USPS Starting to Lose Packages

[cami*june*vintage]

Has anyone else suddenly been experiencing packages being lost by the USPS? In the last 6 months, USPS has lost three of my packages. As soon as I see the message, “In Network, Arriving Late” I know it’s the kiss of death for my package. I’ve been an ebay seller for over 20 years and a package has never been lost until these last few months. Anyone else? I’m getting anxiety every time I mail something nowadays! 🫤

[wastingtime101]

I'm not seeing an uptick. My average is about 2-3 lost packages per year (always First Class) which isn't bad considering the volume I ship. I self-insure against this and the loss is built into my item pricing along with things like shipping materials, eBay fees, and other overhead.

Are you seeing all packages lost at the same hub? If so that would be enough reason to contact USPS and ask them to investigate that hub.

If it's random and you're seeing a lot of loss, I'd make sure you're not having any problems with your labels (batch of labels with adhesive problems, not taping well enough, or something like that). I assume the label isn't the issue since you've been selling for so long, but it's worth mentioning in case it helps someone else with the same problem that finds this discussion.

[iamalwaysright]

No. From what I know USPS hardly loses my domestic packages. And I only know when a buyer brings it up to me. I haven't had a buyer complain about a lost in transit package in a long long time. Most of the lost package complaints are due to buyer error or USPS late packages.

I'm also experiencing something different about the "In Transit, Arriving Late" updates than you. Whenever I notice packages that have that update, they always eventually do arrive to the buyer albeit significantly late sometimes. Perhaps you just gave up on the package too early or your update actually says "In Network", which is different from my scan updates. I've never seen "In Network" at all in my decades of selling.

[cami*june*vintage]

Thank you for your response. It does indeed look like the packages are getting lost at the same hub. In fact, I have been waiting on a return for the last couple of weeks and just now looked it up to see that the last place it was scanned in was at that very same hub on March 30th, no updates since….

[cami*june*vintage]

Sorry,  I realized that the exact wording on USPS is: “Moving Through Network, In Transit, Arriving Late” In the past, I would occasionally see this message and my packages would always eventually arrive. Now when I see this message, even after a couple months, they still haven’t made it. I’ve noticed it is all happening all at one particular hub, so I think that might be where the issue is. Thanks for your response!

[12345jamesstamps]

Might have to do with an address. I have two zip codes for a freight forwarding package in Delaware which really was strange. Zip code of buyer & eBay was different than my post office. I walked my package in and had a clerk tell me the zip code is incorrect and I had to correct it before paying for the postage. It did arrive a few days ago.

Sometimes the weather and such can make delays...and then the buyers can ask for a refund because it hasn't arrived yet.

I never had lost a package coming or going through the USPS. But, when something is missing I always hit the post office in person and ask for the guy in charge for the day. I don't do phone calls or online stuff because that doesn't work. A clerk in person can help with anything at my USPS.

[wastingtime101]

Some areas are experiencing more problems than others, and some areas are heavily understaffed. Since you're having problems with packages in both directions going through one specific hub over the course of 6 months, it could be one of the problem spots. Contact USPS through their website to outline the issues.

[iamalwaysright]

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@cami*june*vintage wrote:

Sorry,  I realized that the exact wording on USPS is: “Moving Through Network, In Transit, Arriving Late” In the past, I would occasionally see this message and my packages would always eventually arrive. Now when I see this message, even after a couple months, they still haven’t made it. I’ve noticed it is all happening all at one particular hub, so I think that might be where the issue is. Thanks for your response!

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I see. Just curious, which hub specifically are you talking about? Might be good to give others here a heads up about it.

[cami*june*vintage]

Sounds good, I will contact them. Thank you for the advice! 

[cami*june*vintage]

Yea, definitely! It has been happening in Portland, Oregon. 

[chiliburro]

I'm in S,F. and lots of packages are being delivered to the wrong addresses by FedEx.  The worst part is trying to convince the seller you're not scamming them,  Fought with seller for a week but all i got was "Tracking says it was delivered."  He changed his tune when i left negative feedback but it cause me a lot of stress.  Like another poste, I've been buying from Ebay for 20 years wihout trouble.  Now it's a crap shoot.

[lakefor94]

Considering your number is sales, 3 is a lot of lost packages. 

The 1st thing that always comes to mind is the shipping label is being damaged. It is tough for them to lose a package with a readable label still on the package.

If using labels from an inkjet printer, make sure the label is completely covered with clear packing tape and taped to the box well.

I have not had a USPS package lost, ever. We are talking 5000+ across venues I sell on.

[javid00x-7]

Yes, Past 6 months also 4/10 of the mail sent with a label has been lost and I have to Refund all buyers, What going on with Usps?

[tobaccocardyahoo]

My experience with GA is the smaller the package the more likely it is to get lost.

Since you seem to be selling jewelry, I would assume your packages are small. Consider increasing the size of the package.

My missing packages eventually appeared and were delivered, but since I stopped using Number 10 envelopes they stopped disappearing.

[buzzapparel]

3 packages lost on my main selling account from November - January. 2 packages delivered but without delivery scans (both to freight forwarding companies). 

I honestly don’t know what else I can do to prevent lost packages. When I see sellers cling thousands of shipments without loss, I find it difficult to believe as even the usps doesn’t claim such proficiency.