Where is my shipment?

[tularenash]

I am the seller about 10% of items sold still show in transit. some of them were shipped months ago all with tracking numbers sold within the USA and thru fedex and US Mail. Where are my packages going? And why are the customers not upset, or complaining? I have sent an e-mail to customers to ask if delivered yet, and none sent a response. I'm still learning selling on here, but also want to provide better customer service.  What is the preferred protocol in these matters? 

[dtexley3]

1) check those tracking numbers on the carrier (USPS or FexEd)  websites.  Ebay doesn't always update correctly.

2) Open lost item issues with the carriers for those that don't show delivered status, sometimes this causes the "missing" updates to be updated.

3) Don't contact the buyer, let them contact you, otherwise an unscrupulous buyer will file an INR even though they have the item in hand.

I understand the urge to offer "top notch" service, but be aware that sometimes this allows less than honest buyers an opportunity to get your item for free.

[sam9876]

Never contact the buyer.

[dbmm-media]

quit babysitting your tracking.

if there is a problem your buyer will let you know.

if the items got delivered but not scanned , now that you let your buyers know, they can file a INR get their money back and haven the item.  

[gotupart]

Leave the buyers alone.. Dont stir up a hornets nest.. You will get stung..

USPS has major issues. Seems like our eBay shipments are getting pushed aside into trailers at sort facilities to make way for Amazon shipments. Whats worse us we pay full rate but Amazon only pays about one third rate. Its a dirty deal but can't fight the post office they will ignore you. If I had a drop off closer that wasn't 15 miles away I would exclusively use fed ex home.

[lja440]

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@gotupart wrote:
Leave the buyers alone.. Dont stir up a hornets nest.. You will get stung..

USPS has major issues. Seems like our eBay shipments are getting pushed aside into trailers at sort facilities to make way for Amazon shipments. Whats worse us we pay full rate but Amazon only pays about one third rate. Its a dirty deal but can't fight the post office they will ignore you. If I had a drop off closer that wasn't 15 miles away I would exclusively use fed ex home.

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That is simply **bleep** 

The major issue is bad labels. And eBay isn't the only one with these, but this is easy to solve.

Print with enough ink

Place the label where it will not get bent down in a crack

PROTECT all inkjet labels with clear tape over all information including barcode.

I shut down on-line sales Nov-Dec but I still ship care packages and gifts using the same PayPal labels as I do for everything else. Not a single one has been delayed in the last 4 years.

As for Amazon. THEY DELIVER TO THE P.O.s NOt to sorting facilities. Every day Floyd our Amazon delivery driver calls our Postmaster and lets him know almost to the minute when he will arrive. Usually no later than 8am and most days by 7:30. FedEx almost never gets packages to us in time for same day delivery. UPS about half the time. 

True that some mail is warehoused this time of year but it is NEVER packages. 3rd class flats are warehoused to make room for the higher volume of packages that need the space on trucks and delivery vehicles.