Packages lost in mail.

[grvan_9733]

 I've had 2 sports card deliveries disappear in the last 30 days. They have a trackable shipping label attached. The envelopes are dropped off at the post office and then disappear. They never get scanned for tracking. I can't find anywhere on the Ebay site for a chat line or phone number. Can anyone help me find a chat line or phone number?

[jonathankirkland]

Sounds like a problem at your PO...

If you are just putting them in a drop box then you have no way of knowing if they will ever be scanned.

I personally take anything I sell directly inside the post office, make sure it is scanned and have a receipt put into my hand showing each item so I have proof.

Oh and something else I never had to do but have to do now is check the weight to be sure it is consistent with each package since USPS seems to like claiming your package was a different weight and charging you more later...

[rebell45]

I'm guessing that you used eBay's Standard Envelope and didn't get them scanned at the PO, right?

Not much eBay can do for you. The tracking on those is hit and miss at best. All you can do is see if the buyers open cases, and, if they do, refund them. Then wait the 30 days and file for the PIP protection plan.  So far the ESE plan is not working.

[grvan_9733]

  The standard envelopes are dropped off at the PO and that's it. They don't get scanned until they reach the next distribution center.  But they never get scanned at the distribution center. Is theft a big issue with the ESE?  I'm a new seller and if I'm losing 10% of my packages it won't be worth it. Thanks for your feedback.

[fashunu4eeuh]

It is critically important to get the acceptance scan when shipping. Until that gets done, there is no way for anyone to determine why the package went missing. In my ten years plus selling, never had a package disappear. Could have been theft out of the bin or by a postal worker.  Could be delayed by Covid. But you cannot prove you shipped the item without the scan. No matter the wait, i always get the scan and receipt at the counter.

To reach eBay, try their twitter or Facebook page. I have heard good things about customer service response on Facebook. In regards to this matter, it is unlikely eBay can help you. Sorry.

[johnjefprks]

One of the problems with the pip protection plan is if you have no scan you are SOL.

[johnjefprks]

You can't get the Ebay standard envelope scanned at the counter. They only place they can be scanned is by the sorting machine at the hub.

[dbfolks166mt]

I take the same approach with regards to dropping items at the post office and waiting for the scan, which also includes the USPS checked weight at shipping. One reason I will never use an eBay standard envelope regardless of any potential cost savings. Those are offset by the risk involved with not being able to get them scanned at most post offices. 

[grvan_9733]

Yes. This is exactly the issue. The PO I dropped them off at had no idea what I was talking about with scanning the ESE and they never reach the hub. 

[grvan_9733]

Thank you. I did drop 2 of the letters off at the counter and had them weigh them so that I could make sure my scale was accurate.  One made it and one didn't.  It sounds like the issue is with the Ebay Standard Envelope.  It can't be scanned at the counter and is only scanned at the hub. So they can be stolen before they reach the processing center at the hub.

[jayjaspersgarage]

Thankfully this next to useless new program for ebay standard envelopes is only for cards worth less than $20.  Everything I sell includes tracking paid for by the buyer every time.  I had someone write me recently to say it was hard to pay shipping and handling on items that cost less than the S&H.  My first thought was I better raise my prices.  

[jonathankirkland]

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@grvan_9733 wrote:

Thank you. I did drop 2 of the letters off at the counter and had them weigh them so that I could make sure my scale was accurate.  One made it and one didn't.  It sounds like the issue is with the Ebay Standard Envelope.  It can't be scanned at the counter and is only scanned at the hub. So they can be stolen before they reach the processing center at the hub.

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I believe what you and the others are saying, but that is asinine and makes no sense.

I guess I would have to say stop using those if its causing this much trouble. 😐

[duncanvr]

another reason as a stamp seller I don't bother paying up for tracked. If it never gets scanned you are no better off than if you had just sent them out with postage stamps.

[jonathankirkland]

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@duncanvr wrote:

another reason as a stamp seller I don't bother paying up for tracked. If it never gets scanned you are no better off than if you had just sent them out with postage stamps.

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@duncanvr 

Have you not had any problems with items never arriving and increased INRs since COVID?

[duncanvr]

Since Covid I have had zero INR cases and I ship world wide. I message every buyer to wait 3-5 weeks if they are overseas. They all reply they understand the wait. I must point out that I have hundreds of regular buyers that I have built a following over years of listing on ebay. I get the odd person when an item is really late asking for an update and just ask them to wait longer. In a few cases buyers waited 3 months for their item. And were happy since they bought from me in the past. Other buyers over there in UK mail delivery was erratic. Some received in a week others in 6 weeks. I am still top rated and have zero returns in 17 years. Stamps and old letters is a different cattle of fish with the buyers who are all collectors. I send everything out with postage stamps. Hand written address no labels. I should point out I have the slowest possible shipping policy as well.