Lost package - dropped at post office and no tracking update
 

My first lost package as a seller. Package was dropped off at the Franconia Post Office in Alexandria, Va, last Friday. It has been a whole week and there's no tracking update. This is looking more and more like theft and I am hoping for the best of course.

Not a trivial item and value is 425.00.

2017 Panini Donruss Optic Jayson Tatum FAST BREAK HOLO RATED ROOKIE Card PSA 10

Tracking so far:

March 10, 2022, 12:27 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22310
A shipping label has been prepared for your item at 12:27 pm on March 10, 2022 in ALEXANDRIA, VA 22310. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.

For any post workers on the forum, can I realistically see my package again?
The local post office told me to do a missing mail search request in a few days. I think I need to speak to the local postmaster next week.

I've had rare instances where there were no update scans (not even acceptance) until final delivery. If it's a priority mail parcel, I'd give it until monday then file an investigation.

Did you physically hand it to them and they scanned the barcode? Always ask for receipt which pretty much forces them to scan it into the system instead of just throwing it off to the side if they are busy with something else.

It was early in the morning so I just dropped it in the collection bin inside the post office. Yes, lessons learned especially for higher value items.

It pays to stand in line and let them scan it then with the lazy and not to smart people that work at the post office these days.

[QUOTE=EBCollectibles;18071662]It pays to stand in line and let them scan it then with the lazy and not to smart people that work at the post office these days.[/QUOTE]

It's "too" smart.

Pretty ridiculous at my P.O.. they refuse to scan in packages. Only option is the automated machine and drop it in the box. No problem for lesser value. But one time I had a $5k Next Day Express to PSA. I was telling them the next day guarantee (and insurance) is absolutely no good unless it is scanned in. They either played dumb or were actually that dumb. The manager finally came out and allowed it to get a scan. Seriously.

[QUOTE=gameissued;18072321]Pretty ridiculous at my P.O.. they refuse to scan in packages. Only option is the automated machine and drop it in the box. No problem for lesser value. But one time I had a $5k Next Day Express to PSA. I was telling them the next day guarantee (and insurance) is absolutely no good unless it is scanned in. They either played dumb or were actually that dumb. The manager finally came out and allowed it to get a scan. Seriously.[/QUOTE]
This is the way for most PO now.

[QUOTE=gameissued;18072321]Pretty ridiculous at my P.O.. they refuse to scan in packages. Only option is the automated machine and drop it in the box. No problem for lesser value. But one time I had a $5k Next Day Express to PSA. I was telling them the next day guarantee (and insurance) is absolutely no good unless it is scanned in. They either played dumb or were actually that dumb. The manager finally came out and allowed it to get a scan. Seriously.[/QUOTE]

My local PO will always scan it for me....maybe because they are so small they don't have an automated machine. When you scan something in using the machine, does it spit out a receipt for you?

Keep going to the post office and asking if they scanned the item. Show them your update online. I bought a lot of Ohtani cards last year and the seller that I was working with had the same issue. He went to the post office every other day to show them that it wasn’t scanned yet. About 2 weeks later, the package was scanned and started moving. See if your buyer can wait a little until informing eBay that package has not arrived. Best of luck.

I had a package of significant value just with a printed label and apparently carried by the post master general himself through a mountain range precariously finding it’s destination two weeks later. Don’t lose hope and keep an eye on the horizon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[QUOTE=JeffG1954;18072367]My local PO will always scan it for me....maybe because they are so small they don't have an automated machine. When you scan something in using the machine, does it spit out a receipt for you?[/QUOTE]
You get a receipt if you want with the automated machine. But it doesn’t guarantee anything as you could get the receipt and walk off with the package still.

[QUOTE=gameissued;18072321]Pretty ridiculous at my P.O.. they refuse to scan in packages. Only option is the automated machine and drop it in the box. No problem for lesser value. But one time I had a $5k Next Day Express to PSA. I was telling them the next day guarantee (and insurance) is absolutely no good unless it is scanned in. They either played dumb or were actually that dumb. The manager finally came out and allowed it to get a scan. Seriously.[/QUOTE]

Same at my PO. There's this one guy who gets annoyed if I want a package manually scanned at the counter. I don't want to leave a high value item sitting out in the open in a bin, and when you print off a receipt at the machine, it's meaningless because you could have walked off with the item after scanning it.

I use UPS on everything now that is like $150 or more.
The few extra bucks is worth the peace of mind, and it's actually much closer to me than my post office.

[QUOTE=brettmik59;18072434]Same at my PO. There's this one guy who gets annoyed if I want a package manually scanned at the counter. I don't want to leave a high value item sitting out in the open in a bin, and when you print off a receipt at the machine, it's meaningless because you could have walked off with the item after scanning it.

I use UPS on everything now that is like $150 or more.
The few extra bucks is worth the peace of mind, and it's actually much closer to me than my post office.[/QUOTE]

He would just have to get annoyed. I would go just to him then.

[QUOTE=JeffG1954;18072367]My local PO will always scan it for me....maybe because they are so small they don't have an automated machine.[/QUOTE]

Ive never had a problem either, been to a few different ones around my town.

Thanks, all. Really appreciate the feedback. I am going to the post office again on Monday and hoping for the best. The buyer still would like the card and can wait for a few more days.

[QUOTE=EBCollectibles;18071662]It pays to stand in line and let them scan it then with the lazy and not to smart people that work at the post office these days.[/QUOTE]

I keep using USPS, more out of routine than anything, but totally agree with this sentiment: stand in line and get it scanned by the clerk. BTW, the prices for insurance, if you use it, are seriously increasing.

I have been selling on Ebay for over 18 years and this same thing just happened to me 2 weeks ago for the first time. I printed shipping labels at home and dropped 6 packages off at USPS and none of them have moved from there. Not even scanned and no movement. I did the missing mail submission forms online a week ago and still no movement. I have called all my local card shops to see if anyone walked in with them and I am contemplating my next steps. At what point do I file a police report, or is there a better next step?

NEVER leave a package on "bin" in a public area of the PO. Easy target for thieves. Maybe leave it where it's behind the counter where the person has to hop over it to get to the package.

BUT, I always go to the fine ladies at my PO. I'm such a regular that they are "disappointed" that I only have 1 or 2 after my first initial rush of 20+ packages earlier in the week.

Both have told me that they welcome my "mindless activity" for them to rest their brains a bit. Considering they have to deal with some crazies at my PO. They are always happy to see me whether I have 1 package or 30!

I recently became aware that self-serve / automated machines have been recently updated, or will be updated, where you can enter the pre-paid tracking number (i.e. purchased on eBay or directly from USPS.com), gather a receipt, & then drop it in the bin. Definitely need to do that or get a physical scan now. I thought a $5,000 insured PSA shipment was lost just this week, and thankfully, it ended up just being a day late, allowing me to get a $56 refund, but still, service is very, very erratic.

[QUOTE=GOATcollector;18072966] I printed shipping labels at home and dropped 6 packages off at USPS and none of them have moved from there. Not even scanned and no movement. [/QUOTE]

I've been dropping the mail inside the post office ever since eBay started doing shipping label, but recently I've had a few inconsistent tracking. I have 2 packages that just says tracking provided, it has been 2.5 weeks, but no response from the buyer. I'm prepared to take a loss, if the buyers says they didn't receive it.

I got this card from eBay on Friday 3/18, but on the eBay tracker right now at this time says:

Mar 14, 2022
10:01pm
Origin Processing
MILWAUKEE, WI 53201

[QUOTE=brettmik59;18072434]Same at my PO. There's this one guy who gets annoyed if I want a package manually scanned at the counter. I don't want to leave a high value item sitting out in the open in a bin, and when you print off a receipt at the machine, it's meaningless because you could have walked off with the item after scanning it.

I use UPS on everything now that is like $150 or more.
The few extra bucks is worth the peace of mind, and it's actually much closer to me than my post office.[/QUOTE]

I had similar issues at my local office and would dread having to get them to scan it in. I usually go 2-4 times a week to drop off packages and they removed the kiosk. They would say I could just leave the packages, but I would tell them I needed a receipt for travel expenses for taxes. I finally introduced myself to the workers over the course of several weeks and asked their names so I could tell them hello whenever I came in. I would say hey to them and make small talk while they scanned my 5-10 packages. Now, they all are nice, know me by name, and are helpful if there's ever an issue. It might not work for you, but has made my experiences so much better the last few months. I even had one of the ladies try to set me up with her great niece, haha.

[QUOTE=gododgersfan;18071582]My first lost package as a seller. Package was dropped off at the Franconia Post Office in Alexandria, Va, last Friday. It has been a whole week and there's no tracking update. This is looking more and more like theft and I am hoping for the best of course.

Not a trivial item and value is 425.00.

2017 Panini Donruss Optic Jayson Tatum FAST BREAK HOLO RATED ROOKIE Card PSA 10

Tracking so far:

March 10, 2022, 12:27 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22310
A shipping label has been prepared for your item at 12:27 pm on March 10, 2022 in ALEXANDRIA, VA 22310. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.

For any post workers on the forum, can I realistically see my package again?
The local post office told me to do a missing mail search request in a few days. I think I need to speak to the local postmaster next week.[/QUOTE]
I had a similar issue with two packages a couple of months back that didn't get tracking updated for over a week. I spoke to my local PO manager who said due to covid related staffing shortages they stopped scanning every package left in the bin and would send it on to regional distribution where it was hit or miss whether it would be scanned. The package ended up getting scanned at destination and delivered a few days later. Try signing up for email/text updates as I read it also facilitates updates. I did and maybe it was just a coincidence that tracking was updated right after.

I've definitely had a few like this...it's a bit stressful but I've been buying and selling on eBay for over 20 years and I can count the number of packages that have legitimately been lost over that span on a few fingers. 99 times out of 100, maybe even 999 out of 1000, it eventually shows up somewhere.

[QUOTE=gameissued;18072321]Pretty ridiculous at my P.O.. they refuse to scan in packages. Only option is the automated machine and drop it in the box. No problem for lesser value. But one time I had a $5k Next Day Express to PSA. I was telling them the next day guarantee (and insurance) is absolutely no good unless it is scanned in. They either played dumb or were actually that dumb. The manager finally came out and allowed it to get a scan. Seriously.[/QUOTE]

If this is the one on 50 and Econ. There is always issues there.