Is ebay really not going to fix the problem with tracking ESE? Seems like a major issue.

[pacoh_sales]

The lack of updates on ebay standard envelope is a bit frustrating, but the icing on the cake is that the buyer, even if they receive the item, if it doesn't show up on tracking, can just file for INR. Then a negative review. Then I have to go through a whole time-splitting process of filing a claim.

I guess I'm just wondering... Can they fix the tracking issue and save everyone time and money and frustration or are we doomed to never be able to know where our standard envelopes are, or if they made it on time, etc.

[kensgiftshop]

The tracking updates are done by USPS, not sure what Ebay can do about it.

There's a reason it's so cheap.

[1786davycrockett]

@pacoh_sales 

As @kensgiftshop has mentioned, this is a USPS issue, and not an eBay issue.

The ESE is contracted business metered mail, which does not use regular USPS Tracking.

If you are having significant issues with the ESE, perhaps you should use a more dependable service.

Just a side note:  I've been using the ESE for several years, without having a single delivery issue.

[pacoh_sales]

The point is that I'm using the ESE service and when I call USPS for delivery updates they say they don't have tracking and that I need to go to ebay, since they manage the shipping.

If they're offering a service like this, they should make sure it works correctly and get in touch with USPS so they work together to make it functional. Even if it's cheap, it should work. Or they should put a disclaimer saying that it might not actually track your delivery at the end of the day. Not just say it's limited tracking, actually clarify it might not actually even track anything.

[lacemaker3 · Accepted solution]

eSE envelopes have to be machinable. They don't get scanned manually by USPS employees, they are only scanned automatically as they go through the sorting machines.

If your eSE envelopes are not getting scanned, it means they were not machinable and they got kicked out of the machinable mail workflow.

If you're not going to package them correctly (meaning according to the machinable mail standards) then don't use eSE.

[bdmh-enterprises]

I have sent thousands of ESE. 99% of them receive tracking, 95%+ receive "delivered" scans.

There is no problem with ESE, only with how sellers package them.

Also, there literally is a disclaimer on the tracking pop up stating there's limited updates...

[wastingtime101]

eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) is a metered letter mail shipment so it does not receive traditional tracking scans. The clerk at the PO counter cannot scan it and you can't track it on the USPS website. The envelopes are scanned by sorting machinery at distribution centers along the way and tracking will appear on eBay.

Common reasons ESE labels don't get scanned include:
- Overpacking. Envelopes are too stiff. It's not recommended to use trading card top loaders or cardboard mailers.
- Using ineligible packing material such as a bubble envelope.
- Placement of label. Label should be placed in the upper right corner with approx 1/8"-1/4" clearance from edges. If it's placed too far from the corner (like in the middle of a long envelope) the machinery may not scan it.
- Placing items like coins in the center of the envelope. The center of the envelope needs to be the most flexible part.
- Printer ink is not dark enough, or label color is too bright (stick to white labels if you can).
- Regional issues with sorting machines, volume processing, picky USPS employees, etc.

With ESE, a 'delivered' scan generally occurs at the last sort facility before it gets to the buyer; sometimes the buyer will receive their order a couple days after the delivered scan.

If a buyer files a not received claim, you do have insurance coverage and the claims process is outlined on this page: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

[paolobanchero]

The standard envelopes are inconsistent. Some will ship them in a bubble envelope (against the mail standards) and they get scanned. Others are in a standard thin envelope that meets standards and they never get scanned. What ebay needs to do is not allow negative or neutral feedback if one of these items is lost and a full refund has been given. We all know many people are receiving their item that arrived to them unscanned and saying that they never received it. There is a reason that many sellers don'y use them anymore. It's too bad that ebay and the USPS can't get together on these.

[kensgiftshop]

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@pacoh_sales wrote:

The point is that I'm using the ESE service and when I call USPS for delivery updates they say they don't have tracking and that I need to go to ebay, since they manage the shipping.

If they're offering a service like this, they should make sure it works correctly and get in touch with USPS so they work together to make it functional. Even if it's cheap, it should work. Or they should put a disclaimer saying that it might not actually track your delivery at the end of the day. Not just say it's limited tracking, actually clarify it might not actually even track anything.

---

It works like it was intended to.

If you want better tracking, use a better service.

[kensgiftshop]

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@paolobanchero wrote:

The standard envelopes are inconsistent. Some will ship them in a bubble envelope (against the mail standards) and they get scanned. Others are in a standard thin envelope that meets standards and they never get scanned. What ebay needs to do is not allow negative or neutral feedback if one of these items is lost and a full refund has been given. We all know many people are receiving their item that arrived to them unscanned and saying that they never received it. There is a reason that many sellers don'y use them anymore. It's too bad that ebay and the USPS can't get together on these.

---

Why should they be treated different then any other package?

I'm sure buyers receive them and claim they didn't.

If there's no delivery scan, you can't prove it.

[1786davycrockett]

@pacoh_sales 

"The standard envelopes are inconsistent. Some will ship them in a bubble envelope (against the mail standards) and they get scanned. Others are in a standard thin envelope that meets standards and they never get scanned."

The ESE was not intended for bubble envelopes -- it was intended for plain #6 and #10 envelopes.

All of my ESE mailings have been successful.  My "secret" is no secret:  I trim 2 pieces of cereal box or 12 pack soda-pop container material, to fit snugly inside my envelope.

Then I add my item, either inside a penny-sleeve or a glassine envelope, between the 2 halves.

Seal the envelope, and print off the ESE label.

Trim the excess empty spaces on the label to fit the envelope (the permit box MUST be in the upper right hand corner of the envelope), and tape the entire label SECURELY to the envelope, so that NO open edges are exposed to USPS machinery.

Take the ESE to the post office, and drop it in the "Metered Mail" slot in the post office lobby.  If your post office does not have a "Metered Mail" slot, drop the ESE into any USPS "blue box."  

Do NOT hand the ESE to any USPS counter personnel -- many of them seem to be confused about the ESE, and will either say there is insufficient postage; or they will call a supervisor for assistance, who may also advise insufficient postage; or some USPS counter employees will just set the ESE "aside" for later consultation, after which the ESE becomes "lost."  And some post offices have been reported on eBay to have rejected ESEs entirely!

If the ESE is dropped into the "Metered Mail" slot, or a USPS "blue box," it should receive an acceptance scan within a day or so.

The ESE "Delivered" scan only means that the ESE has arrived at the post office matching the ZIP Code of the buyer -- and NOT the buyer's actual residence.  The buyer should actually receive the ESE within a few days (or longer, if the buyer is located in an outlying area from their regular post office.)

Many eBay sellers have been using the ESE for several years, without having any problems.  If you follow some of the simple procedures outlined above, you may have more luck with your ESE mailings.

Good luck.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

ESE is part of an attempt by USPS to bring greater volume to Letter Mail, a shrinking portion of USPS' business.

It is a modification of the bar code scanning which used to be solely to route letters.

It will not be "fixed". It is what it is. No further investment is likely.

As others have said, it is how you pack which defines how well the service works. If you use toploaders in your shipments, that is your problem. If you are shipping multiple cards in multiple layers, that is another of your problems.

I refuse to pack in a manner which raises the potential for a damaged shipment as much as meeting the requirements to make ESE a reliable service.

I too have found that I had better luck with packaging which does not meet the published requirements. It is also highly likely that such packaging will end up having postage due, a surcharge, or be returned to sender.

My recommendation is not to sell anything which does not justify the cost of a reliable tracked service.

[pacoh_sales]

Since you guys assume so much, I do package it correctly. I need to see where my package is and when it gets delivered. 10 days later with no update is unacceptable. Fix the service so that it works consistently and there won't be any issues. Same goes for anyone else who pays for a service. Do it correctly or you're causing disruption in the flow of business and losing out on potential business due to an easy correction. Laziness is the reason you have unhappy people in the industry. Make the post have limited tracking, not none. I won't pay for a service if it doesn't work as intended, and anyone who does is a sucker.

Also, just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it hasn't happened to anyone else. Delusions don't add constructive criticism. Remember that with your next delayed reply.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

10 days later with no update suggests the problem is your packaging.

Packing for ESE is not equivalent to packing for any other service. You seem not to recognize this fact. If you did you would change your packaging and see more reliable scans.

I will not pack in the way that gets the best scanning using ESE. My choice and I don't use it.

You cannot pack the way you would for other services and get results which are acceptable. If you are getting unacceptable results, it is on you. Other sellers who are willing to adapt to what works with ESE have much better results than you or I in getting scans and avoiding delays.