USPS not scanning packages on time that are dropped off in the lobby Drop Off Receptacle/ Drop Box

[bosstar99]

Once again, I'm in danger of losing my Top Rated status because of my local USPS facility failing to do their job and not scan my packages on time after I drop them off in the Drop Box in their inside lobby. I have contacted the USPS supervisor for the facility multiple times, but he doesn't seem to care. I addressed this with eBay before that this is going to be a potential problem for other sellers that use the USPS Drop Boxes. With eBay watching to make sure my packages get scanned within 24 hours, I'm at the mercy of the US Postal Service. I make sure I get my packages out within 24 hours, every single weekday. I average 10 packages per day that I drop off. I always drop them off at least 45 minutes before the cut off time, which at my USPS facility is 5:30pm. I'm usually there at 4:45pm, but no later that 5:00pm. Yesterday, (Monday, Oct. 24th) I dropped off 14 packages at 4:55pm. I checked the status of them at 10pm Monday night and just now at 10:30am Tuesday morning and they still haven't been scanned. Out of convenience, I don't want to sit in line for a half hour each day to make sure a Postal employee scans each single package. I have actually stood in line to do this before and they say the next time to just put them in the drop box since it holds up the line. I also have tried to have them pick up my packages, but they get to my house too early at 11:00am and I can't get everything ready by then, so I still end up going to the Post Office. I'm at a loss of what to do and at the mercy of the Post Office. I get that package volume on Mondays is usually tripled for them, but that shouldn't be an excuse. They still need to scan every package that gets dropped off before the cutoff time.  eBay needs to address this problem. eBay doesn't seem to care, the Post Office doesn't seem to care. Anyone else having this same problem?

[zmoz]

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@1786davycrockett wrote:
The point which I was attempting to make, is that neither eBay nor eBay sellers have ANY power or control over the post office -- even though eBay makes sellers jump through hoops of fire when it comes to scanning and shipping times. 

But that's a USPS problem -- and all other USPS problems should be directed NOT to eBay, but directly to the United States Postal Service 

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You seem to be contradicting yourself. First you say it's an ebay problem, then you say it's a USPS problem. The real problem is that ebay can't comprehend that USPS is pathetic and it isn't the sellers fault when they screw up. Both agencies need to be yelled at and held responsible for their respective incompetence.

[1786davycrockett]

Actually, had you quoted my ENTIRE paragraph (and not just the FIRST sentence), you might have noticed that the FINAL sentence is CLEARLY connected to the NEXT sentence in the following paragraph, which you partially quoted. To wit:

". . .I wish eBay would stop INSISTING that eBay sellers have the POWER to coerce USPS to make faster on-time deliveries."

"But that's a USPS problem. . .."

The USPS problem to which I was referring in that sentence was "faster on-time deliveries," and I was separating it from the eBay demand for sellers to sign up for the "Guaranteed Delivery" program -- although I also referred to several other problems that are prevalent both at eBay and USPS. Neither eBay nor USPS are perfect organizations, and we are basically powerless to change policies in either businesses.

And, yes, if you believe that "both agencies need to be yelled at and held responsible for their respective incompetence," you DO hold the ultimate power to choose to do so, but your efforts may possibly fall upon deaf ears: this eBay community board is NOT composed of eBay employees, but of other eBay sellers and buyers -- we have NO power to change eBay (and, believe me, we have TRIED!). And I've previously provided avenues for addressing USPS complaints.

And the final option of course is to choose to use NEITHER eBay nor USPS -- no one is forcing us.

[zmoz]

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@1786davycrockett wrote:

And, yes, if you believe that "both agencies need to be yelled at and held responsible for their respective incompetence," you DO hold the ultimate power to choose to do so, but your efforts may possibly fall upon deaf ears: this eBay community board is NOT composed of eBay employees, but of other eBay sellers and buyers -- we have NO power to change eBay (and, believe me, we have TRIED!). And I've previously provided avenues for addressing USPS complaints.

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You're right this isn't the place to yell at ebay or USPS, but you'd be very naive to think ebay doesn't monitor these forums and the moderators do in fact work for ebay, and ocassionally respond. 

The only way to get ebay or USPS to change is to contact the correct authorities with each organization - if you say nothing, nothing will happen. As they say, the squeeky wheel gets grease. If EVERY angry seller contacted the right person at ebay and USPS, things would start to change, but most don't bother or choose to vent in the wrong location.

[1786davycrockett]

While the moderators DO work for eBay, they do NOT read EVERY response to EVERY thread -- there are simply not enough hours in the day for the handful of eBay moderators to read through the thousands of combined questions and responses generated on a daily basis, from around the world.

The moderators DO become involved in a thread when they are addressed personally with their eBay email addresses. They also become involved when a member of the eBay community reads something on a thread which may violate eBay policy, at which time that member may click on the "Options" icon at the upper right, and then click on "Report Inappropriate Conduct," and that WILL attract the attention of a moderator, who will then respond. But, to my knowledge, nothing has been said in this thread which approaches "inappropriate conduct," and no moderator's email has been utilized; so I'm fairly certain that the moderators are probably ignoring this thread. At least for the time being.

[zmoz]

I can guarantee you if I said something nasty about ebay's Indian answering service the moderators would be here within an hour to remove it, without anybody complaining or using their email address. Just ask how I know...

Ebay monitors this stuff more than you think. Just because they don't say anything doesn't mean they aren't reading it. They are paid to sit here all day and do nothing but read the forums.

Certain users in this section do nothing but sit here and respond to every thread regardless of whether they have anything usefull to say or not, and they aren't even getting paid. It isn't hard for the moderators to read nearly every post.

[rarecoinbroker]

I'm having the same problem as the OP of leaving packages in the drop box and not having them scanned, or sitting on packages for days at a time. Some are not scanned until delivery! I set my handling to 3 days to ship / 10 to delivery long ago to try to overcome the USPS problem.

Plus there's a new twist - many of my packages are being scanned at the local station but only after 3-4-5 days of sitting! I talked with the station manager this morning. He denied that they were sitting on packages for days insisting that everything was going out daily. Essentially, he was calling me a liar. That's our relationship.

Standing in line is a no go. They rotate counter help to the back so that there is a constant line of at least a 10-15 minute wait. For my measly sales and low margin, it just can not be justified. Also, I was told straight up that they had no obligation to scan 1st Class Mail packages locally. While he wouldn't tell me directly that they'd refuse to scan them if I stood in line that was certainly the impression I got. This lack of scans and packages not moving really is a new problem slowly developing over perhaps the last 8 weeks or so.

Making waves and going over the local manager's head is risky as I'm already on the short list for the number of refunds I get for late Express Mail among other complaints I've made. I don't believe I'm a welcome sight now at the station. The last thing I want it to having stuff start to disappear into the either for weeks at a time. I've thought about trying other stations but not only is the distance 3x as great, they tend to be busier than the one I use now. Again, with the slow sales and narrow margins, having to travel 6 to 8 miles for a one or two dollar gross profit may mean just quitting feepay.

I'm in a no-win situation, and it's only getting worse with each passing week.

I'm sitting here scratching my head wondering what path to take. Any other possible suggestions that haven't already been covered?

[libersales]

This happens to me when I end up taking my packages to Office Depot because of the length of the line at the PO. My question is - why am I losing my Top Rated status over something I can't control? There is no way that I can make sure that the PO scans my packages in a "timely manner". Also, I got dinged for entering the tracking number "late" - it doesn't say how late but if it was it was maybe one day. Doesn't eBay take into account the fact that sellers have lives outside of eBay?

[myboardid]

In skimming through the previous comments in this thread I have not seen any reference to using a SCAN SHEET when you take your packages to the post office, or using one for your carrier to scan if he/she is picking up your packages at your home.  THe PO only has to scan it once for all your packages, it saves them a ton of time, and they are required by their regulations to scan it if you present it to them.  Yes, I realize they don't always follow their own regs!  But if you are going to the counter, use this and they will be much more inclined to scan.  You can also leave it with your packages  at a drop table, but there is a greater chance they won't scan it if you do.  They are supposed to return it to you once it is scanned.

Also, speak to your postmaster and see if you can do a back door delivery with your packages, and get your scan sheet scanned there.  Usually if you are persistent, pleasant to deal with, and ask how you can make it easier for them, they are cooperative.  A reminder that your packages contribute to the number of employees they can have doesn't hurt. 

[mr_lincoln]

@bosstar99  Really sorry you are dealing with this ... I read the thread title and part of the post, have been waiting for this and others like it to come out ... the only sure way to meet the shipping metric, short of API software failure between the USPS or other carriers' counter and the Sold item tracking record is to stand in line and get the Acceptence scan.

For certain sellers that's not a huge burden BUT, for many I think it is ... there have also been threads about Sellers arranging pick up and the scanned items don't always showing up in time ...

there needs to be a better way but I'm not sure what it is.  Our Post Office has a lane for Pre-Labeled packages ... I never use it ... on busy days it just backs up and there is no garauntee all those pacakges will get scanned at days end because they won't pay overtime to do it ... overflow gets pushed to the next day and then its late. 

I know USPS is testing some self serve kiosks in several locations and I suspect in time we will see more and more of those ... but that is a long way off to be sure.

[myboardid]

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@libersales wrote:
This happens to me when I end up taking my packages to Office Depot because of the length of the line at the PO. My question is - why am I losing my Top Rated status over something I can't control? There is no way that I can make sure that the PO scans my packages in a "timely manner". Also, I got dinged for entering the tracking number "late" - it doesn't say how late but if it was it was maybe one day. Doesn't eBay take into account the fact that sellers have lives outside of eBay?

eBay expects you to put your eBay sales first, before anything else in your life, including job, family, food or sleep.  No you can't have any other life!   

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[gone_4_good]

A scan in the first 24 hours is not required if the package is delivered on time
The tracking number must be uploaded within the handling time

[usgamecollector]

yes what Ideehan says is right. It does not matter when the acceptance scan is as long as the item is delivered within the delivery estimate it won't be counted as late.

[myboardid]

It counts for TRS plus, so it depends on what you, the seller,  are trying to achieve. 

[bottleman]

Can you arrange for a USPS pickup?  I'm in the country and running to the P.O. every day is a hassle.  They pick up, scan, and it's on its way.

[pbaker464]

Yes my Post Office is doing the same thing except there taking 4-5 days to find them in the drop box and process them.

Can not get over there during the day because I work. Drop box is the only way to mail. I hope E-Bay looks at the time I post the item and the time the Post Office records it. I have had some late items but mostly because of vacation and informed buyers of such.

Should have seen one package I had, took USPS 25 days to deliver it. I went to the correct PO the first time and was sent back. each PO it went to after that took 4-5 days to leave it and go on  the trip  to never, never land.

I had resent the package to the customer after a week and he received it! 2 weeks before the other one showed up. I would be funny if it wasn't for the fact that I'm trying to make a little money here.

Ok enought complaining will do no good for USPS and E-Bay don't seem to care.