Signature Confirmation - Why Bother?

[katzrul15]

Found out today on a dispute, the signature is again a PO worker - not the Buyer.

PO is still not collecting signatures, especially in certain parts of the US, where Delta has ramped up.

So why bother?  I called the PO today where this was considered last scan before delivery.  Worker I spoke with says at their discretion.

This was to an apartment building.  They leave parcels atop a mailbox station.  

[auto_serious_mart]

Thank you posting

[simba6]

eBay was never set up for high value transactions. As such they present a risk to both buyer and seller. 

Never sell items you can't afford to lose.  Buyers that pay by credit card are a little better protected but the fake tracking number scam can take months and a lot of work to beat too.

[a_c_green]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Found out today on a dispute, the signature is again a PO worker - not the Buyer.

PO is still not collecting signatures, especially in certain parts of the US, where Delta has ramped up.

So why bother?  I called the PO today where this was considered last scan before delivery.  Worker I spoke with says at their discretion.

This was to an apartment building.  They leave parcels atop a mailbox station. 

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I know this sounds mean, but this carrier-signing issue is only a problem for the buyer, not the seller. If you're a buyer and you know that your carrier is signing for the deliveries himself, then you should be complaining bitterly to your postmaster about it. 

[eleanor*rigby]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Found out today on a dispute, the signature is again a PO worker - not the Buyer.

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Did you lose the dispute because of it?

[donsdetour]

Ask the USPS why they are essential forging a signature receipt.

[coastaltechsolution]

You bring up a good topic

What happens in huge metropolitan areas, NY City, Los Angeles etc. 

where many , many people live in apartment buildings and the person working the mail room signs for deliveries?  

[a_c_green]

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@coastaltechsolution wrote:

You bring up a good topic

What happens in huge metropolitan areas, NY City, Los Angeles etc. 

where many , many people live in apartment buildings and the person working the mail room signs for deliveries?  

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My $.02: That's a valid delivery signature. A Signature Confirmation package does not require that the addressee himself be the one to sign for it, only that it be an adult at the delivery address. (The addressee-only method is Restricted Delivery Signature Confirmation, which eBay does not require.)

The big difference with the carrier doing his own signature is that it doesn't really prove delivery to anyone who is not a USPS employee. The buyer ends up on the losing end of that if the only signature is that of the guy who was supposed to actually hand it off.

[antiques_avenue]

That's a lot of misinformation.  Signature Confirmation feature is one of the best, if not the best choice for a seller who is buying a shipping label!  I use it most of the time for all my antiques and I average $245 per sale transaction on eBay!  My United States Postal Delivery person makes me sign.  FedEx makes me sign, UPS makes me sign.  ALSO, if they are not home to sign, tracking shows that the attempt was made!  Your package may take longer to show delivered, but so what, it protects you more than the buyer.  They scam sellers all the time.  If you are a seller, buy that feature!  $2.70 is all it costs!   I also decrease the insurance I buy, because too much insurance is a waste of money if you pack things so that you can take the box, throw it 10' at a wall, and the contents will survive, the best insurance is HOW YOU PACK YOUR FRAGILE ITEM!  Buying signature confirmation also makes sure postal workers cannot steal your package, and trust me they do steal.  Keys in the mail are #1 theft by postal workers.  Also, if you are shipping to a PO Box, signature confirmation is unnecessary!  That is the only reason it is unnecessary!  Sellers, signature confirmation has enabled me for 8 straight years selling over $125,000.00 worth of merchandise without a single person messaging me the package has not showed up or was never delivered!  100% delivered success!  Thanks for listening to a real seller on eBay!

[katzrul15]

Waiting to see - did initially, but Buyer has appealed stating they did not sign/receive.

Am expecting appeal to go in Buyer's favor. 

If USPS ramps this practice back up, or never stopped doing it, well.....I guess get ready to refund.

I have delivery confirmed and signature confirmation.  Items are $263 with shipping - they ordered 3 items, all 1 big box.

Apartment building Alexandria, VA. 

[katzrul15]

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@coastaltechsolution wrote:

You bring up a good topic

What happens in huge metropolitan areas, NY City, Los Angeles etc. 

where many , many people live in apartment buildings and the person working the mail room signs for deliveries?  

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It should still apply.  Someone signed for it (an adult) and it shows delivered.

I think mine should apply as well, but we shall see.  Hopefully they give the Buyer a courtesy refund vs reversing on appeal.  Buyer should know the constraints of their building mailboxes, etc.  We bought signature, even though not required.  Either way, USPS says delivered.  

[coastaltechsolution]

Kind of leaves a big loophole then

Anyone can sign deliver and sign a different name then say "I never signed for my package" 

[donsdetour]

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@antiques_avenue wrote:

That's a lot of misinformation.  Signature Confirmation feature is one of the best, if not the best choice for a seller who is buying a shipping label!  I use it most of the time for all my antiques and I average $245 per sale transaction on eBay!  My United States Postal Delivery person makes me sign.  FedEx makes me sign, UPS makes me sign.  ALSO, if they are not home to sign, tracking shows that the attempt was made!  Your package may take longer to show delivered, but so what, it protects you more than the buyer.  They scam sellers all the time.  If you are a seller, buy that feature!  $2.70 is all it costs!   I also decrease the insurance I buy, because too much insurance is a waste of money if you pack things so that you can take the box, throw it 10' at a wall, and the contents will survive, the best insurance is HOW YOU PACK YOUR FRAGILE ITEM!  Buying signature confirmation also makes sure postal workers cannot steal your package, and trust me they do steal.  Keys in the mail are #1 theft by postal workers.  Also, if you are shipping to a PO Box, signature confirmation is unnecessary!  That is the only reason it is unnecessary!  Sellers, signature confirmation has enabled me for 8 straight years selling over $125,000.00 worth of merchandise without a single person messaging me the package has not showed up or was never delivered!  100% delivered success!  Thanks for listening to a real seller on eBay!

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Due to supposedly covid the person delivering it has been signing for it, not the recipient.  This has and is going on ..and is a problem.

[eunster1313]

(PO is still not collecting signatures, especially in certain parts of the US, where Delta has ramped up.

So why bother? I called the PO today where this was considered last scan before delivery. (Worker I spoke with says at their discretion.))

It's at their discretion only if you give your permission to the USPS to use
that service. If you print your labels through eBay I don't think you can
revoke that permission.

If you mail your package over the counter at USPS when you ask for signature
conformation its on by default and they don't ask you if you agree to it.

when you ask for signature conformation you need to tell the clerk that you
need a real person to sign for the package and you are not giving the mail
carrier permission to digitally sign for it.

It's been like that through the whole pandemic when they started doing it and
I mailed a package out this mourning so there are no changes because of Delta
that I know of.

[eleanor*rigby]

*Tagging*

Let's make sure we're not confusing "Signature Confirmation" with "Restricted Delivery."

From the USPS website:

Signature Confirmation provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery and the name of the person who signed for the item.

Restricted Delivery confirms that only a specified person, or authorized agent, will receive a piece of mail. This service is available only if you also purchase Certified Mail, Insured Mail (over $500), COD Hold For Pickup, Adult Signature, Signature Confirmation, or Registered Mail.

From easyship's website:

USPS offers four delivery confirmation services, including:

• USPS Signature Confirmation: The recipient or any other responsible adult in the residence can sign for the package.
• USPS Adult Signature Confirmation: Someone 21 years or older must sign for the package.
• USPS Restricted Delivery: Only a specified person can sign for and receive the package. You must pair this service with another extra service, including: Signature Required, Certified Mail, Collect on Delivery (COD), Insured Mail (over $500), Registered Mail.
• USPS Adult Signature Restricted Delivery: Only a specified adult can sign for and receive the package. This service is only available with Certified Mail, Insured Mail (over $500), COD, or Registered Mail.

Recipients can sign electronically for their packages via USPS Electronic Signature.