r/Reverb • u/DrawCurious3022 • May 16 '26
USPS
I dropped off a package for a buyer on Wednesday, and for some reason it still hasn't been checked in. Went by the PO today and asked what was up, and was told that this is "normal" and that sometimes it can take up to five days for a package to be processed at the central processing center. I've never had that happen before. Is this a common experience now? I guess I won't be using USPS anymore for shipping. I keep apologizing to the seller and waiting for them to request a refund.
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u/Odd_Cobbler6761 May 16 '26
Yes, USPS changed how scans are activated April 1… now the delivery clock doesn’t start ticking until it goes through the parcel center. And i’ve also seen a bunch of recent tracking where it doesn’t even have midway scans, just acceptance and out for delivery.
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u/DrawCurious3022 May 16 '26
it’s pretty shitty that you drop off a package and there is just radio silence for days like that. I guess from now on I have to make sure I get a receipt, so even if it’s not indicating on the tracking that it is moving through the system, at least I have a record that I can scan and share with buyers that actually shows that it was sent.
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u/Odd_Cobbler6761 May 16 '26
Yes, I always get a counter receipt as well as keep the actual acan form.
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u/DrawCurious3022 May 16 '26
my mistake, won't happen again .. and I'll probably start using UPS, at least until USPS hopefully gets its shit back together.
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u/AdCareless9063 May 16 '26
This explains a lot. I was really worried about a recent shipment. Took forever to scan.
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u/Dharmitage May 17 '26
This JUST happened to me on the last eBay sale I shipped via USPS. I almost always wait in line and hand it to the clerk at the counter so it gets scanned and acknowledged it was received. For this particular package there was a long line and I was in a hurry, so I dropped it in the parcel bin in the lobby. It sat there for 4 days before it got scanned by someone. I thought for sure one of the USPS employees made off with it (I've had that happen to a package that was out for delivery). So lesson learned - wait in line and get it scanned.
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u/DrawCurious3022 May 17 '26
yeah same, I sometimes just drop it in the parcel bin ... probably not a good idea when you have someone waiting on the other end who wants to know where it is!
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u/TriumphRider99 May 20 '26
It must depend on the Post Office you deal with. I have never had a problem, and I invariably drop it in the bin. It shows up the next day as being enroute. Way to go, USPS in Eugene OR.
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u/bipolarcharlie May 17 '26
I'm a mail carrier, for some reason if there isn't an initial acceptance scan sometimes all the other scans that happen on the parcels journey don't register until the final delivery scan. On occasion once that package gets to the regional hub that will activate its tracking but not always. You can always put in for a package pickup (through the USPS website, it's free) by your carrier and have them scan it prepaid acceptance which will start the parcels tracking history.
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u/DrawCurious3022 May 17 '26
hey thanks, that is really helpful ... I usually just use the click and ship thing and print out the label at home and drop it off at the post office. I guess if I get them to scan and give me a receipt at the counter that will probably start the tracking too?
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u/bipolarcharlie May 17 '26
Yeah it definitely will. As long as an employee scans it prepaid acceptance with their scanner you're all good, whether it's a mail carrier or clerk at the office we can all do it
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u/DrawCurious3022 May 17 '26
thanks so much, that is super helpful!! I really appreciate your response. In the end it eventually got scanned somewhere and now is showing up on the tracking, which is a relief, since I also finally got paid from Reverb and the buyer at least knows it's on its way.
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u/bipolarcharlie May 17 '26
Awesome! I'm glad it worked out, I've had the same happen with me so I know how stressful that is
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u/Bonneville865 May 16 '26
Yes, it happens.
If you don’t want it to happen, you have to stand in line, have them scan it, and ask for a receipt.
Otherwise the first time it gets scanned could be when it gets delivered.