Shipped a package to buyer over a week ago and tracking still just says "Pre-Shipment"

[lithdagger]

I shipped out a package that was supposed to have tracking I paid extra for, and 8 days have past since I dropped it off and it is still marked as "Pre-Shipment" by USPS. They have not even bothered to scan it in yet.
I am worried its gone missing or something. Is there any way I can ensure it arrives? Could the buyer state it never arrived since the tracking never updated? How can I cover my butt in this situation where I know I did everything correctly and the post office is at fault?

[participatrophy]

That's been happening a lot lately. Decent chance it's been sent out and just hasn't been scanned. Unless this was an ESE shipment, you can file a search request for it with USPS here:

https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm 

Note there will be a question asking whether you know the contents of the shipment, followed by a list of a few broad categories of stuff with instructions to "Check all that apply" or something to that effect. If none apply, check one anyway otherwise the form errors out at the end when you go to submit it. The papers/documents selection is what I typically go with, then specify in the text box further down.

Use the form to give them good, descriptive info and exact, accurate data. Don't assume it's all in their system, or all in eBay's, and that they already know the stuff. Or that they can infer it. Ultimately it'll be a person at the other end staring at a screen trying to investigate the issue for you as you've presented it. So present it well. Make his job easy for him and your efforts will pay off.

Poor example: I dropped my package off 8 days ago, my tracking number is 12345, can you please find it? This is an eBay sale and it's really important and btw I expect a refund if you guys lost it!

Good example: Brown cardboard box, 8x6x4, 3lbs 5oz; bubble wrap, pair of vintage bookends, brass, ducks; handwritten thank you note. Dropped off 3/27/25, about 2pm, PO location 123 Street Road, self service kiosk, receipt ref# 56789.

[kensgiftshop]

You cover your butt by handing it to a clerk, get it scanned and receive a receipt.

Yes, unless is shows delivered, buyer can open an INR for a refund.

[carlmarxx]

You need to hand over the parcels  to the employee  at the counter  to get the acceptance scan .   The  8  days   no scan    is very  odd  for  your  location  at the USPS sorting centers .  the  buyers  can open  INR's  after 3 business  days  if  no scan  ,Ebay view's it dead  tracking .  do to current  state  the USPS has been in it is recommended that  sellers need to wait in line at the PO's  to hand over  the packages for acceptance   scans  into system  to make sure the parcels are getting moved.   It is very odd You  parcels have been scanned in at the   main WA. USPS sorting plant .

[carlmarxx]

It might be worth your time to go to PO and ask them to run a internal tracking  system scan  for any movement. And also file a lost search request  for the package .  

[simba6]

Yes the buyer can file and win an INR if tracking never shows delivery

There is no insurance unless it was scanned.

You can also go to USPS.com file a case to have it looked into.

[participatrophy]

Definitely worthwhile. Also whoops, I messed that link up. Fixed now.

[pastimpressions]

I know it can be time consuming (and it certainly should not be necessary) but for your protection,

you always have to wait in line and get an initial scan with receipt from the postal clerk.

No disrespect intended, but if they are busy and/or otherwise tell you to "leave it & they will scan it later" politely decline and opt to wait in line.

It is the only proof you will ever have that USPS is in possession of the item.

It will also be the only scan that is guaranteed to happen other than the final delivery scan.

All other scans are supporting documentation and never guaranteed despite the fact that every location/site that handles that package is supposed to scan it. 

Hopefully, this one makes an appearance & you know going forward to make no exceptions.

Best of Luck with Shop & Sales.

[fm2000]

Try not to panic. There might be an issue with the label where it is not automatically being scanned when going through the sorting equipment for some reason, and it may end up being delivered (possibly with only a delivery scan or no scan at all) anyway. Not common, but it happens, I have had a few packages over the years go through without a scan, even when the package was scanned in front of me by my mailman it never appeared in the system (if you have a clerk scan it you still have to get a paper receipt, because it still may not actually go into the system, as silly as that sound it happens, rare, but has happened.)