A primer on the eBay standard envelope please

[richard1rst]

Just sold a couple of items that qualify for the ESE. A sticker, and an embroidered patch (different buyers). I seem to remember some posts about the different ways they are tracked. Since those posts were before the ESE was available to me I didn't really pay attention.

So I'm asking - is there anything different I should be concerned about in the way these are handled/tracked/etc versus a standard ground advantage package.

[fm2000]

The tracking they use is "letter tracking" and not regular package tracking and is only scanned in transit, not at pickup or delivery. The scanning is also generally unreliable. The main advantage of ESE is that it counts as valid tracking and protects one's TRS status, and ESE gives you up to $20 of insurance (from eBay) if it is lost.

Make sure your envelope is easily flexible and not rigid (biggest issue people have with ESE) and is within the size and weight limitations (a regular #10 envelope is fine.)

[richard1rst]

Thank you for that information.  Because of the size of the stickers and patches I was planning on using an "invitation" sized envelope - 5  3/4 by 8 3/4. But from what I see that is within the size limits.

[wastingtime101]

Review this page for the packing requirements (size, flexibility, etc) and category restrictions (a qualifying item must be listed in a qualifying category):
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/ebay-labels-services/ebay-domestic-shipping-services/ebay...

And also read this page:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

Review this page for some of the fine print (like items over $20 don't qualify, for example):
https://pages.ebay.com/sell/standarddelivery/termsofservice.html

If you don't see ESE on the listing form you may need to adjust package dimensions to 11x6

When you use auction format, if the auction goes over $20 and you offered ESE, the buyer can still choose it at checkout, but you will not be able to purchase an ESE label due to the item's value.

If your item is eligible then you will be able to purchase a label through eBay following the normal process. You'll see it as a service option right next to all the others (first class, etc). You may need to use the website as ESE is not available through the app (not sure if eBay changed that yet).

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

Remember, this is a metered mail shipment so it does not receive traditional tracking scans and the clerk at the PO counter cannot scan it. Instead you should drop these envelopes in your PO's metered mail slot. The envelope will be scanned by sorting machinery at distribution centers along the way.

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 day or two after the delivered scan.

If an item doesn't have a delivered scan and a buyer files a not received claim, you do have insurance coverage and the claims process is outlined on the page linked above.

[1786davycrockett]

@richard1rst 

As others have mentioned, do NOT mail the ESE at the postal counter, expecting that the USPS postal employee will provide a scan of the ESE:  the ESE can NOT be scanned by a counter employee, or a USPS delivery driver.

The ESE (usually) will receive its first "scan" notification when it arrives at the next USPS Distribution Center (usually in another city, and often in another county, as well),  and NOT at the post office where the ESE is mailed.  If the ESE is mailed on a Friday (or before a holiday), this obviously will lead to delays for the first acknowledged "scan."

In addition, the final USPS "scan" notification will (usually) indicate when the ESE has finally arrived at the destination post office connected with the ZIP Code of the buyer's address -- and NOT the actual residence of the buyer.  So the actual delivery date to the buyer's home address may actually be several days later (or longer, if weekends and/or holidays intervene).

Hope that helps out!

[richard1rst]

My thanks to all who took the time to respond. The information, and the amount of very specific detail provided, was very helpful.

[wastingtime101]

One more thing @richard1rst - follow the instructions eBay provided on the pages I linked about label placement. It should be aligned to the top right corner of the envelope to ensure the sorting machines scan it.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

When or if your ESE is scanned is totally non-deterministic.

It may never be scanned.

ESE seems more likely to be delayed in transport.

It is usually a bit better than shipping FCM and will sometimes avoid the problems of no tracking FCM has but only sometimes.