yep usps tracking is horrible..
i have packages i got that still don't show as delivered
and others that showed delivered before i ever got them

There is one interesting but very ridiculous factor with USPS tracking and a postal worker even explained it to me to clear up my confusion:

- If you ship the package with a clerk scanning it in, the tracking number will reflect that its been received by the post office, so its on its way.

- If you ship it through one of those automated kiosks where you can weigh it yourself, the tracking number won't show anything until the package was actually delivered to the recipient's address.

USPS tracking = booo....

hm. that explains alot... i recently started using preprinted ones online as opposed to going to the clerk (it's so much easier) & now i've started getting the updated tracking problems. thanks for the info

Anyone get there's yet?

Day 15 and counting here...

According to the USPS- I was there shipping my own ebay auctions out today- the tracking number he sent me was not in any format they were familiar with, ie- delivery confirmation, insurance, etc. Still trying to remain upbeat.

Did you try the number with UPS and FedEx? Maybe he didnt use usps?

Yeah, first thing I did.

...believe me I've shipped thousands of items with the USPS both on eBay and at my daytime company. This transaction stinks to high hell. I've asked for further proof of shipment, ie- receipt scans, pictures, anything. I have yet to see anything. At the time of purchase, he had only listed two up for auction, and having purhcased hundred's of toys on eBay with nary an issue my first inclination was to be my normal very patient self. However, now that he has listed SIX of them and after the delay, private auctions, bogus tracking number, etc., I am having Paypal try to get more out of him. At the very least I will be able to get at least 200.00 back

ugh what a pain. Sounds like you know the drill quite well though, I can't think of anything else you could try
From what I hear, PayPal is usually pretty decent with this kind of stuff too, although I have never had to file for any sort of investigation type stuff.

The worst part though: No delicious Hot Fudge Damn

Okay, I'm one of those buyers as well and I emailed him asking what's up with my package and this is what he responded with:

"my appologies for not responding quiker, i shipped five of them out and so far noone has received anything. i am heading into the post office today to find out what the hell is going on, again, my appologies. there are other buyers in this same situation"

Still haven't received that tracking number he said he would send me.

How long would you wait for domestic shipping in US? I know in AU if it took more than 5 working days I would be getting the shits and filing a paypal issue.

Oh guys i feel for you, on the brightside, paypal usualyy 99% find in favour of buyer, but just start the process cause if he cleans out his account you'll be fucked!

I got the exact same message like jacranky.

I also spoke to my friend that knows him and spoke to him today. The guy said that he honestly feels terrible and that he swears on everything that he sent the stuff.

If he is going to the post office today, then we should know what the deal is tomorrow.

Trust me Im worried as much as all because i bought multiple items from him which is worth a large sum of cash. Im trying to be understanding for the time being because maybe there was some sort of mix up with the shipping. It can happen. Lets just give it a few more days to see whats up.

Yeah, I'd say if I don't see anything by the end of next week and depending on his replies to my inquiries, I'll be going to paypal about filing a claim.

and i was so close to buying one of these of that seller...whew! I feel for you dudes, I do.

That is because it is not tracking but rather Delivery Confirmation. USPS does not provide tracking on Priority Mail, the only scan that is required with Delivery Confirmation is when the package is actually delivered (unless postage is purchased at the P.O., then it gets an Acceptance Scan).

That said, in order to better compete with the wonderful real tracking provided by UPS, USPS has in the past 3 months instituted Acceptance Scan which is free when postage is purchased on line. I have used it and it is great - I pay for postage online which provides free Delivery Confirmation, and also set up for the free Acceptance Scan .... and then arrange for the free pickup from my front porch !!! Not a bad service to ship out a $4.05 package !!!

At least that does show that the package is in the system and shipped out, and not just in never-neverland.

Don't know if you did or did not but ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use your CREDIT CARD to fund ANY PayPal purchases.

Did any of you ever wonder why your PayPal funding is defaulted to come out of your PayPal balance or bank account first? That way, they only have to refund based on their own self-serving policies which usually is not the full amount.. If you take the additional step to set funding from your credit card then you are 100% protected by your card for nondelivery. It then becomes PayPal's problem to try and get any balance from a seller and they will not be able to short-change you.

O no thats not good for me.

I've already filed my claim with paypal.

somebody really knows this guy?

I know people.
just saying.

I my experience selling on Ebay, I've been on the other end of this, and I'd say you guys are pretty safe.

If the tracking #'s this guy has been using are B.S., I am almost positive that you will get your money back.

I sent a guy a book by Media Mail once. After 3 days (mind you it would have taken at least a week to get to him) he sent me a letter threatening to kill me because he hadn't received it yet (seriously - and it was a bit more psycho than an idle threat). He filed a Paypal claim, and this was back before Paypal was explicit about using Delivery Confirmation, so I hadn't used it. I got an e-mail a few days later saying that he got it, and he apologized for the threat (apparently he skipped some medication - again, that was seriously in the letter).

But he STILL kept the dispute going with Paypal and I lost the money! I forwarded them both e-mails (the threat and the one showing he received it) and a scan of my postal recipt showing a package sent to his zip. It didn't matter - because I didn't have a valid Delivery confirmation number I lost the dispute. Now I put delivery confirmation on every package I send out now.

From my point of view, Paypal almost always sides with the buyer. If you used Paypal I wouldn't sweat this.

Who tha hell is this guy so I will know to stay clear from him!!

Did anybody use the "request users information" function? You can request his contact info in which Ebay will give you his address, and in some cases, his phone # while at the same time emailing your info to him. Useful in situations that requires beatings and tire-slashings. Not that I condone that sort of thing

I had someone make a claim 3 days ago. It was way heavy so I sent him something parcel post because he didnt want to spring for priority. I sent him a working usps tracking number. still he made a claim basically because he didnt like how long it was taking. I tried calling the crapface about 30 times. I called paypal and they sided with me

the only thing is I had to wait for it to be marked delivered(via usps.com) and then have to wait for a paypal supervisor to refresh each case before they can close it. the paypal agent told me it could take up to a week for that sometimes due to a backlog. so until then I have my acct in suspension.

Okay, so the USPS number he gave me doesn't show up on their website. GRRRR. I hope I get my package this week or its off to paypal claims court!

I'm already in the second stage of my paypal claim against him.
I'm may need to start another against a board member here if I don't hear anything soon.

takes every bit of fun out of collecting.

i have to say this is super lame of this dude. I really want to know who it is. if someone could pm their name if they know it I want to hunt this dude down.

Alright, I pm'd you.

And I just opened up a paypal dispute with the guy. Its really a sad situation 'cause I was looking forward to having this damned in my collection.

Now I may be out A LOT of money.

I better win this dispute and get a refund from him.