Packages shipped but USPS not updating tracking

[johar-3450]

Hello Fam,

I shipped out 15 packages on Wednesday and put them in a USPS drop box. It is now Sunday and none of the tracking has updated. Obviously my customers are starting to get upset. Has this happened to anybody else? If so, what do you recommend I do?

[robertsms72]

I ship from the East coast, on mail going West I only get an update that the pkg. arrived at the hub and then nothing for a few days, finally it shows delivered {if I'm lucky}. I have had three buyers say they didn't receive orders in as many months. Not to mention ebay making listing more difficult for some reason. Thinking about throwing in the towel after 16 years. and selling FREE on Facebook. 

[certifiedcitynet]

During the pandemic, increased thefts have been reported from USPS drop boxes, even those directly outside of post offices. Thus, you should always receive proof of mailing. No insurer will pay if you lack it.

As for your current batch of packages, you may end up eating the entire loss. Lesson learned. 

[certifiedcitynet]

Signature Confirmation will likely solve your Ebay problem. 

[releasethekraken_1]

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@certifiedcitynet wrote:

Signature Confirmation will likely solve your Ebay problem. 

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Clearly you don't understand the problem.

[ferncliff-39]

@johar-3450 

I don't see 15 sold items from last week on this ID -  what service did you use?

Are they First Class Pkg or Priority Mail - I've noticed my PO scans Priority Mail right away, First Class Pkg can sometimes take a few days.

Also the blue collection boxes are not always safe unless you used the ones outside your PO during business hours.

Most PO's now have kiosks in their lobbies - you can scan your packages there and get a receipt and drop them in an inside lobby bin if they fit. The receipt does not guarantee USPS has your package, but your buyers will see an initial scan at least.

It's too early to start a Search with USPS but that is one option if no tracking is updated next week.

[Anonymous]

No. Only when I put one in the stamped letter bin because the big bin was full. Even then, it showed up the next day. Was the drop box in a post office? We only have one drop box in town - in the lobby of the post office. They're always good about processing packages but I'm concerned with how fast this area is growing, that our small post office won't be able to keep up with it. 

I would make sure you use a drop box in or around your post office. Or take it to the post office when it's open (I hate doing that, but have no choice when the big bin is full. It automatically shuts when it's full.). 

[yellow-snapdragon]

It may take some extra time out of your day but I ALWAYS go to the counter and get scan-in receipts for my items. Takes some headache out of worrying if your items have been accepted by USPS. Our blue boxes have been overflowing at times and dishonest folks can just grab items out of them. 

[fashionsandbeauty4u]

Is tracking just not updating on the eBay site or is it also not showing updates on the USPS site?

Although it's too early to file for Missing Mail, if you go on the USPS site and enter the tracking number(s),

you can ask for email updates each time the piece is scanned. The first update should come within

minutes after your request.

[klhmdg]

I never leave the PO without a receipt showing that the items are scanned in and the weights are what I expect them to be. 

Some days I spend a few minutes extra standing in line but it saves me headaches.

[fashionsandbeauty4u]

eBay requires Signature Confirmation on packages of $750 or more.

Are you suggesting that all of us inconvenience our Buyers to be home to sign for all packages

no matter what the value?

In the meantime, starting Sunday, Aug 29, the cost of Signature Confirmation is going up.

[postingid2017]

When was actively selling here and Etsy I never dropped off pkgs in the drop boxes - I stood online and made sure they (pkgs) were scanned and received by the PO.  

[lja440]

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@certifiedcitynet wrote:

Signature Confirmation will likely solve your Ebay problem. 

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Not hardly.

#1 you either eat the cost or you charge your unhappy buyer.

#2 we are still (as is UPS and FedEx) still signing for packages ourselves (I am a Mail Carrier). With USPS you should see a code like LAR4C19 (my initials, my route, Covid 19) which I am unsure how it would work out if there was a dispute.