QR code for eBay labels, literally made me LOL

[little*blackdog]

Today I got an eBay message about the QR code for eBay labels.  So I open it and start reading... just about spit out my mouthful of sandwich, (lunch time) trying not to laugh out loud, when I read the part that says, "... your carrier will print and put the label on your package..."  (something like that).  

How funny...

First of all, the carriers have a hard time even scanning in the packages that already have labels! 

Then there's the little detail about us having our packages scanned into the carrier's system within such-and-such an amount of time.  Am I going to trust my carrier to do that for me in a timely manner and keep my account free of defects?  Heck no, I'm not!

I'm telling you... eBay messages get more entertaining all the time!  What a hoot.

[goldguy22k · Accepted solution]

I am a ❄️ and think this is a great idea! 👍        Less hassle for me to sell on ebay as I don't have to do anything. 👍 👍  

This is just the kind of positive change eBay is making that I want!  THEN when something goes wrong in the process it will clearly NOT be my fault and I have someone to blame! 

Thanks eBay for making it easier for us casual sellers to do business!!!!  🤡🤔😮😱😎

Note: HEAVY sarcasm intended!😁

[little*blackdog]

All those thoughts crossed my mind of course... but still. 

It sounds more like a trap to me!

[backroomnoir]

Yeah, saw that before and immediately thought that's going to be a mess.  I imagine a lot of returns for the wrong item sent in eBay's QR future.  

[ga-8370]

Um, that's The Ladle Broke Her.

[dswa9769]

My Postmaster offered to do this for me months ago, before eBay offered it because if you purchase shipping through the USPS web site they offer a QR code. I was excited when I saw that it's now offered by eBay because my printer is not working but when I went to use it tonight, my page didn't look like the directions for choosing the QR code option.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@little*blackdog 

Remember the old adage, If you want something right do it yourself. May apply here. Not sure how this new system works exactly, or when it will be offered Canada. We may not see until 2074 or '75 based on past "system upgrades". My fear would be labels ending up on the wrong boxes. I've seen it happen on many occasions when others, thought they were trying to help, but really weren't. 

-Lotz

[jayjaspersgarage]

I think I will stick to buying labels 500 or 1000 at a time and stay away from the post office lines.  This sounds like a last minute solution if your power goes out and you're not set up with a backup generator or power wall.  It is interesting to think you can go into the post office and get the ebay discount on postage while taking up the U.S.P.S. employees time.  Person at back of 18 person line of mask-wearing potentially deadly exhalers'  observes a customer with ten or fifteen ebay boxes discussing QR codes with the ESL postal employee who has no idea what you are talking.  Hmmm, now that worked out great.  You took a dozen boxes into a crowded public space and the system "not scanning today".  After the corona virus is behind us in 2022 - or will it be? - I might give one QR code a whirl at the local slow post office.  In the meantime I will keep my modern HP M402 laser printer humming along thank you very much.

[jayjaspersgarage]

Leave it to ebay to encourage people to go out in public to one of the dirtiest possible indoor environments during a pandemic.  

[race8028]

My post office packages my items and prints labels for me via QR code happily. Not sure where you live but most post offices enjoy a happy customer and have great service. Sure they are over busy due to understaffing from budget cuts but bringing them your business helps do idk why you laugh. I only bring a few items at a time out of respect for the people in line but I have seen others use a hand truck to bring all items in and were helped the same.   

[micha_715374]

Might be an old post? But the QR code's have been super easy and efficient for myself. I mail 2-5 things daily by QR code. The frontline workers at USPS and UPS love em as they're easy. 

[micha_715374]

None out of over 40 sent with a QR. as long as you confirm their address is valid there's no reason for it to get lost. They make the physical label for you.

[logalexllc]

Does Pakmail use the QR code too?

[superbidderkid]

Hi All, when I saw the new option for QR code printing, I thought it sounded like it could be beneficial as my printer is being a drag and I have had to get my daughter to print labels for me (gasp, gag).

I got on the USPS website to see if any of the remote/vendor operations could do this as well and it listed my local offsite as participating.  Since I had to head in that direction away from the PO, I went on my way with my small package.  Upon entering the store (they have 3 windows - more than the PO has sometimes) and got up to the front and they told me they did not know anything about it.  They obviously print label because you can buy postage all day long.  But they said they could not do QR codes????  Since this was brand new to me I figured I would just go to the PO on my way home. 

After leaving the store, I thought I would just go ahead and pay for postage and sort it out later, but I could not find the address on my 2nd attempt at the front and became flustered.  BTW, it is down below the QR code just in case someone needs it.

So I trudged back to the PO which as mentioned is in a different direction.  By the time I did all this, I arrived at the PO at 4:29 p.m. because I looked thinking they closed at 5:00 pm.  Nope 4:30 is when they close.  However, they do have a kiosk of some sort in the building just outside the counter area.  But.....and here is the kicker, it doesn't work with QR codes.  Hopefully you have an idea of my temperament

at that time.  This was Wednesday and because of the holiday, now I have to wait until today to mail it out.   I actually stopped a mail truck and asked if he could scan my QR code and was told that he could not.????

So I thought I would try to find out more about it while I was at the PO today.  They were happy to scan my QR code and attach the labels but they knew nothing more about how things work.  I am hoping this is new and it will catch on but I am not sure if it is new or if your carrier can provide labels and if they can't then I too am not comfortable giving them a bunch of packages and hoping they get things right.  They can't think much outside the box so I am going to open a case and see if ebay can help me with the specifics, otherwise I am afraid it is useless to me.

2 cents

[wastingtime101]

QR codes aren't new anymore and the post you're replying to is over a year old @superbidderkid.

The way QR codes work is you choose that option when purchasing the label on eBay, then you take your package and your phone with the QR code to the PO counter and they scan the code which allows them to print the corresponding label and stick it to your package.

Carriers cannot scan codes and print labels. The blue SSKs (self service kiosks) cannot scan codes and print labels. That's unfortunate but understandable because the SSKs have been around long before USPS QR codes so they're not outfitted with equipment to scan. This service is exclusively available to 'redeem' at the PO counter.