USPS Missed Scans Are Hurting Top Rated Sellers — We Need Better Protection
Summary: jennandjjssteelcitytreasures raises concerns about the impact of USPS missed scans on eBay sellers using the eBay Standard Envelope, which affects their Top Rated metrics. They argue that sellers are unfairly penalized when envelopes are not scanned, which is beyond their control, and emphasize the lack of protection when this happens. Other participants, like stainlessenginecovers and kensgiftshop, suggest using alternative methods or accepting limitations of cheaper services, while bdmh-enterprises suggests that the issue might be related to how the envelopes are packed. jennandjjssteelcitytreasures clarifies their position, focusing on the need for eBay to provide protection against USPS inconsistencies, not on the cost of services.
I’d like to address an issue that has been affecting many sellers who use eBay Standard Envelope, and I’m hoping eBay can take a closer look at how this impacts Top Rated metrics.
Sellers are being penalized when USPS fails to scan eBay Standard Envelopes as they move through the mail stream. Even when we pack and ship the same day, the envelope sometimes never gets processed through the machine that performs the initial scan. When that happens, the seller is held responsible for something completely outside of our control. There is currently no protection in place for missed scans, even though the seller fulfilled their obligation.
The alternative isn’t any better. If we choose not to use eBay Standard Envelope and instead ship with a regular stamp, the lack of tracking also counts against our Top Rated metrics. This puts sellers in a difficult position: either risk USPS not scanning the envelope, or use stamps and automatically take a hit for no tracking.
Buyers understandably don’t want to pay $5.99 to ship a $2 trading card via USPS Ground Advantage. Sellers are trying to offer affordable shipping options, but the current system makes it nearly impossible to do that without being penalized.
USPS is not always consistent with their scanning process, and sellers shouldn’t lose Top Rated status because of USPS errors or because we’re trying to provide cost‑effective shipping for low‑value items. There needs to be a better solution or some form of protection for sellers who ship promptly and follow all guidelines, yet still get penalized due to factors beyond their control.
I hope eBay will consider reviewing this policy and exploring a more balanced approach that supports both buyers and sellers.
fm2000
·Aug 13, 2026 at 3:33 AMIf you ship your cards in the top loaders in your pictures, that is why your cards are not being scanned. They are kicked out of the system for being too rigid before reaching the scanners. Top loaders cause constant problems with ESE, probably 80% or more of ESE problems are caused by them.
Instead of top loaders, use regular card sleeves and flexible cardstock in your envelopes. Make sure they can bend around a large coffee cup. See if that improves your scan rate, won't hurt to try.
bdmh-enterprises
·Aug 13, 2026 at 1:11 AMSince 99+% of the several thousand ESE I've sent have received scans I'd say USPS's process is quite consistent. And since the timing of the ESE scan does not affect late shipment rate as long as it's delivered in time (based on scan or buyer feedback), I have never seen my late shipment rate drop below .2% nor my tracking upload below 98%.
If your envelopes are not getting scanned, then it is the envelope period. I'll guess, based on your items, that you use top loaders that are making the envelope too rigid or not uniformly thick. Make sure your envelopes comply with First Class Letter requirements and they'll get scanned just fine.
kensgiftshop
·Aug 13, 2026 at 12:20 AM"I hope eBay will consider reviewing this policy and exploring a more balanced approach"
If they did that for the cheap ESE, they would have to do it for all packages that don't get scanned.
If you're having problems with ESE, don't use it.
It's a cheap service for a reason.
christworks
·Aug 12, 2026 at 11:27 PM · Edited@jennandjjssteelcitytreasures Um...no protection?
If you are having significant issues having ESE get scanned, be sure you are meeting the shipping requirements. If they cannot go throught he machines, they won't get scanned.
stainlessenginecovers
·Aug 12, 2026 at 6:59 PMThat 'envelope' is a bargain; a deal; so you can charge and pay MUCH less. With that- you get less.
Very clear.
What's the problem- you expect to get 'tracking' just like a package that costs 4x more??
jennandjjssteelcitytreasures
OPAug 12, 2026 at 11:22 PMYou obviously missed the point of my post.
eBay Standard Envelope IS supposed to come with a form of tracking. That's literally what it is. I'm NOT asking for tracking - I'm asking NOT to be penalized when USPS doesn't do THEIR job and scan it.
If the envelope doesn't get scanned at USPS, I get dinged on my Top Rated metrics. Why should I lose Top Rated because a machine or a person at USPS didn't scan it? I did my job.
And no, a person buying a $2 card doesn't want to pay $5.48, $5.98, or $8.40 to get it. They want it in the cheapest method possible. There's no need to put a $2 card - or anything under $20 - in a bubble mailer when most buyers don't want to pay $8.40 for shipping. And yes, I have a lot of customers where Ground Advantage IS $8.40 to their zip code.
Bubble mailers scan fine, I have no problem with those. My complaint is eBay not protecting SELLERS who use the envelope when USPS fails to scan it.
At the end of the day, I'm not asking for package-level tracking. I'm asking not to lose Top Rated when I do my job and USPS doesn't do theirs. That's it.
Just to clarify, I wasn't complaining about the cost. I was complaining about being penalized for someone else not doing their job when I did mine.
jennandjjssteelcitytreasures
OPAug 12, 2026 at 11:54 PM · EditedThere is no problem with how I pack my cards my cards arrive to the customer they are NOT being scanned in or when they are delivered.
dbmm-media
·Aug 12, 2026 at 6:56 PMI never had a problem, so far, with ese