Question about ebay envelope tracking

[handpick28]

Does any one else feel like this is false advertising since it's not actually traceable and they expect you to call on every card and you end up having to refund and they don't care. I feeling like this should be illegal. 

[wastingtime101]

eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) is a metered mail shipment so it does not receive traditional tracking scans and the clerk at the PO counter cannot scan it. The envelopes are scanned by sorting machinery at distribution centers along the way.

Common reasons ESE envelopes don't get scans include:
- Overpacking. Envelopes are too stiff. It's not recommended to use trading card top loaders or cardboard mailers.
- Placement of label. Label should be placed in the upper right corner with approx 1/8"-1/4" clearance from edges. If it's placed too far from the corner the machinery won't scan it.
- Placing items like coins in the center of the envelope. The center of the envelope needs to be the most flexible part.
- Printer ink is not dark enough, or label color is too bright (stick to white labels if you can).
- Regional issues with sorting machines, volume processing, etc.

With ESE, a 'delivered' scan generally occurs at the last sort facility before it gets to the buyer, so typically the buyer will receive their order a few days after the delivered scan.

If you find the tracking on eBay to be lacking, you can track the ESUS number on this site and sometimes find more info: https://parcelsapp.com

If a buyer files a not received claim, you do have insurance coverage and the claims process is outlined on this page: https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

[1786davycrockett]

@handpick28 

If the eBay Standard Envelope (ESE) mailings are mailed properly, there should not be an issue.

First of all, make sure that the ESEs are very flexible -- they should be able to bend around a 2" piece of rolled metal conduit, since that's the approximate circumference of the high-speed rollers which the ESEs will encounter at the USPS Distribution Centers.

In other words -- do not mail the cards in stiff card top-loaders -- use a penny sleeve instead, and line the ESE with 2 layers of the material which is used for cereal boxes and 12 packs of soda.

Secondly, make sure to mail the ESEs in the "Metered Mail" slots in most post office lobbies.  USPS considers the ESEs to be contracted business "metered mail," rather than regular First Class letters; so, if they are dropped into the "Metered Mail" slots, at the end of the day all the metered mail will be shipped directly to the next USPS Distribution Center for automatic handling.

Additionally, the ESEs should not be handed to the USPS counter clerks (since some have been reported who will not accept ESEs, or will try to make the sender pay the whole First Class postage amount).  Also, do not hand the ESEs to the USPS delivery carriers, and do not mail the ESEs in the USPS "blue boxes," or residential mail boxes, or business mailing systems:  all these alternative mailing methods may result in mailing delays, or the lack of the initial "metered mail" scan.

And, since the ESEs are metered mail, the first "scan" may not be until the day following the initial mailing (or the following Monday, if mailed on a Friday, or on a weekend or a postal holiday).  

Likewise, the final "Delivered" scan is not provided until the ESE arrives at the ZIP Code of the post office on the front of the envelope -- and not the buyer's home address.  The actual residential delivery may take several additional days, especially if the "Delivered" scan is provided on a Friday afternoon -- in which case delivery may not be made until later the following week.

Many of us have been mailing trading cards, postage stamps, postcards, coins, currency and stickers for several years, without any problems or complaints from buyers.

Like nearly everything else in life, it can be tricky; but, if you follow the above suggestions, mailing ESEs may begin to work for you, as well.

Good luck!

[slyders_finds]

I stopped using ESE because of being to hit or miss. Mail employees that were on top of it marked as delivered. But I think alot of USPS employees aren't even aware of it. Most buyers are honest, but there are some that will take advantage if not marked as delivered and get their money back. 

[tdl_collectibles]

I'd say that given it doesn't cost more than a stamp, it's always going to be worth using.

Yes, you deal with more customer service questions but the alternative is "stamp and pray it gets there" which doesn't seem better in any way.

[dirk12955]

What does "They expect you to call on every card"  mean?

I ship stamps about 400 times with the ESUS system every month.   Pretty much without issue.

Maybe my buyers are more honest than the OP's

I don't pay any attention to the tracking.   All I care about is the 

buyer gets what he paid for.