Slow shipping even with Priority Mail

[joshecht]

I first put in an offer on an item last Saturday, 7/11. It was declined the next day ($10.50 offer on $12.00 item). So I went ahead and paid for it after the declined offer expired. No big deal. But no communication from seller at this point.

Asked for tracking #. Got a simple "yeah." At least the buyer responded on Tuesday 7/14. Priority Mail shipping is $8 or so and item is in next state.

Buyer did put it in system but it's been sitting in "USPS awaiting item" since 7/15. Does this mean the seller has created a label and hasn't shippped it yet, or is the USPS letting the package sit there? To be fair to the buyer at least there's a tracking #. I'd think it would have started to move in the system even if it's not here yet.

[mcgwirefan]

I had an issue one time where I printed labels & dropped my packages off at a drop box. The post office that picked them up never scanned the labels, making it look like I hadn't shipped them. The items didn't get scanned until days later when they arrived in Atlanta, GA. As a seller it was very stressful. 

[mcgwirefan]

Yes, 3 days is correct. 

[mrdutch1001]

There may be no way to know if the package is moving because USPS and many other carriers are not scanning packages during transit....sometimes only the originating point and delivery point have scans...

Sellers have no control over this and should not be held responsible for the time it takes for packages to be delivered as there are many, many delays due to slowdowns, backlogs,etc....

and this does not help any:

https://www.businessinsider.com/postmaster-general-carriers-leave-mail-delays-routes-usps-postal-ser...

[buyselljack2016]

@joshecht 

That part of Michigan is the latest "black hole" for USPS.

Allen Park, Detroit, and other facilities are severely understaffed due to Covid-19.

It could be your seller, or it could be that the item is just setting, and has not been scanned at a Post Office, or other facility.

I have am item that was last scanned at Allen Park on June 26th, never to be seen again. Missing mail report results in nothing other that an auto response that will be repeated every 30 days until they auto close it out.

[buyselljack2016]

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@joshecht wrote:

I sent the seller a question asking him to clarify why it was shipped first class even if I paid for the item on Priority.

I found out I actually bought the item Sunday 7/12, not Tuesday 7/14. Expected receive date is 7/21, Tuesday. So 5-7 business days with Priority/First Class ASSUMING he shipped it and it's just stuck in the system. If he hasn't even shipped it based on what you guys said, I will file an INR first, wait to get my $.

If I get my $ back after doing an INR (30-day window) I am not sure if I should give him neg feedback or not though. I don't want to burn bridges in eBay. The problem is the first step of the INR requires me to contact him yet again but if he doesn't respond eBay has to have me wait another 3 days, right?

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Last that I knew it was a "suggestion" that you contact the seller. To my knowledge, unless there has been a change, it is not a "requirement".

As a seller, I would like to be contacted.

[joshecht]

Totally understand, buyselljack2016!

[dodge201050]

I have had several "In Transit, Delayed tracking messages lately, the local postmaster says that with the large volume of packages lately and lack of avaliable transport there is not much that can be done...since commercial air service is limited also you'll  just have to wait...

[queenbuttercup]

Your package could have been dropped off at the post office/drop box, but not scanned in at that time. Or the seller never dropped it off. If you sign up for email updates for the tracking number, it might get the package moving. You are covered if it never arrives, so I wouldn't worry too much. 

[angwjea]

the usps mail has really slowed down . packages are taking twice as long now at for me. one package has been in transit for over 53 days and haven't moved from china