Increase in lost Shipping or?
Hi, I'm two weeks in, just started my ebay store and felt it really took off with 7 sales and over $300 right away but so far 3 of my 8 orders are lost in the mail. Two Casper WY to Denver and one in Omeha Nebraska. As a retired UPS driver I felt I knew how to package things correctly so they get through. I'm frustrated and don't want to use USPS ever again.
7 comments
tsme35
·2 weeks agoI've had 2 packages lost in the last month, file a claim, got paid, then showed up a couple days later
grandpas_trains_01
·2 weeks agoI'm currently a buyer, not a seller . . . but I know of one problem that many eBay seller seem unaware of: TAPING OVER THE BAR CODE!
In the last 2 weeks, I've had 3 packages 'take a tour of the Southeast' . . . and all have clear packing tape on TOP of the bar code. I currently have another one stuck in transit (4 days in a single metro distribution center!), and I fully anticipate that IF it arrives, it will have a taped over bar code.
I have heard that our local USPS distribution center upgraded with sorting equipment that is faster. Possibly, it's also more sensitive to bar codes covered with clear -- but reflective -- tape. And possibly, it's not only MY center that's made the upgrade, but others as well.
k9kates
OP2 weeks agoInteresting. As a retired UPS driver, we were taught to tape over the barcode with clear tape because if a package leaked on another or got extremely dirty in the dusty buildings, it could just be wiped off. The envelopes and bendable stuff would crack more without tape. My packages are a mix of covered with tape and not depending on the package and such. I can't guarantee a corelation.
grandpas_trains_01
·2 weeks agoI bet if you compare tracking on taped-over vs not taped, you'll see a correlation.
What seems to be happening is taped-over units loop through the dist center till someone human intervenes. Surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be any process at either USPS or FX to place a non-reflective barcode on the box. I guess it's 'more efficient' to just let it loop.
Or maybe, fixing it is "nobody's job"!
mudshark61369
·2 weeks ago@k9kates ,
First check your tracking information to see what progress your items have made. Look to see if any were scanned into a facility but have not been given an outbound scan. If an in route to next facility has not updated for a few days, or other incomplete info. Make notes for each "lost" item. Then lookup and call the USPS customer service phone number. Have the "lost" items tracking numbers and your notes handy and have the rep file missing package reports for them and write down the case numbers. Once you have filed the reports message your buyers and tell them you have filed a missing package report and give each one the case number so they can check it out if they want. Doing that shows you are making an effort on their behalf.
You may want to see if the cities the last facilities the items were in experienced flood, tornadoes or other issues that may be delaying shipping.
k9kates
OP2 weeks agoYeah, I did all the customary stuff. As a retired UPS driver I'd know how and when to respond as things aren't that different. I received phone calls from various centers and they just said maybe it will all turn up. I already had to refund the one before the buyer requested. The others are waiting a bit more patient like. 13 days, 12 days, 6 days with no scan. All shipped at different times.
eoma689485
·2 weeks agoThe USPS "Delivering for America" plan is in full swing in Casper, Denver and Omaha.
So, you are experiencing a bottleneck - and your packages are, more than likely, not lost but are sitting inside trailers at major distribution hubs waiting to get scanned into an automated sorter.
Read more here: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Missing-Mail-The-Basics