Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

Is anyone on the board aware that the tracking on eBay a lot of times the delivery update gives a different postal code than the one that is on the buyer address?

I was made aware of this by a costumer who is claiming item not received by saying that the item was delivered to a different postal code. I know I sent this item through shippo, so everything was pre-filled. Anyways when  I went to check the delivery, it confirmed the discrepancy. The last three digits were different. 
Anyways I have checked more of the shipped items and some of them have a "delivered" update displaying a postal code that is different from the one on the shipping label.

I have contacted Canada Post and they are investigating what happened with this particular shipment. They don't know what is going on.

Is anybody here aware of what is going on or have a clue what this is all about?

Could it be a glitch?or something else?

Probably  I will get an update from Canada Post by Friday.

 Please let me know. Thanks.

 

PS: hope I was clear in my explanation.

 

 

Message 1 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

Postal code (ie in Canada) or zipcode (in the USA)?

Because postal codes are alpha-numeric -K1A 0A6- not numeric -90210.

Urban postal codes are usually just a few houses - less than a dozen- or perhaps a floor in a highrise.

The carriers know their customers pretty well, at least by name.

 

Zipcodes can be huge.

Are you adding the four digits at the end of your US customers' zipcodes?  Like 90210-4321. 

Most seem to have them automatically these days but if not you can add them- in pen if necessary- and find them here:

https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm?byaddress

Message 2 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

Hi, this is a Canadian postal code and the buyer is using this information as a proof of item not delivered even though it ultimately shows delivery.

Anyways what I would like to know is

1st...how to explain this to eBay, as soon as they see a difference in the postal code they're going to rule in the buyer favor.

2nd....I have never seen this kind of information given on eBay tracking.

3rd...who can say if this is going to become a way to scam sellers.

Can any of you gays view their sold items and tracking on eBay and compare if tracking at delivery is the same as the one on the buyer's address? 

I would like to find out if other sellers are experiencing the same thing or not.

 Thanks in advance.

Message 3 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

marnotom!
Community Member

Which is the correct postal code for the address: the one on the transaction page, or the one in the tracking information?

Message 4 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

Sorry, my iPad has a mind of his own.....I meant guys.

Message 5 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

The transaction page. 

Message 6 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

Is there anything of note located at the postal codes on the scans, perhaps a post office or sorting station?
Message 7 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

My most recent Canadian transaction with tracking was delivered on Jan. 12 and there is no postal code showing on the shipment details on ebay or on the CP tracking page. I don't recall ever seeing the actual postal code on tracking.

 

Did you check the postal code to see if the buyer used the correct one for that address? Perhaps the post office corrected it?  You can check that HERE

 

I'm not sure what I would do but you might want to refund before the buyer can ask ebay to step in to avoid an unresolved case defect. If you find out later that the item was delivered to the correct address, you can appeal and ebay 'may' give you a courtesy refund.

Message 8 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

I have been on the phone for hours with Canada Post and they told me that the last scan is at last postal office/outlet where is received before delivery and in their opinion the package was delivered at the buyer address. 
How would you guys take care of this with eBay.....

 

 

Message 9 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

On one of my last transaction it even tells that the item had been left with the concierge.

Go figure.....

Message 10 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

This is what is shows on tracking 

The item was delivered.

Tracking summary

Accepted
Mon, Jan 10

 


In transit

 


Out for delivery

 


Delivered
Tue, Jan 11

 

Tracking details
 
  1. Jan 11, 2022
    3:47pm
    Delivered
    ORANGEVILLE, ON L9W 0C4
  2. Jan 11, 2022
    10:02am
    Item departed
    MISSISSAUGA, ON L4W 1S2
  3. Jan 11, 2022
    7:36am
    Item processed
    MISSISSAUGA, ON L4W 1S2
  4. Jan 10, 2022
    4:24pm
    Item received at originating postal facility
     
  5. Jan 10, 2022
    3:33pm
    Electronic information submitted by shipper
     
  6. Jan 10, 2022
    10:34am
    Tracking number provided
     
Message 11 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery


@rio1953 wrote:

I have been on the phone for hours with Canada Post and they told me that the last scan is at last postal office/outlet where is received before delivery and in their opinion the package was delivered at the buyer address. 
How would you guys take care of this with eBay.....


I would probably try contacting eBay customer service through their online chat function or through their Facebook or Twitter accounts (links under "stay connected" at the bottom of pages on the desktop version of eBay) so that there's a written record of this.  Tell them what the Canada Post rep told you.  eBay and Canada Post have  a business relationship, so this might filter down to someone at CPC who can verify this with eBay.

 

If you get this message in time, you might want to post your concerns to the Weekly Chat with the eBay liason with the Canadian eBay Community first.  It's still open as I type this:

https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Weekly-Chat-Session/February-2-2022-Weekly-Session/td-p/473787

Message 12 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

That seems odd that the postal code would be at the post office/outlet unless they do that when it has to be picked up and signed for.  

 

Is that tracking info that you posted from eBay?  It's bugging me that I don't see a postal code with tracking anywhere so either you're special or I'm just looking in the wrong place!

 

I would probably contact ebay on Facebook as marnotom suggested.  I'm not sure what else to suggest.

Message 13 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

I spoke to someone in the claim department and the person said that the last three digits are for the general area and what they have on file is the exact address that costumer.

I forgot to add that the buyer address is a rural route, in case it makes any difference.

 Thanks to everyone. I refunded the buyer and moving along.

Message 14 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery


@rio1953 wrote:

 

I forgot to add that the buyer address is a rural route, in case it makes any difference.


It may well make a difference.  I don't know if rural mail carriers are equipped with scanners, but given the volume of mail they have to deal with, I would imagine it could be challenging for them to scan items before popping them into a rural mailbox.  Acknowledging "delivery" at the postal station makes sense in this case.

Message 15 of 16
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Tracking number is giving different postal code delivery

Too late now, but I would have asked the buyer to open a claim.

He might chicken out.

He might lose.

He might win, in which case, you refund promptly and are no worse off.

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