First Class Mail No Tracking Number

[redtail1996]

I have started selling postcards, trade cards and other items that fit into an enveloped and ship first class. Since ebay only offers first class package rate I go to the post office and pay the postage usually .75-1.00. Now when I go to my seller dashboard I see my Tracking uploaded on time and validated percent drop from 99% to 96%.  I go in and mark item shipped but have no tracking number to insert. Is this ebay's way of punishing you for not paying and charging your customers more for shipping.

[martin2001]

It is not punishing you. Buyers want to know the status of their orders. Tracking number gives them that information.

I do send smaller items using postage stamps but try to keep the validated orders above 95%.

BTW, why do you go to the post office? Just buy stamps on ebay, you can get them at 30% off the face value and if you search hard and long, sometimes even at 50% off. Just drop your cards in the mailbox.

[lightlily_arts]

eBay doesn't sell postage stamps.  The new standard envelope is only for trading cards $20 and under in value.  But there are huge problems as  they aren't scanned in with USPS tracking numbers like First Class Mail Parcels and there isn't an actual delivery scan either.  It is a poorly designed program, and until eBay is able to provide the same level of tracking and  straighten out that mess stick with traditional shipping labels.

[pjcdn2005]

They have set up certain parameters to be a trs and that's one of them, I wouldn't call it a punishment.  Some sellers have on ID for items that they sell  send without tracking and another ID for other items so that they have trs on the one account.

[tdrake]

For the trading cards  under $20 you can use eBay Standard Envelope @ 51, 71, and 91 cents (1-3 oz) and get tracking and they back you up to $20 against missing/non-delivered pieces. Been working great for the vast majority of sellers that follow the rules.

It is expected that it will expand to other categories sometime (soon, I hope) in the future, hopefully postcards among others. 

[krisbaker]

How does one get to the "eBay standard envelope" option when it's whited out?

[1tuna]

its just lke media mail.......you need to be selling in the correct category to use the postage for that category