Etsy Postage Labels Has anyone had this happen?

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

I have been purchasing Etsy postage labels for a long time and have not really had any problems.  I always have my packages scanned at the post office.  However one of my packages is showing that postage has not been paid even though Etsy has taken it out of my account.  When I checked the tracking number, I saw this message:

"Delayed for postage assessment, held awaiting payment

US"

It goes on to say that if it is not paid, the package will become the property of USPS.   

Has anyone experienced this?  Did it turn out to be a glitch?  

[BeJeweledByDEBORAH]

It sounds as though the package was weighed/measured and determined to be heavier/larger than what was paid for. I have had this happen which resulted in USPS charging Etsy for the additional postage, and they then, of course, charged my account for it. However, I've never seen the statement that the package could become the property of USPS. If Tracking continues to show this same status on Friday (USPS is closed tomorrow), I'd be inclined to visit the local PO to see if they can shed light on it for you. 

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

Thank you for your reply.  I thought that it might be that they determined it needed extra postage even though I add a few ounces to the scale weight.  I don't use calculated shipping.  I googled the message I had, and it indicated that it means the package has counterfeit postage.  I don't even know how that happens.   

[ZehOriginalArt]

So you used Etsy labels and USPS is saying that the label is no good? USPS says that warning is for either counterfeit (as you mentioned) or unpaid postage. USPS will need to work it out because obviously it is not counterfeit nor is it unpaid. This seems to be a USPS problem from what I have seen in online forums, so the suggestion to check with your PO sounds like a good idea. Or it may turn out that once they get around to assessing it, the package will just go on to be delivered.

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

Thank you for your reply.  I was wondering if others have had that happen with Etsy labels.  You're right.  It's possible that it's a USPS glitch.  

[BagmakerSupply]

@JenAshleyDollDesigns: There is information on this at https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Counterfeit-Postage-and-Unpaid-Postage#package_delayed_for_postage_as...

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

Thank you for the link.  It looks like something needs to be straightened out between Etsy and USPS.  

[BagmakerSupply]

@JenAshleyDollDesigns: Probably between USPS and Pitney Bowes (PB) since Etsy is essentially just a virtual salesperson for PB in this scenario.

[TimeSpanTreasures]

I see reports of this happening on other selling venues, such as Amazon and Shopify, causing headaches for sellers and buyers, with delayed packages.

For some reason, USPS thinks the shipping isn't paid or isn't legit.

I do hope it's a glitch that gets cleared up quickly, hope your package is soon on its way to your buyer, and hope we don't read more reports of this in the forums.

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

Thank you for replying. It sounds like it's not just me then.  I sent a chat to Etsy, and they assured me that is was paid on Etsy's end since it shows they took it from my account.  

[TimeSpanTreasures]

If the package doesn't get delivered, and is taken by USPS, I think Etsy should cover any refund AND reimburse the seller for the shipping label, at the least.

And Etsy/Pitney Bowes needs to talk to USPS to make sure these packages are not held for counterfeit shipping, when the shipping has been legitimately paid.

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

Exactly!  Thank you for replying.  

[PrimFun]

@JenAshleyDollDesigns   you can contact USPS with the question about the package.  It will take a couple of days but I've always gotten aa response from them. 

Also do you cover the label with clear tape?  That prevents the ink from running.  Not needed if using a laser jet printer.  Did the label wrinkle or show any problems with the bar code?  Was the ink too low?  Was your post office able to scan the package initially.  I always get that first scan when I mail.  I never trust that scans will happen later.  

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

Very good questions.  Thank you.  I always cover the bar code with clear tape even though I do use a laser printer.  I always get them scanned at the desk, because, like you, I don't trust they will be scanned later.  

[ThePurplePuppy]

@JenAshleyDollDesigns 

I never ever cover the bar code as I have heard of this happening. (Never had it happen myself ). I clear tape over the  actual address and the edges of the label but leave the barcode clear. 

Please update us with the outcome of this as personally, I find it most interesting.

[moonbeamgifts]

Here's where I'm going to climb on my soap box and recommend a thermal label printer to anyone not using it already.

No paper or tape necessary.    Seriously, a time saver - I had no clue how much time I was investing by cutting the label and then using three pieces of tape to attach it to the package.      

I adore my thermal label printer, it's lasted <knock on wood> many, many years at this point and I can often find a good deal on the labels to the point where the savings even with the cost of the printer outweighed the physical  expenses each year.    

Also, a much better "print" for scanning because of never running out of toner.

[EarthsOpulence]

@moonbeamgifts I totally agree with this!  I also love my Dymo thermal printer which I've had for YEARS.  The sound of the label printing makes me happy, every single time.  So worth the investment - the labels are "burned" on so no need for extra tape; just print and adhere.

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

I have always covered mine with clear tape in case it gets wet, but I have heard people say that you're not supposed to do that.  I will update everyone after I go to the post office tomorrow.  

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

At the post office, I found out that the package has ended up across the country and in a different postal zone which would make the postage cost more than where the package was supposed to go.  I guess that is reason it is saying that postage has not been paid.  If USPS would check the address and post office of origin and the destination instead of holding it, they would see that the postage is correct for the zone.  I hope this info helps anyone else who has a similar situation.   

[TimeSpanTreasures]

Hmm, this doesn't make a lot of sense to me- I've had packages travel all around before reaching the proper destination; never had a notice about the shipping not being paid.

Is your package now on its way to the buyer?

[vintageNCtreasures]

@JenAshleyDollDesigns 
That doesn't make sense at all. The PO was probably just telling you this because they have no clue what happened.

You paid postage based on YOUR zip code and the buyer's zip code and weight/size of package. 

It shouldn't matter if the package ended up in another state. 
More than likely that package got put on the wrong truck.

I mailed a package through Pirate ship a while back going from NC to AL.

It ended up in Chicago, IL, then in Fargo, ND, back to IL before ending up in AL and delivered.

Tracking showed ALL these places it had went too and had "in transit, arriving late".
Never did the tracking show up awaiting payment.

IMO, sounds like an Etsy problem and/or Pitney Bowes.

[TheLandlockedDogTwo]

It has been happening to many shop, myself included.  Just got off the phone with Etsy customer service.  They are aware of the situation and trying to rectify it.  Tell your customers to open a case, I was assured Etsy would refund the customer.  The kicker is, Etsy will not guarantee removing any low star rating associated with this issue.  That is ridiculous.  

[TheLandlockedDogTwo]

I have had this happen to two of my packages in the last couple of days.  It is very frustrating and I do believe it should be up to Etsy to straighten this out as we pay Etsy directly for postage; not PB.

[JenAshleyDollDesigns]

Did your tracking say that USPS was awaiting payment?  I am afraid to use Etsy labels until this gets straightened out.  I took the orders I had to go out today and bought the the labels directly the post office.  I prefer to use Etsy labels though, because it's easier and less expensive.  

[PulpPourri]

This just happened to me today. How did you handle it with your buyers? I'm not sure what my next steps should be.