Shipping score low due to USPS not updating

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

I just happened to look at my score this month and found out my shipping percentage is 87% down from 100%. I wrote to support because I know that all my orders have tracking. even when etsy did not ask I used to do that so I can get an answer if a customer does not receive their item. That save my butt multiple time. Support answer was,  tracking number may not match carrier etc which made no sense to me. I make my own label from USPS, I do not write I copy and paste when I completed orders. Some stuff lately still say in transit which means the Mailman do not update so how is that my fault? Why do I get penalized for something I have no control over? I mailed something beginning of Nov. To Martinique,  never got updated to delivered. End of Nov the customer message me since then I never heard back I assume she received her item and some places they do not update delivery. That is not fair for etsy to be looking at delivery ticket in order to come up with a score. This issue just started I am wondering if others have delivery updates issues. I give my customers great service and that is why I have been a star seller for quite a while. 

[bradgoodell]

If you are entering the tracking numbers manually, there is sometimes a delay of 24-48 hours before they link.  

Suggestion:  Either use Etsy labels or a free service like PirateShip that integrates with Etsy for buying postage labels.  The labels will be much cheaper than what USPS offers, because you will get a commercial discount.  And integrated labels are less likely to have this issue.  It will save you both time and money, since the tracking number will be added automatically.  

[bradgoodell]

Adding, another issue with cut-n-paste of tracking numbers is you can accidentally add a space, which will make the label read invalid. 

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

I will check pirateShip. My experience is USPS costs are usually less than what etsy show and I pay enough fees I am not paying a shipping fee because I buy my postage on from etsy

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@MtCarmelproduilakay   Actually Etsy has commercial pricing which is less expensive than retail you get at the post office.

[Adorabilities]

Even using integrated labels, the status of the shipment can show up incorrectly on the CSV for several days. If the item has been scanned at least once, (and it's been entered without any errors) it should eventually show up correctly on the CSV. 

[BagmakerSupply]

@MtCarmelproduilakay: Have you looked at the applicable CSV file available from your Star Seller page to see which orders Etsy thinks shipped without tracking?

"Some stuff lately still say in transit which means the Mailman do not update so how is that my fault? Why do I get penalized for something I have no control over?" Star Seller is based on shipped, not delivered. As long as the package has been scanned at least once it should not negatively affect your Star Seller stats.

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

I tried it always gives me an error. It is not downloading which puts me in the dark as I cam not find which order they used

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

I just tried on my phone. Excell spreadsheet does not show order number. Info is not matching as the spreadsheet is saying order not process on time. I usually mail stuff ahead of time. Something is not right there

[Adorabilities]

It doesn't show the order number at all? Or it doesn't show the tracking number associated with that order?

Either way, the CSV may not be accurate yet for that order. Have you looked it on a computer? I can't imagine trying to look at an Excel spreadsheet on a phone.

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

I understand what you are saying but I do not have excel on my laptop. I thought that was the reason I was not showing all the info. On my phone it is showing the same thing as my laptop. I will try on my work laptop 

[BagmakerSupply]

@MtCarmelproduilakay: You can try OpenOffice or LibreOffice, both are open source and free and very compatible with MS Office.

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

I was successful this time. One is my international order and I went directly to USPS because I was unable to do it from home the other 2 I mistakenly put the same tracking number for them. But still showing pre transit. I know they were received or else customers would have message me by now.

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

Thank you all for your help

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@MtCarmelproduilakay   Are you taking the item to the post office within your processing time frame?  Do you immediately upon returning home enter the tracking number?  Does it then say accepted and then later in- transit within your processing time frame?  If you are outside your processing time frame or the package does not show accepted then that can also cause issues.

If you enter the number manually make sure the number is correct.  You have 3 days to correct. 

Using Etsy labels which cost less than retail USPS enters the tracking number. Pirateship and others do the same.  You do have to get that package to the post office within your processing time frame. 

[MtCarmelproduilakay]

Yes to all the questions you ask. Although I don't go to the post office all the time since I print my label. I don't always remember to check if it is in transit. Once in a while I used to when I was manually inputting the tracking.  But now I will make it a point to do so

[TonsOfPaper · Accepted solution]

Hello @MtCarmelproduilakay,

We've double-checked the orders affecting your Star Seller, and it appears that the tracking number you've added on these orders can't also be tracked on the carrier's website. All physical orders must include a valid tracking number or a shipping label purchased on Etsy, to be counted positively towards your shipping score. 

Please know that if you add a tracking number to the order, Etsy will try to retrieve the tracking information from the carrier's website. If you're sure that the tracking number is correct but it can't be tracked on the carrier's website, you may want to coordinate with your carrier directly to further investigate the issue.

Thank you very much!