eBay

danny1376 · ‎10-13-2018

I'm trying to open a claim with USPS over an item that was delivered damaged. The item was shipped via Priority, so it has insurance on it, and I've opened such claims several times in the past without a problem.

But now I can't get past the initial "File a Domestic Claim" page. It keeps rejecting the tracking number as "not valid". But it is valid. USPS tracking shows correctly shows the parcel with this tracking number as having been delivered earlier today.

I've also tried putting in other tracking numbers just to see if I could start a claim. These are also valid tracking numbers from parcels I've sent or received in the last week. But all of these give me the same result: it says the tracking number is invalid.

Anyone else having this problem? I've tried multiple browsers but get the same result from the USPS site. I also emailed USPS Technical Support but haven't heard back. Anyone have this happen before or know how long it takes USPS to fix this?

nobody*s_perfect · ‎10-13-2018

The USPS web site has frequent glitches and failures. I'd just wait and try again tomorrow or Monday.

danny1376 · ‎10-13-2018

Thanks for your response. Yeah, I figure it was just a glitch but didn't know how often it happened or how quickly they usually fix these things.

pburn · ‎10-13-2018

I've never needed to do this, so I'm just making it up; however, if you continue to have trouble with the website, I wonder if you could take it to your nearest USPS facility for their help (if it's feasible for you to get there, etc.)? They may provide that kind of service if a customer can't use the website. There are still people in this country who do not have access to a computer for whatever reason, so there has to be some alternative offered for those folks . . .

Just a thought.

danny1376 · ‎10-13-2018

From what I know, they basically offloaded the in-person claims to the website. I'm not sure if this is a 100% thing, but the usual policy is just to direct people to the website. I've also heard that upon request you can fill out a paper form and mail it in, but this takes much longer. For all I know, there may still be something instant and accessible at local post offices, but I'm not sure.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎10-13-2018

I would expect the retail counter to be able to help people who don't have access to the internet. Or the Post office might be having the same problems as the website. They're closed until Monday anyway, so there's still time to try again online without trekking to the PO.

danny1376 · ‎10-13-2018

From the USPS Help Twitter account:

"We are experiencing technical difficulties with our internal tracking systems and I am not able to provide you with any tracking on your packages until our system is back up and running."

So, for anyone else experiencing difficulties, it looks like they're having internal tracking issues. Not a surprise then that their system can't move forward on claims 😕