I make this mistake alot when tracking info shows zero movement on a package

[caseypl]

I have yet to have something get lost after thousands of shipments, but I always make a similar silly mistake. Basically I am writing this to re-assure you not to panic and provide an example. 

UPS Store has a section you can set USPS stuff down and they have daily pickups. Wednesday I drop off a small item in a padded envelope to go USPS. I drop two boxes off for USPS at the same store on Thursday. 

Saturday I start looking at sold items to make sure they're moving through the shipping carriers or seeing what got delivered and I noticed this small item had zero movement and still in a shipping label created status. I check a few more times and knew in my head that it would arrive eventually or tracking would appear, but for some reason I assumed the worst and that it would take a while. Since I had a second one just like it on hand and it was cheap enough, I did a new label and put this one in a box. I messaged the buyer to let them know I saw zero movement and was pre-emptively sending a second one and more than likely they'd end up with two as it's usually the case. 

Sure enough, checked and the one I initially sent is near the buyer's address as far as cities go and will likely arrive followed by the second box I sent. If nothing else, I hope to get positive feedback, but wow, I make this dumb mistake alot with USPS when there are no updates. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Why don't you just get an Acceptance Scan & then there will always be an update?  Seems much cheaper & easier than your solution.   But that's just me.  

[a_c_green]

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@caseypl wrote:

UPS Store has a section you can set USPS stuff down and they have daily pickups. Wednesday I drop off a small item in a padded envelope to go USPS. I drop two boxes off for USPS at the same store on Thursday. 

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Even under perfect conditions, I suspect you're wasting a day of travel time while UPS hands off a package to USPS for you. If you're out doing dropoffs anyway, just go to a post office in the first place, and then it will be genuinely on its way, that day.

Even if the PO is in another town, you can set up your shipping label's Shop From ZIP entry to show that town's ZIP code as the origin point, to prevent any concerns in that post office over whether the correct amount of pre-paid postage was calculated for that location.

[caseypl]

UPS Store will accept packages, but can't do acceptance scan. I have a thermal label printer and got it to save time. If I stood in line to get acceptance scans, it would just take too long. 

[inhawaii]

What about a residential pick up?

Thats what I do.

They pick it up for free and it gets scanned right from the truck.

Even if i have more/bigger  packages than will fit in the mailbox,

they will get the from my front porch.

Pick up request example:

5 packages in the mailbox.

2 boxes on the front porch.

7 total.

[kensgiftshop]

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@caseypl wrote:

UPS Store will accept packages, but can't do acceptance scan. I have a thermal label printer and got it to save time. If I stood in line to get acceptance scans, it would just take too long. 

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Wouldn't standing in line for a few minutes be cheaper then giving stuff away.

I don't drop anything off without getting it scanned and a receipt.

[ebooksdiva · Accepted solution]

@caseypl 

I feel your pain..I have a similar issue. 

I am waiting it out as I am sure the packages will show movement soon. It's frustrating though to see "Carrier has the package" for 3-4 days. At least there was an acceptance scan this time. Several months ago I got 3 defects for 3 items shipped together because the PO never scanned no acceptance scan no delivery scan. Buyer did receive her purchases. It would be nice if ebay didn't make sellers accountable for the what the PO does or doesn't do. Ok rant over ...sorry to jump in your post and vent.

[caseypl]

I've done it twice and it worked well. The mail carrier knew where I set my packages out back in a rubbermaid bin and I saw the scans same day. very convenient, but..... I put in the pickup request one day and likely a different carrier that day left me high and dry. I used the same process as before and the package sat there still. I can't have wishy-washy service for the customers. 

[caseypl]

I agree. The whole point of getting a thermal printer is to be able to walk in, set your packages down, and go back to selling stuff, or to have USPS pick up your stuff. When I can ship same day, I do. I always get stuff out next day unless it's a large item and requires special packing, so I always set 2 business days handling for all items and 3 for larger items, so I have time, but since I think buyers have come to expect instant, I feel like not getting stuff out next business day isn't the best message to send. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@caseypl wrote:

UPS Store will accept packages, but can't do acceptance scan. I have a thermal label printer and got it to save time. If I stood in line to get acceptance scans, it would just take too long. 

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You can do it yourself at the APC's now.   Well worth waiting to save 2 of your metrics. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@caseypl wrote:

I agree. The whole point of getting a thermal printer is to be able to walk in, set your packages down, and go back to selling stuff, or to have USPS pick up your stuff. When I can ship same day, I do. I always get stuff out next day unless it's a large item and requires special packing, so I always set 2 business days handling for all items and 3 for larger items, so I have time, but since I think buyers have come to expect instant, I feel like not getting stuff out next business day isn't the best message to send. 

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That's great, but that doesn't matter AT ALL to eBay.  What matters is the date/time of your Acceptance Scan.  That's the only thing that matters.  Without that you're in danger of falling below standard, regardless of the fact that you mail next day. 

I've personally had LOTS of problems with carrier pickup.  It works great when there's no sub, but the subs often miss pickups & don't scan.  That said, I use pickup, but I go to extraordinary lengths including texting my carrier daily & having signs for the subs, to make sure that I ALWAYS get my Acceptance scan.   However you choose to do it, that SCAN is the KEY to retaining some of your metrics. 

[buyselljack2016]

Don't know about the OP, but no office near me has an APC

[buyselljack2016]

Not meant to be offensive, but.......................

Leaving a package for pick up at another carrier service may border on........................     wishy-washy.

Leaving it at the counter, or dropping through the chute at a PO has a better chance of getting scanned sooner.

[caseypl]

I'll seek out a way to get the scans in an easy way. 

[caseypl]

There might be one near me with one, but it's not always the most convenient. It was never something I worried about til I saw you guys mention it. Not sure it matters too much since I use two business days handling time and am shipping out same or next business day.