Tracking unrecognized on combined shipments - seller metrics are degraded

[island_chain]

I've noticed a recurring problem with eBay's ability to recognize more than one listing being shipped in a single parcel.   I sell bicycle parts and many times people buy more than one of my listings at once.   Sometimes those sales come though as a single order, other times they will come though as separate orders to the same buyer.  Either way I pack all the items into one package and ship it with one USPS tracking number.  As a result, I have to manually add the tracking information for all items added to the latter (buyers who's orders come in as separate purchases).  This keeps my seller page nice and clean - no pending shipments, all items can be tracked in the package they were sent in.

The problem?  I noticed my metric for "tracking uploaded on time" was below 100%.  Well below.  Upon examination I realized it was only parts of these these multiple-item orders, (where the sales came in as separate purchases), that aren't being recognized.  Example: A buyer places three separate orders at once -  I print a shipping label under the first item, then upload that tracking number for the two remaining items.  However, in the "tracking report" of my seller dashboard, (and suspiciously only in the tracking report) eBay wont recognize the other two sales as having a tracking number uploaded at all, or that it was uploaded late.  

Currently, all defects to my tracking report are due to this reason, despite the fact that I have proof all shipping was purchased through eBay, all tracking numbers were manually uploaded within 24hr. of all sales.    I have appealed it to eBay but my hopes of them correcting it are very low due their declining response to seller problems in recent years.

My suggestion to sellers is to scrutinize your tracking report for errors.  Your fee discounts could be lost to poor seller metrics due to a technical glitch and not your performance as a seller.  I wonder how many years this has been happening?  Very odd how the only place this glitch happens is on the seller metrics that are used to determine seller fees.  It does not appear on the "Orders > paid and shipped" page, where it shows accurate tracking, date of shipment, and status of delivery for all orders, single or combined.    

Oh, and as an encore - eBay just removed a positive feedback from my record.  The buyer never requested it be removed, and eBay has since sent me a email with the following from Manilyn D. of eBay customer support:  ..."I have reviewed the feedback and I can see that it is a valid feedback and there was a mistake of removing it on our end.. I know how important that this should be resolved however it can no longer be reinstated. Nothing to worry, I will make sure that this will be rectified." 

 Basically, too bad for me.  Its gone, they admit it was their mistake, but they cant/wont do anything about it other than offer thoughts and prayers..  

[inceptions]

This issue should not exist and should be reported and fixed, however you can avoid it by using bulk shipping to combine your purchases. That way eBay automatically uploads tracking to each transaction. It also saves you time.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/labels-packaging-tips/buying-printing-shipping-labe...

How to print labels for multiple orders at once:

1. From the Seller Hub Orders tab, check the boxes beside the orders you want to ship (two or more).
2. Then, from the Shipping dropdown, select Print Shipping Labels or invoices.
3. This will take you to the bulk shipping tool - opens in new window or tab where you can edit details of individual orders. For example, dispatch options, delivery addresses, shipping providers, and whether you want signature confirmation or ShipCover insurance.
4. Select Review Purchase to see the total cost of the labels.
5. Select Confirm and pay.
6. Select Print Labels.

[island_chain]

Lets not deflect from the issue please  Yes, the problem DOES exist, we reported it, however its not been fixed.     

Bulk shipping is not unknown to us, but its not an appropriate answer.  We fill orders as they come in, so waiting around until we have multiple pending orders just so we can use a non-defective shipping/tracking function is just silly. 

Ethically, there is no reason that one metric should recognize a sellers orders as shipped with timely uploading of tracking, while a second metric maintained by eBay (one used to base seller fee) should be different, and different in such a way as to potentially penalize a seller.  

I should be able to take advantage of the system eBay has provided, with my fees, and ship orders individually as they come in.   That flexibility fits my business and eBay encourages rapid shipping..   I should be able to honestly enter the tracking information - in the form field that eBay provides for registering this exact information -  and that information should be accurately maintained across all of the various platforms used to measure this metric.  Under no circumstances should one source of my seller information show all sales as shipped with timely tracking, while another says differently.  Using bulk shipping labels doesn't fix that internal problem.   

[dhbookds]

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@island_chain wrote:

Lets not deflect from the issue please  Yes, the problem DOES exist, we reported it, however its not been fixed.     

Bulk shipping is not unknown to us, but its not an appropriate answer.  We fill orders as they come in, so waiting around until we have multiple pending orders just so we can use a non-defective shipping/tracking function is just silly. 

Ethically, there is no reason that one metric should recognize a sellers orders as shipped with timely uploading of tracking, while a second metric maintained by eBay (one used to base seller fee) should be different, and different in such a way as to potentially penalize a seller.  

I should be able to take advantage of the system eBay has provided, with my fees, and ship orders individually as they come in.   That flexibility fits my business and eBay encourages rapid shipping..   I should be able to honestly enter the tracking information - in the form field that eBay provides for registering this exact information -  and that information should be accurately maintained across all of the various platforms used to measure this metric.  Under no circumstances should one source of my seller information show all sales as shipped with timely tracking, while another says differently.  Using bulk shipping labels doesn't fix that internal problem.   

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The problem, as I understand it, is with multiple orders in the same box..........so I don't understand the "waiting around" for orders objection to using bulk shipping........  I understand the frustration of something not working correctly......and if you want to spend time waiting for the fix, that's fine, but using bulk shipping would probably solve the immediate problem and protect your metrics. 

Certainly, your choice as to which method to use........

[inceptions]

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@island_chain wrote:

Lets not deflect from the issue please  Yes, the problem DOES exist, we reported it, however its not been fixed.     

Bulk shipping is not unknown to us, but its not an appropriate answer.  We fill orders as they come in, so waiting around until we have multiple pending orders just so we can use a non-defective shipping/tracking function is just silly. 

Ethically, there is no reason that one metric should recognize a sellers orders as shipped with timely uploading of tracking, while a second metric maintained by eBay (one used to base seller fee) should be different, and different in such a way as to potentially penalize a seller.  

I should be able to take advantage of the system eBay has provided, with my fees, and ship orders individually as they come in.   That flexibility fits my business and eBay encourages rapid shipping..   I should be able to honestly enter the tracking information - in the form field that eBay provides for registering this exact information -  and that information should be accurately maintained across all of the various platforms used to measure this metric.  Under no circumstances should one source of my seller information show all sales as shipped with timely tracking, while another says differently.  Using bulk shipping labels doesn't fix that internal problem.   

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Who is deflecting from the issue?

I started right off by saying, "This issue should not exist and should be reported and fixed..."

I agree with you! But I'm only a member like yourself so I can't fix the issue for you, but I can (and did) give you an alternative to use until the problem IS fixed.

I also don't get why you would have to wait around for more sales to come through in order to combine shipments. If you have shipments to combine, you have enough to use bulk shipping. You only need two...

As already advised by another responder, what you do is entirely up to you. You can live with problem and suffer the consequences, or use the suggestion I gave you. I'm just trying to help you until eBay does...you don't have to accept the help.