posted on February 7, 2006 12:14:21 PM
My post office had been scanning Priority Mail for me at the counter, so that I could prove that I had dropped it off. Now, they only want to do it for Express Mail.
I don't think that they scan them in the back, either.
How do y'awl deal with this? It seems to me that I can't prove that I did anything other than print postage if nobody scans it.
posted on February 7, 2006 12:33:39 PM
I had a real smart butt working the counter a few months back that told me I couldn't stamp a package insured unless I bought the insurance through the post office ...I mean he was a real butt head about...loud almost screaming at me in the crowded post office. I came home and e-mailed the postal site with this question "Hi, Is it ok to mark a package Insured if I use DSI insurance to insure my package." it took about two days to get a answer of " you can hand write it blah blah " so I wrote back I had bought a rubber stamp could I use it she wrote back "Thank you for your reply. Either one, the stamp or hand writing, will be ok." I printed it out and took it to Mr. Butt Head never had another problem with that. I would write to the Postal Site. If they say they should always scan it in then print it out and take it to them. http://hdusps.esecurecare.net/cgi-bin/hdusps.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php
posted on February 7, 2006 12:35:25 PM
I assume you are referring to delivery confirmation? Bypass the clerk at the window and speak directly to the Postmaster. Make him explain to you why they refuse to scan at the window.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
posted on February 7, 2006 12:43:37 PM
I went around with a clerk a few months ago on the same complaint. I emailed USPS and was told that if you purchase your postage at the PO, they must scan for delivery confirmation. They do not have to scan it if you drop off a package with prepaid postage.
posted on February 7, 2006 12:48:53 PM
Folks, it's not tracking and if you insist on trying to use it as tracking you are going to be bitterly disappointed.
posted on February 7, 2006 01:23:06 PM
If you want your DC scanned in at the counter, you will have to use Shipping Assistant. Label is scanned, and if you use two part receipt, the receipt will be hand stamped all for the price of 14 cents.
When using SA, you can email buyer the DC# automatically. Then off to the P.O. to have your package marked as "Accepted." The item can then be tracked for delivery, etc.
Delivered, February 06, 2006, 10:49 am, CINCINNATI, OH 45242
Electronic Shipping Info Received *, February 03, 2006
Acceptance, February 03, 2006, 4:46 pm, BREA, CA 92822
Neat! Well worth the wait.
Oh, I forgot to mention that the package was mailed 1st Class. Package weight was 2oz (fluffed with bubble wrap). And, was just large enough to place the label on it.
[ edited by kozersky on Feb 7, 2006 01:25 PM ]
[ edited by kozersky on Feb 7, 2006 01:28 PM ]
posted on February 7, 2006 02:02:39 PM
I am unaware of the official reason. However, I would bet that because of the discount the USPS gives PayPal for selling the postage, we have lost the scan at PO.
Further, when I bring item to counter, the package is scanned to match label with info in system. Then I am charged the postage.
I bet fLufF will know more.
It would be less work to handle the PayPal label, since postage is paid.
[ edited by kozersky on Feb 7, 2006 02:05 PM ]
[ edited by kozersky on Feb 7, 2006 02:39 PM ]
posted on February 7, 2006 02:46:37 PM
I take my packages to the PO and the clerks will scan the PayPal labels and give me a receipt as long as I stand in line and not just drop the packages off at the counter. I have done this with Priority, first class and parcel post mail.
I do take in brownies, cookies, and holiday treats about every 3-4 weeks, however. Of course some people say that I am "sucking-up", but I have never had a problem with mailing anything or having questions answered and most importantly, scanning PayPal labels.
posted on February 7, 2006 02:47:01 PM
The post office is not required to scan a barcode at all when you drop off a prepaid package unless it is Express Mail. The name of the service you are paying the discounted rate for is "Delivery Confirmation" and not "Tracking Confirmation", hence, no scan at drop off at the PO. They scan barcodes when you pay for a service at the counter because it let's there system know how much to charge you for whatever service you are requesting. The same with printing your label (w/barcode) using SA, you still have to pay at the counter so they scan the barcode to figure out how much to charge you.
Now what would be nice would be if the PO came out with a new service just for tracking. Pay a couple extra cents but your package get's scanned at drop off and every other major event along the way. I'll have to type up a letter and send in the idea to the PM General's office. With all the labels printed on ebay through PayPal I bet the PO could rake in quite a bit of money even at a nominal fee. Don't know about all of you but I would pay a extra 20 or 25 cents for the tracking info. Would also make life alot easier with PayPal claims if we could get tracking info cheap.
They say your memory's the second thing to go, I just can't remember what the first thing is.
posted on February 7, 2006 02:59:12 PM
Just had that discussion with my mailman this week. He says that he feels if I am paying for DC , then he needs to scan the label when he picks it up. BUT.. his collegues are still arguing about it. Some feel that they should not be scanning on pick-up , only on delivery.
I told him that I could really careless about point to point tracking. I just want my packaged scanned on pick-up so I have proof of mailing.
Thank goodness I have a great postman! His Monday sub is a PITA though.
posted on February 7, 2006 03:02:55 PM
Rumor has it they are looking at adding the ability to scan in prepaid DC to the automated machines. Who knows when but I was told this by one of the district guys in the area who was "supervising" the usage of the automated machines at Christmas time.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on February 7, 2006 03:37:37 PMDon't know about all of you but I would pay a extra 20 or 25 cents for the tracking info. Would also make life alot easier with PayPal claims if we could get tracking info cheap.
I agree with you, Mike. In theory.
In practice, some postal workers are downright lackadaisical about doing the scanning they're already supposed to be doing, i.e. when they deliver the thing.
And I can't tell you how many Signature Confirmation packages I've found on my doorstep. I discovered my carrier was forging a signature so he could just drop it and run.
