HAHAHAHAHA - Caught the SCAMMER!

[teenytrinkets]

So, buyer opens a case asking for a refund, 10 business days after I ship, stating item not received.

Of course they do this because they see I sent the item Small Packet Air (untracked).

I respond to the claim with the "UR" tracking number - and it worked!!!!

Package delivered on Dec. 27th!!!

So now she's gonna "ask the neighbors" if they have her package.

If it was (ahem, claimed to be) stolen, who's liable?

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Glad the backup tracking showed up for you @teenytrinkets . It's awesome when it does. Sadly one of the annoying side affects of assuming customers will pay for premium shipping on lower priced items is a very poorly thought out rational.  I think once a buyer makes the decision to use lower cost shipping they've given up the guarantee of speedy, tracked and secure delivery. Holding a seller entirely accountable for slow delivery or no scans does not seem  reasonable. I know others here will feel differently but that's my perspective. It's the perspective I use when I purchase using slower services. As shipping continuously gets more expensive with the options we have available this is going to become an even bigger problem.

-Lotz

[esclyons]

you will be covered, because your tracking proves delivered, however, if they complain enough, ebay or paypal may refund them, but it won't come from your account.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

This is where it never hurts to check out a buyers Feedback left for sellers. Is it a one of or something they report all the time? Not perfect but it helps.

-Lotz

[renata6]

Could you please explain what the "UR" tracking number is? I use Small Packet Air US and never see a number, just "This service is not trackable". Recently, I've had several refund requests for item not received, so this could really help.

[teenytrinkets]

It's a reference number on the label beside the postage amount. If you enter that number in on Ebay tracking, it should show up! It doesn't show up on the postal websites for some reason.

I take photos of all my small packets with that number on it, just for cases like this!!!

[mrdutch1001]

yes have known about this for quite some time, but just started entering it as a tracking # on eBay and the few that I have done thus far have indeed worked and have revealed "tracking info"

[msmaggie060]

Yes the UR number is tracked by USPS after it gets to the border. Or maybe across the border. Only good for the US though. Don’t forget to add that info to your Shipped orders under add tracking info, it isn’t automatic with Small Pkts.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

I've only seen the UR number display when it hits US customs. In my situation either LAX or SF and then gets assorted updates on its way to the delivery point. If it does not scanned in the required timeframe the following message appears in your Seller Level Display:

Uploaded on time but no carrier scan

-Lotz

[travis7s]

Yes the "UR" tracking numbers on Small Packet are great and have never failed me. The one problem is it can take a long time to update (often more than a week) so I do get messages from time to time from buyers asking if I have actually shipped yet. ( and rightfully so because it just shows as "tracking number provided" for the last week.

[teenytrinkets]

Doesn't it make more sense to not enter it then - unless a buyer requests it or claims they haven't received their package?

I have to say, it was a thing of beauty to slap the buyer in the face with a "delivery confirmation" after the claim being created by them without so much as a peep to me before that.

Something tells me they'll let this case get closed automatically and slink away into the shadows to hide...

[teenytrinkets]

I suspect they automatically get tracked because ALL USPS packages are scanned, regardless of origin or delivery option. Almost makes you wonder if we need not send anything tracked packet anymore??? Hmmm....

Question though: any idea why tracking appears on Ebay, but not on the USPS website???

[mrdutch1001]

yes been doing that, and knowing that this tracking info remains on eBay in the sold orders info is a good thing to know also.

[reallynicestamps]

any idea why tracking appears on Ebay, but not on the USPS website???

Because eBay programmers don't know much about shipping and assume that any number is a tracking number?

If Small Packet USA  has a number that eBay accepts as tracked, it could be worth while changing my practice of shipping by LetterPost on items under 2cm/500gm for Small Packet.

At the moment the difference for a 201-500gm "letter " and a 251-500gm Small Packet is 85* cents.

That will change next week of course.

*I'll still be using discounted mint stamps to pay most of the postage and spending the few pennies more at the PO for the numbered label. So less than 85 cents.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Tracking between Sellers Hub, Canadapost and USPS have never really been in complete sync going back in my memory bank. What also can happen is drivers may drop something off but they don't physically sync their handheld scanner until a later time because of how busy they are.  Errors can also happen if the scanner is not properly seated in its cradle. Same goes with end of day scans. Takes time for things to catch up.

-Lotz

[ypdc_dennis]

---

@teenytrinkets wrote:
... Question though: any idea why tracking appears on Ebay, but not on the USPS website???

---

Because Small Packet USA is not a paid for tracked service so both Canada Post and the USPS hide their scans.  eBay has enough clout with USPS to get them to cough up their scan results.

Great when it works, but it is a bonus benefit that you should not depend on.

[teenytrinkets]

Great to know! Thanks for the info!

I love that it says "no delivery scan" to trick the scammers into thinking there's no record of its delivery! Then GOTCHA! 🙂

[maximus7001]

We cover the words "no delivery scan" and the french version too with whiteout (liquid paper). When the label is inside the canada post clear plastic document sleeve you can't tell it has white out on it.

The UR number also works sometimes with France, Germany and a few others.

Not much use for this USA service anymore since netparcel and UPS up to 2 pounds tracked and $100 insurance to USA for under $10 CAD.

[teenytrinkets]

Wow, this is the first I've heard of NetParcel. It's slightly cheaper for my Canadian packages, too (one I shipped yesterday for $17 via CP would have been $15 via Netparcel). But... I've got quotes to the US for packages at just under 500g And they're more expensive than CP ($11.75 for CP and $19 for NetParcel). I suspect it's because those are based on package size and distance, and not a flat rate based on weight like CP? Do prices vary day to day, or are they consistent based on weight, size and distance shipped?

What's the delivery time and reliability like? And where can you drop packages?

[mrdutch1001]

Since all NetParcel packages are processed through Fedex, UPS, Loomis, Purolator they (the packages) must be picked up by said Fedex, UPS, etc. or dropped off at their locations.

There is no affiliation whatsoever with Canada Post so getting parcels to these other carriers may not be so convenient for some sellers.