Simply-the-best-for-you Volunteer Community Mentor
Note: this would be just as useful to anyone who takes their packages to the post office and doesn't have a kiosk with an auto-scanner, and you insist on witnessing your items being scanned (which is wise but also pushing your luck if your post office's counter clerk is not the cheerful type; I have yet to meet one of those). They will appreciate performing only ONE scan, rather than having to turn your multiple packages around and scanning them all one-by-one. People in line behind you will appreciate it too.
Because of disabilities I cannot go to the post office every day, but I can still be a Top Rated Seller Plus, even with it requiring a 1-day handling time (package must get its' first carrier scan on the same day or next business day after each item was paid for). Before I go any further, I should clarify that my only experience is with USPS; things may be totally different with other carriers.
Most days I rely on Scheduled Pickup to get my packages in USPS' hands, and for the most part it works perfectly. If anyone reading doesn't know about scheduling pickups or how to do it, reply and I will guide you, unless someone else sees your reply and guides you before me (all help appreciated 🙂 ). I have had occasional frustrating periods of substitute neighborhood carriers who would skip my scheduled pickups for whatever reason, and when that happens it's frustrating and there's no excusing it on my behalf, as far as Ebay goes. But far more often, and just as frustrating, is when the carrier DOES pick up the items on the scheduled day, but the items don't get any scans until the next day or even later. Even the email that USPS sends which affirms completion of the scheduled pickup isn't satisfactory proof for Ebay, because when you schedule a pickup, there is no way to indicate the specific tracking numbers of the items, just how many, what shipping tiers, and the approximate total weight (so the carrier knows whether to take an empty box to your door). So, even if you could get a digital copy of that email to an Ebay employee to look at, it would only show that X number of packages were successfully picked up, NOT necessarily the exact ones for which you got demerit strikes.
So one day about a year ago I "caught" my mailman on the porch and asked if he wouldn't mind scanning the bar codes on my packages when he picks them up, to show that they really were picked up. He said his scanner couldn't do that --I'm not sure if that's true, or if he just didn't want to commit to scanning everything I ship out, including days when there are 'several' packages; in that case I could definitely sympathize, as I know how pressed for time they are. BUT he said he COULD scan a "Scan Form" of all my packages, if I would just put one out each day.
I didn't know exactly what he meant, so I asked HERE in the Community, and got guidance on exactly how to create and print one. At first it felt like a "bit much" in addition to all the other steps of shipping, but once I got the hang of it, it's second nature, literally adds only a few extra seconds and one sheet of paper to the task. That sheet has just ONE bar code for the carrier to scan, and it will become the first scan for all the bar codes of all the packages being picked up that day, all at once!
NOW for the proof in the pudding!
Look at the screenshot with 2 line items highlighted. The bottom one shows the item was 'Received, Acceptance Pending' this last Thursday June 30th, but it wasn't "Accepted" until Sunday, July 3rd. That's means my mailman scanned my Scan Form when he did the pickup Thursday, but for whatever reason, that package just sat at my local post office without any movement or any more scans until Sunday. If not for that 'Received' scan, this item (which sold on Wednesday) would be STRIKE, with no way to excuse it. But if it does show as a strike, I will be able to get it removed, because the tracking shows it actually left my hands on time.
I believe I have seen at least one member in the Community say that Ebay doesn't count anything less than "Accepted" as the official first scan, but that's not true. I know because I've had at least a couple strikes removed by calling and having employees look at the Received scan. Thing is, Acceptance just means the package has been examined for any red flag packing problems and weighed to verify sufficient postage was paid for. If you have packages picked up, you can't help how long it takes for facility workers to get around to doing this inspection, therefore 'Received' is as good as 'Accepted' as far as your responsibility goes! And that's exactly what you should (politely) to any Ebay rep who wrongfully tries to deny removal of your strike. Though like I said, I haven't had that problem; the ones I've called had enough common sense to agree that 'Received' means RECEIVED.
About the other screenshot: For some reason I have yet to hear, occasionally the first scan reads "Picked Up" rather than "Received, Acceptance Pending." I mean to sometime ask my mailman why that is, but if anyone reading knows, holler! All I know is, I had one strike from the Accepted scan being a day or two after the Picked Up one, and I was able to get the strike removed, same as if it had the 'Received' scan.
Way too much to read, but your carrier is either lying to you or doesn't know how to do it. It absolutely IS possible for them to scan every pkg. Mine does it daily. However, the rules changed back in April, there were several threads at the time, that rural carries no longer HAVE to scan >5 pkgs unless you have a SCAN form. Several others posted in that thread that their carriers are continuing to scan all the pkgs. It's a choice.
I shouldn't even say the rules 'changed', b/c it's been the rule for years, but not enforced.
Your carrier can override it still, if they choose. My carrier was concerned that that option would go away b/c this was NOT just a policy change, it was a software change to the scanners, but as of today, it's still there.
Also, don't assume, like I did, that you're not on a rural route just b/c you live in a heavily populated area or huge subdivision, you may still be on rural route.
<<Ebay doesn't count anything less than "Accepted" as the official first scan, but that's not true. I know because I've had at least a couple strikes removed by calling and having employees look at the Received scan >>
The Acceptance Scan is DIRECTLY TIED to 2 of your seller metrics that are on your dashboard. One of them CAN be removed by calling, as you discovered, however the other one CAN NOT. It is DIRECTLY (via software interface) tied to the USPS system & eBay cannot change it or remove any of them. I forget which one is which & I don't have any late shipping to go check, right now.
I'm glad SCAN forms are working for you. They are a pita to get on eBay, as you have to use MOS & for many of us, that really work for the way we handle our shipping. I hate MOS, hate the cumbersome interface & I like to print labels all day, as the items sell. MOS is not conducive to that. Also, to consider, just as a carrier can 'miss' or 'forget' to scan pkgs, they can miss or forget to scan the SCAN form 😉
If SCAN forms work for you great, but they are not foolproof either. The only way to ensure an Acceptance Scan on each package is to make sure you see it getting done or DIY at an APC. I realize not all areas have APC's.
ETA: I should add that although I'm not a general fan of the SCAN form, my comments are geared towards sellers that have a few pkgs a day & may occasionally go over the 5. If a seller has 50 pkgs daily, then obviously a SCAN form is in order. My carrier also picks up at a large business that literally has hundreds of pkgs daily & I'm sure he wouldn't be willing to scan those individually LOL.
Do you generate scan forms from the Shipping Labels page on Ebay (that's where I do mine, and I don't know if there are any other ways/places).? I am able to get one for a 1-item-only shipping day all the time, in fact I did just today! Look:
Somewhat off-topic, another thing I've seen people say cannot be done is scheduling a pickup without at least one Priority item included. And I don't get that one either; I schedule mere First Class packages all the time (again, this one today for example). I've NOT been able to ship a Media mail item without at least one F.C. but that's the only time I've ever run into a restriction on the request page.
OH, and hey tealt, have you observed the weird thing where sometimes the scan shows as "Picked Up" rather than "Received, Acceptance Pending" and do you know anything about that? Funny enough, this one from today shows BOTH (same exact time), and I don't think I've ever seen that before, ha!
@gurlcat wrote:It looks like you disagree with what I said, but if you're not going to read all the points I made, I'm not going to read yours either, and your reply aint exactly short either.
I don't disagree with what you said at all. Except to separate fact from fiction on the 2 points I made. The carrier CAN still individually scan if they wish to & you can get 1 of the metrics resolved by CS, but not the other. Both of which I know to be 100% true.
I agree with the other stuff that I read, but I'm just not big on the SCAN form & the same can be accomplished other ways, that's all. Not saying there's anything wrong with using it, at all.
