posted on May 8, 2008 07:56:32 AM new
About 3 weeks ago, I took 6 pre-printed packages to the post office. about a week ago, I get an email from one of the package recipients asking "where is my item"
I looked up the "free" tracking information, and the post office only showed I had paid for the postage, but they had not received the package.
WHAT????
Apparently, according to my local postmaster, when I drop the package off at the local post office, they do not scan it. They send it to the main post office distribution center, where it is scanned. So the post office has my package, but I have no proof they have it. 5 out of the 6 were accepted and delivered, one was not. I had little choice but to explain it to the customer, and refund his money, including the shipping. I could not PROVE that the post office had received my package, even though they may have it for 4-48 hours and could have it lost, stolen, or I could have somehow forgotten to put a label on it.
they tell me to make sure I put my name and address inside each package?? That will negate all the "free" confirmations I will get.
I am writing this so others don't get burned for $49.99 as I did. I am not sure that the free confirmation sticker is worth the money. I have to ship 75 packages to get my $50 back. Has anyone else had this happen?
posted on May 8, 2008 08:22:40 AM new
drjjack:
Not sure what type of 'packages' you are referring to but...
In my experience, the plastic (non-tyvek) envelopes can stick to other packages in shipping if not TOTALLY using their self adhesive strip (have to make sure every bit of that supersticky stuff is attached to MY envelope so it doesnt stick to anyone else's!)
So, in addition to my mailers/padded envelopes getting stuck to OTHER packages, the other mailers can attach themselves to MY packages for the same reason!
If this happens, items can to be misdirected at any point in their journey or you can see a super screwy zipcode when you look up dc!
If you are referring to boxed items or usps priority mail packaging, I am clueless!
posted on May 8, 2008 09:00:42 AM new"I looked up the "free" tracking information..."
NO, you looked-up whether or not your items were DELIVERED...
DELIVERY CONFIRMATION is NOT tracking...For your $0.00 - $0.14, you get: CONFIRMATION OF DELIVERY only...You do NOT get "tracking"
Accidentally, yer packie MAY or MAY NOT track -- but if it DOES, it's NOT part of the deal...
If I mail sumptin expensive, I always mail it REGISTERED MAIL (which is a PITA as you can ONLY use paper tape at all seal-edges) -- and I get REAL TRACKING...
posted on May 8, 2008 09:09:12 AM new
It's a PITA, but after printing my Priority labels at home, I take the packages to the PO, pay the postage and watch them scan each one. I've only had one customer complain of non-delivery, and when I gave her the DC number, I never heard back from her.
posted on May 8, 2008 12:08:16 PM new
max40-Yes, that is the way to make sure that they get scanned "at the door". By scanning and paying for postage on line, I assumed they would be scanned by the local post office I dropped them off at. However, that was/is not the case. This was more of a warning to the big "hole" in the pre pay system, throw them on the counter and run system, so others know about it.
As far as tracking, it lets me know when my package gets to any major DC for the postal service.
posted on May 10, 2008 06:44:49 AM new
If you just drop them off at your local post office,they are not scanned,if you want them scanned,you have to bring them to the counter and have a clerk scan them right there.
It could also be a scam,I have 4 packages going to the same bidder,one without DC and she called and said she did not get it and then scrolled through my listing and pick out 2 items as replacement.
There are so many resellers on Ebay ,if they can get some merchandise free,it would sure lower their cost.
I have been having more problems with packages going to UK,does anyone else have same problem?
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Lets all stop whining !
posted on May 12, 2008 06:18:07 AM new
This is way I insure anything over $25.
USPS has a special way to track insured packages that isn't available to the public.
posted on May 12, 2008 09:29:08 AM new
"Bear in mind, however, that they are not obliged to do this if you have purchased eDC."
They are however obligated to scan DC if you pay postage at the counter.
posted on May 12, 2008 10:14:39 AM new
Tom is right,if you really want tracking ,sent it as registered mail.
DC provides some form of tracking,(1) it has been accepted by the post office and (2) it has arrived at the buyer's post office.
If it never arrive,there is no way to find out where it went?
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Lets all stop whining !
