USPS deliberately not scanning packages.

[audioandvideoworld]

I don't know what is wrong with the USPS lately.  I dropped off two packages on Jan. 30,  three on Jan 31, and one on Feb. 3, and none of them have received any scans.  Ebay has already hit my account for one of them and will probably do the same for the rest of them, even though it's not my fault.  I am Top Rated and I always send out all packages on the next business day after receiving payments from buyers.  I have never seen anything like this happen before, therefore, it clearly proves to me that they are doing it deliberately.

I will most likely have to visit the post office soon to find out what's happening and contact Ebay to have them remove the wrongful defects from my account.

[jhtobias]

Postal workers are in a strong union so they can pretty much do what ever they want without facing nay consequences .  

[1786davycrockett]

@jhtobias 

"Postal workers are in a strong union so they can pretty much do what ever they want without facing nay consequences . "

USPS employees are being ordered to "cut corners" by their bosses -- not the unions.

This has been going on since DeJoy was appointed Postmaster General in May 2020 -- he has ordered all USPS units to cut costs and hours, even if that means that packages do not get scanned and mail does not get delivered on time. 

As I mentioned previously, similar USPS problems from all around the country have been previously discussed on these boards, as well as on national media.  

Don't blame the employees -- they are just following orders from upper management.

[audioandvideoworld]

They did eventually remove all three defects. They also removed a defect from another account I have without me even asking them to.

[postcardcountry]

My zip code post office has not scanned packages dropped in the box or picked up by rural carriers since around 2018 or earlier.

The Post Office (different zip) on my way to work scanned packages dropped in the box until Spring of 2024.

Both Post Offices have experienced humongous residential growth and just aren't capable of keeping up with the increase in packages due to size and staffing.  My zip code PO can't get enough carriers to deliver mail, they are constantly asking other POs if  they have any substitutes just to deliver mail.

The third PO available to me has also started to experience a huge amount of growth in the last year.  There is no box in the lobby.  The clerk(s) will happily scan packages over the counter.  If you drop off packages, they get acceptance scanned as long as they arrive before 4pm.  After that depends on how busy the counter gets.  They do scan "leaving PO" for just about all their packages (something the other 2 POs mentioned above do not do, even with packages handed over the counter).

When I might be directed to the box in the lobby (at the first two POs), I put on my woeful face and say "I know you guys do your job but it's not happening down the way"  Usually that gets either a full smile or a small knowing smile and they scan my package.

[fbusoni]

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@audioandvideoworld wrote:

I would never keep my buyers waiting, so it doesn't matter to me what Ebay wants to think. They would be wrong.  They have removed them for me many times before.  I always put them in a drop box inside the post office, and they have always scanned them before without any problems.  Definitely a way for them to lose money and many customers.  As if they don't already have enough problems. It seems that they only want more.

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You don't care about how you are evaluated by eBay?  Amazing.

There are no humans at eBay monitoring things... computers and AI are in charge now, and neither has the ability to make judgments.

To put it another way, eBay does not think -- it merely calculates. 

And punishes as appropriate.

As for the balance of your comments... does USPS "deliberately" not scan packages?  When I ship my items, I stand in line and get a scan receipt.  The clerks are always happy to help me.

Dropping things off and expecting someone else to take care of your due diligence is always prescription for failure.

[fbusoni]

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@1786davycrockett wrote:

@audioandvideoworld 

Since you state that you are using the drop fox at your post office,  is there also a 24 hour service kiosk in the lobby?

If there is, you can scan your packages yourself before dropping them inside the drop box, and eBay will accept that scan as "on time."

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Just a heads up for others who may be reading this:  

I read here several weeks ago that using the kiosk to scan does not entitle the seller to insurance coverage should the package be lost.  

If that is incorrect, please advise.

[fm2000]

If your packages still arrive on time, it should not count against you. I have had delays in packages getting scanned, but they all arrived on time so it never appeared as a strike against me. If they arrive on time but are showing as a defect, eBay should remove them if asked (the rule is a late scan AND late delivery is a defect, not one or the other but only both.)

Have you considered having your packages picked up instead (if possible)? The USPS picks up my packages every day, scans them for me, there is no wasted time at the post office, and absolutely no drama. If it is an option for you, I would give that a try.

The self service kiosk scan does not count as accepted for insurance purposes, a USPS employee must scan the item (a scan sheet also does not count for insurance purposes.)

[audioandvideoworld · Accepted solution]

After speaking to two different agents over the phone and some others through email messages, Ebay did eventually remove the defects.

Ebay does actually think about things, but sometimes it just takes some time and patience to work with them and convince them to make the correct decision.

[bear-in-texas]

The USPS is loosing about 2% of my mailings, most never received a scan.  Loosing $ on each one not received. Help. 

[rangerdoe]

Hi,

I have found that if a package is not scanning for a day or two I sign up on USPS for the tracking number via Text & Email Updates. This is helpful since they will text you as the package moves along. 

[bear-in-texas]

In the town I live in, if you place items in the drop-off-box at my local PO, they do not get scanned locally.  They are to be scanned at the Larger PO at the town they take them. About 2% of my mailings never show up at the scanning remote location. So to get scanned I have to stand in line locally.  Evan when scanned many are Lost!!!  Which is lost $$ for me.  

[house*of*paws]

Hi @audioandvideoworld 

USPS not scanning packages has been complained about regularly in the eBay Community for at least 18 years … both before and after it (allegedly) became a policy for it to scan packages.

I suppose it is being done as deliberately as your not waiting in line to ensure packages are scanned.

I wouldn’t expect scanning to improve with federal workers being actively encouraged to quit their jobs … but I’m glad to hear that your defects have been removed.  😊

[glgenterprise]

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@hcascade wrote:

The times I do, there's one worker who always tells me that I should use the drop-off bin because they "always" scan packages - as if I am being a burden by trying to get a real-time acceptance scan. Generally, scans haven't been an issue, but the past 4 days have been unusually slow with tracking. Even my scheduled pick-ups have been unreliable.

There has to be some degree of reliance on USPS to do their job and scan. However, if this doesn't get any better, I'll have to consider waiting in line for the true acceptance scan.

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I don't put up with that attitude from the desk at the PO. I look them straight in the face and say - "It's part of your job to provide me with a receipt of scanned acceptance if I request it. I've had too many packages leave this office without a scan and it affects my business and customers." Then I just stand there.

I'm not bringing in 50 packages - at the most it is 10, and usually 5 or 6. 

[carlmarxx]

I  seen number of times where the USPS  employee's  didn't  scan the shipping containers , which  are part of the internal  system tracking scan information .