What does this USPS pattern mean?

[beautifulbeauty2012]

After 17 days of no record, a package finally arrived at a buyer`s local post office. At 6 AM, the package was out for delivery, and at 8 AM it arrived at a different post office with a different zip code (not the buyer`s zip code) in the same city. It is in Transit again. It went out for delivery from correct zip code, but then arrived to another zip code.

What else expect from USPS? The package was not delivered still.

P.S. Washington state.

[nevermore_antiques_and_books]

At least there are updates to the tracking now.  I wouldn't be too concerned, it will probably be delivered tomorrow.  USPS is nonsensical right now.

[therogue-trader]

I've had a book that was just going to Tennessee go back and forth across the country a few times before finally being delivered.  This was years ago.  Weird stuff happens and, with the volume of stuff getting shipped these days, weird stuff is likely to happen more frequently.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

Yeah, after not a single scan during 17 days (scanned as accepted in FL and WA-the final destination post office), I almost lost a hope that it is not lost. Btw, when accepted in FL, USPS scanned it as out for delivery in WA - same minute. This package suffers so much from USPS nonsense. 

[br9333]

I have a whole slew of packages shipped on 12/7 that have been in limbo for 12 days since the carrier picked them up from me.  No updates to the tracking after "Picked Up." At least yours got to the buyer's post office, so you should probably consider yourself lucky.

[beautifulbeauty2012]

Yours probably are still at the acceptance facility after your carrier brought it there. It happened to me as well when a temp carrier picked it up. Talk to your post office, as if the packages go to different locations and no scan, most likely they never left.

[jrsheppard1]

Open a Package Research Request on the tracking information with USPS and they can answer all your questions about the destination address, arrivals, etc. I had to do this as a buyer yesterday in a dispute over an item not received. The seller claims that USPS is not updating tracking and that they shipped it, which they also told eBay in my dispute. I contacted USPS with the request on their website and less than 8 hours later I was talking to a live USPS employee that reviewed the tracking. She found that only the tracking number was electronically generated and that there never was an origin acceptance scan to begin with. Meaning.... the seller lied about sending my item and is trying to wiggle out of having to refund me in the dispute by offering eBay a number that is basically associated with nothing!! I now have official USPS email communication stating the truth behind the shipping and more ammo to use in my dispute. Hopefully, you can do the same to protect your delivery and ensure that your buyer receives the item and can't claim item not received. The USPS request can be opened by sender or recipient.

[postingid7659]

... or the seller is not lying and USPS simply has not scanned the item.   Which is very possible if the seller dropped off their packages and did not have them scanned at the counter. 

[johnrj1226]

This time of year it is not unusual that package do not get another scan until  the package is delivered.  Packages are often diverted to temporary warehouses and manned by temporary employees due to increased volume - strange things will happen.   Patience is needed.

[jrkirk]

One way help the USPS delivery your packages properly, is to make sure the label and bar code is printed sharp and clearly. Those who see their packages scanned at multiple places at nearly the same time, should check to make sure their labels can be clearly read. Postal workers tell me that many packages are so faintly printed that they can be barely read, and that many such problems can be traced back to poorly printed shipping labels. Sharp and clearly printed shipping labels do not get sent to the wrong location, and I know that fact because I too have tried to squeeze every last bit of toner out of a printer cartridge, and those labels were on the packages that ended up lost or in the wrong location.

[postid]

I agree with you almost 100% but "Sharp and clearly printed shipping labels do not get sent to the wrong location," this is simply not true. They do get sent to the wrong location. I have one now that was sent on the 12th to Colorado with a "clearly printed shipping label" and it was in Florida yesterday. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

jrsheppard1

"trying to wiggle out of having to refund me in the dispute "

Wiggle out of what? If it's not delivered to your Zip code you will get your money back due to Ebay's MBG.

I go along with postingid7659 "... or the seller is not lying and USPS simply has not scanned the item" as that definitely does happen and has happened to me in the past.

Right now the PO is really messed up and all sorts of strange things are happening to the mail, this is just potentially one of them.

[bc_ca-25]

Not necessarily.... USPS fails timely scans on multiple  occasions.  Especially these days.

[ekwin]

I dropped off 4 USPS prelabeled Priority packages at authorized UPS store on 12/9.  For a week, tracking showed the labels had been created but USPS  awaiting item.  I filed a "where's my package" request and now USPS says they never received the packages and has CLOSED the  case.  How could 4 packages ( dropped of on the same day) be MIA?  I've dropped off at this UPS location many times (for USPS pickup) and never had a problem.

Is it possible these packages will surface and be forwarded on to buyer or should I begin thinking about refunds. The 4 packages had a combined value of $1200 and were insured but I'm assuming I can't file a claim with USPS since they show no evidence of packages being received by them.

Very frustrating. 

[johnrj1226]

Guess giving a USPS shipment to UPS is not a good thing to do.  UPS is "also" having delivery issues.

[penguins_dont_fly]

@ekwin 

Why are you dropping USPS boxes at UPS ?

USPS: United States Postal Service

UPS: United Parcel Service

Go to the Post Office or request Pickup for your USPS packages.