First post here.....I NEED HELP......eBay shipping tracker not working and I'm getting hit hard !

[cleverkatcreative]

So, I've tried to contact eBay 4 times now.....no success.  Either they act like it's been taken care of, or they just don't have anyone to help me.  They keep sending me a canned response that doesn't fit my issue.

I have a buyer who's routinely purchasing multiple items that total around $500.  She demands I ship priority FULLY insured (I'm happy to do that).  Ebay only offers up to $100 shipping---so I must physically take these items to the post office.

I also add signature restricted, as this buyer has had items stolen.  A side note, due to covid, these folks are signing FOR her (maddening all on it's own since this added feature is about $5.00).

Anyway......so for whatever reason eBay tacking system isn't registering these packages. For each and every item I have been charged as "no tracking updates".  For around 60 items now.  My percentage is down to 85% !!!

I have babied my feedback and ALLmy stats for the 10 years selling here. I've never shipped a late package even once.  This just has me in tears......watching my score fall into the depths and have zero recourse.

What can I do? is there any help for me here? thanks for listening......it felt good just to type all this out.

[luckythewinner]

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@cleverkatcreative wrote:

Here's the other thing......why can't I just take a screenshot of my tracking updates so that I can PROVE these packages WERE tracked?

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Screenshots are not acceptable because they can be faked with Photoshop. That's why eBay wants the number so they can (theoretically) look it up themselves.

[dhbookds]

It's ONLY these that are a problem..........other things you ship thru ebay automatically show the tracking?  Only the manually added tracking doesn't work?  It shows the tracking #, but what happens when you click on that number?  Does the tracking info show? 

[ittybitnot]

Just responding to the thread in general. 

I do not know if it is still true, but years ago the bar code on the "insurance" slip or label (pink label) added to a package at the post office is NOT a tracking number, as it was NOT viewable online by anyone.  Post Office employees used to state that the shipper did not need both a regular tracking/delivery (green label) confirmation code   AND the insurance one, but that was not the case with regards to ebay.  The bar code numbers on the "insured package" label were not trackable.  If that is what the OP is using, that may be the problem. 

[mr_lincoln]

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@stuff-from-jewel-and-the-gang wrote:

signature confirmation is anyone at household/address ... restricted is often a specific person with identification or a person over the age of 18 / 21 at the address.

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Thanks for that clarification ... I learn something new everyday.

[xedicl-0]

There is a lot I want to say, especially concerning trips to the post office...

But I'll simply state this:

You won't win by fighting it.

[mr_lincoln]

@cleverkatcreative   You are getting a lot of help here ... something else I thought about, it wasn't until recently that our local Post Office changed their receipts to JUST show the 22 digit tracking number.  Prior to that (earlier this year) they had a number that was really long BUT only the last 22 digits were the actual tracking number.

I don't know if ALL USPS sites have this update on their software systems or not. 

[hgitner]

i believe its because you do not have a scan sheet if you take it to the PO.. we ship with postage stamps and do not buy ebay labels, hence no scan sheets and we are forever hit with lower % #'s, and we always immediately enter the track #'s on the item to show it shipped.....

ebay wants you to buy your labels from them......

[fern*wood]

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@hgitner wrote:

i believe its because you do not have a scan sheet if you take it to the PO.. we ship with postage stamps and do not buy ebay labels, hence no scan sheets and we are forever hit with lower % #'s, and we always immediately enter the track #'s on the item to show it shipped.....

ebay wants you to buy your labels from them......

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If you are shipping with postage stamps, then you have no legitimate tracking number.  What do you enter?  Not having a scan sheet has no affect on the shipping metrics.  You also do not have to use ebay labels to meet the shipping requirements.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@cleverkatcreative wrote:

OK so to clarify further......I have to take these packages to the post office (for the signature restricted add-on).  

So, I have to add the tracking in manually.  Am I just sh*t outta luck? has anyone else run into this issue?

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@cleverkatcreative 

I am curious ... why do you need "restricted delivery" confirmation?

Usually, that is only required on items that should not be delivered to a minor (Adult Items, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, weapons, etc) or extremely expensive items.

eBay and Paypal only require regular SigCon on orders of $750.00 and over.

Unless you are selling Adult stuff on a different ID, I don't see anything that you sell that would require Restricted Delivery Confirmation.

[cleverkatcreative]

Ok I'm trying hard to reply to everyone who offers advice or insight (THANK EACH OF YOU) I wish I got this sort of "attention" from eBay.  But alas....here I am.

Several of you asked if the tracking was clickable after I add them manually. YES they certainly are.  Here's proof (attached in photo on bottom).  Screenshots are unacceptable, which sucks.  If I can click these, why can't they?

And since it's so easy to do......why then have I called 4 times and get a canned response that looks like a computer generated it? no real details specific to MY case, just generic **bleep** that all eBay sellers know already (or at least they should if they've been selling here as long as I have been).

Reply to: stuff-from-jewel-in-the-gang
Exactly.  She wanted a very specific signing method that would only allow HER to sign.  Not just anyone.  The regular priority signing can be anyone.

Reply to ittybitnot:

Since I'm the one entering the tracking number, I am entering the priority mail tracking number issued by the PO (not any other number), and it's trackable upon clicking.  On MY end.  Why not on ebays?  also, my buyer says she can't see the tracking number on HER ned (I have to message it to her).  This despite it being clickable only end !



THERE'S A HUGE GLITCH HERE.  It needs to be remedied.  But by whom if they won't even hear me out? plus, I tend to get frustrated when I can't get my point across.....or if the info I'm conveying isn't perfectly clear and I've reworded it several times trying to assess the psyche of the person I'm speaking with.  That surely does not help my cause.  

Sort of a solution for that: I meditate for a half hour before contacting eBay help line.  Not 100% remedy, but it helps a tad to bring the temperature of my attitude down a few notches.

And finally reply to: xedicl-0
You say "You won't win by fighting it."

I'm not winning now by standing idle either.....does that simply mean "I won't win" period?

Thanks you guys.  Just talking this out with other people who can relate (if even minimally) seems to be helping me feel a scintilla better.  For that, I'm grateful.

[cleverkatcreative]

oops I missed 

Reply to dhbooksds:

Yes, I think it's only her packages.....the ones I have to walk into the post office and ship there. The ones printed on eBay seem to be OK.  All the untackables have been the items she's purchased.  And there have literally been 60+ items.

She waits to pay for 2-3 weeks (I know most sellers would frown on this, but she has left a lot of negatives for sellers based on their unwillingness to work with her demands).  And she wants all items grouped and shipped together.  Which I do.  

But the other weird thing is I have only sent 4 of these packages to her......yet I'm being dinged "late" on every single item INDIVIDUALLY.   Shouldn't it just be "4 late charges"......not every single item? 

OK....back up......it really shouldn't be ANY late items) because I have never sent one late.  Ugh.  So crazy.

[cleverkatcreative]

reply to hgitner:

No way I'd ever use postage stamps.  I won't ever mail out an item without a tracking number. Never have, never will. That's brave !

[fern*wood]

Which shipping metric are you getting the dings for?   When you say she waits 2-3 weeks to pay, I'm assuming she doesn't pay as she goes and asks you to wait and ship when she is finished buying.

[ra_201044]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@cleverkatcreative   You are getting a lot of help here ... something else I thought about, it wasn't until recently that our local Post Office changed their receipts to JUST show the 22 digit tracking number.  Prior to that (earlier this year) they had a number that was really long BUT only the last 22 digits were the actual tracking number.

I don't know if ALL USPS sites have this update on their software systems or not. 

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@mr_lincoln 

The longer number always starts with 420, then the next 5 digits are the destination zip code. It's in a separate 'block' in the code 128 label. The actual tracking # then follows that in it's own 'block'.

Either one can be tracked. 

[signsandtshi78]

Yes there is a huge error here by Ebay/Postal System. Doesn't matter if you do have a scan sheet. Half of them still don't upload properly. Doesn't matter if you buy Labels from Ebay Half the tracking still doesn't update in Ebay. I have a lot of customers contacting me because the Ebay tracking doesn't update to what tracking on USPS site does. And yes Ebay customer service is useless with this. Just so you know you are not alone here.