USPS not scanning packages

[ShoreCrafty]

I just noticed the USPS has not scanned any of my customer packages since June 6th! My customers are contacting me asking if they shipped yet, and they did! 

[NanaLetha]

Were they ever scanned and are not being scanned as they move through the postal system? I've had orders that go from pre-transit to delivered with nothing in between.

[funkydreamsmosaics]

So it sounds like your packages from Friday didn't get their initial scan?  Did you drop them off at the post office?  Leave them for your mail carrier?  Did you use a scan form?  Are we talking 5 packages or 50 packages?

My packages from both Friday and  Saturday are working their way through the system, so it's not that USPS is down.

Did you have a specific question?

[tikiroomvintage]

I have resorted to going in and having each package scanned by a postal clerk...thankfully (in this one particular way, I guess) I am not a busier shop.  It's crazy.  I was getting anxiety over seeing packages I dropped off in the parcel drop at the post office not get scanned for days, sometimes until they arrived.  So now I go in or I have my very patient family members help me with it.  I am very thankful for them!

[SeesesSewing]

My post office never scans items I leave for pickup in my mailbox, or anything I put in a blue box. I had the same problem with customers asking about their packages. It boils down to laziness, to be honest. I bring all my items in to the counter, and they scan them so I can get a receipt. Bring them in to the counter, problem solved.

[RebecaMojicaJewelry]

I have the same issue with my USPS often not scanning packages. I know some people say to bring them in to the counter for a scan receipt but quite honestly my PO is terrible is the wait times can be an hour. It is not worth my time (nor the money to pay someone else to stand in line at a local minimum wage of $19+/hr) So I just take my chances and perhaps wind up with a snag once or twice a year where I have to step in to make things right with a customer for an un-scanned package. 

The only place where it's really negatively affected me is my TikTok shop due to their super strict rules (but also due to their super strict rules and other BS I'm likely closely my TT shop after my busy season ends)

Anyway, I always let customers know that I dropped their order off and occasionally it doesn't get scanned in, but will all of a sudden show up as delivered. I then sign up for tracking for that order so I can keep them updated, and if there isn't any movement/updates within the normal delivery time, I ask if they'd like a refund or a reshipment.

The rare frequency in which something escalates to that point and I have to reship something - is still better (less stressful/less time-consuming/expensive) than me standing in line for hours and hours every year.

EDITED to add - Also, the PO will not pickup from my home, but if you are in an area where they will do pickups from your location, that is also an option, as they always scan those (at least they have from my prior experience when I had a storefront and daily pickups)

[PrairiePrimitives]

@RebecaMojicaJewelry Why won't USPS pick up from your home? 

USPS won't scan when they pick up from my home, but I get the "scan email" within an hour or so, so it's pretty prompt. When I catch the carrier at the mailboxes (apt. complex here), they won't. Or I should say the old carrier wouldn't. My favorite mail carrier of all time is back, after abandoning me about 5 years ago, so she just might! 

[BlueBuddhaBoutique]

@PrairiePrimitives My address is "not eligible" for pickup according to USPS (https://tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm)

It's probably because it is a multi-family building. (Though you're in an apt complex too, so maybe that's not it. Perhaps it's because my city is one of the densely populated areas in the country?) Or maybe because the PO is so close, about 3 blocks away? (Honestly my daily walk to the PO is incredibly enjoyable!)

Even if pickups were allowed, I doubt I'd feel comfortable leaving all my packages in the lobby since I'm all the way on the 4th floor and don't have a view of either the street nor the lobby. My neighborhood regularly has package theft; people will buzz all the doorbells (maybe claim they are "delivery") until someone lets them in, and then they'll rifle through the packages. 

That's awesome your favorite carrier is back! I've had a few amazing postal workers over the years and they truly are gems!

[MoonstruckCottage]

I most always use Carrier Pickup. Lately, my packages are not always scanned until they get to the first Distribution Center.

[PrairiePrimitives]

@BlueBuddhaBoutique Maybe because you're in a buzzer building? I'm in a traditional apartment complex with separate entrances. That's the only thing that comes to mind right now anyway. 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

You have to ask your post office to scan.  If you use schedule pick up, ask them to scan.  Talk to the supervisor about this.

If you take to the post office, get a receipt which means they have scanned the item.

Some post offices are under the impression they do not have to scan.  Incorrect.  They are to scan everything in their office.  Still some just won't.

If your post office decided not to, ask the supervisor why?  If they want a scan sheet provide it.  The other,  find a post office if possible that will scan.   

[PrairiePrimitives]

@ArtDollsbyJD I've noticed over the years (even in the same metro area) that different post offices interpret USPS rules very differently. 

 I mostly go to the PO nearest me, but I'm grateful that I've got 2 post offices within 2 to 3 miles and 3 more if I'm willing to drive a bit farther!

[NanaLetha]

@ArtDollsbyJD  I use a contract post office near me. They have no ability to scan. 

[TBQSC]

they also have zero accountability!  Be careful!

[Lionfishvintage]

I also go to P O in person to get them scanned and get a receipt.  

However, an Etsy item I ordered was last scanned on the 6th and nothing since then. I don't blame seller. I can wait. But me thinks USPS has problems sometimes.

[NanaLetha]

@PrairiePrimitives  The post office will not pick any type of mail from my house because I don't have "full service" mail box - it's slot in the door.

[PrairiePrimitives]

@NanaLetha I haven't seen mail slots in many years. Are you lucky enough to live in an antique house? 

Will USPS pick up if you schedule a pick-up? 

[twinkletaters]

Solidarity, friend. USPS has historically been great about scanning my letter-sized mail most of the time, and my small packages all of the time. I generally will leave orders in my mailbox or drop them in the blue bin outside of my PO. But the last few weeks, and as such during my busiest time of this year so far, I've noticed that USPS scanning as dipped to nearly not at all, or when it is scanned, it's being scanned days after I drop them off. And the shipping time itself is longer than normal I'm noticing. It's causing a lot of anxiety for me as I refresh orders to see progress and when I get DMs asking if I shipped their order. I'm hoping this is a temporary blip, but I'm not hopeful. Sigh. I might have to extend my processing time just to give myself more of a buffer so I don't potentially suffer from poor reviews because USPS is being crummy lately. I ship next day or same day if an order is placed early enough but I still end up looking bad. 

[aosLeather]

I've had similar issues, and more! The USPS has gotten so dysfunctional over the last year or so... Ground Advantage IS NOT a fair replacement for First Class. Items that used to take 2-3 days (on average) are now taking a full week, sometimes longer. Mail doesn't get scanned routinely, and when i have tried to address this with the PO, i get ridiculous answers like "the best way to start the scans is to bring it in and hand it to us across the counter." 

Is there any pressure Etsy can apply? Surely they have an interest in their sellers being able to ship packages and have them delivered in a timely fashion??

[TBQSC]

“Ground Advantage IS NOT a fair replacement for First Clas

I disagree!  GA includes real USPS tracking, and up to $100 insurance (both ways), and you can ship up to 70#.  You do not have any of that with FCM!

[NanaLetha]

@PrairiePrimitives  No, I don’t live in an antique house. It’s a patio home. Like a condo but only one story.