Tired of getting penalized from Ebay because USPS isn't scanning my packages until after 12:01 a.m.

[mariahds_treasures]

Hi Ebay Community Board!

This is my first post, but my frustration has been ongoing. I call Ebay until I'm blue in the face, and I always get the same "I'm sorry I can't be of more help", and I'm growing tired and frustrated, so I thought I would reach out to you.

I kept wondering why I could never get to a Top Level seller. I have always had a 100% feedback and my customers leave me wonderful feedback including "Fast Shipping"!, Love It!, etc. I always go beyond to take care of my customer and run a good little store. Then, it finally hit me why my seller staus NEVER goes up. My Seller HUB always says that I have several late shipments, and I continue to be penalized. Last week, my nice Postman drove up, and I went over to say hi and handed him three orders that I had going out in the mail. I noticed that when he took my packages, but he didn't scan them. He put them with the other outgoing mail, and said bye and drove off. When I saw that he didn't scan the packages, out of curisosity, I thought I would go in and see if and when my packages were scanned. Well, to my surprise, my packages did not get scanned UNTIL they arrived at the Distribution Center which was AFTER 11:59 p.m. So, this whole time, I've been thinking that I've been doing everything right on my end by getting my packages out to the mail on time, but getting penalized because USPS may not get around to scanning them until after the 11:59 p.m. cut-off time. I. AM. NOT. A. HAPPY. CAMPER. I have called Ebay, cried, complained, everything, and THEY. DON'T. CARE! So, I just wanted to let my fellow Ebay-ers know that just because your packages went out in a timely manner, they may not get to the USPS Distribution Center and scanned, until 3:00 a.m., which then shows up that the package was shipped late. 

If anyone has had this problem and could let me know if they were able to get Ebay to see that this is a problem with USPS, and not with us, I would greatly appreciate it. I can't tell you how many times I have called them about various things, and get absolutely no help. If I didn't love my nice customers and what I do so much, I would have closed my store a LONG time ago. Ebay bites the hand that feeds them, and then we get penalized FOR A WHOLE YEAR! To me, this is not acceptable. If I had all kinds of negative feedback, and unhappy customers, I could understand it. It is a blemish to my business, and me personally when I am penalized for a whole year because my packages are not getting scanned in a timely fashion. We pay fees on top of fees to use Ebay as a vehicle to do what we do, and I am at a loss. Thanks for listening to me and feel free to reach out to me with any advice or suggestions.

Mariah D

Mariah D's Boutique

[grepdogg]

I work with my postwomen and postmen to make sure they want to scan them for me immediately.

I ask them to please scan the packages immediately, meet them at the mailbox, make small talk and thank them for immediately scanning my packages.

I also tip them for Christmas so I remain on the good boy, scan packages list.

When I physically take packages to the local PO, I go to the counter so that they are immediately scanned. Such is life now that EBAY takes more and more control away from sellers.

[mariahds_treasures]

Thank you for your post Grepdogg! My post was not just to vent, but to also let other Ebay-ers know that just because they mailed their package(s), it may not be getting scanned in a timely manner. I never know when Mr. Kenny (my nice Postman) is going to come by. We live on the Gulf Coast, so if we aren't having torrential rain storms, there is always some kind of major event and traffic going on, which can make his route unpredictable. I will definitely take your advice (even though it can break up my day and delays me working on listings, etc.).

Many Thanks! 

Mariah D

Mariah D's Boutique

[jennieaa · Accepted solution]

I do not rely solely on my carrier.  My schedule and my husband's schedule allow for us to take packages to a postal substation.  It's a contract service located in a tanning salon/movie rental store.  They are always happy to weigh and scan.  They rarely have a line of more than one person.  (unlike my PO with lines out the door and 3 windows open)  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas they even had extended hours until 8pm.  Mail received after the PO pickup was scanned/dated the next day. 

I also have an alternate PO we take pacakges to if we are going in that direction.

Between my husband and I, we have schedules that allow for those visits.

What I have is an alternative from being dependent on my mail carrier.  Right now, the carrier(s) scan my packages if the go out in my mailbox.  But I watch my tracking to make sure they are doing that.

[mariahds_treasures]

Thank you so much Jennie for your help! I would rather stick a pen in my eye than having to stop my day, drive to the PO and wait in line for my packages to be scanned (ha!). I'm glad you mentioned the alternative place that you can take your packages, because it made me remember that there is one of those UPS stores in a small shopping center right around the corner from me. Everyone in there is so nice, and the few times that I have remembered to go in to drop off something for USPS, I don't get an eyeroll (which you would think they would do). I'm just a little one-woman show, so you are lucky to have hubby to help you and vise versa. 

Thank you again for the great advice and hope you are having a great week!

Many Thanks!

Mariah

[thatisrathernice]

@mariahds_treasures Hi this happens to me alot. My packages get scanned in anywhere from 7pm till 3am overnight. Have you taken a look at your late shipment report to see exactly which packages are giving you issues? I find that even though my packages get scanned after the 11:59pm cut off time that ebay gives me leeway and I don't get popped for those ones. But if the package goes a day or they dont scan it until the next morning then I get hit. I know this doesn't solve your problem but it is just something I noticed within my own account. The only way to really bring those numbers down is to just sell more and make sure they get scanned in. Sometimes having cheap auctions can help you achieve this. I almost lost my top rated status over christmas vacay when I forgot to hide my listings and thats what I did. It really truly stinks and I feel your pain.

Hope this helps!

[fern*wood]

Have you asked Mr Kenny, or spoken to your local postmaster, to see if they can scan your packages for you?   Some sellers use a scan sheet which I believe they are required to scan.  You could also just extend your handling time and ship as you are currently which would make the scan hit in time.

[mariahds_treasures]

Hi Fern*wood!

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I just had someone write me to tell how to go about using the scan sheet. I have NEVER heard of this and I will definitely try it out today. I was on the verge of sticking a pen in my eye out of frustration, but you and all the other kind people who have written, have saved my eye(ha!). 

Many Thanks!

Mariah

[jbbowers12012]

hi Mariah------- as soon as i got my 1st. late scan i started going to the p.o. and standing on line. i always just ask for a reciept for each package as i think that scanning generates your reciept. no problems since i started this. however, i consider myself extremely lucky that our local post office is only 3 blocks from my residence and that i have the time to go. i can only imagine how tough doing this must be for some folks. i really think that ebay could give those sellers a bit of consideration.  GOOD LUCK1

[patso330]

The problem is, there is no way to FORCE a postal worker to scan your item immediately! On occasion, I have to leave a couple of heavier boxes on the back dock. I always go to the front desk and tell them I have packages on the back dock. My postmaster often says "I'll get them when I have time" Several times they have not been scanned until the next morning. I always say, I'll wait and get the receipt, but he says I can't do it now. I agree with Mariah that we shouldn't get penalized for the way the USPS handles things! Pat

[plumbingspecials]

I couldn't read through all that in that font color.

Take your packages directly to the post office and have the packages scanned at the counter while you wait.

[magsmom60]

I am partially paralyzed and do not drive. So going to the post office and standing in line is not possible. Luckily I have a fantastic carrier (I tip well) who not only scans each parcel, he actually delivers my mail in one tub while picking up my outgoing tub (full) to my front door. 5 days a week. He is off each Monday. Mail could be picked up at 9am or 7Pm or not at all on Mondays. I have a pick up request in daily. By 4:30 most Mondays I am frantically calling anyone who may be available to rush my packages out for me. And no, I do not have someone to take them for me to the post office each Monday. 

I pay postage for the service that is offered.  The service should be provided. 

Somedays I have no luck and Tuesday Morning my packages are still sitting on my porch. BUT I have a lovely email from the USPS letting me know my packages were picked up the day before. 

Imagine the nightmare I go through 4 weeks each year when my carrier is on vacation.

I call USPS. I talk to the local postmaster. USPS calls me back and tells me everything is worked out. 2 days later no pickup. 900 calls, 900 times it never changes. Small packages, 3-4 oz. UPS not an option.

Last Monday I waited on the porch intil the carrier came by. Someone new. Not even in uniform. She drove right by my house. Luckily I was able to yell when she stopped at the next house.  So she backed the truck up (against USPS rules to back up in these situations.) No seatbelt. (Immediate firing offence.) I tell her I have outgoing packages. Point to the USPS Bin and she looked dazed and confused but eventually got out and came to the porch. I calmly told her I was handicapped. I have a daily pick-up request and stress very much how important it is for her to scan each of these packages "accepted." She doesn't say a word but picks up the bin. I ask her if I had any incoming mail. I receive at least 10 packages a day of inventory plus tons of junk mail. She said "No, not today." I watch her take the tub and toss it in the back of the mail truck. No scan.

Luckily this time they made it to the distribution center before midnight.

My incoming packages? Scanned 'delivered' Monday much later in the day. Not actually delivered until the next day.

I am a retired mail carrier. I know the rules. I know the regulations. I know that for the most part the USPS personnel are hardworking people who take pride in their work and are dependable. But for those who are not...they are temporary employees hired for 1 year which is always renewed, for good pay, no benefits and worked like a dog. And really just don't care. And neither do the 'supervisors.'

Now. Try discussing this with eBay. If I have a buyer who purchases 10 small items and that package isn't scanned I have 10 hits. eBay's answer. It is still your fault because you choose to use USPS. I have no carrier pigeons as an alternative.

Luckily I sell supplies so I took 90% of my inventory to ETSY who does not have such ridiculous 'rules.' Somethings do not meet ETSY's requirements and remain here. So I turn my store on Vacation Mode each Saturday after mail pick-up and turn it back on on Monday. 

What a way to run a business.

[magsmom60]

Sorry..voice commands sometimes duplicate

[plumbingspecials]

Maybe you could have a longer handling time instead of shutting off your store? eBay expects us to use USPS, but doesn't back us up when USPS fails to do their job. I've had to take my parcels to the post office several times because of this kind of problem with sub carriers.

We all need to let eBay know that their metrics for scanning is unfair.