eBay

murphken · ‎11-08-2024

I have been trying to get Ebay to address the ongoing issues with USPS picking-up packages and not scanning upon acceptance. I ship packages on the following day after purchase.

Many times the package is not scanned until "out for delivery". I am a top rated seller that is slowly loosing my rating because of the USPS Scanning Issue. I have called Ebay many times about this ongoing chronic issue. The only alternative is going to the post office and stand in line. I cannot sit in line for many minutes waiting to get my packages scanned. This situation is very disappointing. I see others with the same issue. Ebay really needs to address this seller related issue.

wastingtime101 · ‎11-08-2024

It's not an eBay issue - it's your post office. These are the options sellers in your situation typically use:

- Generate a SCAN form so there's only 1 sheet for your carrier to scan on pickup. They will scan it - and if they don't, call your PO and talk to them about it.

- Go to your PO and use the self service kiosk and scan packages yourself.

- Go to your PO and wait in line for them to scan.

- Extend your handling time on eBay so the delayed scans won't affect your performance.

- Use a different carrier.

Walk without rhythm, it won't attract the worm.

winklers549 · ‎11-08-2024

you need to take a trip to your post office and talk to the postmaster and let him know your mail person is picking up packages and not scanning the packages they are picking up as they are required to scan. If no change take it higher than the local postmaster.

carlmarxx · ‎11-09-2024

I recently had a package shipped to me on 11/2 ,the seller had carrier pickup for their package's ,well no scan was ever done , Until 12:09 am 11/7 acceptance scan at PO seller use's . and some how got to my neck of wood 's 5 hours later and out for delivery same day , seller is in N. Ca. and I'm in S. Ca.

murphken · ‎11-09-2024

Thank you all for your replies.

ryry-jj · ‎11-09-2024

I think during the holiday season we may see more and more package picked up and not scanned initially.

If this is the case and its important to you, go to your PO and get it scanned....this is your business find the time! I get that is is the job of the USPS to scan upon receipt, but if they aren't doing it, you need to make it happen...how? By communicating with you local PO or doing it yourself.

What I think eBay should do, is give some leeway on scanning for as long as USPS has holiday rates in place as long as the package is scanned at some point in the delivery window.

robbie31415 · ‎11-09-2024

I know a lot people are under the impression that the USPS is required to scan packages at pickup, and maybe they are correct.

Can one of the people who have made such a claim show evidence that they are required to do so?

I know the OIG has used words like 'goal' when talking about scanning packages when they enter the mail stream, however I fail to find any evidence that it is 'required'.

The only requirements I find are when the mail carrier are presented with a SCAN Form.

So you should either use a SCAN Form for your pickup carrier, or use one of the various methods @wastingtime motioned earlier in this post. Kiosk/Counter at the PO.

ryry-jj · ‎11-09-2024

For ground advantage and other economy services I don't think it is required, but for priority and overnight they need to do it as a "time stamp", otherwise how do you follow through with the expedited service if no one knows when it was in the hands of the PO?

ryry-jj · ‎11-09-2024

From USPS postal bullentin....I assume still relevant today, not sure...policy says if a scanable bar code on approved label, then employees must scan at time of acceptance

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/

12345jamesstamps · ‎11-09-2024

We had a similar problem last winter.

Honestly, in a snowstorm or freezing weather...do you think every item picked-up will get a scanned on a day of pickup? And because it was so cold last winter...the scanners were probable not working sitting in the trucks in this freezing weather.

It's going to be a weather problem this year as usual.

If you are having problems now...can you expect it to get better in freezing cold snow storms this winter.

'Top Rated Seller'...too many situations where the seller fails in it at some month(s)...just my own opinion.

Although USPS and eBay have some connection in shipping items...employees do not have that connection between an USPS employee and eBay.

robbie31415 · ‎11-09-2024

@ryry-jj wrote:
From USPS postal bullentin....I assume still relevant today, not sure...policy says if a scanable bar code on approved label, then employees must scan at time of acceptance

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/

I don't see that in the link.

The link seems to be talking about SCAN form.

Yes the carrier should always scan the SCAN form, which will give provisional acceptance.

However, I've yet to see where the carrier is required to scan individual packages when they pick them up.

For any service.

a_c_green · ‎11-09-2024

@robbie31415 wrote:
I know a lot people are under the impression that the USPS is required to scan packages at pickup, and maybe they are correct.

Can one of the people who have made such a claim show evidence that they are required to do so?

@robbie31415 : Yes, in addition to the link in the preceding reply, there is also this statement by Roy Betts of the USPS Corporate Communications that was sent to eCommerceBytes on this specific topic, and also circulated as a general release:

"Every item accepted at the retail counter at a local Post Office that has a USPS Tracking number must be scanned, whether the customer requests it or not.
[...]
Postal Service carriers are required to perform an acceptance scan on all prepaid, barcoded parcels that they pick up from customers."

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

robbie31415 · ‎11-09-2024

That's nice someone said that, but I'm looking for written policy by the USPS.

Also that seems to be dated over 10 years ago.

I'm looking for USPS policy that states mail carriers are required to scan packages individually at pickup as of now.

I'm pretty sure ecommercebytes even did a more recent article where rural POs don't even need to scan at all (at the PO) so that would be more evidence to suggest that third party article isn't up to date with current carrier requirements.

a_c_green · ‎11-09-2024

@robbie31415 wrote:
That's nice someone said that, but I'm looking for written policy by the USPS.

Also that seems to be dated over 10 years ago.

I'm looking for USPS policy that states mail carriers are required to scan packages individually at pickup as of now.

I think if you are going to contradict the evidence that I have dug up (and which is, in fact, in writing), then it would be up to you to prove your claim.

If anything, there are more opportunities for tracking now than back then, such as an improved Self Service Kiosk which now includes a barcode scanner for Provisional Acceptance scans (and those Provisional scans are accepted by eBay as proof of mailing), as well as scanners that upload in real time, replacing the older models that did not upload until they were docked for recharging.

The bottom line here is that the OP's local post office is not doing its job regarding scanning upon receipt, but it is a local problem, not a policy problem.