How long does it take USPS to scan in Frst Class Packages?

[ccex]

A good friend of mine (who lves 50 mles away from me) and I each lost our top rated seller status this month for the same reason: USPS takes too long to scan in our First Class Packages.   We both offer other faster shipping services, ncludng FedEx or UPS , but our buyers overwhelmingly choose USPS First Class.   I drop off my packages at the local post office at about 3:00 PM each weekday, and the post office remains open until 6:00.  My friend has a postal carrier pick up his packages at about the same time.  Both of us notice that Priority Mail gets scanned in the same day, but First Class packages get an acceptance scan early the next morning.  It makes no difference if we print out scan sheets  and include them with our packages. 

Does anyone else have the same experience?

The only solution I have found is to wait in line and ask the postal clerk to scan in these packages.  Most, but not all, will do this for me.

[partial*eclipse · Accepted solution]

Service varies tremendously from one region to another, and even in adjacent communities.  eBay's policies assume that all Post Offices observe the official USPS policy that all packges will get scanned at their post office of origin. I get great service, I can drop off my items in the local "blue box" mail box and have 2 or 3 scans before midnight.

One solution would be for you to change your handling time to 2 days for the First Class items.  But late scans shouldn't have a negative impact IF your items get a delivery scan within the estimated delivery time.

[a_c_green]

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wrote:

It makes no difference if we print out scan sheets  and include them with our packages. 

Does anyone else have the same experience?

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No. Are they actually scanning the SCAN sheet and ret\urning it to you? If so, that should result in every package listed on the SCAN sheet getting logged as Accepted. The system doesn't distinguish between one class of service on the package and another: if the scan can read the label, it gets logged.

[ccex]

Most days I must decide whether to 1) drop my packages and SCAN sheet ether on the couner or in the bin at my local post office,  2)wait in line at my post office so that the clerk can scan in individual packages (the supervisor told me that they didn't have the correct scanner for a printed summary SCAN sheet) or 3) drive to a post office with a shorter line.  When I go with option 1) the SCAN sheet is ignored.

[ccex]

That's a useful suggestion.    I wish that I could specify same day handling for Express Mail, 1 day handling for Priority Mail and 2 day handling for First Class packages (free shipping).  Since I can choose only one,  and since at least 90% of my packages are first class, 2 day handling is the way to go.  

Of course this is a value judgement each seller must make.  Personally, I think the time waiting in line at the post office to get the packages scanned is worth more than the 10% top rated seller discount I would get if USPS could promptly verify my handling times.   

[lintbrush*]

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wrote:

Most days I must decide whether to 1) drop my packages and SCAN sheet ether on the couner or in the bin at my local post office,  2)wait in line at my post office so that the clerk can scan in individual packages (the supervisor told me that they didn't have the correct scanner for a printed summary SCAN sheet) or 3) drive to a post office with a shorter line.  When I go with option 1) the SCAN sheet is ignored.

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Well, that's a new one on me as the scanner is the scanner.  They just have to select the right option when scanning in a SCAN sheet.  It's not the pre-paid acceptance button.  It's a different choice - I think Order Confirmation.  I've had to teach a few of the clerks how to find it. (I knew it was in the upper left hand corner on their screen - I just have forgotten what it's officially called now)

[bigchief2472000]

The 2 post offices nearest to me don't have a scanner or a computer at the counter.  If I pay for postage at the counter, they have to fill out the little tracking slip by hand and I get a little gas station looking receipt like this...

If I bring in a package with pre-paid postage and drop it off, they have no way of even printing me out a receipt to verify that I dropped it off.  Many rural post offices just don't have the current technology.

[mintcityauctions]

I've done a little research on this as I currently have an expected delivery in "scan limbo".  In my case the seller has graciously offered to ship a replacement item as the current shipment is overdue.  It's not the seller's fault by any means.  They shipped the item via UPS Mail Innovations.  UPS tracking confirms that the package was transferred to USPS for delivery, although USPS tracking indicates they haven't yet received it.  

What I discovered is that USPS First Class tracking is only "automatic" when it comes to package parcels (i.e. boxes) and Priority Mail envelopes.  First Class envelopes (even the padded ones) are classified as "Letter Mail".  They go through the letter-sorting system, which only reads zip codes and isn't set up to scan tracking barcodes.  First Class parcels and Priority Mail envelopes are processed through a different system that has the hardware to perform the automatic scans.  The only tracking update you will receive on an envelope shipment is the Final Delivery scan the carrier does when they drop it in the destination mailbox. 

Point-of-Origin scanning for First Class envelopes is only guaranteed if said envelope is presented "at the retail counter".  Yes, that means you have to take your item to the Post Office and tell the clerk you want a manual tracking scan.  If they have a scanner on-hand (some rural PO's don't), they can scan it at the counter.  If not, they can type in the tracking number and give you a receipt.  If you just drop the envelope in the mailbox or do carrier pickup, your First Class envelope won't appear in their tracking system until it gets to where it's going.  It's one of those "fine print" things that most buyers and sellers aren't aware of.

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/letters/blog.pl?/pl/2014/4/1396456422.html

[mintcityauctions]

Addendum:

A little more research reveals that a First Class envelope is considered a "parcel" when it is more than 3/4" thick.  If it's less than that, USPS Tracking is not available (although it's apparently left to the PO's discretion, so be nice to your postal clerk!).

[getyoureliteshere]

You can get tracking anytime you want on any package no matter the size, even an envelope. It just is extra, and not included in a regular stamped piece of mail.

[ccex]

I solved the problem.  I moved from the inner city to a suburb, where my local post office scans in everything within an hour after I drop it off.  If I don't go to the post office, my local carrier scans in all my First Class Packages as soon as he takes them out of my mailbox.  My conclusion is that some post offices do their job well and others don't.  Unfortunately,  poor postal performance causes some sellers to lose their Top Rated Seller status.

[lja440]

No problem here. My outgoing is scanned on pick-up from my mailbox. I'm also a mail carrier in another county and another 3 digit zone. I scan everything at the mailbox, outgoing packages, returns. I used to wait and scan after I confirmed weight on a couple of my eBayers (that constantly short paid).  Just in case I had to bring them back the next day.