USPS didn't scan pickup

[jcarman00]

So I sold an item on 8/31, scheduled a pickup for 9/1 with the daily mail delivery, and set the package on the porch that morning. I've done this several times before with no issues, so I thought nothing of it. The mail was delivered and the package was picked up, but the driver didn't scan the package or sheet or whatever it is that they're supposed to, so I never received an email confirmation that it was successful. Also, there has been no activity on the tracking beyond the creation of the label.

The estimated delivery day is/was supposed to be today (Priority 2 Day), but I'm expecting delays due to the state of... well, everything. I wasn't expecting the package to never be scanned, however. This is potentially putting me in a situation I can't deal with right now - I seriously need every single dollar I can get, and I don't need to be at the mercy of angry buyers (to whom it looks like I haven't even shipped their item yet) because someone couldn't be bothered to do their job.  Am I worrying too much? What should I do? 

[rebell45]

You can go to the USPS website and search for Missing Mail. There is a Help Request form that you fill out and submit. That is the first step. If nothing happens after a week you file a Missing Mail search request.

Are you sure the carrier picked up the package, or could it have been stolen first?

[jcarman00]

Thanks for the info - I just submitted a form. Could it have been stolen? I guess... I mean, I'm only assuming that the carrier picked up the package, but it was in a place you can't really see from the street and had been sitting there for several hours before I checked on it (around 1.5 hours before the carrier delivered the mail) & it was still there at that time. I've never had a package stolen nor have I heard of any incidents of package theft in my neighborhood, so it's not impossible - I just don't think it's probable.

[kensgiftshop]

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@jcarman00 wrote:

Thanks for the info - I just submitted a form.

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Without an acceptance scan, filing a claim with the PO won't do any good right now, unless it gets a scan down the line somewhere.

Right now, there is no proof that USPS ever had the package.

Hopefully it'll get a scan and get delivered.

[jcarman00]

Quick update: after I submitted a help request form, I received an email confirmation of the package pickup on Friday afternoon (3 days after the fact), but the message was worrisome: 

"This email confirms a Package Pickup was made; however, the total number of packages picked up did not match the total number of packages listed in the request."

Since there was only one package on the request and one package was left on the porch, what did that mean? Zero packages were picked up? It was stolen before the carrier arrived? 

I was super relieved to see that the package was accepted last night and it's actually moving now, so it  appears that the help request must've jostled it loose (I can actually see the case number notated in the eBay tracking). Thanks to the USPS for handling this relatively quickly and for the spike in my anxiety this week.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

In all honesty it probably means it was a sub carrier, who didn't know what they were doing.   

If you want the scan for certain, you need to watch it happen, otherwise, it's never a guarantee.  I have lots of problems with this, to the point that my carrier & I have devised a system (a packet of sticky notes lol) for him to LMK when he's going on vacation, so I can take them somewhere myself to be scanned.   

There's nothing you can really do about this one, just wait to see if it gets scanned en route.  But I wouldn't worry too much, as I've rec'd the message you got above, MANY times & the pkgs were picked up just fine.   (oops, I see that happened, great news). 

The subs can be pretty clueless.  I had one that after 4 phone calls to my local station where he kept telling them he was on his way & he still hadn't gotten here yet, well when he finally DID show up after 6PM & 4 phone calls, he didn't have his scanner, he'd "lost it", when I insisted that he had to find it so I could watch him scan the pkg, he couldn't find it.  I was on the phone with my branch at the time & she was able to find his scanner (yup, they can track them electronically), it was at some apartment complex, where he'd been before LOL.  There are no apartments near here.   I have many such entertaining stories.   I also keep a large sign that is laminated & has 4 colors with instructions to the carrier that they MUST scan every single pkg (my branch suggested this) - guess what?  It still gets missed at times, when there's a sub.  Bottom line, if you need the scan every time (which I highly recommend) you need to ensure that you see it happening!