eBay

rir74 · ‎03-05-2025

What's going on with eBay shipping these days? For the past month or two, everything I buy, Sellers issue a shipping label almost immediately, but Post Office is always awaiting the delivery of item. This is annoying, so I will stop using eBay until they sort this out. Meanwhile, I will have fall back on Amazon Prime, since it seems like they are not affected.

greatstuff80 · ‎03-05-2025

This is not unusual and it's been this way for some time, way more than a month or two. It's not likely to change anytime soon. It's not a big deal. Ebay shows an item as "shipped" as soon as a label is printed. Of course the seller hasn't gone to the PO instantly. Tracking will show post office waiting until it is actually scanned and that info is uploaded into the system. That doesn't always happen instantly. Some POs, especially small ones don't upload info until the end of the day. It can take time for it to show up online. This is only a seller issue if they are letting the item sit without taking it to the PO for several days past their expected handling time. Some sellers print labels that are posted dated for shipment....meaning they printed a label today with a date 2-3 days from now because they only go to the PO once or twice a week. You're free to shop elsewhere but you may miss out on some nice items.

1786davycrockett · ‎03-05-2025

@rir74

The notification that a shipping label has been created means simply that: the seller has created the shipping label. Until the item has actually been delivered to the post office, and is confirmed by USPS, there is no change to the tracking information.

Both the seller and USPS are separate and independent agencies, and are not inter-related, until the point where the seller delivers the package to the post office. There is simply no logical tie-in otherwise between the two, and expectations of change will never be gratified.

While eBay is composed of millions and millions of individual sellers (many of whom are one-person businesses, operating from their basements and garages), Amazon Prime is a huge independent corporate entity, which can afford to employ thousands of employees, hundreds of warehouses and a fleet of privately-owned delivery vehicles. Comparing eBay to Amazon Prime is like comparing a "mom 'n' pop" store to Walmart.

Since you have been an eBay member for over 20 years, it is surprising that it is only within the past two months that you have encountered this issue regarding the disparity between the time that a seller prints off a shipping label and the moment when USPS confirms acceptance of the delivery. This difference is to be expected when two separate and independent agencies are involved, and has been the status quo for years.

Until sellers are able to print off their shipping labels inside the post office (which is highly unlikely), drastic change is unlikely to happen.

ebooksdiva · ‎03-05-2025

@rir74 wrote:
What's going on with eBay shipping these days? For the past month or two, everything I buy, Sellers issue a shipping label almost immediately, but Post Office is always awaiting the delivery of item. This is annoying, so I will stop using eBay until they sort this out. Meanwhile, I will have fall back on Amazon Prime, since it seems like they are not affected.

Amazon has their own shipping service. I have found Amazon's shipping notification to be pretty much the same as eBay, seller purchases a label...tracking says shipping service awaiting parcel.

rir74 · ‎03-05-2025

Yes, 20 years and 100% rating for this buyer. You mentioned that eBay has been using the same shipping practice for all these years, so why only problems these past few months. Not sure, but something has suddenly gone terribly wrong, and maybe it is time to re-evaluate this 20 year old practice before things collapse.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎03-05-2025

Why on earth is this a big deal? Most eBay sellers do not live at the Post Office, so of course there is a delay between printing the label and getting it scanned at the PO.

bonjourami · ‎03-05-2025

All buyers have 100% rating, because thats all sellers can give them, so no big deal.

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“Never pick a fight with an ugly person. They don’t have anything to lose.” ~Robin Williams

roccotacodad54 · ‎03-05-2025

I have Amazon Prime. That being said don't expect much better from Amazon. I just cancelled one order because it said my item was probably lost after a couple of weeks. On another order it seems like I'm going to have the same result.

I've never had problems like this with Amazon before but now I'm beginning to wonder if free shipping that never gets here is worth paying prime for.

gator08041971 · ‎03-05-2025

This happens from time to time.

I have an order out right now that the seller hasn't even shipped yet, been nearly 3 days since I won the auction.

I checked their shipping page, but nothing about a time frame was stated. (sometimes they put X number of days before shipping in the shipping info)

Personally, I ship as soon as possible. Order comes in, I print off a packing list, pack the item (taking pictures of it being packaged) measure and weigh, buy the label, print and affix the label, leave my feedback telling the buyer when it will be given to the carrier, and they get a message with details, photos of the packaging and the package they can expect at their door with the label shown in the picture. I then follow though and get it to the carrier as soon as possible on the day I told them I would. Usually this is same or next day.

I can't tell you how many times buyers have THANKED me for simply letting them know it was packaged and shipped directly, rather than relying on the tracking info only.

I have now been doing this for over a year and my seller feedback reflects it. I wish sometimes more sellers would take the time to do a better job, either with communication, packaging, and timeliness.

Gator08041971 • Volunteer Community Mentor 2024
Member of eBay since 2000

carlmarxx · ‎03-05-2025

Ebay has nothing to do with USPS not scanning the tracking when seller 's use the drop box's or drop off at counter without having the employee scan in . Ebay has recommended sellers should wait in line for acceptance scan .

1786davycrockett · ‎03-05-2025

@rir74

Since November 2024, there have been multiple reports regarding USPS inefficiencies and failures all around the United States. The current Postmaster General was even called up before a Congressional committee; but he was very unresponsive to the concerns of legislative leaders, and actually put his hands over his ears so that he wouldn't have to listen to complaints.

Fortunately, he has since chosen to resign. Unfortunately, his replacement may not be of any assistance to consumers, as the President has made it clear that he would like to eliminate USPS, and either assign postal deliveries to the Department of Commerce -- or privatize the post office entirely.

Sellers on eBay are doing their part; but we can not be held responsible for failures committed by third-party shipping agencies.

ebooksdiva · ‎03-05-2025

@carlmarxx

Where in this thread did I say anything about USPS scanning or not scanning?
This is what I said" Amazon has their own shipping service. I have found Amazon's shipping notification to be pretty much the same as eBay, seller purchases a label...tracking says shipping service awaiting parcel. "