Package hasn't moved, USPS vs. UPS?

[milunsfor0]

Hi all,

Last Saturday (9-3) I dropped my first sold item off at the post office. I paid for a USPS label, but the tracking indicates it hasn't been scanned in yet. I'm not sure if this is relevant, but the tracking page says that UPS isn't in possession of the item yet, but my local post office operates under USPS, and I chose a USPS label. Upon looking for posts similar to this issue, I believe a seller said that the buyer can request a refund if 7 or more days have passed since the last movement was indicated by tracking. Is this true, and what should I do next? 

[mtgraves7984]

If you dropped it at USPS... then UPS will never be in possession of the item.

You can open a 'Missing Package' claim at the USPS to hopefully 'jump start' the scans. Good luck to you.

[chevymontecarlo88]

Where did you purchase the shipping label? (from Ebay?) 

[12345jamesstamps]

UPS and USPS are different and neither one works together. If you mailed something with a USPS label then it will be mailed by them. You can check with the post office with tracking of your item in person with a clerk. If you dropped off your package at the post office you should have paid for it in person and not use a label for the first time. Mailing packages out for the first time can be tricky for a new seller. I suggest mailing everything in person to get the hang of how things are mailed and what might happen. 

I suggest contacting the buyer and let them know item might be delayed and such. It's a nice touch to email the buyer about about mishaps. I might suggest also taking a photo of package and email that to your buyer in the future to keep the buyer from becoming restless and just let them know package is in the mail.

[lakefor94]

What are the 1st four digits/characters of the tracking number?

[chevymontecarlo88]

A lot of local Post Offices will allow UPS drop offs (mine does) but it is limited. I have dropped off a few items to my local post office and the tracking took a couple of days on one and the other did not update (tracking) till mid way to the destination. 

I can only speculate that the OP purchased the label through Ebay Shipping and mistakenly choose UPS which happens. If that is the case, contact the local Post Office to see if the forward the packages to UPS (scheduled pick ups) or if they send the items to their centralized unclaimed mail center. 

[lakefor94]

Your listing stated Economy Shipping (USPS Parcel Select Ground)

Those can sometimes get delayed bigtime at certain distribution centers.

I use UPS Ground for most anything over $100. Or at least USPS Priority.

UPS is overall more competent in my book. jfyi

UPS was probably about the same price. 

[lesegouts]

Unlikely if it was going to a residential address, due to UPS surcharges.

[lamber9347]

@milunsfor0 This is why it's important to stand in line with your package in order to get it scanned. Now the tracking looks like you purchased the shipping label but never actually shipped it. Any item not received case will close in buyer's favor because you are lacking the scan of item in USPS possession. We all learn as we go. Next time stand in line and wait to get your item scanned, it will benefit you in the end. Best of luck to you.... 

[milunsfor0]

Hi all,

I did purchase a label through eBay, label says UPS ground. USPS site has no info on the package and I suspect a filing a missing mail claim online won't do much either, since it's a UPS tracking number and it gets marked as invalid anyways. Only thing I think I can do is stopping by the post office in person and inquiring further. 

[onefootflipper]

If the label says UPS ground then you bought a UPS label and then dropped it off at your post office.

What happens then wildly varies from one post office to another. My wife has accidentally given UPS packages to the post office in the past and they magically ended up with UPS the next day. However I know at some post offices those packages will go sit in a corner forever unless someone comes looking for them, and even then the post office might not be helpful about it.