UPS MI Tracking & Late Delivery

[mintcityauctions]

I have bought multiple items on eBay and never had a shipping issue until now.  I recently purchased an item from a buyer in California who uses UPS Mail Innovations Expedited for standard shipping.  Previously my purchased items were shipped directly via UPS or USPS, so this is the first time I've dealt with this hybrid service.  eBay projected delivery by yesterday (2/27).  UPS tracking estimated delivery by Monday 2/26.  The package has not arrived by the projected delivery dates.

What concerns me is the UPS tracking updates (or lack thereof).  The last update indicates that the package was dispatched from the San Leandro, CA UPS facility on 2/21 and is currently in route to the destination UPS MI facility.  Although the expected delivery date has passed, there is no indication that it has been received at the destination facility or transferred to USPS for delivery (I live in Michigan).  UPS shows the same tracking status and says it has not received the item for delivery on their end.  One would think that after a week it would have at least made it from one UPS facility to another.  I don't know if the item may have been lost in transit, or if it's just a matter of UPS failing to scan it into their tracking system along the way.  Suffice to say this is my first (and probably last) time opting for shipping via the UPS MI model.

Question is, what is a reasonable time to wait before requesting a resolution from the buyer?  Fortunately they are offering to replace the item if it's not delivered in a timely manner.  How many days should I let it go past the expected delivery date before requesting a replacement?  I'm more than willing to pay the buyer a few extra bucks to have a replacement item shipped directly through USPS (they do offer that option), and maybe I'll get lucky and find it in my mailbox today (2/28).  I don't want to wait too long, however, as both expected delivery dates have now passed with tracking still showing the package somewhere between California and and unknown UPS destination.  I have contacted the seller detailing my dilemma, and am hoping to hear back shortly.  I don't want to jump the gun and request a replacement too soon, but what's a reasonable waiting period past the delivery due date?  Suggestions?

[jamestowngirl52]

 UPS Mail Innovations inducts your mail piece into the U.S. Postal Service within 48 hours of processing. The U.S. Postal Service will then deliver the mail piece within three to five days, on average.

Yes sometimes we just have to wait a little bit

[mintcityauctions]

Thank you for the response.  I don't mind waiting a little longer.  I just wish UPS did a better job of updating their tracking info to reflect where the package currently is in the transit chain.

[takikawa4]

You have 30 days after the last estimated delivery date to open a case with ebay. Personally, I wait until at least a week after that date since ebay's estimated delivery dates are rather optimistic.

[sam9876]

"Question is, what is a reasonable time to wait before requesting a resolution from the buyer?"

Huh?

[hafoster]

"Question is, what is a reasonable time to wait before requesting a resolution from the buyer?

Huh?"

https://community.ebay.com/t5/7/9/m-p/28103021#M225289

[mintcityauctions]

Okay....instead of "buyer" I should have said "coffee".  

[mintcityauctions]

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@jamestowngirl52wrote:

 UPS Mail Innovations inducts your mail piece into the U.S. Postal Service within 48 hours of processing. The U.S. Postal Service will then deliver the mail piece within three to five days, on average.

Yes sometimes we just have to wait a little bit

---

Very true!  Sometimes patience is a virtue.

The seller has graciously offered to ship a replacement item and have me return the original package if/when it arrives.  I told them I'd like to wait one more day just to be sure.  From what I've read, USPS isn't always on the ball when it comes to scanning items into their tracking system.  Many people have said that the only tracking update they get is the Final Delivery scan.  It's also possible that the barcode may have been compromised at some point and just won't scan.  From this point forward I think I'll just pay the extra shipping for USPS Priority mail when the option is offered.

[mintcityauctions · Accepted solution]

Did a little more research which may explain the whole dilemma:

If the item is shipped in a First Class envelope, it must be more than 3/4" thick to qualify as a parcel.  Otherwise it's considered "Letter Mail", which doesn't qualify for USPS Tracking except for the final point of delivery.  You can still request a manual Point-of-Origin scan at the counter, which is at the PO's discretion (so be nice to your postal clerk!).  The First Class letter-sorting system only reads destination zip codes.  It doesn't perform barcode scans.  First Class parcels and Priority Mail go through a separate package-sorting system which does register the barcodes.

This would make sense as the item I ordered is small and was likely shipped in a padded but thin First Class envelope.  I'm guessing it went through letter-sorting.

[greg_kurtz]

UPS Mail Innovations is complete garbage. I **bleep** at any seller who ships to me using it.