Dropped my shipments off in the mailbox. Could they have been lost/stolen?
Summary: rosepeak expressed concern about two packages dropped off in a street mailbox that hadn't shown any tracking updates after two days, worrying about their potential loss due to personal financial constraints and previous bad shipping experiences. Other participants suggested waiting a few more days and reassured rosepeak that late scans can occur, especially on weekends. Several shared similar experiences and advised against constantly checking tracking updates. Eventually, rosepeak reported the packages were scanned, alleviating their concerns slightly, though frustrations with shipping delays persisted.
I dropped off two packages off in the street mailbox 2 days ago (on Thursday) and today (Sat) the tracking info still shows no updates. The two packages have shipping labels on them as I shipped them Tracked and normally I'd drop off these kinds of shipments at the post office but I was feeling too fatigued to walk to there due to not being in good health lately. How long does it normally take for shipments dropped off in the mailbox to get processed?
I've only done this mailbox thing a few times before but the experience had never let me down as the tracking info always showed "Item processed" within 24 hours. So I'm getting worried, especially since the two orders amount to $100 and being already broke (on top of ill), I can't afford for them to get lost or be late (although they already are now) and risk negative feedback from the buyers.
stuffishere
·1 week agoI found out that sometimes the packages are not always picked up when they are supposed to be. Then scan is going to be late and if it is the weekend even later. A few days should not be a big deal.
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
·2 weeks agoIf you dropped them off in a mailbox, they wouldn't be giving an acceptance scan like they do when they're dropped off at the post office.
It will take time for it to get to the sort plant and make it to a spot where it will get scanned, maybe Monday or Tuesday. Try not to worry and assure your buyers you did drop them off if the buyers message you to ask.
I don't use street mailboxes but sometimes I put it in the mailbox at the post office when I'm in a hurry. They're nice and scan the items for me.
rosepeak
OP2 weeks agoI know they don't scan an acceptance at the box, but my packages always get scanned later at night (presumably at the sorting plant) on the same day that I drop them off in the mailbox. So like usually less than 12 hours after I drop them off. But now it's been 3 days and still no scan.
Thanks for trying to help though.
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
·1 week agoDid they get scanned yet?
@rosepeak
rosepeak
OP1 week agoYes, like I was telling someone earlier on here they did get finally scanned on Sunday night. Thanks for asking!
reallynicestamps
·2 weeks ago · EditedNever watch tracking.
What is the last estimated date for delivery?
Has that date passed?
Has the customer complained?
The box at the end of my block that says 9am pickup is usually cleared by noon, but I make sure any shipments are dropped before midnight.
The one in front of the postal outlet says 3pm and is usually cleared by 3:30 but often right at 3pm.
Never watch tracking.
Our Victoria BC boxes are cleared ,go to the ferry, cross to the mainland, then to the Richmond terminal where they are "accepted" unless I turn them in at a PO counter and get a receipt, which is pretty rare.
rosepeak
OP2 weeks agoI didn't used to watch tracking but for some reason, the past few years I've just been really unlucky with my shipments. It's made me so anxious and paranoid, I almost expect every shipment to go wrong and ofc many of them do. Like, before I dropped off my packages in the mailbox on Thursday, I was thinking that given my bad luck, maybe I shouldn't use the mailbox, but then I told myself I was being silly and paranoid, so I went ahead with it. And then of course, it does go wrong. I can't even help obsessively checking the tracking at this point.
john_koenig99
·2 weeks agoGive it at least 2 o 3 business days before worrying too much about them. If by Tuesday there's no tracking, then there could be a reason to worry.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 weeks ago · Edited@rosepeak The bins and community boxes are "supposed" to be picked up as noted. The few that are in my area say by 9 am. It's definitely not being done now as consistent as it once was. My suggestion would be to give it a few more days. It could have been a driver on a new route or the box got that got inadvertently missed. If you are not seeing scans you can call CP directly and report your concerns. As a side as per drivers I have spoken to they do not have the capability to scan outbound at a box. Only final delivery and/or notes if an item they have to deliver needs to be re-routed to a depot for pick up etc.
rosepeak
OP2 weeks agoThe mailbox is on a busy street and gets collected 3 times a day as indicated on the mailbox. I don't think it would get missed as it's probably used by a lot of people, given its busy location. I know the outbound packages don't get scanned at the box, but they always got scanned later at night in my own experience using the mailbox.
I appreciate your help though, but I guess there's not much help to be had for me in this situation. I'm just worried and upset and needed to vent as I have freakishly bad luck with my shipments (even my post history here is indicative of it). I wouldn't be at all be surprised if I get unlucky again (I even had my doubts before dropping off in the mailbox but told myself I was being silly, but maybe I should have listened to those doubts), but I'll keep my fingers crossed regardless.
byto253
·2 weeks agoYup, not really anything you can do. It just does happen that scans are late or missed at some points and take a bit to make it. I have had that happen, but am fortunate to have a Shoppers post office next door so bring them in now.
rosepeak
OP2 weeks ago · EditedA lot of my shipments get delayed during transit (I very recently had to refund a buyer and lost out $100 because UPS delayed the shipment of their package), so I shouldn't be surprised that these two shipments are delayed too. Sadly, I actually hope that's the case, because that's better than the alternative of them being lost/stolen.
Given the freakishly high rate of my shipments turning out to be problematic, I'm barely even making any money.
reallynicestamps
·2 weeks agoCookie Jar Insurance.
Add a few pennies (or dimes) to every one of your asking prices*. Put those virtual dimes in a virtual cookie jar as insurance premiums against unfortunate problems and Bad Transactions.
*asking price because everyone hates paying any shipping so it has to appear as low as possible
rosepeak
OP2 weeks agoWell, books don't sell very quickly so I don't think adding a few pennies or dimes to every listing would make much difference, given how few sales I make. And tbh given that I have pretty bad fatigue and can't work a lot, I already make all my asking prices as high as possible. So I barely even make any sales and of the few ones I do make, a high percentage of them (like 30% these days) end up with problematic shipping problems, like these unlucky delays. Sigh.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 weeks ago@rosepeak For your peace of mind has there been any tracking updates on your packages?