OT: local USPS issue

BBN · October 11, 2008 9:58PM

I dropped off two packages on October 3. I have tracking numbers on both items. A buyer on ebay contacted me last night saying it had been ten days since the auction and that struck me funny because I knew I had dropped off his item days ago. I ran the tracking number on his item and it shows that his item has never left my local PO. I have the tracking number of another item and ran it and same thing. Neither item has left the local post office since I dropped them off on 10/3.

So what can be done? One item for $75 has insurance and he other item worth $30 didn't have insurance. Am I just S.O.L? Will the PO say too bad on the $30 and that I should have gotten insurance?

tracking numbers:
0307 0020 0005 6264 6047
0307 0020 0005 6264 6030

AlixTCat · October 11, 2008 10:05PM

You could go to the post office and find out why the packages are still there. Why are you assuming the packages were lost?
If they are, indeed, lost, the post office will reimburse you for the one for which you purchased insurance. Of course they will not reimburse you for the one with no insurance.

But I would go to the post office and see if the package is still there, since that is what the numbers indicate.

Jonathan

SaorAlba · October 11, 2008 10:13PM

I have had issues in the past with sending overnights and priority mails that never left the post office. Oh yes, I was p*ssed off and got my money back, but it sure didn't help when I had to get something out quickly.

airplanenut · October 11, 2008 10:13PM

USPS tracking is useless. Very often, it doesn't update from "Received at..." until the day it's delivered. It could be stuck anywhere between points A and B.

fcloud · October 11, 2008 10:17PM

Most likely just a couple of slow ones. I have had packages to PCGS go from Wisconsin to Newport Beach in as quick as two days and as long as 20 or so. I just sometime gets held up for some reason or other. I wouldn't worry about it yet, you can't even put in a claim until after 30 days.

BBN · October 11, 2008 10:19PM

Thanks for the answers folks. I guess I'm jumping the gun. I sent two other items on 10/8 and the tracking # shows they both arrived on 10/11. I just hope these buyers don't take it out on me on my feedback. They're both longtime ebayers with good feedback and good ratings(one in the 600s. The other in the 1200s) so I assume they'll understand it isn't me and won't hammer me for it since they've probably dealt with this before.

derryb · October 11, 2008 10:24PM

As stated above, USPS tracking only reliable for final delivery.

notwilight · October 11, 2008 10:27PM

<< <i>As stated above, USPS tracking only reliable for final delivery. >>

That's why it is often called "delivery confirmation". When I give tracking numbers to people who ask I always explain this. --jerry

Batman23 · October 11, 2008 10:41PM

Most buyers are a little understanding of slow USPS. Just let the buyer know that you delivered the item to the post office on a certain date, here is a confirmation number for your item, that the item appears to still be enroute. And if you go the extra mile, you can mention that you will check with the local post office and send them an update.

I never get excited until about three weeks out. Two week delivery is not a rare occurance.

BAJJERFAN · October 11, 2008 10:41PM

Its possible the packages got sent out without being scanned in too. I ordered some TV cables from a place which never showed up and the tracking number indicated that it never left their shipping room. I told them that several times so after 8 days they sent a replacement which arrived promptly. First package never did show up. I'd be down at your PO post haste.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 11, 2008 11:40PM

Forward the tracking information to your buyer ASAP and then do as Bajjerfan suggests. Get to the Post Office and inquire. I've had a few shipped items take very long to reach their destination. It's a harrowing experience when a buyer gets antsy.

TomB · October 12, 2008 3:41AM

These numbers are not always updated on the publicly available website.

08HALA20 · October 12, 2008 4:04AM

I had 2 Priority boxes mixed with First class mail and they went to a different sorting city. They stayed there for days, after I made an inquiry they magically appeared (3 more days later) in the destination city.

No acknowledgement they were found, just appeared again on route.

Talk to the post office they will track them down. (especially the insured one).

No PO wants a lost package charged to their PO.

Joe

Good luck

knightem · October 12, 2008 4:27AM

I've had the same problem. The online updates are never "updated" until the package is delivered. You will have better luck finding them if you take the tracking numbers to the post office and confront them. Also, it is a good idea to give the buyer the same numbers so they can track them themselves and show you are a good seller.

19Lyds · October 12, 2008 5:08AM

Just go to the PO on Tuesday and have them traced.

JBTurner · October 12, 2008 5:47AM

"tracking numbers:
0307 0020 0005 6264 6047
0307 0020 0005 6264 6030"

These are not USPS tracking numbers. USPS Express mail is the only trackable USPS mail and the tracking numbers start with "EE" or "ER" USPS Express mail starts at a little over $16. If these were mailed other than USPS Express mail they can not be traced or tracked. Perhaps these were mailed Priority mail with Deilviery confirmation (which is not trackable)

"If they are, indeed, lost, the post office will reimburse you for the one for which you purchased insurance."

"Lost" packages are ones that has exceeded 30 days since mailing.

"I have had issues in the past with sending overnights and priority mails that never left the post office."

If "overnight" is Express Mail and it has not left the PO then yes there is a problem however anything other than Express Mail should leave as soon as possible perhaps not.

"USPS tracking is useless. Very often, it doesn't update from "Received at..." until the day it's delivered. It could be stuck anywhere between points A and B."

Express mail is the only trackable USPS form of mailing and it is very detailed. If mailed other than Express mail it is not trackable.

"These numbers are not always updated on the publicly available website."

They are updated simultaneously on both internal and public facing websites.

"No PO wants a lost package charged to their PO."

No lost packages are in anyway charged to the local Post Office.

BBN · October 12, 2008 6:03AM

Yeah, delivery confirmation. My mistake. Both buyers have not received their item.

OT: local USPS issue

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