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BIG PROBLEM: With Priority Mail.
jjesse
Posts: 10
Hello forum. New here and just sold a coin to someone out of state on Friday and printed him out his Priortiy Mail w/ Sig Confirmation shipping label on Friday night (Aug. 3rd) and shipped the coin out Saturday (Aug. 4th) around 3 or 4 pm EST at my local downtown post office along with a First Class Mail Parcel (Which WAS delivered the other day and trackable each step of the process)
I am located in Connecticut and the buyer is located in Andover, Mass. It should take only 1 day for him to receive the item, right??
As of today, all it says on the USPS tracking site is:
Electronic Shipping Info Received
August 03, 2012
Signature Confirmation™
Proof of Delivery
That's it!! I called the USPS # and they are looking into it and I'll have more information tomorrow, as well as going to the Main Post Office Routing Hub in my area as well as the Post Office I shipped from. Now here's the real interesting note, the PO where I shipped from doesn't use scanners! They are a contracted privately owned post office. If I only knew... Insurance in this case would have done me no good to my knowledge because the tracking status hasn't even updated that it has left it's origin!
What would you all do in this case if something like this happened to you? The item's value is worth $450.
Thank you!
I am located in Connecticut and the buyer is located in Andover, Mass. It should take only 1 day for him to receive the item, right??
As of today, all it says on the USPS tracking site is:
Electronic Shipping Info Received
August 03, 2012
Signature Confirmation™
Proof of Delivery
That's it!! I called the USPS # and they are looking into it and I'll have more information tomorrow, as well as going to the Main Post Office Routing Hub in my area as well as the Post Office I shipped from. Now here's the real interesting note, the PO where I shipped from doesn't use scanners! They are a contracted privately owned post office. If I only knew... Insurance in this case would have done me no good to my knowledge because the tracking status hasn't even updated that it has left it's origin!
What would you all do in this case if something like this happened to you? The item's value is worth $450.
Thank you!
0
Comments
Priority takes a couple of days and usps.com does not always update their "tracking" info regularly. The only guarantee from their site is eventual proof of delivery if it was purchased. If the sale was made on ebay make sure you upload the tracking number in "my ebay" so the buyer and ebay can see it. If buyer paid with paypal also add the tracking number there. If you enter it into paypal first it will automatically upload it to ebay for you. If you purchased your postage through paypal the tracking number will automatically be uploaded to paypal and ebay. Tracking numbers entered in paypal/ebay serve two purposes - your buyer can see it and paypal/ebay use it as proof of delivery in event of a claim from the buyer.
Another important thing if you are new to paypal: Ship only to the buyer address on the paypal item "details" page and do not ship until the item "details" page says "OK to ship." Sometimes there is a delay in this "OK" if the buyer is transferring money to his account to cover the purchase or paypal randomly flags the transaction for their review before OKaying shipping by the seller. The "OK to ship" is a requirement for your seller protection to kick in.
Insurance protects you and is not a requirement for ebay/paypal seller protection. I highly recommend it because if buyer does not receive item they will get their money back from paypal who will take it from you.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>I would give it a few days and see if it shows up, it's still early. Sometimes these things happen and it might have got routed somewhere else.
You should have bought insurance, especially on a $450 item. >>
I would be worried but not in a panic yet. Probably got routed through LA.
I don't understand the "should have bought insurance" comment. Perhaps its not offered
on his "item" like bullion. Or 90% near melt.
I think it will show.
bob
I would give it a few days and see if it shows up, it's still early. Sometimes these things happen and it might have got routed somewhere else.
You should have bought insurance, especially on a $450 item.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>I would give it a few days and see if it shows up, it's still early. Sometimes these things happen and it might have got routed somewhere else.
You should have bought insurance, especially on a $450 item. >>
Right but if it's not in the system at all, how could I ever claim insurance if it never gets in the system ever?
I can just buy a label through paypal, get insurance, claim it never was processed or updated and collect an easy x amount of $'s if that was the case you know?
<< <i>
<< <i>I would give it a few days and see if it shows up, it's still early. Sometimes these things happen and it might have got routed somewhere else.
You should have bought insurance, especially on a $450 item. >>
Right but if it's not in the system at all, how could I ever claim insurance if it never gets in the system ever?
I can just buy a label through paypal, get insurance, claim it never was processed or updated and collect an easy x amount of $'s if that was the case you know? >>
Your info:
Electronic Shipping Info Received
August 03, 2012
Signature Confirmation™
Proof of Delivery
this shows your online postage purchase was made and the PO is acknowleging it, but does not prove you delivered it to the post office. I always request the clerk scan it into the system when I hand it to the PO, expecially on items over $200. It is my understanding that they will take your word it was brought to the PO on items under $200. Clerks are not required to scan in items with online shipping labels unless it was purchased/printed from the actual usps.com website and a "scan" from was also printed by the shipper. Most clerks will scan you in otherwise, but they are required to scan you in if you have the "scan" form.
I believe the "Proof of Delivery" was an additional charge. This is not necessary for paypal/ebay because your Signature Confirmation purchase will be your proof of delivery.
If not clear on paypal's requirements for seller protection, review them at their site.
The only next day guarantee from the post office is "express mail" and it starts at about $19.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>I always request the clerk scan it into the system when I hand it to the PO. >>
Be aware that even though it is very likely you can have them do it, not all post offices will provide you with an acceptance scan on pre-printed postage items as the scan is not actually included as a part of the service you've paid for.
<< <i>
<< <i>I always request the clerk scan it into the system when I hand it to the PO. >>
Be aware that even though it is very likely you can have them do it, not all post offices will provide you with an acceptance scan on pre-printed postage items as the scan is not actually included as a part of the service you've paid for. >>
No, but when they do scan it in upon your request they hand you a receipt that proves you got the shipment to them. You can require them to scan it in by printing your postage at their website and printing the additional "scan" form for them to scan. In this case they are required to scan it in and give you a receipt.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>I agree...it should say:
Dispatched to Sort SEEKONK MA 02771 08/03/12 2:43pm
Facility
Acceptance SEEKONK MA 02771 08/03/12 1:25pm
Electronic Shipping 08/03/12
Info Received
I dropped that item off at 125pm and it was scanned in at the desk....it does not look like yours was scanned in as accepted at all....
Anyone can create a label ("Electronic Shipping info received")....until it is accepted it doesn't exist >>
It will get an update once it goes through a scanner sometime during the routing of the shipment, especially with a sig conf. lable on it. Normally, first automatic scan takes place at your local main PO distribution center.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
Dispatched to Sort SEEKONK MA 02771 08/03/12 2:43pm
Facility
Acceptance SEEKONK MA 02771 08/03/12 1:25pm
Electronic Shipping 08/03/12
Info Received
I dropped that item off at 125pm and it was scanned in at the desk....it does not look like yours was scanned in as accepted at all....
Anyone can create a label ("Electronic Shipping info received")....until it is accepted it doesn't exist
<< <i>
<< <i>I always request the clerk scan it into the system when I hand it to the PO. >>
Be aware that even though it is very likely you can have them do it, not all post offices will provide you with an acceptance scan on pre-printed postage items as the scan is not actually included as a part of the service you've paid for. >>
Think this recently changed when they added the First Class track able package rate.
<< <i>i shipped a coin ( $1000 ) on July 30 to someone that lives only 200 miles from me. first class signature confirmation and usps expected delivery by Aug 1. well you guessed it, the package is still not delivered. i will say this, the usps has never lost a package of mine, sometimes one will get lost in the system and take forever to be delievered but late is better then lost ! >>
I shipped a coin on July 27th ($110) and it got lost once it was destined to the local sort facility. Still no sign of it. First class signature confirmation too. No insurance because like you, I've never had a package go missing. I've called and they've offered little to no explanation. Kind of feeling this is becoming VERY normal now.
I wanted to post, but I figured someone else would write a post discussing the USPS soon. And they did. Gosh darnit!
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I always request the clerk scan it into the system when I hand it to the PO. >>
Be aware that even though it is very likely you can have them do it, not all post offices will provide you with an acceptance scan on pre-printed postage items as the scan is not actually included as a part of the service you've paid for. >>
Think this recently changed when they added the First Class track able package rate.
From the USPS website:
Electronic Price Delivery Confirmation Summary
•The electronic fee for the Delivery Confirmation service provides delivery information only: it does not provide tracking of the item en route or acceptance scans.
<< <i>You can require them to scan it in by printing your postage at their website and printing the additional "scan" form for them to scan. In this case they are required to scan it in and give you a receipt. >>
This is correct.
I have had a few go into never never land after that point but they all eventually arrived at their location. The OP never got to "acceptance"....
Just my factual personal experience.....
I'd only get nervous if it's been missing for 2 or 3 weeks. The vast majority of these isses solve themsleves automatically.
Insurance is never a bad idea. Self-insuring isn't so bad either when applied to lots of packages over time, but that options requires certain moments of intestinal fortitude.
USPS don't update all that well sometimes so don't worry just yet.
Check out this track I had on a coin sent from CA. Can No Way blame
a seller for USPS Service like this I meam after all the post office has got
more on their minds like 5.5 billion they owe for this month and then
another 5.5 billion next month so hay what's one little packie going to
them.
I love the part " missent. It got here then went on vacation to Macon. LOL
USPS tracking chart:
Delivered
Aug-08-12, 09:28 AM, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202
Out for Delivery
Aug-08-12, 08:01 AM, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207
Sorting Complete
Aug-08-12, 07:51 AM, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207
Arrival at Post Office
Aug-08-12, 05:03 AM, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207
Processed through USPS Sort Facility
Aug-07-12, 17:34 PM, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32099
Processed through USPS Sort Facility
Aug-06-12, 21:28 PM, MACON, GA 31204
Missent
Aug-06-12, 01:59 AM
Missent
Aug-06-12, 00:26 AM
Depart USPS Sort Facility
Aug-06-12, 00:00 AM, MACON, GA 31204
Processed through USPS Sort Facility
Aug-05-12, 15:33 PM, MACON, GA 31204
Depart USPS Sort Facility
Aug-05-12, 00:00 AM, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32099
Processed through USPS Sort Facility
Aug-04-12, 14:25 PM, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32099
Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility
Jul-31-12, 19:56 PM, ANAHEIM, CA 92899
Accepted at USPS Origin Sort Facility
Jul-31-12, 18:41 PM, SANTA ANA, CA 92707
Even if he had insured it it wouldn't help because it was never "accepted" ...just a label printed
Don't forget ...this was 5 days ago and it is still not even in the system
<< <i>Yes, but again, yours went on a merry ride AFTER it was accepted..that is a very frequent occurrence ..his never got to square one...he has no proof he even dropped it off and got it into the system.....different ball game
Even if he had insured it it wouldn't help because it was never "accepted" ...just a label printed
Don't forget ...this was 5 days ago and it is still not even in the system >>
Exactly.
<< <i> not all post offices will provide you with an acceptance scan on pre-printed postage items as the scan is not actually included as a part of the service you've paid for. >>
I can not imagine an acceptance scan not being provided for. There is an official "SCAN Form" you can get printed that can be scanned which will log acceptance of a large lot of packages. All post offices have small handheld scanners that can take advantage of this form.
Alternatively, you should be able to go to the counter and ask packages be scanned in individually. I do it all the time and a new system they implemented a few months makes it a few second process.
At a bare minimum, you can have the postal clerk process it as a package with no postage and input "customer postage paid" for the balance of there is ever a scenario where the package can not be scanned. Then the receipt is your proof it was accepted.
Good luck!
<< <i>
<< <i>Yes, but again, yours went on a merry ride AFTER it was accepted..that is a very frequent occurrence ..his never got to square one...he has no proof he even dropped it off and got it into the system.....different ball game
Even if he had insured it it wouldn't help because it was never "accepted" ...just a label printed
Don't forget ...this was 5 days ago and it is still not even in the system >>
Exactly. >>
As pointed out earlier, there is no guarantee of updated "tracking," only a guarantee of showing delivery (because sig conf. is involved). Tracking updates, when they occur, are nothing more than a courtesy. Just because it shows no tracking info does not mean it is not in the delivery system. This exact thing happens often when their is no acceptance scan at the PO when you hand it over; doesn't mean it's lost. . . yet.
If an ebay transaction, you may even see positive feedback before you see a "tracking" update. I wouldn't worry about it until ten days have passed. You can't even file a claim on priority insured until after 21 days.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>
<< <i> not all post offices will provide you with an acceptance scan on pre-printed postage items as the scan is not actually included as a part of the service you've paid for. >>
I can not imagine an acceptance scan not being provided for. There is an official "SCAN Form" you can get printed that can be scanned which will log acceptance of a large lot of packages. All post offices have small handheld scanners that can take advantage of this form.
Alternatively, you should be able to go to the counter and ask packages be scanned in individually. I do it all the time and a new system they implemented a few months makes it a few second process.
At a bare minimum, you can have the postal clerk process it as a package with no postage and input "customer postage paid" for the balance of there is ever a scenario where the package can not be scanned. Then the receipt is your proof it was accepted.
Good luck! >>
As stated earlier, scan of an incoming package with on-line shipping label is a courtesy (at the discretion of the clerk) unless the postage was purchased at the usps.com site AND a scan form was also printed (Scan forms are only available when printing postage at the usps.com site). Clerk is required to scan when a Scan form is presented. Scan form does not require multiple shipments, you can print one with just one shipment.
I have dealt with clerks who refused to scan if a scan form is not presented. One of the nicer clerks explained to me later that it is because a few clerks do not like the idea of on-line postage because they feel it takes away from their job security. The nicer clerk said on-line postage made her job easier. Without a scan form it is up to the clerk, this fact was reinforced when I questioned the supervisor.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>I can not imagine an acceptance scan not being provided for. >>
Believe it. One of the local branches where I live will not scan preprinted postage label even if you ask.
<< <i>There is an official "SCAN Form" you can get printed that can be scanned which will log acceptance of a large lot of packages. >>
That is not the same thing as scanning individual packages and as has been noted above, the post office will scan these.
<< <i>All post offices have small handheld scanners that can take advantage of this form. >>
You might be surprised what "all" post offices have (or don't have).
<< <i>Alternatively, you should be able to go to the counter and ask packages be scanned in individually. I do it all the time and a new system they implemented a few months makes it a few second process. >>
Maybe at yours, but there is no guarantee you can get the same service everywhere.
<< <i>At a bare minimum, you can have the postal clerk process it as a package with no postage and input "customer postage paid" for the balance of there is ever a scenario where the package can not be scanned. Then the receipt is your proof it was accepted. >>
The receipt at my post office is a piece of calculator tape with a total and a date stamp. Will that count as proof of acceptance? I don't know.
Bottom line- there are lots of different post office branches all over the country and the fact you can get some particular service that is not included as a part of the service you paid for in the DMM at yours is not evidence you can get that same service at all the other ones.
Some times they are really fast and sometimes they can end up under the seat in the truck. Actually had that happen to me once I thought it was mailed with a group going into the blue box and found it a couple of days later. Luckily that was before the push for one day shipping.
<< <i>The receipt at my post office is a piece of calculator tape with a total and a date stamp. Will that count as proof of acceptance? I don't know. >>
if del. conf. or sig. conf. are purchased online (required for all ebay shipments) the conf. number will show up on the receipt you are handed at the time of an incoming scan by the clerk. Not only is it your proof that you dropped off the specific shipment at the post office, the incoming scan will change the status from "Electronic Shipping Info Received" to "Acceptance."
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>I feel like as of now, my hands are tied behind my back and there's nothing I can but hope and wait. I have called USPS.com and have a team supervisor looking into it but who knows how much he or she will do to help this case, either way, it seems like the only way I could have avoided this was to use a real Post Office and possibly got a scan and receipt. >>
It's too early to panic. Read and heed the advice here from others for future shipments. The advice given is from people with lots of USPS shipping experience.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
Another option is to buy delivery or signature confirmation at the post office after a label is printed. They have to scan that to put on a receipt. Only problem there is online shipping is usually cheaper and you have to fight with the clerk to make sure you only pay for the cost of the added options and not the difference in postage too.
<< <i>if del. conf. or sig. conf. are purchased online (required for all ebay shipments) the conf. number will show up on the receipt you are handed at the time of an incoming scan by the clerk. >>
Not at my post office. They do not have computerized registers and there is no printed acceptance scan receipt. If you're shipping several items, they add the total up on a calculator like you get at Office Depot, tear the tape off and stamp it with their round date stamp.
edited to add... at one rural post office I stopped at a couple of years back, they weighed your package on a scale kind of like you'd see at the butcher's, look up the postage in their rate book and put the proper amount of postage on the package with stamps. No printed postage labels at all at this post office. Moral of the story- it's hard to generalize about how the post office does things.
<< <i>Moral of the story- it's hard to generalize about how the post office does things. >>
OK, I surrender. I'm talking most post offices, not to include those in BF, Egypt.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>OK, I surrender. I'm talking most post offices, not to include those in BF, Egypt.
You are, of course, right about that.
All I'm getting at is that unless the DMM specifies any particular service or feature as part of what you pay for, there is no guarantee you will get it- even if you tell them that other post offices will do what you're asking them to.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>I had a problem the other day with a Small Fat rate box showing up at my door to be signed for before I ever got around to checking the tracking on it.
OK, I'll bite....what does you not bothering to check the tracking on a package have to do with this package being accepted at the USPS>>>>>
Just askin' and curious.....
In God We Trust.... all others pay in Gold and Silver!
Who gets the left-overs???
<< <i>What if the Post Office goes out of business while in the possession of your package???
Who gets the left-overs??? >>
Harry Reid?
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>
<< <i>I had a problem the other day with a Small Fat rate box showing up at my door to be signed for before I ever got around to checking the tracking on it.
OK, I'll bite....what does you not bothering to check the tracking on a package have to do with this package being accepted at the USPS>>>>>
Just askin' and curious..... >>
What I was obliquely eluding to is that some "BIG PROBLEMS" are not that big of a deal.
Has his customer even asked about it yet?
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
i read most of the posts here.
when i print postage at home via whatever medium, once i take it to the post office, you can either drop it off or sign the package in as accepted and you will get a receipt showing as such, just fyi
.
This is myth. USPS does not have any type of internal tracking regarding this. Only USPS Express Mail is track-able
<< <i>"all mail with a label number is track-able to the USPS. That is the purpose of the label number. They just don't always share that tracking info with the public. "
This is myth. USPS does not have any type of internal tracking regarding this. Only USPS Express Mail is track-able >>
Note that I said trackable to the USPS. This is fact, how do you think they get the information that they do show when you are able to view non-express routing (tracking) on-line. Like I said anything with a label number and bar code is trackable to USPS. Only express mail tracking info is promised to be viewable by the customer. All other customer viewable tracking info is a courtesy.
Those numbers and bar codes on USPS stick-on labels such as insurance, signature confirmation and delivery confirmation (and all paypal generated labels since del. confirmation is included free) are there strictly for tracking purposes. USPS scans and tracks all of these labels, they just don't always make it available on-line unless it is Express mail.
USPS is making a concentrated effort to make all bar coded label information viewable on line from their tracking window as their research has shown that the benefit of such tracking is one major reason why shipping customers prefer FEDEX and UPS. All hand held USPS scanners are uploaded daily into the tracking system.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
<< <i>Label numbers are not track-able to or within USPS internally or externally either online or offline unless it is Express Mail only .... Believe me I know this as fact
Then how do I know this:
Delivered
August 08, 2012, 1:05 pm
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216
Registered Mail™
Arrival at Unit
August 08, 2012, 7:48 am
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246
Processed through USPS Sort Facility
August 06, 2012, 4:21 pm
SARASOTA, FL
No wonder they are going broke, they are wasting their time scanning shipments for no reason.
The barcodes are on the labels for a reason.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."
Bar codes are scanned for Delivery or Notice being left.
"And, why does USPS tracking page normally provide updated tracking info for packages other than just Express Mail?"
USPS scans them as courtesy scans that are not required and does not provide step by step tracking information.
<< <i>"Then why do they have bar codes and why does the post office scan them?"
Bar codes are scanned for Delivery or Notice being left.
"And, why does USPS tracking page normally provide updated tracking info for packages other than just Express Mail?"
USPS scans them as courtesy scans that are not required and does not provide step by step tracking information. >>
So, label numbers are trackable. As I stated earlier, USPS is making an effort to provide more in-process tracking info available on-line for all trackable shipments in response to customer feedback on why they prefer FEDEX and UPS. They only promise to do it for express shipments. . . for now.
"A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."