ebay question--Delivery confirmation

[ampc3]

Hi to all you experienced ebayers..... I am sortof learning as I go here..
I have been getting delivery confirmation on all my things, I have been selling.. My question is do you normally share this info (the tracking number) with the buyer?? or just keep for yourself to make sure all is well..
I let my buyers know I am getting DC, but haven't been asked yet for the number.. So just courious if you all normally give the tracking number to your buyer? TIA...

 

[MiniGirl]

Hi.

I do send an e-mail to my buyers giving them the DC#. It lets them know that I have shipped the item, that I will know when/if they receive it, and they can get on the USPS site and check on it for themselves. Also, when I order online from a company, I get an e-mail with this info, so I figure it makes good business sense. Of course, DC isn't available for international packages, but I still let my buyers know their item has been shipped.

Good luck, Eva

 

[OceanAnnie]

I do the same thing as MiniGirl. It's a win-win in my book.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Hi to all you experienced ebayers..... I am sortof learning as I go here..
I have been getting delivery confirmation on all my things, I have been selling.. My question is do you normally share this info (the tracking number) with the buyer?? or just keep for yourself to make sure all is well..
I let my buyers know I am getting DC, but haven't been asked yet for the number.. So just courious if you all normally give the tracking number to your buyer? TIA...

I always let them know. When you ship though paypal it automatically sends the number to the buyer.

 

[ampc3]

bump... still wondering what most of you do??
Thanks

 

[disneylovinmom]

I ship through Paypal and they automatically send the info. It's my way of letting the buyer know the package has shipped and when plus I think it gaves them a way to track their own package and not constantly email me. I did just send some packages international with global priority and got a tracking number with them so will definately do all international this way in the future.

Lisa

 

[cami89]

I print my labels through eBay, so my buyers get an email from them with a DC number, but I always send a personalized email, as well, thanking them for their prompt payment and I include the DC number again.

 

[my3kids]

ditto Cami89's post!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I also ship through paypal and the usps. Even if your buyers don't pay using paypal, you can print out a shipping label through them - I use that often for Amazon sales.


I've kind of been going back and forth on this however.
The Post Office very often does not always update the delivery information online until right before they deliver the package. I've had problems lately with buyers emailing me asking why I haven't taken the packages to the Post Office yet because the online confirmation still just says "the shipper notified us to expect this package" when in fact I always mail within 24 hours. I have one buyer right now who is stopping just short of calling me a liar because her package shipped Priority Mail last week and she hasn't received it yet.

I'm beginning to think that for higher priced items I need to switch over to UPS ground shipping. It is a little more expensive, but they have a true delivery confirmation system.

 

[~Kathie]

The Post Office very often does not always update the delivery information online until right before they deliver the package. I've had problems lately with buyers emailing me asking why I haven't taken the packages to the Post Office yet because the online confirmation still just says "the shipper notified us to expect this package" when in fact I always mail within 24 hours. I have one buyer right now who is stopping just short of calling me a liar because her package shipped Priority Mail last week and she hasn't received it yet.

I have had this happen as well with postage generated on PayPal or through the PO website. The PO doesn't scan the package a second time until it is delivered or reaches a transfer station, whichever comes first.

When you take the packages to the PO, ask the clerk if they can scan them for you. Some will, some won't. I try to go when it is a slow time and they have always done it for me, when I have asked. I don't do it for every package and most of the time I get package pickup so don't even go to the PO.

I also use PayPal shipping the majority of the time so the buyers are informed through email. There is an option on PayPal not to receive those emails however so some people choose not to get them.

 

[Hedy]

I always do.

 

[rflorek]

I think it gaves them a way to track their own package

Actually, delivery confirmation is not tracking. It's only a confirmation of delivery. It will scan (if you're lucky) when picked up (I have better luck with the scanning when I drop my packages at the post office) and show an entry there, and it will be scanned just prior to delivery (showing the confirmation of delivery).

I asked at the post office and the only actual tracking option they have is with Express Mail.

As a side note, I put delivery confirmation on all eBay packages, and I always email the buyer to tell them their package has shipped & give them the DC #.

 

[missymagic]

I always send a courtsy email after I have shipped the item and give them a confirmation number. I haven't had any problems so far. Not to mention they usually email me back thanking me.

 

[rae662000]

I always send a personal email with DC# and right now I am having an issue with a packaged that was scanned into the Post office but nothing else has happen and it has not been delivered. It has been 2 weeks (sent parcel) and it was a big package. Glad I sent them the information so they know I have done my part.

 

[DMRick]

When you take the packages to the PO, ask the clerk if they can scan them for you. Some will, some won't. I try to go when it is a slow time and they have always done it for me, when I have asked. I don't do it for every package and most of the time I get package pickup so don't even go to the PO..

Every single one of mine are scanned in front of me, yet, most (very few exceptions) still show nothing until they are delivered. However, if I have a problem, the postoffice gal, can go into the back, and get much more info than I get by going on line.
I do not let my clients know the DC number, because when I did, I got emails like someone else said, wanting to know when I am dropping it at the Post Office.

 

[rflorek]

Every single one of mine are scanned in front of me, yet, most (very few exceptions) still show nothing until they are delivered.

I haven't done the online postage printing, so maybe that's the difference. I always attached the bright green DC label on my packages & bring them to the P.O. When I get home, I check them all and they all say that they have been accepted at the Post Office at whatever time and date. That way, my buyers can see that I have shipped their packages.