Dropped off Package inside USPS, No Scan

[jchan1701]

I dropped off my package in their blue box inside USPS 24 hours ago, but there still isn't a scan. eBay is reminding me to ship my item, but I already dropped it off at the Post Office. How long does USPS usually take to scan packages? I called them and they said it'll scan once it's at the facility, but I'm not sure what that means. Do they usually remember to scan the package while in transit and mark it delivered?

[lakefor94]

If eBay is reminding you to ship the item, you need to enter the tracking number into the Order.

Go to your Orders Awaiting Shipping and enter the tracking number. 

It is anybody's guess when it will receive a carrier scan. 

Check the tracking number on the carrier website. 

[ebooksdiva]

It's always a good idea to get a scan receipt from postal clerks rather than just dropping a package in the blue box. Most post offices don't empty those boxes until after 4:30pm. So if you dropped the package off after that time your package is likely still in the box waiting to be collected and scanned today.

Also if you didn't purchase a shipping label on eBay it is a good idea to attach the tracking number to the order on eBay by clicking edit as shown in the image below. This will stop shipping reminders. 

[chevymontecarlo88]

Just to add, if you do visit the Post Office to drop off items in the bin (without scanning), look for a self service kiosk that will allow you to scan the package before dropping it in the bin. It is not the same as a counter scan but at least it will show that you went through the motions of dropping if off.  It is not uncommon for scans to take a few days or pop up in a different state and/or distribution center. 

Don't worry. Just add the tracking number to your order manually as @lakefor94  suggested.

[jchan1701]

Oops, sorry, I should have specified that I did upload the tracking number, when I purchased the label on eBay. But it says USPS still has not received the item.

[jbbowers12012]

Hi,  Quite sure that you can go to your orders page - mark the item as shipped & enter the tracking number. Somewhere along the line between the buyer & the seller your item will be scanned.  However, it is always best to stand on line at your P.O. with your package & have the counter attendant scan it for you.  You really should get that initial acceptance scan.  Good Luch With Everything - (J.B.)

[monroe67]

"But it says USPS still has not received the item."

That's because nobody at the USPS has scanned the package yet.  

YOU know that you dropped it into a mail box within the post office location, but until somebody points their handheld device at the barcode and actually scans it, there is no way for the USPS computer system to know that they have, in fact, "received" the item.  

As for when your barcode will be scanned and the tracking number updated, anything is possible.  It might not be scanned until the buyer's mail carrier is ready to leave the package at the buyer's address.  

The way to avoid this "problem" is:  stand in line at the post office.  Wait until you are called to the next available counter clerk, and then tell him/her, "I would like an acceptance scan on this item, please."  After the clerk scans your barcode, he/she will give you a receipt showing the date and time of the first scan.  There is no USPS charge for this process.  Do not throw that receipt away.  It is your proof that the USPS is in possession of the package.  

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @jchan1701 

-If USPS does not scan your package within your Handling time you may receive a late shipping defect

-Stand in line and get the scan at the counter and leave with a receipt, this avoids your issue

-Check the tracking every day.  If it never updates from the carrier is waiting for the package then the package may have been lost or stolen ... yes, stolen by a Postal worker, it happens.

-Once a package enters their system it is automatically scanned by equipment in the bulk processing facilities and the information is shared with eBay to update the tracking on the transaction.  

[buyselljack2016]

 I called them and they said it'll scan once it's at the facility, 

--------------------------------------------------

Packages generally get a scan at the "regional facility" (next stop after leaving the PO) where it is processed to be sorted to be routed toward the destination.  Getting a scan is part of the process. 

I'm a bit mystified as to how a package can sometimes (as posted on the boards) get all the way to the destination office, or even to "delivery" before getting a scan.

Scans route the package. They must be getting scanned to travel, but that data may just not be making it all the way to be seen.

[mr_lincoln]

---

@buyselljack2016 wrote:

 I called them and they said it'll scan once it's at the facility, 

--------------------------------------------------

Packages generally get a scan at the "regional facility" (next stop after leaving the PO) where it is processed to be sorted to be routed toward the destination.  Getting a scan is part of the process. 

I'm a bit mystified as to how a package can sometimes (as posted on the boards) get all the way to the destination office, or even to "delivery" before getting a scan.

Scans route the package. They must be getting scanned to travel, but that data may just not be making it all the way to be seen.

---

@buyselljack2016 

I suspect that the first scan at a local post office triggers the system to register the package.  Not every Post office had scanners when we first started selling which means the first "scan" would not occur until the package reached the regional facility (like you mentioned) or at least the next facility with scanning capabilities.

I had one that I remember that eBay's complete tracking history did not update for a few days after shipment then it all updated on the same day showing ALL the stops the package made.  Technology is not infallible LOL!

[buyselljack2016]

Pretty sure "all" offices had scanners to use before tracking (then called delivery confirmation) became readily available. It started out as an internal use test program where a sticker with a tracking barcode was applied after the shipper purchased shipping.

That sticker was scanned. After that "internal use" test run the customers were given the option to purchase "delivery confirmation" and were provided the #.  Later it became included/became tracking.

[a_c_green]

---

@buyselljack2016 wrote:

 I called them and they said it'll scan once it's at the facility, 

--------------------------------------------------

Packages generally get a scan at the "regional facility" (next stop after leaving the PO) where it is processed to be sorted to be routed toward the destination.  Getting a scan is part of the process.

---

Ayup. If the origin post office doesn't bother to scan it as they should, it's the Origin Sort facility that will probably generate the Acceptance scan as it consolidates all the outbound packages from post offices in the area, and it is the first spot along the way where automated conveyor scanners will read the package.

If a package is read that has not had any in-network scan before that point (the Self-Serve Kiosk can only do a Provisional scan because the package is not yet in USPS possession), then the tracking record will be created at that point, with the notation of "Accepted at USPS Origin Sort Facility" or similar wording, and usually a timestamp in the wee hours of the morning.

The location given will be that of the Ship From ZIP location, not the sort facility, as no one knows for certain which post office took it in because that PO didn't bother to scan it themselves.

If the PO had done an Acceptance scan, the tracking record would show not only that scan ("USPS in possession of item") but also the "Departed Post Office" scan of the container going out on the truck (as the system now knows which container is holding that package).

---

@buyselljack2016 wrote:

I'm a bit mystified as to how a package can sometimes (as posted on the boards) get all the way to the destination office, or even to "delivery" before getting a scan.

Scans route the package. They must be getting scanned to travel, but that data may just not be making it all the way to be seen.

---

The most likely explanation is an illegible bar code that is not scanning clearly. That won't affect package travel since the printed address is where it will go, so a sort facility isn't going to hold the package for another attempt at scanning it.

What happens at delivery time, when the carrier finds that he can't scan the barcode either, is that he will key in the tracking number manually in order to note its delivery. (The PO can determine whether this happened on their in-house intranet system.) The carrier assumes that the package tracking shows that it's Out for Delivery on his route, and he would have no way of knowing that previous scans didn't work either, so he's motivated to get it logged as Delivered one way or another, because otherwise he has to account for its whereabouts.

Our carrier explained one day, while laboriously keying in the tracking number of the bad label on a package I was receiving, that the system counts down the number of packages on their route as they are delivered, so if they finish their route with a package number above zero, they have to account for whatever happened with the package numbers still outstanding.

[justlizactually]

I stood in line, and was told she couldn’t print a receipt. Now the package is not showing in system, a package was picked up from the mail box the day before and it also isn’t showing either. 

[justlizactually]

I went back as it has been 3 days and nothing has shown in system, she said when it gets where it’s going they will scan it.. ok so in the meantime I just am at a loss on how they can do this.

[juainigue1]

hey ! did it ever update ? im in a situation where it hasnt updated since Thursday 4/17