How does ebay standard envelope tracking actually work?

[bkerea66]

So I have been a bit frustrated of late regarding the unreliability of tracking for ebay standard envelope and would like the communities input on how this is supposed to work.  Ebay touts this as a great thing but I have numerous examples of items being delivered that never show up as delivered in the tracking.  This creates potential scamming opportunities for dishonest buyers as they can easily claim something wasn't received (even though it was) by simply monitoring the tracking that is never updated by eBay or the PO.  They can then file a INR claim which the buyer can't defend.  Of course this goes back to the long standing policy at eBay that the buyer is always protected even though the seller had nothing to do with the item being lost.

I have found nothing on eBay's website that explains the agreement they have with the PO to do this tracking.  I've talked to my local post office folks and they report that their system does not provide the tracking.  If you try to input the eBay tracking number into the PO system you'll see this is true.  If you ask customer service where the item is they can't tell you either.  My observation is that the items are scanned in some way at the main post office (not the local one) and that info is sent to eBay somehow for posting on the seller page.  It might be scanned again at the main destination PO but I'm not sure.  I've seen some comments that indicate this to be true and that that is the final "delivered" scan even though the item hasn't yet been delivered by the mail carrier.  The only other option seems to be that the mail carrier scans it before delivering it and that info is again forwarded to eBay somehow.

Does anyone know for sure how this tracking works and a general question....what is eBay doing to ensure that an item being "tracked" can be found??

P.S. I am aware of the insurance but again....to the buyer's benefit...not mine as I'm out the value of the item. 

[itsjustasprain]

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@safetyfirst5-91 wrote:

Track your Standard Envelope here: Tracking ESE

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But can Parcelsapp.com actually tracking the routing codes used on eSE envelopes? Routing codes are not the same as bar codes and the sample number given in the link above does not work anyway.

[booji_girl]

The short answer is, no. The "Tracking #" for ESE is not something the USPS uses in terms of recording or updating an envelope's location. 

It CAN be used if you need to contact customer service, a post office, or a regional transit hub as an additional identifier (just as any other thing you write on an envelope can help identify it). You could also include it as a detail on a missing mail search request, but they "highly" recommend including an actual tracking # if you file one of those. I save my ESE labels and photograph all my outgoing packed orders, so if something is taking too long, I can send the buyer a copy of the exact label and a photo of the mail piece along with info about Informed Delivery and other possibly helpful info. Here's some of it below:

Note from above, USPS tracking #s are only available for envelopes if they were sent registered mail, signature confirmation, certified mail, COD hold for pickup, or if the sender bought insurance from USPS.

Delayed mail and packages? (usps.com)

Where is my package? Tracking Status Help (usps.com)

Informed Delivery - Mail & Package Notifications | USPS

Missing Mail - The Basics (usps.com)

[handpick28]

Yeah I just figured this out too. I'm so mad . I have to keep refunding cards because the tracking fake but if I use stamps I get negative marks because of no tracking. 

[ebooksdiva]

Old thread from August 2023.

[ckimodog]

@ebooksdiva 

Lots of old threads today...anyone working? 

[wastingtime101]

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@handpick28 wrote:

Yeah I just figured this out too. I'm so mad . I have to keep refunding cards because the tracking fake but if I use stamps I get negative marks because of no tracking. 

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@handpick28 

eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) is a metered mail shipment so it does not receive traditional tracking scans and the clerk at the PO counter cannot scan it. The envelopes are scanned by sorting machinery at distribution centers along the way.

Common reasons ESE envelopes don't get scans include:
- Overpacking. Envelopes are too stiff. It's not recommended to use trading card top loaders or cardboard mailers.
- Placement of label. Label should be placed in the upper right corner with approx 1/8"-1/4" clearance from edges. If it's placed too far from the corner the machinery won't scan it.
- Placing items like coins in the center of the envelope. The center of the envelope needs to be the most flexible part.
- Printer ink is not dark enough, or label color is too bright (stick to white labels if you can).
- Regional issues with sorting machines, volume processing, etc.

With ESE, a 'delivered' scan generally occurs at the last sort facility before it gets to the buyer, so typically the buyer will receive their order a few days after the delivered scan.

If you find the tracking on eBay to be lacking, you can track the ESUS number on this site and sometimes find more info: https://parcelsapp.com

If a buyer files a not received claim, you do have insurance coverage and the claims process is outlined on this page: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

[pokedick-rick_collectibles]

Hello,

I know this is an old thread, but if you do see this message, would you mind elaborating on the envelope choice?  I am a new seller selling trading cards and dropped off my very first orders at the local post office today.... they immediately made me upgrade to a large envelope and pay the additional shipping costs. While my affixed ESE label remained on the envelope, I don't know if the ESE "tracking" will work now, since it's being sent as a large envelope.

I used a #10 envelope with toploader inside, with the toploaders sandwiched between 2 thin cardboard protectors (closer to cardstock than cardboard in terms of thickness, and definitely still under 0.25inches, but they said it was too rigid).  

thanks for any advice!

[pokedick-rick_collectibles]

thanks dude! this is exactly what I needed to see. 

cheers

[booji_girl]

Your package being classed as a "Large Envelope" has a specific meaning for USPS. They sound like they were doing a good job since they didn't make you pay parcel post rate (Ground Advantage) vs oversized envelope rate.

Your parcel most likely did not meet one or more of the standards for machinable mail (cc'd from USPS site):

Examples of a nonmachinable letter include:

-It has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5 (a square envelope has an aspect ratio of 1, making it nonmachinable). (this 1 surprised me)

-It is more than 4-1/4 inches high or more than 6 inches long and is less than 0.009 inch thick.

-It has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.

-It is too rigid.

-It has a delivery address parallel to the shorter side of the mailpiece.

-It contains items such as pens, pencils, or keys that create an uneven thickness.

-Letters with nonpaper surfaces, other than envelope windows or attachments that are allowed under eligibility standards by class of mail.

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I don't have time now to provide sources, but elsewhere on the USPS site they also explain

-flexibility requirements (more than you might think, imagine wrapping it into a tube or going through a machine with a brief 90 degree fold)

-address orientation factors (best to be parallel to the longer side and positioned a certain way).

As for your ESUS #, it will only update during a machine scan, so yours may never get scanned, but stranger thing have happened. IME selling cards they've never been damaged in transit, i put them in a soft sleeve within a rigid toploader affixed lightly with masking tape on regular paper, then affix the paper to the inside of the envelope the same way

[booji_girl]

Oh also for envelopes I use "invitation envelopes" which are basically the type you'd put a greeting card in, so a little sturdier and more opaque than a cheap bulk envelope you might send a couple pieces of paper in. Using that plus either a top loader or  thin cardboard has never failed me, if you use both you are likely to have more problems rather than fewer. And if you're sending more than around 4-5 cards in 1 envelope, the stack of them within a quality soft sleeve will be sufficient, since the card stack itself is normally pretty rigid if they're neatly stacked together without wiggle room. Hope this helps!

[windycityart4u]

How does it work? It doesn’t. We retired the service. Only use shipping with tracking even if you lose customers. Too much risk. You need the tracking for sure. Too many scammers out there. 

[kh-shakhib]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.