Shipped using Ebay Standard Envelope

[anasazirose]

I'm new at using Ebay Standard Envelope.  I am hoping it works for some larger seeds so I can issue refunds when it does, or charge less on the listing, depending which listing it's for and how many seeds are ordered. 

I have a couple of questions. 

When I send packages using ebay, there is a box at the bottom that I keep unchecked that says, "show shipping amount on label".  Shipping with ESE, the amount shows on the label.  Is there any way to stop it?

When I choose ESE, the label that is generated is not sized properly to fit on and print with my 4x6" label printer that works seamlessly with every other label that is not ESE.  Is there any way to have the label print the full size and in the proper direction?  I do not have any options available to me when I select the print option.

I sent 3 packages using ESE, 2 arrived fine, the one sent Feb 4 from PA 15012 to MD 21502 is still showing as "Origin Processing PITTSBURGH, PA 15290" in my seller hub.  It also says, "Running behind, original estimate was Mon, Feb 5 - Wed, Feb 7"  and  "Carrier has not provided an updated estimated delivery date."     Usps site says, "Status Not Available - The tracking number may be incorrect or the status update is not yet available. Please verify your tracking number and try again later."   The buyer has not reached out to say they have not received the seeds.  I am going to reach out to the buyer, but is there any other method of getting more current information?

The seeds I send must stay moist.  If they haven't been delivered and have dried out, assuming they are found, is that covered under the insurance?  The amount is below $20. 

[12345jamesstamps]

Do not ask buyer if item arrived...They will say no and thus want a refund. There are honest buyers and the others...Wait for buyer to ask where is the item.

Not everything gets scanned as "delivered"....and if it doesn't show "delivered" ...its not delivered...well...I have them not as delivered back from March 2023...it is considered not delivered. Thus far all my buyers have been honest. 

But great news, you can get the refund using this service....refunds coming in weeks or whenever.

This service is considered "metered mail" and thus that is how it is processed.

USPS...68 cent stamp works for me or a little more...never lost an item last year to date. Do I need tracking for inexpensive items where tracking may or may not work....

And by the way...without any sort of tracking...items arrive in 3-5 days tops....check my feedback.

[wastingtime101]

Hi @anasazirose .

>>Shipping with ESE, the amount shows on the label. Is there any way to stop it?

No. That's not possible with First Class letters and flats. ESE is letter service. (Exception might be presorted marketing mail type situation, but that's a different beast and not applicable here.)

>>The seeds I send must stay moist.  If they haven't been delivered and have dried out, assuming they are found, is that covered under the insurance? 

I highly doubt it.

>>is there any other method of getting more current information?

See below for more info, below the label size info I'm about to post.

>>Is there any way to have the label print the full size and in the proper direction?

You need to select 4x6 labels.

On the label purchase page first make sure your label options are expanded:

When your shipping options are expanded:

If you're using bulk labels:

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General eBay Standard Envelope info:

Review this page for the packing requirements (size, flexibility, label placement, etc) and category restrictions (a qualifying item must be listed in a qualifying category):
https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/shipping/ebay-labels-services/ebay-domestic-shipping-services/ebay...

And also read this page:
https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-standard-envelope?id=...

Review this page for some of the fine print (like items over $20 don't qualify, for example):
https://pages.ebay.com/sell/standarddelivery/termsofservice.html

If you don't see ESE on the listing form you may need to adjust package dimensions to 11x6

When you use auction format, if the auction goes over $20 and you offered ESE, the buyer can still choose it at checkout, but you will not be able to purchase an ESE label due to the item's value.

If your item is eligible then you will be able to purchase a label through eBay following the normal process. You'll see it as a service option right next to all the others (ground, priority, etc).

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

Remember, this is a metered mail shipment so it does not receive traditional tracking scans and the clerk at the PO counter cannot scan it. Instead you should drop these envelopes in your PO's metered mail slot. The envelope will be 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 1/8" clearance from edges. If it's placed too far from the corner the machinery won't scan it.

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 day or two after the delivered scan.

If an item doesn't have a delivered scan and a buyer files a not received claim, you do have insurance coverage and the claims process is outlined on the page linked above.

[12345jamesstamps]

My thought if seeds must stay moist....my own opinion...no tracking...items received in days...3-4 cross country.

[anasazirose]

I ship them in a zip loc baggie with moist peat moss.  I store them this way in my **bleep** too and don't have a problem.  However, I have no idea how they're being stored no.  As long as they've been kept out of extreme heat they should be fine. 

I'm not sure what you mean by ".my own opinion...no tracking...items received in days...3-4 cross country."

I don't have a problem replacing them if they dry out.

[wastingtime101]

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@anasazirose wrote:

I ship them in a zip loc baggie with moist peat moss.

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And you can still meet the physical requirements of ESE? The moss isn't too bulky and the envelope isn't too uneven?

Something that doesn't meet the physical requirements can be kicked out of the sorting machine as non-machineable which is one reason tracking scans can suddenly stop.

[anasazirose]

I had already used the parcelsapp.com site, it also says Origin processing the day after it was mailed.  The original delivery date was by Feb 7.  I'll contact the buyer in the morning.

As for the labels, I do have 4x6 selected.  Next time I use ESS, I'll take screen shots and pester you again.

Thanks so much! Amanda

[anasazirose]

Thank you.  I understand now.  I was sending seeds 1st class but got dinged by ebay for not uploading tracking.  I had thought that marking it shipped would suffice.  I sell more than seeds so I didn't want to lose the TRS.  Now that seeds are eligible for ESE, I tried using it.

I'm not sure if metered mail is the same or how I'd use it?

[12345jamesstamps]

I use a .68 stamp to ship stamps which are inexpensive.

I put them in a plastic bag for shipping...and...AND a thick cardboard covering the entire envelope which is bendable under 1 / 4 inch.

Items without tracking are received by buyers "quicker" than with any source related to tracking.

My shipping of items without any source of "tracking" will get to my buyers quicker than with any source of "tracking". So far, check my feedbacks..."quick shipping".

And...here's the most important factor..."repeat buyers" which come in handy during slow periods.

You sell seeds...these buyers want their seeds now...not in 2 weeks...

[1786davycrockett]

@anasazirose 

"I'm not sure if metered mail is the same or how I'd use it?"

USPS considers the ESE to be metered mail, so you're already using it -- just mail it in the "Metered Mail" slot in your post office lobby  (see photo above, supplied by @12345jamesstamps ).  But do NOT hand your ESEs to the USPS counter clerk (except for verification that they are sufficiently flexible), since many USPS employees seem to be confused about the ESEs, and will try to charge you a higher First Class price.  

So just drop your ESEs in the "Metered Mail" slot, and avoid a possible hassle.

[wastingtime101]

For whatever it's worth, I have zero issues with ESE on carrier pickup and on handing to clerk at the PO. It really depends on your PO.

If there is a metered mail slot then use it, but if not, it may not make a difference.

My suspicion here is that the package has zero scans after acceptance because the moss resulted in the envelope being non-machineable.

[anasazirose]

Thanks for the clarification. I generally stick with 2 local post offices. Clerks at both are fine with accepting ESE. If I did have a sub, I'd just try to explain and ultimately just tell them they can get the PM, or I'd just take the ESE back and send it later.

[anasazirose]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

For whatever it's worth, I have zero issues with ESE on carrier pickup and on handing to clerk at the PO. It really depends on your PO.

If there is a metered mail slot then use it, but if not, it may not make a difference.

My suspicion here is that the package has zero scans after acceptance because the moss resulted in the envelope being non-machineable.

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It's about 1-2 teaspoonfuls. It was, however 5 seeds, and they may have shifted in shipping.