Postmaster says I must provide a 'Manifest' for carrier scan of over 5 items

[nan.zs.candle.creations]

23 yr eBayer here - Have a problem I've never encountered before...

Just moved to new rural postal area a week ago, Postmaster & carrier seem great, I spoke in person to both of them, they both know I run a small business, I assured them I would drive any large or heavy shipments into the PO myself (30 mile round trip) - I usually have between 4 and 5 little packages a day, however, I put 8 small packages out in mailbox today, and carrier only scanned five.

I called PO, asked Postmaster if she could scan the missed packages as accepted when carrier came in - she refused.

Now I will get three "no carrier acceptance scan" dings.

PM told me carrier is not required to scan more than 5 packages on the route, and if I have more than five I have to use a 'Manifest'.

I asked her if she meant a Scan sheet...and Postmaster told me she has NEVER HEARD of a Scan sheet.

Yes, that is exactly what she said, and she was VERY adamant in insisting that I had to use a 'Manifest'.

She said she would have Commercial Services contact me...?

PM also told me that the 'new contract' says the route carrier only has to scan 5 packages and that PM cannot force carrier to scan more (unless I use a 'Manifest').

That new contract is not even in force yet - they are still taking ballots until Jan 13, 2025.

I tried researching this 'Manifest' on the USPS website - looks complicated and applies to shipments of 50 or more packages.

Frustrating, because a Scan sheet needs the correct number and kind of packages listed on it, a Package Pickup must be scheduled by 4:59 am for pickup that day, and customers can order from me until 3 am my time (midnight on west coast).

This is a totally new situation for me, I have NEVER had a carrier not scan every package in my mailbox...

Comments?

Suggestions?

Do I toss away my TRS+ and stop doing Next Business Day shipping, or stay up until 3 am, make sure all orders are in and if I have more than five = print a scan sheet, (and hope the PM didn't know what she was talking about)?

Thanks!

[buyselljack2016]

Likely talking "scan sheet"

My "rural carrier" will pick up as many packages as I have.

Scan 5, hit a couple of buttons, scan some more.

My carrier, unless there is a recent change, get paid 18 seconds for each scan.

ETA:   That 5 package scan limit started over a year ago.  

ETA again:  my "rural carrier" is not a "uniformed" postal employee. 

[dbfolks166mt]

     I am not sure how much of what the postmaster is telling you is factual but USPS does have a customer service number. You can call 1-800-275-8777 and they can probably tell you what is fact and what your options are. Once you have the factual information you can make decisions from that point or take further action with USPS if needed. 

[luckythewinner]

Now I will get three "no carrier acceptance scan" dings

eBay requires ANY scan within your handling time. It doe snot have to be an acceptance scan. 

[nobody*s_perfect]

The 5-item limit is a genuine USPS rule, though it's not often enforced.  You need to produce a SCAN sheet, which you can do through eBay. This consolidates all of your packages into one barcode scan for package acceptance.  

USPS introduced this several years ago in response to the outcry that arose when they declared that carriers and PO counter clerks didn't have to scan online postage at all. Here's their memo about it:

https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2006/html/pb22192/pb6ktxt.html

[wastingtime101]

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@nan.zs.candle.creations wrote:

PM told me carrier is not required to scan more than 5 packages on the route, and if I have more than five I have to use a 'Manifest'.

I asked her if she meant a Scan sheet...and Postmaster told me she has NEVER HEARD of a Scan sheet.

Yes, that is exactly what she said, and she was VERY adamant in insisting that I had to use a 'Manifest'.

She said she would have Commercial Services contact me...?

---

The Manifest is the SCAN form and it's weird that your postmaster said she never heard the term SCAN sheet before.

If you're buying labels through eBay then you need to use bulk label flow to be able to generate a SCAN form.

[nan-zs-jewelry-2020]

Yeah, so idea why she doesn't know that terms...I use Pirateship, but they have a great End Of Day Scan form that covered all labels purchased that day. Thanks!

[nan-zs-jewelry-2020]

Unfortunately, the local PO doesn't scan them onto the truck at night either, because NONE of the packages I have shipped in the last week (all were scanned as Accepted, either dropped at PO or picked up at my mailbox) showed any further scans until they hit the next hub...2 days later...and some didn't get a scan until 3 days later in the next state. 

For these three that didn't get scanned this morning = all three still show "Pre-Shipment Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item" on the USPS Tracking and "Mon, Dec 9 SHIPPING LBL CREATED USPS AWAITS ITEM" on eBay Tracking. So after midnight they will be beyond my handling time.

[nan-zs-jewelry-2020]

My rural carriers anywhere we lived previously always picked up every package, and I tried to make it as easy for them as possible (take the heavy stuff into PO myself, etc) - they would assure me they were happy to scan all of them at the box.

This one balked at three 4 oz bubble envelopes...

(The 5-item rule was allegedly rescinded - the strike outs as shown - still looking for more info on it)

[fm2000]

You need to speak to someone higher up about your situation to get the matter resolved. It might be a bit uncomfortable, but your postmaster doesn't know what she is talking about and needs to be corrected by her superiors. She also needs some schooling on basic customer service. As sellers we are expected to follow USPS regulations and be professional and courteous to USPS employees, it is completely reasonable for us to expect the same in return.

Keep next day shipping and your TRS status. As long as your packages are scanned at some point within the estimated delivery window, a late scan does not affect your metrics. And for an item to count against you as late in your metrics, it must be both shipped late AND arrive late; either but not both does not count against you.

I would also not hesitate to schedule a pickup for your large and heavy items too. If it is under 70lbs and under a certain size, the USPS will pick it up, and their trucks can handle it. A 30 mile trip comes with a cost in time and money, both gas and wear and tear on a vehicle. Unnecessary 30 mile trips, even occasionally, will add up. (If an item is valuable there may be cases where you want to go to the post office in person and get a receipt as proof you mailed it, but that is a whole other discussion.)

[toysaver]

"Unfortunately, the local PO doesn't scan them onto the truck at night either, because NONE of the packages I have shipped in the last week (all were scanned as Accepted, either dropped at PO or picked up at my mailbox) showed any further scans until they hit the next hub...2 days later...and some didn't get a scan until 3 days later in the next state"

I'm having this same issue with scans, just the acceptance and then crickets for a few days.  I assume it's because of work volume this time of year.  

[kraftique]

My daughter and husband works rural I will ask tomorrow.  I know about the scan sheet. Your Postmaster is balking over a manifest?  I will ask him.    Call Up Customer Service- explain your 30 miles away and make a complaint about what you were told.

Yes, the Rural carriers are now running their rear ends like made to get to one box to the next.  they are timed now for every move- every package- every step they take.  You want to talk about crazy it has become ridiculous and the Post Office still losses money.    The thing is the workers are not making big bucks.

My daughter who is full time lost 10 thousand last year with the recount on how much mail she delivers.  So many people lost income.

https://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/2009/holiday/carrierpickup.htm

On the USPS  it says their is NO LIMIT on the amount of packages they pick up.

That is how they are trying to cut costs. 

I do not know about the 5 package limit. 

It depends I am sure on your carrier. some are nice and some are jerks. 

Sounds like you got a bad office now that you moved.

But do  make a call about the Postmaster and what you were told.

There was a time  a few years back my husband would stop at one parts business and pick up about 20 packages every day to go out and he scanned every one.

[1786davycrockett]

@kraftique 

@nan.zs.candle.creations 

Every year for the several years (since the appointment of Louis DeJoy as Postmaster General in May 2020), USPS branches all around the United States have been making up new "rules" during the holiday rush season, in order to comply with the latest "timeliness" regulations posted by upper management.

My own post office (which was one of several in Minnesota investigated by a Congressional delegation in 2023) had reverted again to only delivering mail Tuesdays through Saturdays (skipping Mondays entirely); and has now started delivering ONLY packages -- no regular mail has been delivered since Wednesday of last week.

If we complain to the local postmaster, the only response which we receive is -- "We'll look into that."

Postal service was definitely better before DeJoy became Postal Prince.

[kraftique]

I looked up the manifest and that appears to be for very big businesses.  Not t someone doing 5 packages a day.

Just reading the first page of the booklet on the US Postal site says you have to have a certain Mac based program and bring in a Vendor to set it up.

Your Postmaster is wrong. Unless something has changed . This is beyond impossible.  They are treating  you like a major Business,  You will have to pay for a Permit which gives you your own barcode.  So you do not have postage listed on any of your packages.

I have a feeling your Carrier does not want to do the extra work of scanning because he doe snot get paid for it .  The routes have been evaluated and they get paid by how many pages they pick up, letter volume and everything is timed. 

You must go to a higher up.  Your not a major business and your being treated unfairly.

[kraftique]

Right now just do online schedule pick ups.  Have everything on one sheet so the sheet gets scanned. I feel really bad for you.