eBay Announces Changes in Fall Seller Update 2020

by: Lightning

@Toolguy  RE: ''I got a signature a few weeks back!''

Are you able to tell that these are genuine signatures from the actual recipients, or did the letter carrier sign for them, as they are now instructed?  Are they the same last names as the addressees, at least?

If the letter carrier signs, leaves the item on the steps, and then the addressee claims they didn't get the item, how will THAT be handled?  Will there be Seller Protection when the addresses didn't get it, didn't sign for it?  Do you want to find out that answer AFTER the fact??

by: toolguy

@Lightning

" or did the letter carrier sign for them, as they are now instructed? "

Where are you getting this RUMOR of fraud?

You have a link to this info or is it just hearsay

by: mindelec

@toolguy

you got a signature, but was it signed for by that person or did the PO delivery person just sign their name.  i have had that happen often.

by: mjr55

A lot of complaining about presumably nothing.

I think it was more so a clarification now about what fees going into the $750 signature requirement. I mean, if I sold something for $725 (but tax, shipping, etc. brought it over $750)....I would want to cross my T's and dot my I's and make sure I was covered....for what, an extra $3 (cost of signature). I mean, come on, you guys are complaining here?

If you ship a $7.50 item through Amazon and don't get signature on it you won't be covered (unless you used Amazon shipping) let alone a $700 one.

Also, correct me if I am wrong....I think Paypal changed their sign. requirement to $500 or $600 a few months ago.

by: mjr55

@disgusted......

Now, I am not 100% sure how it would work on an item over $750....but if you send an item under that amount and the buyer does not pick it up (and files INR), the buyer will lose the case because a notice left constitutes attempted delivery in Ebay's eyes.

Maybe you guys can shed light on what would happen in this scenario with a $750 order where the buyer hasn't picked it up, yet. Not sure if they would call it attempted delivery and rule in seller's favor or whether they actually want to see a signature done on it.

Also, correct, many carriers were not doing signature due to COVID and postal carriers only needed to sign it themselves. Now, I've heard that ended....but as with anything related to USPS, your miles will vary based on your individual post office. As many of you know at this point....USPS is a company but make no mistake...each post office basically does what they want regardless of what they are supposed to do according to USPS policy. Some will refuse to scan packages without a scan sheet, some will.....some carriers at post offices will sign for packages, others will not, etc.

Regardless, again, if the carrier signs for it, I am pretty sure that satisfies the signature requirement in Ebay's eyes. At that point, the buyer can deal with it if they claim they haven't received it.

by: Lightning

@Toolguy

I made no reference to fraud.  I'm saying that the postal carrier can sign for the recipient, in lieu of them signing on their own.  It's a COVID thing, and the carriers have instructions to just sign for the addressee and leave the package, to limit contact.  So if the carrier can sign, the addressee can say THEY didn't sign.  And if the packages walks off the steps, what then?  Everyone will point fingers.

I was asking YOU if you could verify that the actual addressee signed, or if the letter carrier signed.  All you know is SOMEONE signed, but it may not be the addressee.  You quoted the question, and then didn't answer it at all, so I'm now questioning your comprehension, unfortunately.

by: unsuck

- USPS issued a service alert in March permitting postal carriers to enter the ''signature'' as Lightning described - clickable link to it included above.

- eBay needs to incorporate some sort of notification for sellers (particularly the renewed pursuit of consumer sellers) when purchasing USPS postage through eBay for items $750+ that they need to include signature service or they'll be forfeiting seller protections if the buyer claims INR.

- eBay's needed a revamp to it's goofy (and confusing to new sellers) Vacation settings for ages, so hopefully the ''Time Away'' will make things simpler and easier.

by: Whatever

"Automation of returns and refunds saves sellers time, and enables them to process returns faster"

so none of you are jumping up and down over that?  opps I forgot - your still trying to sell there

by: Castoman

I'm not upset about anything in this release...I can deal with it all and I don't sell highend watches :) Actually, I'm happy, because I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Time Away functionality that replaces vaca settings. FINALLY....I can keep TRS without adjust handing times and pissing them (and customers) off and keep my store running when I'm gone I can set my return date to 3 days after my "real" return giving me time to get all the orders ready and still meet the deadline to ship without getting dinged. That's HUGE for me.

by: toolguy

@unsuck eBay

I read it 5 times!

Where does it say the carrier can sign for the recipient?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

March 20, 2020 COVID-19 CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS UPDATE Customer Signature Service COVID-19 Response and Prevention A number of cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have recently been confirmed across the country. The safety and well-being of our employees & customers is our highest priority. To help ensure the health of our employees & customers, we are continuing to follow recommended guidance and strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments, and are implementing additional measures to help maintain social distancing. One significant measure being implemented is a temporary modification to mail handling procedures for mail that requires customer signatures. We recognize the close proximity and additional handling that occurs when employees must ask customers for a signature and government issued identification when required. To reduce health risks, we are temporarily modifying customer signature capture procedures. Effective immediately and until further notice, our employees will follow the temporary process below for signature service items. This process applies to all letter carriers: •Avoid ringing the doorbell when possible. Knock on the customer’s door. Avoid areas that may be frequently touched when knocking. •While maintaining a safe, appropriate distance, employees will request the customer’s first initial and last name. •For increased safety, employees will ask the customer to step back a safe distance or close the screen door/door so that they may leave the item in the mail receptacle or appropriate location by the customer door. •If there is no response, employees will follow the normal Notice Left process. •If there are delivery points on the route where social distancing recommendations are difficult to follow, alternative delivery methods can be explored. Industry and commercial customers can email questions or concerns about COVID-19 and the mail to industryfeedback@usps.gov with COVID-19 in the subject line. Mailers can also sign up for Industry Alerts at industryalert@usps.gov. For more information, see the USPS Coronavirus Statement at about.usps.com/newsroom.

by: mindelec

@toolguy

i have had time when the carrier signed it happen BEFORE covid, they do it cause they can't be bothered to ring a doorbell and wait.

by: toolguy

@mindelec

The proper procedure "if they can't be bothered" as you say is to leave a form 3849 "Notice Left" for the recipient to pick the package up at the PO.

I don't doubt postal employees break the rules.

But sign for a customer? I think that's a fireable offense!

by: lancecorp

I know postal carriers as well as being friendly with my own - they are allowed to sign for the packages due to Covid - same for UPS. The package I received via UPS 3 weeks ago - I happened to be outside and when I waited for him to hand me the tablet to sign he instructed me that due to Covid - he was allowed to sign for me.

by: unsuck

Toolguy, the service bulletin is a notice to let the public know that postal carriers will be temporarily making changes to capturing signature service by asking for their name verbally while maintaining a safe distance -- it's not a detailed step-by-step work instruction to tell the carrier how to enter the customer's name in the device.

There *is* another March 19th USPS document called a ''Mandatory Stand-Up'' which has a bit more detail including:

''- Using the MDD, scan the mail piece barcode, select Delivered and answer the prompted questions. Enter the customer’s first initial and last name when prompted for name.

- When prompted for the customer to sign the MDD’s screen, employees are to print their own initials (not a signature), route number and notate C19 on the screen in lieu of the customer’s signature.''

You could search for this yourself (''Google is your friend'' and all), or click the link above.

by: railady

How short sighted to demand SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION a specific service instead of simply requiring a signature?  

Personally, I would not send any package that valuable without insurance.  An INSURED USPS package valued at $500 or more MUST be signed for at delivery. So what is the ''difference'' in getting a recipient to personally accept/sign for it - whether their signature is required by insurance, or a ''signature confirmation'' ?