Ebay - Shipping Confirmation Problem

[Tina]

Has anyone else had a problem with shipping confirmations? I have 2 auctions that I've shipped via USPS using the Paypal postage service that are having tracking problems. Both are showing as awaiting arrival at the post office for mailing. One I know has been delivered already (Priority), since the buyer emailed me. The other has not. The buyer emailed me to ask why I haven't shipped it yet. I sent it Parcel Post on the 29th of March. It was shipped from Virginia to Maine. Why would these reflect not having been shipped? I'm very concerned that a buyer could claim not to have received a shipment and I would have no proof of shipping at all. This "lost" package sold for $63, so I really don't want to have to eat it on this one. I dropped these packages (along with several other problem free packages) at my local post office. Any ideas?

 

[jgates]

I have books shipped 3/25/04 via Media mail that are not displaying either. Said they are still awaiting....etc.....

Thing is I SWEAR it told me before that it was delivered 3/27 - now it looks like I never took it to the PO. This was media, so I am hoping it shows up at some point.

I would also try calling your local PO and asking them if they can track it. I was told once that they have more detail than the online system does but who knows.

 

[Tina]

Thanks for your feedback. At least I know I'm not the only one now. I have to work, so my DH (who is working from home today) is going over to the PO for me to investigate. This could be a real problem for proving delivery of items. I have a few items to ship today, but I think I'm going to use UPS at work and eat the additional cost.

 

[ibleedblue]

I had a similar issue. I had bought the postage though paypal on an item I sent via Parcel Post with delivery conf. I dropped it off last Monday, the 29th, and yesterday I checked and it still said it was at a local sorting facility. I get home yesterday and there it is in my mail box with a return to sender sticker because if insufficent postage. Seems my scale and the scale at the post office didn't agree. I emailed the buyer and explained and they said not to worry and thanks for letting them know. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that the item you thought you had shipped could still show up at your house! In my experience with this system, the Post Office website is always really, really slow in updating. I prefer FedEx as they are cheaper on anything 4lbs or more, but I rarely sell anything that large.

Greg

 

[cascadecupcake]

I am rural. My post office doesn't have the means with which to scan the printed confirmation bar codes. Every time I send something, it always shows up as "the post office has been notified that this package is being prepared....blah, blah, blah" but shows NO MOVEMENT until it arrives at it's destination. It never looks like I have even mailed it until the receiving post office scans it.

I don't know if this is the same thing happening to you, but I just thought I'd mention it. If you're post office is lagging behind in technology like mine is, you may always have this trouble. I now drive a little further into Grand Rapids to mail mine where they can scan it upon me presenting it to them.

 

[Tina]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I sent my agent (DH) over to the PO to investigate this morning. They checked the tracking numbers and confirmed that my package WAS shipped and is still en route. Hopefully, the buyer will receive it soon.

 

[itsmetigress]

just wanted to let you guys know what is HIGHLY stressed by my P.O delivery conf is NOT a tracking number...it exists only to let you know when the package has been delivered...it doesn't HAVE to be scanned any where along the way <although its nice when it is> i didn't realize that untill they pointed it out...i've started trying to send ups since it includes insurance and an actual tracking number