Did you know old QR codes for not void!?

[machofalltrades]

So I got a refund request because the item I sold never made it. I checked all my receipts because I remember shipping it, and I couldn't find the receipt with that shipping label...

It was because I shipped to a previous QR code label again by accident! Now the package I sent is stuck at a post office, and USPS never even bothered to sent it back for 2 weeks even though I paid for the shipping. They never even tried to contact me or anything. 

[albertabrightalberta]

If they were to send it back, it would come back with postage due. 

You claim that "USPS never even bothered to sent it back for 2 weeks even though I paid for the shipping" but the problem is that you didn't pay for shipping for that one. You reused a different QR code, one that had already been used and cannot be reused. 

Apparently, you didn't purchase a shipping label for the package that the buyer is looking for now. 

This was your error, not the p.o. You owe her a refund.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

That's crazy.... i know nothing about the QR code process for labels because I print my own, but that's seriously not good if it's that easy to make a mistake....

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

I agree with Alberta all the way but I'm still curious about the QR label situation ... I mean, how easy or hard is this to goof up?...

[machofalltrades]

What? I paid for the person's shipping label, and it's still saying "awaiting package," because I showed an old shipping label QR code by accident because I had a bunch of sales that day. Even though USPS scanned an older shipping label QR code I showed them, it still sent to the old address as if it hadn't been used before!

If their system would have voided the old label, then I wouldn't have been able to use the wrong code, so you're saying that's my fault? Do you think that's logical for their system to just not know a label has been used before? Because if you think so, then you don't know what logic is. 

[machofalltrades]

And by the way, I was sharing this information to warn people, I wasn't looking for pompous replies. But it's not okay for their system to not void old labels with QR codes, and it's not okay for them to simply hold packages without any notice if they've been already paid for.

And if someone doesn't know about the QR code shipping, well now you know. I don't need to use a printer if they'll scan the label and print it for me... You just can't personally mix up the code because USPS obviously can't distinguish used codes from new ones. 

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

I see what you're saying. I'm curious how the package made it "Past Go" and collected $200 (yeah, Postage is due on that sucker).

Yeah, I'm thinking you may still be S.O.L. because you owe your buyer and you dont have the item

USPS should be able to know the QR code has been used, but what if they attempt to print the label, it misprints, they need to reprint, then they need to rescan the QR code so i kinda see why it doesnt void. Maybe it should void once the label has been scanned the first time, but what do I know?

If i was going to the PO i would do QR codes but i have home pick up so i print. Easier for me to print myself and not have to leave the house rather than have to go to the PO and wait in line and all that jazz.

[machofalltrades]

You know what happens in my warehouse when an item is sold or recycled, it's immediately removed from our our current assets and if you scan that old sku,it will beep and say where it went.

I programmed that system with one other guy in two weeks without prior programming knowledge. If I could do that, USPS sure can. 

[reallynicestamps]

and it's still saying "awaiting package," because I showed an old shipping label QR code by accident because I had a bunch of sales that day.

You made a mistake.

USPS does not recognize the label because you made a mistake.

Your customer does not have her purchase because you made a mistake.

You have your customer's money.

She does not have her purchase.

You owe her one or the other, and it doesn't look as if she will be getting the mislabelled purchase.

Because you made a mistake.

 REFUND THE CUSTOMER.

[ajs_coins_and_alchemy]

---

@machofalltrades wrote:

You know what happens in my warehouse when an item is sold or recycled, it's immediately removed from our our current assets and if you scan that old sku,it will beep and say where it went.

I programmed that system with one other guy in two weeks without prior programming knowledge. If I could do that, USPS sure can. 

---

You expect WAY too much of our government and it's entities.... 🤣

[gregmech26]

Thanks for sharing machofalterades. Something similar happened to me.

I usually reuse old boxes. I had a new shipping label from eBay. The post office lady scanned the new qr code but then immediately accidentally scanned the old code from the box I was reusing, in essence transferring the old tracking number to the new qr code.

Thank God the old code was shipping to my home address rather than some random buyer from the past.

Interesting how the label ID is now associated with two different tracking numbers now.

For the life of me I couldn't figure out why a tracking number froml ast month was on this months (today's) post office receipt. 

The USPS spent hours pointing fingers at eBay, and eBay spent hours pointing fingers at the post office until I figured out what happened.

Currently praying my $300 package makes it safely back to my address so I can remail it back to the buyer.  

[tevastoreplus]

Well, something like this just happened to me. A buyer contacted me and stated she has not received a package that I mailed last week. I found my receipt and looked at the QR code. Then i recognized that I inadvertantly mailed this package with a QR code that had been used in July.  I sold this new item last week and sent the QR code to myself by text and took my phone with the package to post office, as I usually do. The waiting line was long and an employee said anyone with qr code items could go to lobby kiosk. I met this employee at the kiosk and handed her my phone.  My mistake.  I usually hold my phone up at desk for the employee to scan the code. It appears that in the process of handing her my phone, my text messages scrolled up and she scanned the old code, and printed a label with the old used QR code. She confirmed the address, labeled the package and placed it in the dropbox. She did not ask me to confirm the address. This was her mistake. I did not even see that she was was confirming a mailing address.  I only know this now because I used the kiosk by myself today to mail a new package and saw that this was a step in the process. When I spoke with a employee at desk and explained the situation all he wanted to do was insist that per the tracking number my package was delivered in July. I pointed out the receipt day  of September 7 and asked how i could have a recept with a September date for a package received in July. He looked befuddled, went to the back and returned and stated he could not help me. Seems like a major flaw in the system. Lesson learned. Dont ever hand them your phone! What a fiasco!

[kh-gary]

Hi 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.