USPS Tracking issue nonpayment from ETSY

[LuminousCreation]

I bought multiple USPS labels though etsy and shipped the packages today. I just had my customer get ahold of me asking if I was aware of the strange tracking she received. The post office says that the payment has not been received and is holding the package without shipping until payment is received. Just had a useless etsy support convo that provided to be of no help. This appears to be a tech issue between Etsy & the USPS. I just checked the tracking on my others orders that shipped today & they also have the same issue. Just a friendly heads up to anyone out there that might be experiencing this same issue. Would love to get an confirmation from ETSY that they are working to fix this ASPA

[Chrysalism]

I've seen a lot of people reporting this issue in the last week or so. It seems the packages are moving normally within the system (confirmed by internal USPS tracking), but a glitch with USPS or Pitney Bowes is causing this code to show on the official tracking info. Sorry this happened to you, good luck!

[BagmakerSupply]

@LuminousCreation: There are several issues that appear to be caused by incorrect tracking statuses including reports on https://community.etsy.com/t5/All-About-Shipping/Alert-Delayed-for-Postage-Assessment-Held-Awaiting-...

[LuminousCreation]

Thank You for the heads up! Hoping that it works itself out and arrives to them on time. No fun to have to work overtime with calming minds about packages in transit... All the best! 

PEACE

[PrettyCuteCuts]

I have been dealing with this all week. It’s taking forever to work it self out. Packages from 6/20 just got cleared and are slowing going to their destination. I sent a replacement out via priority mail yesterday thinking that it would be OK and it now it is stuck in the same status. I googled it and it looks like lots of  labels that are purchased through third-party “vendors”are getting flagged because they are not registering as purchase labels through USPS system until much later, typically they register immediately.

[PrettyCuteCuts]

This is what my local USPS consumer affairs person said when I emailed her: 

The way my manager explained it is this:

“When you create your label, you pay postage not to the USPS, but to your label broker. The label broker (Etsy, eBay, Amazon, etc) then sends the USPS postage when they upload the shipping services file. Usually in the early hours of the following morning.

When the postage fraud system does not detect postage paid to the USPS, the parcels get flagged.”

Hopefully they fix it soon. It’s been a nightmare. 

[CryzalisMasksUK]

Yet another reason not to use a 3rd party label broker

[PrettyCuteCuts]

Who do you use? I use Etsy labels. I ship 20-30 packages a day so standing at the counter buying labels is not an option. 

[CryzalisMasksUK]

I purchase my labels online direct from the postal service or courier I am using at the time, no standing at counters.

I either have them collected or I drop them off depending on time.

When there is a issue, I must be able to contact someone directly who can investigate, I do not have the time nor patience to be fobbed off by a 3rd party label broker who is powerless to do anything, that is if you can get someone on the phone in the first place.

[LuminousCreation]

YIKES! Appreciate the intel, such a big ol" energy/time suck to have to deal with this. I really do hope it is fixed, brought it to the forums because it doesn't look like it is being addressed. 

FYI: All my shipping labels have been purchased though ETSY

[PrettyCuteCuts]

I buy my labels through Etsy too. There’s no way I could stand at the counter and buy them at the post office. I’d be there forever. I may switch to FedEx for a while. 

[CreativeARTifacts]

I've had four since 6/17 re-routed for the same reason.  One buyer (same town) contacted me when package didn't arrive the next day and we found it went from AZ to CO.  Another buyer left feedback, but it shows "In Transit" on etsy, so is that considered non-delivery on etsy?  The third shows still in transit but on the USPS site it shows delivered.  It's a toss-up as to what's happening; maybe the USPS is randomly trying to figure out if they charged enough on the last increase, maybe etsy is out of money, maybe the real people have summer hours.  It's astounding how a corporation can ignore its base and just let us talk it out amongst ourselves, welcome to the future. 

For reference 99% of my shipping is 5x9 bubble mailers under 4oz. 

[LuminousCreation]

FOR REAL!!! You are totally correct. After the weekend came back to check & see if ETSY had addressed the issue. Still nothing... on a bright note looks like my packages are updated and on their way to my customers now. 

[MakenaMosaicGlass]

I've got 5 packages that say that. They were mailed on the 21st and 22nd. None of them have been delivered- so no- they aren't all still moving through the system and getting delivered. Good news is those mailed on the 21st can file an etsy insurance protection refund claim, which refunds the customer's money with insurance money. The seller gets to keep the money paid by the buyer. For orders placed the 22nd- they can file a claim tomorrow, July 1st