Specific Questions Regarding New Zip Code Requirement

[logic-boards]

I know that adding a valid item-location zip code is required as part of the seller updates. Perfectly reasonable and I understand it's needed to better serve the guaranteed shipping program. No problem.

I also know that several sellers have asked if they can ship from a very-close or nearby post office that's in a NEIGHBORING zip code, despite using their actual address's zip code. My question pertains to this nuance of the requirement:

1. If I provide the zip code 30605 as the item location, but have TERRIBLE troubled with the post office located in this zip code (no acceptance/outgoing scans REGULARLY, "lost" packages before acceptance scans, incredibly unreasonable postmaster and clerks, carelessly secured drop-of area with zero video surveillance in the entire lobby, refusal to scan packages or scan-sheet even if I wait in line, etc), is there ANY ISSUE with dropping packages off at the post office in zip code 30606?

2. Should I simply put all item locations as 30606, and will this cause ANY ISSUE with regards to tracking validation (i.e. it's scanned at a different zip code than the one shown on the auction)? The problem here is that the post office I use closes at 4:30, they close for one hour each day for lunch (small post office), and it's located 25 minutes away instead of 5 minutes away. I'm going to have to adjust and sacrifice either way.

3. Will this cause ANY ISSUE with the address-on-file for my business being different than the "item location" zip code?

Are there any issues with this scenario: I provide 30605 as the item location on the auction. When printing shipping label through eBay, I set the location zip code as 30606. Package is dropped off at 30606 and scanned immediately.

There is no information out there regarding the DETAILS of this requirement. The requirement simply says "must have valid zip code" on the listing. No implication as to the purpose of this requirement beyond it being used by eBay for better guaranteed delivery dates. Also, it seems the information provided by Trinton was INCORRECT. The new rules seem to state the only exception for not providing a zip code are if the item is located outside of the States, or if the item ships via Freight. I don't see any mention of using multiple post offices, etc.

Can someone who knows please chime in? 

[nobody*s_perfect]

Interesting question.  The policy sure doesn't address it. I had assumed that a nearby ZIP Code would be OK.  If it's not, then I'm in trouble, too.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/item-location-misrepresentation-policy?id=4244

[richard1rst]

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. The new rules seem to state the only exception for not providing a zip code are if the item is located outside of the States, or if the item ships via Freight. I don't see any mention of using multiple post offices, etc.

Can someone who knows please chime in? 

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I can not give you the exact quote, but it also says that if the merchandise is in multiple locations you do not need to enter the ZIP.  Presumably that would be for drop shippers.

In any event the PURPOSE of the ZIP code is to allow eBay to more accurately estimate the delivery time. So a ZIP code one city over would hardly seem likely to affect the delivery time.

I routinely drop packages off at my local post office. But sometimes I have a trade show to attend some miles away and I drop the packages off at that city's post office with a different ZIP code (instead of doubling back). I can't believe that would be a violation.

[richard1rst]

Found the quote:

All items located in the United States must include a zip code or use the shipping rate table, unless the item ships using freight shipping, or will ship from multiple locations.

https://www.ebay.chttps://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/item-location-misrepresentation-policy?id=4244#f... policy

[ed8108]

Your address is within zip code 605 not 606.  

If a buyer decides on their own motion to return an item to you, USPS 

will probably return that item to sender as having incorrect zip code.

You are also providing USPS & ebay incorrect  factual information which could possibly be questioned since 606 is not the correct zip for your physical address.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@ed8108 wrote:

Your address is within zip code 605 not 606.  

If a buyer decides on their own motion to return an item to you, USPS 

will probably return that item to sender as having incorrect zip code.

You are also providing USPS & ebay incorrect  factual information which could possibly be questioned since 606 is not the correct zip for your physical address.

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The OP is not proposing to alter their return address in any way. When purchasing an online postage label, the sender can specify a "Shipping from" ZIP Code that is different from the ZIP Code of the return address.  

There is no problem with the return address having a ZIP Code that is different from the "Shipping from" ZIP Code; that's the whole point of having an option to specify a "Shipping from ZIP Code in the first place.

[buyselljack2016]

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@logic-boards wrote:

1. If I provide the zip code 30605 as the item location, but have TERRIBLE troubled with the post office located in this zip code (no acceptance/outgoing scans REGULARLY, "lost" packages before acceptance scans, incredibly unreasonable postmaster and clerks, carelessly secured drop-of area with zero video surveillance in the entire lobby, refusal to scan packages or scan-sheet even if I wait in line, etc), is there ANY ISSUE with dropping packages off at the post office in zip code 30606?

2. Should I simply put all item locations as 30606, and will this cause ANY ISSUE with regards to tracking validation (i.e. it's scanned at a different zip code than the one shown on the auction)? The problem here is that the post office I use closes at 4:30, they close for one hour each day for lunch (small post office), and it's located 25 minutes away instead of 5 minutes away. I'm going to have to adjust and sacrifice either way.

3. Will this cause ANY ISSUE with the address-on-file for my business being different than the "item location" zip code?

Are there any issues with this scenario: I provide 30605 as the item location on the auction. When printing shipping label through eBay, I set the location zip code as 30606. Package is dropped off at 30606 and scanned immediately.

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This post seems very similar to one here not too long ago.  Post office requesting that the sender put the actual "ship from" zip code on their outgoing packages. Not scanning. Not open when shipper is in the area.

The whole situation sounds eeriely familiar.

Was explained in that thread that using the Zip for the office that it was being sent from was probably a good idea. Work credit wise/financial credit wise.

The zips in your example should cause no problems. The likely are processed at the same place on the next stop. They very well may go on the same truck.

I am not eBay, but I believe you are complying with the intent of the update by using your return address zip as the location.

[logic-boards]

Thank you--this is what I was wondering about.

To clarify for any other posters who might misunderstand the OP (I admit there were some confusing bits):

1. My registered business address with eBay is zip code 30605. Our listings all show 30605 as the item location--a requirement by eBay as part of the Summer Seller Updates.

2. Unfortunately, the post office located in 30605 is *HORRENDOUS*. It's easily the worst post office I've ever used, ever. They have no video surveillance, they have an incredibly unsecured package drop-off (the open counter nearest to the front door), and the clerks routinely walk away leaving no "watchers" in the front, at the same time a pile of 100 packages is just sitting there in the open (non-surveilled). The workers are very rude, and the postmaster has given then strict orders to not scan any prepaid packages, regardless of quantity or service, even if a scan-form is presented. We have had several high-dollar items/packages "disappear" from the post office after we dropped them off, but before they were scanned as "accepted" (how convenient). It's a bad, bad post office, but is located 5 minutes from our business.

3. The post office we prefer to use is located in a different zip code (30606), but is a MUCH BETTER post office. They're super-friendly, kind, and they have no problem scanning 100 packages for you if you're willing to wait. The downside to this post office is limited hours (closed from 12:00-1:00 each day, closes at 4:30 instead of 5:00/5:30, etc), and they're located 25 minutes away. We use this post office 80% of the time, but take our chances with 30605 post office above if we're running late or only have one low-value package to drop off, etc.

To clarify my questions: I was wondering if (1) the tracking validation (acceptance) scan is required to be in the same "item location" zip code that's advertised in the item listing; (2) if there are any issues or problems that would arise from using a different "item location" zip code (than the one listed on our address with eBay) in the auction listing; and (3) if using the "ship from" zip code on the shipping label print screen on eBay to change the ship-from zip code to "30606", despite the auction "item location" zip code showing as "30605", would cause any issues.

I hope that's laid out a bit more clearly; sorry for any confusion, and thank you again for the helpful replies!

[soh.maryl]

Since your local PO seems to be operating under rules they are making up for themselves outside of USPS rules, are you reporting them to the Postmaster General?

[nhfd4976]

My local post office is small and closes at 4:30 during the week and is closed on Sat.  So I go to the next town over a 5 min ride and I drop all my packages there.  I still use my house Zip as the zip for my business.  If I have to abide to there 1 day handling and shipping I have to use the post office in the next town.