USPS not scanning EBay standard envelopes
Summary: cattrainertcg expressed frustration with USPS not scanning eBay standard envelopes, leading to lost shipments and potential scams by buyers claiming non-delivery. tobaccocardyahoo suggested experimenting with different packaging methods, while 1786davycrockett provided a detailed explanation of their successful packaging technique, though it was perceived as condescending by cattrainertcg. zzzz-0-zzzz and others discussed the nature of eBay's shipping service and the variability in USPS handling. The conversation also explored the challenges of insurance claims and explaining the service to buyers.
This has been a long time ongoing issue with eBay standard envelopes. They rarely ever get scanned anymore. Nothing has changed, my printer prints the labels nicely, no issues with the barcodes. What on earth is going on here? I keep getting buyers saying they haven't received their orders and I'm starting to suspect either theft or buyers scamming to get their money back because the tracking doesn't show delivered.
I'm losing so much money to USPS and their poor service. I honestly have no idea what to do anymore. Any help would be appreciated.
trueartworx
·yesterday at 3:16 AM2 issues forever remain with this service. Any regular buyer of package sized items has no clue that this is a different service type and often show delivered before actually are.
And the tracking number doesn't work on USPS site so some buyers are quick to accuse of never sending the item and giving 'fake' tracking number.
Explaining the service is now what I use more time on than anything else and is only helpful when the buyer believes us.
Otherwise another site also uses this same service type but also includes large flat envelopes, it is sad that ebay, a much larger marketplace did not get this same option.
zzzz-0-zzzz
·yesterday at 12:02 PM"Intelligent Mail" barcodes for First Class for the most part are only scanned by the sorting machines. There is no end-to-end tracking certainty with First Class as there is with parcels!
zzzz-0-zzzz
·Oct 4, 2026 at 6:14 PMI've bought some baseball cards sent in ESE (ordinary) envelopes with the rigid "Top Loader" plastic protectors (usually the card itself is placed into a thin plastic sleeve before it is placed in the Top Loader - then the end is taped with removable tape so it won't slide out).
I've never had one not arrive at all - or get damaged, but the envelope itself usually gets beat to h*ll & may take 2 weeks.
If you send a card "First Class - Non-Machinable", it costs an extra $0.49 & you can't use ESE! So, you could use vintage stamps you bought at half-face (it costs less then!) - & there is NO tracking for Non-Machinable - You are then DIY! You don't get the advantage of any insurance if the envelope gets lost. You need to ask the buyer "Did you receive it" to be sure.
(I don't know how successfully sellers have collected the insurance if the buyer says they didn't receive it if it is sent ESE).
bdmh-enterprises
·Oct 4, 2026 at 12:33 PMNot only have I never had any problems with ESE with 99+% getting at least one scan, my end to end scan rate has improved from 95 to 97% over the last year. Semi rigid sleeve in #6 envelope. What are you using?
Also, if you raise your item price to include the shipping, you don't lose anything when you collect the insurance, in fact since eBay returns your fees when you refund an INR, you make more.
zzzz-0-zzzz
·Oct 4, 2026 at 12:20 PM"ebay Standard envelopes" are "First Class". They are not "parcels". It's likely that they are using "Intelligent Mail" barcodes - so they are only scanned when they go thru the machines. "Intelligent Mail" barcodes are not definitive. They're not scanned in the originating Post Office, then are only 1st scanned when they reach a sorting "hub" and go thru a machine. The letter is then scanned as it goes from hub to hub. Finally, it may or may not get scanned at the "Delivery" phase (the delivery truck). It never gets scanned as it is placed in the mailbox, the way parcels are.
1786davycrockett
·Oct 4, 2026 at 4:43 AM@cattrainertcg
If you are using top loaders or stiff mailers, your ESEs are probably jamming up the USPS high speed delivery rollers, and being pulled for being non-machinable.
What happens to these non-machinable ESEs is unknown; but USPS states that any envelopes without sufficient postage will not be returned and may not be delivered; so I suspect that these undeliverable ESEs are being dumped in the latest version of "dead letters."
I've been sending ESEs for several years with ZERO issues, and here's how I do it --
Slip the card or stamp or sticker into a penny sleeve or glassine envelope.
Using the same material used for cereal boxes or 12-pack soda cans, trim two pieces to fit snugly inside a #6 or #10 plain envelope.
Slide the two pieces inside the envelope, and slip the penny sleeve or glassine envelope in between both.
Seal the envelope -- print off the ESE label -- trim the label to fit the front of the #6 or #10 envelope -- tape the label down flat ENTIRELY so that there are no exposed corners to snag on the USPS sorting machines -- and mail.
Mail the ESEs either in a regular USPS "blue box," or use the "Metered Mail" slot in the post office lobby (if available) -- but NEVER hand the ESEs to any USPS counter workers, as many of them seem to believe that ESEs are "phony," "fraudulent" or "counterfeit."
These are methods that have worked for me 100% of the time -- no complaints, no undelivered mail, and no returns.
Try it and see for yourself.
cattrainertcg
OPOct 4, 2026 at 8:56 AMNot sure why you felt the need to explain it in such a condescending way like I’m a child struggling with their homework, like I’m doing something wrong. Maybe ask how I package instead of treating me so poorly.
thriftyfiftyfifty
·Oct 4, 2026 at 2:24 PMSo much for these final words in the original post huh..."Any help would be appreciated."
1786davycrockett
·Oct 4, 2026 at 2:27 PM@cattrainertcg
I was not aware that my explanation could be translated as being "condescending," or "treating you poorly."
Your original statement reads "What on earth is going on here?" and "Any help would be appreciated."
I responded as requested.
You're welcome.
zzzz-0-zzzz
·Oct 4, 2026 at 12:01 PM"Chipboard". Thinner & more flexible is "cardstock".
zzzz-0-zzzz
·Oct 4, 2026 at 12:10 PM · EditedThe individual postal clerk in an individual post office almost seems to personally have "godlike" powers as to what they allow and how things must be packaged, etc.
It's the individual postal clerk!
Some are always trying to get you to send everything ground - no matter what - even if it meets the requirements for "First Class - NonMachinable", for example. Because of the fussiness of some postal clerks, you may need to take "First Class - NonMachinable" or envelopes with " ebay Standard Envelope" labels to a particular post office whose clerk won't give you a fuss.
tobaccocardyahoo
·Oct 4, 2026 at 3:30 AMSome sellers pack in a manner which meets the rigidity requirements of the letter scanners used for ESE. Other sellers, like myself use toploaders for their cards, which do not meet the appropriate rigidity standard and have lots and lots of missed scans.
I do not use ESE, but I do not sell cards which are as inexpensive as some of what you offer.
You need to experiment with your packaging, and not attempt to bullet proof you shipments. You may find yourself losing time and money trying to claim the insurance for lost or damaged ESE shipments, or you might have the magic touch that some sellers claim to have.
cattrainertcg
OPOct 4, 2026 at 8:58 AMI’ve never used top loaders, I don’t like them, and they’re prone to causing problems. I’ve been packaging my envelopes the same way for years and never had any issues up until the start of the year. Now it seems like there’s a missing envelope almost weekly. The envelopes aren’t even bouncing back to me, they’re just disappearing completely. It’s very very odd to me.