other posts where sellers have issued refunds for INR, but none that I saw mentioned a claim for the up to $20 insurance the ESE provides.
Is there a way to find out where ESE items are??
26 comments
kh-jean
·1 year agoHi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
onefootflipper
·2 years agoI never used colored envelopes. Now what I did have was a problem at first with envelopes not getting scanned and when I set my thermal printer to print darker and slower than problem went away.
I use thermal labels, I don't print on the envelope. I think every serious ebay seller should be using a thermal printer. Just get a used Zebra printer. It will quickly pay for itself just in time saved.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoSorry, man. Must have confused you with a different ESE shipper.
anasazirose
OP2 years agoI use thermal labels. Mine are pastel pink.
onefootflipper
·2 years agoWhy would you be putting tape over thermal labels? Why would you use pink ones when they cost 3 times as much.
anasazirose
OP2 years agoI've always used it the tape without a problem. TWICE I have received packages that were mine, but had someone else's label on it along with mine, not affixed, just sticking to it. Labels can come off, the clear tape over them assures they don't.
The pink thermal labels were the same price.
slyders_finds
·2 years agoExact reason I stopped using ESE. It was too inconsistent. Sometimes it would be scanned at every major postal hub and on delivery. Other times the final delivery scan was never done. Not always a big deal, but if you get a dishonest buyer(you can tell by the flurry of negative and neutral feedbacks they give out like candy to sellers), they will take advantage of the situation.
anasazirose
OP2 years agoSo, the buyer was very patient. I told him if it didn't arrive after 30 days, I'd issue a refund and he could pay via PP if it ever arrived. He let me know that it arrived today, 04-11-24, here is what the order details show.
Yep, paid 03-28, shipped 03-31, and still show as not delivered. It took 12 days. I've learned my lesson. Cheap replaceable stuff, I may use ESE. This was a $20 47 year old sticker.
Also, when I went to the PO where I mailed it and asked the clerk if they'd look around for it, she just said, "It's not here". I tried reason and said, it's gotta be somewhere and to not get that 1st scan, it could be behind that shelf you put it on, on the floor if someone dropped the tote, it could be in the vehicle it was transported in... She said, "I'll look behind the shelf for ya... no it's not here." I asked if they'd look around, it has a pink label, should be easier to spot. She repeated it's not here. I asked, "so you're not even gonna look around for it?" She asked if I wanted the PM, I said yes. She goes behind a wall and I hear everything she says, which isn't geared towards lost mail, but why she's right. I just said in a normal voice, "You know, I can hear you". The PM came out and told me how metered mail works. I said I know. I told him since it didn't get that 1st scan, it could still be here. If you lose your keys, you start looking the last place you saw them, and you don't just say they're not there. He took the info, my name and number on the 5th, said they'd do a sweep for it, and never got back to me. Oh well. She was right, it wasn't there, but why, when the scan shows mailed 3-31 was it still showing as not scanned and 'running late' 5 days after the scan??
Now it's been delivered and only shows as shipped.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoAh ha!! That might have solved it @anasazirose . You shouldn't use colored envelopes or labels for ESE. Stick to white envelopes and/or white labels. Colored may not get scanned.
**Edit to add: colored envelopes should be fine if using a white label. Color of envelope matters if printing the label directly on the envelope. Light colors are supposed to be OK, but experienced sellers have reported issues with light colors.
In addition, make sure the label is placed in the upper right corner, approx 1/8" from edge. If the label is in the center or off to the left it won't get scanned.
Anything too stiff will be kicked out as non-machinable and may face a postage due situation.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@wastingtime101
"In addition, make sure the label is placed in the upper right corner, approx 1/8" from edge. If the label is in the center or off to the left it won't get scanned."
Since the ESE label is rectangular, it fits nicely on a #6 envelope, with only about 1/16 of an inch on the top and both sides.
So I've been "centering" mine on #6 envelopes for over 2 years, with never a problem in mailing or delivery.
I don't believe that "centering" is an issue.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoI include that info @1786davycrockett because a lot of sellers use the standard #10 letter envelope.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@wastingtime101
Yup, I agree -- with a #10 envelope, the ESE label should be nudged to the upper right corner.
anasazirose
OP2 years agoWhen I choose ese as shipping method, I'm given a list of requirements. Colored vs white labels or envelopes is not mentioned. The scanners read the black ink. Can you elaborate where that information is hiding?
Also, this was scanned, maybe with manual help, but the information lagged seriously behind the actual date, as did the delivery.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@anasazirose
Since I've regularly been receiving business metered mail on a variety of colored envelopes, I don't believe that you only need to use a white envelope to mail with an ESE label.
It would probably be a wise move, however, to print your ESE on white paper, before affixing it to ANY color of envelope.
Finally, there would have been NO "manual scan," as USPS employees are not individually equipped to provide that scan -- it is provided by automatic, high-speed sorting machines.
If your ESE has received even ONE scan, you are covered for eBay insurance for any losses in delivery.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoI said colored labels and envelopes above, but I should have clarified that it's about the color of the label. Color of envelope is important only if you're printing the label directly on the envelope.
I don't remember if I read it anywhere specifically about ESE. @onefootflipper has shipped hundreds of ESE and I remember him saying he bought a bunch of light yellow (and blue?) envelopes but couldn't use them. I can't remember if I read it in one of his posts on this forum or if I saw him talk about it on one of his ESE YouTube videos.
I know USPS has in their regulations info that you can't use a "brilliant" colored background and there needs to be good contrast between the ink and whatever color you might use. Light colors are supposed to be OK, but onefootflippers said none of his light colored ESE were getting scanned and as soon as he switched back to white they were all scanned again. That stuck in my head as something to look out for, so when you mentioned not getting scans and using a pink label I made a connection.
I know you can't use glossy tape over the label/barcode as that can interfere with the readability.
I've used mostly white envelopes for ESE. I did use a couple of light blue envelopes for ESE last month, but they had white labels.
If the label is white, the color of the envelope shouldn't matter. If you're printing the label directly on the envelope then the color of the envelope matters.
anasazirose
OP2 years agoMy labels are pastel pink, and I do use clear tape over them. I can stop using the tape. I've always used it. without a problem. TWICE I have received packages that were mine, but had someone else's label on it along with mine, not affixed, just sticking to it.
As it turns out, this label WAS scanned when it should have been, but the scan didn't show until after delivery, and according to the ese #, the item has not been delivered, but the buyer has it.
I though I have a slow computer, but the lag time between a scan and the scan being updated on ebay was over 10 days!
wastingtime101
·2 years agoHave you ever done an experiment and put tape on a thermal label then let it sit for a day or two, or a week?
Check out this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ebay/comments/1bh14bp/for_all_of_you_new_users_of_thermal_label/
Also note one of the comments:'
"There are two types of thermal labels, thermal transfer and direct thermal. Thermal transfer shouldn’t experience this, it is more of a problem with direct thermal which is less resilient."
buyselljack2016
·2 years agobut why, when the scan shows mailed 3-31
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Is there a "scan" that shows it "mailed", or is that just the result of you printing the label?
anasazirose
OP2 years agoIt has the check mark under 'shipped'. I only see that after packages are scanned.
cardsforauction
·2 years agoYou did good. You gave the buyer a good time frame. The shipment looks good to me. The item was delivered at the appropriate ESE time, since this is an economy shipping rate. Nothing unusual here. You should mention to buyers with ESE it normally takes up to two weeks delivery. Sometimes up to 30 days. Thank them for their patience and tell them the item is on the way and will arrive soon.
1786davycrockett
·2 years ago@anasazirose
The ESEs are more likely to receive an initial "scan" if they are physically dropped into the "Metered Mail" slots that are located in the lobby area of most post offices.
If the ESEs are just handed to a USPS counter clerk, or a USPS delivery driver, there is less possibility for the initial "scan," and the same goes for dropping the ESEs into the USPS "blue boxes," as well as residential mailboxes and business mailing systems.
The initial "scan" can not be performed at local post offices, but only at USPS Distribution Centers, which usually receive the ESEs at the end of the mailing day (unless the ESEs were mailed on a Saturday, or during a three-day USPS "long weekend").
Without the initial "scan" (or ANY scan), sellers can not initiate eBay insurance claims, as there is no evidence that the ESE was ever mailed.
The final ESE delivery "scan" is received when the ESE arrives at the post office matching the ZIP Code on the front of the ESE, and NOT the residence address itself. Delivery to the buyer's address will take a few days longer, especially if a weekend or three-day holiday period intervenes.
So it's possible that your ESE is simply arriving late -- explain the situation to your buyer, and request a few more "grace" days.
quickshopbuddy
·1 year agoI drop my eBay packages off at the main post office which is a regional distribution center. I have used ESE for about 10 times. The one time I dropped an ESE into a Metered Mail slot, I didn't receive an initial scan. In fact, the first scan/update was 10 days later at the destination post office with a Destination Processing scan. For 10 days, I thought the ESE was lost and I had nothing prove I had mailed it. Since then, I avoid the Metered Mail slot.
Of the ten ESEs I have mailed, two didn't get an initial scan. The other one was dropped into a mixed collection box but I had good results from that same mixed collection box on other occasions.
I always got an initial scan from those I handed directly to a counter worker but some counter workers would want you to drop them into a collection box or a mail slot. I have yet tried dropping them into a Stamped Mail slot but I'll try that next time.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoHopefully, along the way there is a scan in order to a refund.
ESE doesn't require an accepting scan but should have a scan during shipping along the way.
If there is no scan at all...a refund won't happen. And it doesn't mean buyer didn't get the item like you mentioned.
A question as to no scans on this item...would seller get a "ding" for not showing up as mailed using ESE?
A question to those answering questions here. I thought it be interesting to ask.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoHi @anasazirose .
1. For insurance to cover this, you need at minimum a single scan. With no scans at all you'll be refunding the buyer and ineligible for insurance.
2. If scans do eventually show up, and if you end up needing to file an insurance claim, follow these instructions: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=5308#section6
3. Make sure you're placing your labels in the upper right corner of the envelope with approx 1/8" clearance on each side. Some sellers don't get scans because they put their labels in the middle or on the upper left.
anasazirose
OP2 years agoClicking on the Tracking number shows this, even though that tracking number in the screenshot isn't the ESE number.
mr_lincoln
·2 years agoHi @anasazirose
If the Buyer files an official INR claim you have to refund within the claim time frame or get a defect on your account.
When you say "no scans" I take this to mean none at all, like the sorters are not registering the code on the label.
If you refund via an INR claim you will have to see if the ESE claim process works although I would be a little concerned that there are NO scans at all. While there are a few USPS hubs with issues like Palmetto, GA and one in the Houston, TX area you should have gotten at least one scan in PA before it left the state.