No Tracking Given

[ActorCalendar]

Hi,

I'm new to Etsy and I sent my first order to the US from Australia offering free shipping for 72 hours. After I posted my parcel I attempted to fill in tracking details only to see there wasn't a tracking number on my receipt from the Post Office. I went back and enquired about the tracking number and I was told there wasn't one. There was no discussion if I would like to include tracking or not. Due to the cost of the calendar the Post Office agent said it wasn't worth paying the price of tracking. I sent a note to the buyer explaining what happened and advised I have a receipt and the time of posting. The sale is showing up with no tracking. Any suggestions or help if this is acceptable or not please?  Thank you!

[CryzalisDesigns · Accepted solution]

You can send without tracking, but if they postal service loses your parcel you do not have a leg to stand on and will have to refund the customer in full.

If the customer contacts you and inform you they have not received the item purchased again you will have to refund in full.

Tracking is important so that you can locate the parcel in addition I am pretty sure that untracked parcels can not be insured so really it is at your own risk 

[ActorCalendar]

Thank you so much for your reply and time. Grateful for the information and for my customer!

[ActorCalendar]

Thank you so much for your reply and appreciate your suggestions and thoughts.

[BootifulLabels · Accepted solution]

Auspost International economy parcels do not have tracking (not even as a paid upgrade), standard parcels can have tracking but it costs extra, Express parcels come with tracking included.  It is a very costly exercise shipping packages overseas from AU, especially if you require tracking.  Standard packages start at around $24 (I haven't used one in a while), plus around $6 for the optional tracking. 

[DaysofYoreTreasures · Accepted solution]

@BootifulLabels 

I also haven't sent an international parcel for a few months but last time I did the tracking was included with the Standard rate and AusPost says it still is
https://auspost.com.au/business/shipping/international-shipping/international-standard

Then I checked the AusPost calculator and found that a Standard international parcel up to 250gm to the US is still $21. The rate for 251 - 500gm seemed a bit higher than I remembered, at $27.25.

[DaysofYoreTreasures · Accepted solution]

The AusPost counter staff should offer you the options when they process your parcel but some do not. I had a couple of mishaps like that when I started out so I invested in some postal scales and now I check the options & prices on the Auspost website calculator before heading to the post office.
I am in a small country town where our post office is important for the community so I buy all my postage from them.
Other options for you would be to open a MyPost business account and buy your labels online, or to purchase Etsy labels.

[ActorCalendar]

Thank you so much! very much appreciate your help and advice!

[addictedtomermaids · Accepted solution]

I used to send packages all over the world with no tracking when I had another shop and every package arrived safely so the chances are really good that your package is safe and sound. Why don’t you just wait and see what happens

[ActorCalendar]

Thank you so much! I have offered to send another item tracked and haven't heard back yet. I'm hoping it will arrive. Thank you so much for your time and suggestion!