entered wrong zip code to ship item at USPS kiosk???

[danslai]

Hi, wondering if anyone knows what I can expect to happen in this situation. I sold a couple items to different buyers and used an automated USPS kiosk at the post office to pay for the postage to ship them. For one of the packages, I entered the wrong zip code (the same zip code as on the other package). I didn't realize my mistake until after I paid for the postage, dropped the items into the mail chute and arrived back home and looked at my receipts to see that I had paid both postages to the same zip code. This also happened after hours on a Saturday so there was no worker around to go back to ask for help.

I used the USPS.com calculate postage feature and checked that the first class postage I paid would have been the same regardless of which zip code it was going to. So I did not underpay the postage. But I remember the postage labels printed out from the kiosk did have the zip codes on it and I'm not sure if the barcode on the label (QR code?) contains any zip code information that's used to route the package. The package does have the correct address written on it.

Do you think my package will get delivered to the buyer ok? The buyer is located in OH, but I had accidently entered a zip code in NJ at the kiosk. Or is it possible that the package will just get returned to me? I guess I can do nothing, but just wait and see what happens.

[danslai]

Actually, I was just looking at an old picture of a postage label I purchased at a USPS kiosk before and it does not have the zip code of the destination printed on it. It does have the zip code of the post office where the kiosk is located in. But I'm still not sure if the postage label's barcode has any destination zip code embedded in it.

[tarpedge]

Yes, the destination ZIP code is the five digits after the leading 420 in the tracking barcode.

But since you hand wrote the address, the OCR will fix the ZIP code, and an additional 420 sticker will be attached to your item.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Mismatched city, state and zip code most likely will cause the package to be rejected at some point and returned to you. It might be caught at your local sorting center if you are lucky.

However, if the label contains the correct information and you were simply entering a zip code to determine and pay for postage, then the label will be fine "as reads." You might contact your local PO or the USPS toll-free number to clarify if the barcode has any effect on the actual destination. I think it simply indicates the ORIGIN and assigns a tracking number. Yes, First Class postage is not zoned so domestic destination does not matter.

Bottom line: Keep an eye on the tracking. Most FC packages arrive within 2 or 3 days.

~~C~~

[green-night]

I live in a small town and have never used one of these kiosks, but I would be very surprised if it allowed you to enter a wrong zip code to  a known address.  When printing labels on ebay you aren't even able to force through an incorrect zip code - they system simply won't let you. 

[danslai]

Actually, there's no tracking barcode involved here. I thought I would get a tracking # when using the kiosk since I got one before when mailing a first class mail parcel using the kiosk. But apparently, tracking #'s are not provided at the kiosk when mailing a first class mail large envelope. I realize as a seller, that's not good to not have a tracking # to provide the buyer, but that's what I'm stuck with for now.

[danslai]

Ok, that's basically what I was wondering whether the first class postage label printed from the kiosk has any destination information in it. The label printed out was about 1" x 2" and required folding when sticking it on the large shipping envelope so that the blank part of the label was in the back. I don't think it's a QR barcode printed on the postage label, but instead it looks more like the Data Matrix ECC200 at http://www.barcodefaq.com/BarcodeMatch/. I hope that that barcode doesn't contain the destination zip code that I entered into the kiosk that the USPS would use to help route the package. The shipping label has the correct address information so I'm hoping that the first class postage label I got at the kiosk just works like regular stamps.

[danslai]

Well, the kiosk asks for a destination zip code to help determine the postage cost. It doesn't ask for any other part of the address like street address or state. So you can enter any valid zip code and it doesn't have to match what's on the shipping label as the kiosk would have no idea of anything on the shipping label.

In my case, as someone else already mentioned, first class mail is the same price no matter the destination zip code. So there's no issue of insufficient postage. I am just concerned whether the printed first class postage label contains the destination zip code entered into the kiosk, which might cause the package to be routed to the wrong place.

[*eponymous*]

tracking #'s are not provided at the kiosk when mailing a first class mail large envelope

That is correct.  Tracking is not available for first-class machinable flat envelopes.

When you use a large envelope to mail an item, stick a few styro peanuts in the envelope.  That makes it a first-class thick envelope and is considered a first-class package, which includes "tracking" which is really just delivery confirmation

Do parcae pickup by your mail carrier - schedule online at myusps.com to get acceptance scans to meet seller metrics.

Save money by printing electronic labels at the commercial rate.  You can print an electronic label at commercial rates from eBay or PayPal for up to 15.99 oz to mail first-class package rate .  If you buy at the counter/kiosk, you pay higher retail prices and can only ship packages that weigh up to 12.99 oz (you'd have to ship by Priority over that weight).

When you print electronic labels, the system does not allow you to print a label with a "wrong zip code".  The address has to agree with the carrier's database.

I hope your package will be returned to you!