Acceptance pending USPS scan form

[Anonymous]

 So I went to the post office Monday November 30th with a scan form 8 packages one priority and seven first class all of my packages are showing that the post office receive them but that the acceptance was pending one of these packages the Priority Mail should have been delivered by now none of my packages have been delivered none of them are accounted for they do not know where they are and I'm not getting any resolutions for my buyers this has put me in a terrible situation as my packages are probably maybe headed to them but we don't know I am faced with having to refund their purchase price and shipping price and they may still get their item I do have my scan form that was stamped along with a receipt from their acceptance this is the worst thing that has ever happened to me selling on eBay in 8 years please can someone help me resolve this issue?

I have already contacted the United States Postal Service and filed claims for each and every package they said this is unacceptable but I am left with no answers.

My buyers are sending me messages saying that it is hung up in North Carolina where I live tracking shows nothing other than acceptance pending I don't know what to do from here.

I have message all of my buyers keeping them informed but of course it won't be long I'm sure before they open up item not received cases.

For buyers out there that assume all sellers are bad I am not a bad seller I put my customers first and I have spent 3 straight days trying to get this taken care of so on one of the community's here I seen where there was a lot of ugly things things said about sellers I'm sure there are bad sellers out there but there are good sellers as well please do not judge all sellers buy a few and realize the postal service is in a huge mess.

I will never use another scan form and I advise others to do the same.

[dbfolks166mt]

     I learned a long time ago, even before the current USPS problems, to never just drop items at the post office or use a form. I stand inline while the postal worker scan's each and every package and provides  me a receipt. I have never had anything not show up in the USPS tracking system using this approach. Usually the tracking information is in the system by the time I get back from the post office. 

     You are probably not going to get much resolution from your online claims with USPS because they do not even show it as being in the system. You need to talk to the postmaster at the post office where you dropped the items and find out why the items were never scanned into the system. 

[martin2001]

A scan showing  something like this:

"Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending"

is a 'legal' confirmation that the package has been mailed. Both for ebay and for the insurance purposes (e.g. priority mail). So you are OK. That's how the SCAN form works.

As to the further fate of your packages, they may have gotten stuck somewhere. I just had Priority Mail...1-day delivery (really next door). It also shows the Acceptance pending and nothing further. Should have been already delivered yesterday. I am assuming that it will just simply show 'delivered'. There are delays, that's life these days.

Also, don't panic. USPS very rarely lose packages. Just relax and wait. Check the estimated delivery dates set by ebay. Only after these dates can the buyer open a case.

From my other ID I opened a case for the package that was 2 days past ebay's estimated date (dec 2). I got a message from ebay, that due to COVID there may be delays and I have to wait until Dec 9 (!) to escalate the case, if I don't receive it. I did receive it next day.

Although  it is good to keep the buyers informed, I don't think that after 5 days you should bombard them with the messages about potential problems.

[Anonymous]

I have used scan forms before this, but this is the first time my items are not showing as accepted..ususally it will show that on the tracking details and its not.

Most of my packages went first class, so no insurance and a loss big enough to close my store.  If I lose that much merchandise and have to pay back purchase price and their shipping fees I will have to close.

[goldguy22k]

I can relate to this from the buyer's side.  Yes, a scan form will result in that message.  It is confusing to buyers, so be a good seller and explain it to your buyers.  What does it mean that the shipment was accepted, but awaiting receipt scan. 

er, Unlike the seller I ran into that gave me canned replies and stupid fertilizer.  Be empathetic.  Do use the tools to try to get it found, but relate all of your steps to the buyer.  I do this and buyers are grateful someone is doing something as many sellers get defensive and say :not my fault!"  "I have no control over the USPS!"  "nothing I can do, blah, blah, blah."

If you DO feel like you want to refund the buyer before the item is delivered, then spend the $14 (or whatever) and file a recall package.  Some buyers might send a PP PMT if they got a refund and the item does show up.

Also, sorry to see you are on the bubble when it comes to refunds - might have to close if you have to refund.  I was almost there when I started selling, but then I learned and adopted a couple of things.  First, I never assumed the money was mine, free & clear to spend, until 30-days after item was delivered.  This allowed for buyers to hit the eBay return/refund window.  So If I had to refund, the money was available to do so.  Next I set aside 5% of each sale in a self insurance fund.  Took a few sales for that to build up, but those funds were available to pay for return shipping costs and other refund associated costs, when/if they happened.  That way I wasn't out of business because  some returns happen.  

If you are finding you have a lot of returns or refunds then that is another thing and it might be time to look at the business plan.  Are you selling low profit items?  Are you selling in categories that are targeted by scammers?  Are your packaging practices protecting the merchandise? How are you set up from a customer service perspective for complaints? returns? refunds?

I know selling here is fun, but I found there were many more things to consider that listing and mailing.  Sure got an education as things went along!  

Hope you can find solutions and peace in your selling!

[mystic.mana.crystals]

i am having a similar issue happening to me from 11/24. i dont know why usps has (im guessing) changed the wording for the scan event related to a scan form but its **bleep** and i am stressing out b/c many of my customers are also messaging me, wondering if i even shipped their items yet since there are no further scans on their packages. **bleep**?! What can i even do?

[Anonymous]

I'm about to shut my store down none of my shipments are being delivered and my customers are very upset even though I have explained to them the situation and Postal Service told me 14 days for first class and 10 days for priority mail.  I can't keep dealing with unruly customers.

It looks to me like it's taking even longer than these estimates.

[destrucity_shop]

 Shipping is massively backup now. Many sellers are closing their stores for December to avoid these issues. Most buyers are not aware of this problem and are blaming the sellers.