Late Shipping Defect Due to Post Office Errors

[lightlily_arts]

I was checking my seller dashboard, and noticed that I was recently dinged for a late delivery.  I felt it had to be an error as I always ship within my stated handling time, which is 2 business days although I generally ship by the next day business day anyways. The buyer made their purchase on Jan. 1, 2022.  As it was a Saturday it didn’t get picked up until Jan, 3, 2022. Unfortunately, that day my mail got picked up by the mail carrier who tends to ignore my pickup messages requesting an acceptance scan upon pick up.  Moreover, it didn't get scanned by my local P.O. either, and wasn't  scanned until it hit the East coast.

But the real issue is where this package traveled that made it so late. It went to Massachusetts and Connecticut first. Why who knows? The delivery destination was in South Carolina. Although it’s only one ding I know I have a problem with one of my mailmen, and it would only take a few of those to lose my Top Rated Status.

See travel history below.

Jan 13, 2022 2:16pm
DELIVERED IN/AT MAILBOX
MONCKS CORNER, SC 29461

Jan 13, 2022 8:56am
OUT FOR DELIVERY
MONCKS CORNER, SC 29461

Jan 13, 2022 8:45am
ARRIVAL AT UNIT
MONCKS CORNER, SC 29461

Jan 12, 2022 7:30am
ARRIVE USPS FACILITY
CHARLESTON SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29423

Jan 12, 2022 7:23am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
CHARLESTON SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29423

Jan 12, 2022 1:07am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
ATLANTA, GA 30354

Jan 12, 2022 12:59am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
ATLANTA, GA 30354

Jan 11, 2022 9:15am
ARRIVE USPS FACILITY
ATLANTA, GA 30354

Jan 11, 2022 9:13am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
ATLANTA, GA 30354

Jan 11, 2022 3:05am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
KNOXVILLE TN DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 37950

Jan 11, 2022 2:47am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
KNOXVILLE TN DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 37950

Jan 10, 2022 3:07pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
KNOXVILLE TN DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 37950

Jan 10, 2022 7:17am
ARRIVE USPS FACILITY
CHARLESTON SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29423

Jan 10, 2022 6:41am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
CHARLESTON SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29423

Jan 10, 2022 4:57am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29201

Jan 10, 2022 4:48am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29201

Jan 10, 2022 4:37am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29201

Jan 10, 2022 3:12am
ARRIVE USPS FACILITY
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29201

Jan 10, 2022 2:34am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
COLUMBIA SC PROCESSING CENTER, 29201

Jan 9, 2022 1:13pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
KNOXVILLE TN DISTRIBUTION CENTE, 37950

Jan 9, 2022 9:30am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
SOUTHERN CT DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 06492

Jan 9, 2022 9:17am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
SOUTHERN CT DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 06492

Jan 8, 2022 8:46pm
ARRIVE USPS FACILITY
SOUTHERN CT DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 06492

Jan 7, 2022 3:08pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
MIDDLESEX-ESSEX MA DISTRIBUTION, 01889

Jan 7, 2022 3:52am
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
MIDDLESEX-ESSEX MA DISTRIBUTION, 01889

Jan 1, 2022 8:40pm
PRE-SHIPMENT INFO SENT USPS AWAITS ITEM
OXNARD, CA 93035

Jan 1, 2022 4:50pm
SHIPPING LBL CREATED USPS AWAITS ITEM
OXNARD, CA 93035

Jan 1, 2022 4:50pm

Tracking number provided

[lamber9347]

I believe your late shipment ding is for the tracking not showing until the 7th, not the delivery on the 13th. I've never been dinged for a late delivery, and I've had many, however I ALWAYS get my scan when I drop off my packages. I will stand in long lines and wait for that scan. It won't leave my hand until that employee has the gun in theirs, pointed at my package. They all know me at both of my local post offices....

[1786davycrockett]

The post office is not responsible for your packages being scanned late.

YOU are responsible for your packages being scanned late.

You have the responsibility to either get in line to have the scanning done at your post office, or at a 24 hour USPS self-service kiosk near you.

USPS does not have any money invested in your sales, and doesn't care whether or not your packages are scammed on time.  

So don't blame the post office.

[lightlily_arts]

That's fine for you.  However, I no longer go to the post office as I've been disabled the past four years.    Therefore, whenever I print a shipping label I  use the option to schedule a pickup by my USPS postal carrier during their regular pickup time.  I always include a message requesting that the postman provide an acceptance scan upon pickup.  There are three employees assigned to my postal route.   One is my regular full time postal carrier, and two substitutes. Two of my postal carriers are great and actually read the instructions on my pickup form and scan my packages.  The other not so much.   If I have a large box I request that they come to the door and knock/ring doorbell. My regular postman knows I sell on eBay and never hesitates to come to the door when my form indicates I have a large box.   He also rings whenever he delivers a parcel on my porch.   Thus the reason I gift him at Christmas.

That day was when the "not so good" substitute picked up my packages and didn't scan any of them.  Frankly, I should have just delayed shipping until the next day as I was still within my 2 day handling time, and would have gotten my other postal carrier.   The package in question was a First Class Parcel.   Both my local post office and the regional sorting center also failed to scan.

Nonetheless you still missed that this package traveled to first to Massachusetts, then Connecticut on to Tennessee then from Tennessee to South Carolina and then back again to Tennessee then on to Atlanta and again back to South Carolina.

But I get that it was dinged late because of no acceptance scan until it hit Massachusetts.

[acrystalshop]

Unfortunately , something similar happened to us.

Our normal carrier is awesome and always scans our pickups but we had a sub that refused to. 

Our neighborhood did not receive any packages for two months on the days he worked.

He would drive though and mark every package "could not access driveway"

After making many complaints to the post master he picked up our packages but did not scan them accepted until  27 days later.

Ebay gave us a late shipment defect even though I refunded the buyer after three days of the item not showing an acceptance scan. I also sent her a free gift box with tracking and I let them keep the original package once it finally showed up. I spoke to someone at Ebay and they said I need to do a better job making sure our customers have a pleasant buying experience and I should use a different carrier to prevent it from happening again. They refused to remove the defect even though the buyer left feedback stating how they have never received such outstanding service and the free gifts where better than what she originally purchased.

Luckily I think your defect will be erased after a year so just be mindful from here on out.

You can also try changing your handling time to 3-5 days to give yourself some extra wiggle room.

[lightlily_arts]

This response was unnecessarily obnoxious and unkind.  Part of the services offered by USPS when printing your shipping labels online is the ability to schedule a pickup.  As I've been disabled for several years I can no longer go to the main post office where all out going mail is processed.   When you become disabled you learn how to manage your day to day tasks differently.  My family had been doing my shipping at the post office for me until I realized I could utilize USPS' pickup service instead.   This saved my family at least an hour of their time assuming that they could do it when the post office wasn't too busy.

However, whether I'm disabled or not isn't the issue.  When you are offered a service and utilize it it's also reasonable to expect that they provide the service they offered.

Therefore, I utilize the option when printing out my shipping labels to schedule pickups for my packages during the carriers regular delivery time.  You can include a message for  special instructions, and therefore, I always request  an acceptance scan upon pickup.  Apparently, you are unaware of or don't avail yourself of this service. 

I am definitely blaming both the postal carrier and the local post office for ignoring explicit instructions on my pickup request.   I had  6 packages scheduled for pickup that day.     I know what time my mail gets delivered and have my packages ready for them.   If I can fit them all in my mailbox I will.  However, because I have one lazy carrier when I have a mix of packages I have to hold all my packages at the door or he will ignore my request to come to the door for the larger ones.

That day some of my Priority Mail packages  were scanned at the local office,  and the rest when they hit the regional sorting station, but this one, which was First Class Mail parcel they missed completely.   Moreover, when scheduling a pickup you also get a confirmation number, and are emailed a copy of the request.   When the pickup is completed you get another email confirming the service was completed.  I save those confirmation emails.  With that confirmation number you can also report any problems or dissatisfaction with the service. provided.   Perhaps this service isn't available to you in your location, but I don't see the point of having my family travel and wait in line at the post office unnecessarily when the post office offers pickup service.

[downunder-61]

If you are having a problem with that 'not so good' (I would call lazy) pick up dude, I would make sure to not have pickups on the day he works (if you know those days in advance).

I would also be putting in a complaint to USPS about this person, if they don't want the job I am sure there are hundreds of other who would.

Who knows the real reason he has for not scanning, but he is leaving himself and USPS open to claims of lost/stolen items in his negligence.

[lightlily_arts]

 I finally had to retire in 2017 due to disability as I could no longer drive, and I'm now home all the time.   I've lived here for 32 years, and have always gotten to know my postal carriers.  I know what time my mail comes.  Monday's delivery is always later because of the mail volume coming into the main post office over the weekend.  It's much worse after a holiday weekend.  I wish I knew what days each of my postal carriers worked, but they have rotating schedules, which changes weekly. 

I finally filed a couple of complaints  last month and earlier this month on the days the lazy one didn't do what he needed.  He's actually fairly new to our route in the past six months, and I think he hates his job as his demeanor is somewhat sour as well.   I know from talking to my neighbors that they share my opinion.   We're just thankful he's only part time.   He's definitely a senior gentleman that we speculated is working to supplement his retirement income.  That's why I didn't really want to file a complaint.  But he repeatedly didn't pickup my large packages at the door as requested, and my family had to drive to the post office to drop them off.  In addition, to an ongoing issue to not scanning them,  what made me mad was that he documented picking them up. 

The problem with not scanning is if you don't get a scan then you can't file a claim for a lost package, and I did lose one in November that he didn't scan.  I wish he would quit as your right that there are plenty of people who would like that job.  It's easier than working for the other shipping carriers as he doesn't have to lift and carry the really heavy packages.  I ship my heavy and oversize packages through Fedex.