USPS Mail Delays

[itzmegeo_7]

I sell low value items- typically under $5.00 so cannot follow eBay guidance requiring tracking.  I have always understood the risk, but until lately have not had any issues and am willing to absorb the cost of refunding when a buyer reports item not received.  I typically offer to refund immediately on learning from buyer that the item has not been received after 14 days.  Lately I have seen an increase in non deliveries of items I have shipped and am wondering if other sellers of low value items are seeing the same and how they are handling refunds. 

[shado-x]

Set up an account on the US Postal Service's website and then fill the form under "Find Missing Mail" when there are issues.  These are directed to the Post Office that serves the address for your buyer.  I advise that you do follow the eBay guidance requiring tracking.  Also you can use the tracking engine on the USPS' website for faster up-to-date scans.

[sin-n-dex]

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@itzmegeo_7 wrote:

I sell low value items- typically under $5.00 so cannot follow eBay guidance requiring tracking.  I have always understood the risk, but until lately have not had any issues and am willing to absorb the cost of refunding when a buyer reports item not received.  I typically offer to refund immediately on learning from buyer that the item has not been received after 14 days.  Lately I have seen an increase in non deliveries of items I have shipped and am wondering if other sellers of low value items are seeing the same and how they are handling refunds. 

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My Florida and Georgia shipments are all taking a really long time. I don't have tracking on some items and so far I haven't had to refund for an INR. (Coin and token folk tend to be fairly patient as long as I reply to messages).

I'm having quite a few international shipments that are not tracking to the door like they're supposed to (or at least USPS promises). I'm also getting international orders from places I don't ordinarily ship to (and they're blocked in my settings, and they aren't supposed to be able to purchase) but eBay's settings aren't working and people are buying. If I'm concerned I'll cancel with problem with address, but so far I haven't been uncomfortable with the buyer. It's just a question as to whether or not the package actually gets there. (I sold some stamps to Ukraine last month, I figured that was low risk and he wasn't buying something unless he really wanted it). I got another one for the Czech republic today but my cost on the item is low enough that I'm going to assume the risk.

C.

[iart]

We send a note asking the buyer to wait a few more days. They often just want you to share in their panic with them. When we feel the buyer is about ready to scream, we refund. Always be polite and professional. Many buyers have run across a mean seller (or 2, or 3) and are ready for battle. We want them to know we're on their side.

These delays have cost us about a dozen sales and over $500 in payouts (so far, we get another note every few days). This hurts. But it is a part of doing business. We sold a lot more than usual when people were locked up so we aren't crying about it. Though it would be nice if ebay stepped in and helped by either calming buyers or providing funds directly to sellers impacted by this.

Not my business, but the way you're doing business might not be manageable long term. I think your pricing is more of a problem than the late mail. Our low price is about $14 (and that's only for stuff we want to get rid of). I hope you consider how much time it takes you to list and pack and all. How much your initial costs are, fees, shipping and use of your home/car... Are you even making minimum wage? Is it worth all the worry?

[qatara]

If you use ebay and paypal for shipping items out the tracking is free. Even when I am forced to go with Managed or as some call it Mangled Payments I will still use Paypal for paying for labels and printing them up.  I will use either my pension or my social security to pay for shipping. Once you have tracking you can have post office return items.

[thehill17]

Getting a lot of our held up in Tallahassee Florida...

[sin-n-dex]

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@qatara wrote:

If you use ebay and paypal for shipping items out the tracking is free. Even when I am forced to go with Managed or as some call it Mangled Payments I will still use Paypal for paying for labels and printing them up.  I will use either my pension or my social security to pay for shipping. Once you have tracking you can have post office return items.

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My paypal hooks up with Canada Post, so it won't print US postage. I got an account on stamps.com (provided by Chit Chats Express) to do all my shipping in US funds (paid for from my US Dollars bank account).

Right now I use eBay for shipping because it's very simple to press a few buttons and get a label.

C.

[jonathankirkland]

Have you considered adjusting your lead time? Maybe adding an additional 7 days would help prevent this problem?

I realize that's not always ideal but for small items of little value I would think perhaps people might be willing to wait longer and it would give you more time for the USPS to catch up and get those items delivered.

[inhawaii]

I would not sell anything that i couldn't charge at least $4 shipping and ship it First Class Mail with tracking. 

I have a few items i sell where the item price is LESS than the shipping price. People still buy them. 

Good luck and stay safe!

[itzmegeo_7]

I agree with your comments about time and effort vs reward and risk.  Have to rethink this one.

[postcardcountry]

I recently came across a seller of lower priced items.  Apparently the slow shipping has drastically affected him...his listing included a large statement explaining he had to raise his prices to cover postage and tracking...he could no longer ship in an envelope with no tracking....there had been too many complaints about non receipt and too many dings, to the point eBay considered him 'below standard'.   Remember, below standard means higher fees.

I have done shipping with tracking since eBay started making such a big thing about tracking (I have forgotten how many years ago).  I have to say, it was nice to be able to say "your package is at xxxx" when customers ask.  I had one recently where I was giving her daily updates and had initially filed a "where's my package" request.    Yes, I get offers at a lower price.  Yes, I decline them.