eBay

mjmcardsandcollectibles · ‎09-10-2022

Is anyone else being unfairly dinged on their metrics because usps doesn’t always scan the eBay envelopes?

htownmma · ‎09-11-2022

They don't give receipts for cards going out ebay standard shipping though.. it is half baked but cheap at least

1786davycrockett · ‎09-11-2022

Many eBay sellers seem to be confused about the "tracking" process for the eBay Standard Envelope.

First of all, they are not "scanned" in the same manner as USPS packages, so don't bother trying to scan them at the self-service kiosks, or at the counter, or with your USPS delivery carriers -- those particular USPS scanners are not equipped to "scan" the tracking numbers generated for the eBay Standard Envelope.

Instead, the eBay Standard Envelope is handled in the same manner as other metered mail (mail which does NOT have a regular USPS stamp -- each of us probably received several pieces of metered mail every week). Metered mail is not "scanned" at the point of drop-off, but is rather machine-scanned at the next USPS Distribution Center, sometimes in another state. Along the way, the eBay Standard Envelope may pick up additional machine-scans, such as these from one of my most recent shipments (the numbers are in the wrong order; but you'll get the idea):

eBay Delivery Services: ESUS100848334Copy

Hide tracking details

Jul 29, 2022
12:58pm
Delivered
90034
Jul 28, 2022
11:01pm
Out for Delivery
LOS ANGELES, CA 90052
Jul 28, 2022
6:56pm
Out for Delivery
LOS ANGELES, CA 90052
Jul 28, 2022
12:50pm
Destination processing
LOS ANGELES, CA 90052
Jul 25, 2022
10:46pm
Origin Processing
EAGAN, MN 55121
Jul 25, 2022
8:16pm
In Transit
EAGAN, MN 55121
Jul 25, 2022
6:41am
Tracking number provided

When the eBay Standard Envelope is delivered to the USPS location matching the ZIP Code on the envelope, it is recorded as "delivered," even though it has NOT been "delivered" to the buyer yet. In some circumstances, the "delivered" notation may be a day or two before actual delivery to the buyer, especially before a weekend or holiday.

The point is -- USPS handles METERED mail entirely differently than STAMPED mail, and the "tracking" numbers on the eBay Standard Envelope are NOT the same as USPS Tracking numbers -- USPS has NOTHING to do with the metered numbers on the eBay Standard Envelope, and can NOT "track" them in the same manner as USPS packaged mail.

Hope that clears things up a little bit!

johnjefprks · ‎09-11-2022

Thanks for taking the time to explain how the ebay standard envelope system works. You have described it exactly.

mam98031 · ‎09-11-2022

@htownmma wrote:
This has been a fear of ours, we take each package to the counter for this very reason, we just don't trust having our packages picked up and prefer to hand deliver it in person at the front desk. It can be a pain as far as gas money and time, but the alternative is worse, we believe

There is no need to be in "fear" when shipping your items. Simply have a conversation with your carrier if there is a problem @htownmma and if that doesn't work contact your local PO and talk with your Postmaster. It is part of the carriers job to scan the packages. You are currently assuming they won't do their job. You should try it and if you see a problem, then react. Or be proactive and have a chat with your carrier.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

mam98031 · ‎09-11-2022

@1786davycrockett

How do they handle it on Standard International. The labels have a normal barcode. It goes to a centralize location for Ebay to be processed and forwarded onto the appropriate country. When they do that it gets a new tracking number. I've got scans all the way up to the item reaching the destination country and then nothing.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

1786davycrockett · ‎09-11-2022

As I understand it, the eBay Standard Envelope and eBay International Standard shipments are two different animals. Here's what eBay states on the eBay Standard Envelope Terms And Conditions site:

"This Service is meant only for Parcels shipped from and delivered to locations within the United States."

Thus, the eBay Standard Envelope is intended ONLY for domestic United States mail, and is handled similarly to other metered mail, and does not used USPS Tracking numbers. It can not be used for international shipments.

The eBay International Standard Delivery, on the other hand, is intended ONLY for shipments to foreign countries, and is handled similarly to other USPS mail, including a USPS Tracking number to one of the eBay international shipping centers in Kentucky & Illinois. (There may be others; but those are the only two of which I am aware.). Once the eBay International Standard Delivery package leaves the United States, it is no longer the responsibility of USPS to track the package, and many foreign countries do not communicate any further tracking information upon arrival in their countries or along the way in transit to the final destination.

Summing it all up: the eBay Standard Envelope is ONLY to be used for domestic, United States only mail, and is handled similarly to other metered mail, and does NOT use USPS Tracking. On the other hand, eBay Standard International Mail is intended ONLY for shipments to other countries, and uses regular USPS Tracking numbers to its eBay pre-shipment destinations in Kentucky, Illinois and possibly other locations. Since USPS is not applicable outside the United States, tracking becomes the responsibility of foreign entities until delivery.

Hope that clears up some of the confusion between the two different breeds of critters!

lepke1979 · ‎09-11-2022

@mam98031 wrote:
@htownmma wrote:
This has been a fear of ours, we take each package to the counter for this very reason, we just don't trust having our packages picked up and prefer to hand deliver it in person at the front desk. It can be a pain as far as gas money and time, but the alternative is worse, we believe
There is no need to be in "fear" when shipping your items. Simply have a conversation with your carrier if there is a problem @htownmma and if that doesn't work contact your local PO and talk with your Postmaster. It is part of the carriers job to scan the packages. You are currently assuming they won't do their job. You should try it and if you see a problem, then react. Or be proactive and have a chat with your carrier.

The carriers/clerks/kiosks can't scan ESEs. Only sorting machines at the hubs.

mam98031 · ‎09-11-2022

What is ESE? Ebay standard envelopes?

If that is what you are talking about, yes, that is not scannable by your carrier, sorry if I misunderstood earlier. But with that said, they can't scan it at your PO either, if it only happens at the Hub. So why not just ship from home and save yourself time.

You will be able to tell in short order if it works or not. If the tracking doesn't start showing up on the sales record, then there is certainly a problem.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

hartungcards · ‎09-11-2022

More accurately, thanks to davycrockett for taking the time to explain how the ebay standard envelope system doesn't work.

1786davycrockett · ‎09-11-2022

"So why not just ship from home and save yourself time."

Indeed -- why not?

Well, for one thing, I'm going to the post office nearly every day anyway, to ship off my regular eBay packages; so why not take my ESEs along for the ride?

They don't weigh much, and they never whimper "Are we there yet?," and they fit so nicely into the "Metered Mail Only" slot.

Seems a shame to deny them a a chance to go for a ride in my car. . ..

htownmma · ‎09-11-2022

I wouldn't say it doesn't work... it's just not very efficient for tracking, but it does work. We have only had one card arrive damaged out if a few hundred, and never had one not arrive

htownmma · ‎09-11-2022

We had packages picked up for family years ago, they weren't scanned and never arrived. This had happened twice on only about twenty occasions.... it could have been bad luck but it's a risk we don't want to take. Things can happen through shipping, I get that. But I want to do whatever I can to do orders as efficiently as possible. Also I had packages for family picked up years ago that weren't scanned that day for Ebay this would make orders late in regards to being scanned on time

mam98031 · ‎09-11-2022

@htownmma wrote:
We had packages picked up for family years ago, they weren't scanned and never arrived. This had happened twice on only about twenty occasions.... it could have been bad luck but it's a risk we don't want to take. Things can happen through shipping, I get that. But I want to do whatever I can to do orders as efficiently as possible. Also I had packages for family picked up years ago that weren't scanned that day for Ebay this would make orders late in regards to being scanned on time

I understand, it just seems like a waste of time and energy.

Are you aware that as long as you have the tracking number uploaded to Ebay that you do NOT get a defect if your carrier doesn't scan your item UNLESS the item gets delivered late too.

Seller performance standards | eBay

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

1786davycrockett · ‎09-11-2022

"We had packages picked up for family years ago,"

The eBay Standard Envelope has only been around since January 2021; so your problem from "years ago" would not seem to involve the ESE.

You do not indicate who "picked up" those packages from "years ago." Was it USPS? FedEx? UPS? DHS? A family friend, neighbor or relative? Were the packages left outside your house to be picked up, or maybe placed inside your mailbox to be picked up by USPS?

A little more information might help our understanding.