Aust Post losing letters

[munchkin83munchkin]

Why is it that I can send trackable parcels and they never, ever go missing or get lost.  Yet I send small items as a letter and every second one mysteriously vanishes?  Do they not care about these items or do they take advantage of the fact that they aren't traceable and pilfer them?

I will be writing a lengthy letter to Australia Post tomorrow as I'm tired of having to refund buyers.  I guess I will just have to add the extra cost of Registration to them, but really....this shouldn't be absolutely necessary

[munchkin83munchkin]

Suppose you have a point.....but they usually don't contact me until about 2 to 3 weeks after it's been posted asking if I have any tracking that they can check. And the most recent one even said they will wait until the end of this week to give it a fair chance. That doesn't sound to me like a scammer. 

[munchkin83munchkin]

Wow....that long.  I was aware that things were a lot slower because of Covid but didn't know that it could take as long as that

[munchkin83munchkin]

Definitely food for though

[acermacca]

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@munchkin83munchkin wrote:

Wow....that long.  I was aware that things were a lot slower because of Covid but didn't know that it could take as long as that

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one of many  examples 3000 to 3146  39 days   12 klm

[silver-fox-bullion]

yep it bad sending VIC to VIC I am getting packages from the USA faster than it takes to send a letter or package around VIC atm.

[swamp-stalker]

I'm on the verge of shutting up shop due to the issues with Aus post as I am losing too much money. Most of my items are sent as large letters and with some taking up to 6 weeks to get from Qld to other states, buyers are just opening cases and requesting refunds when the item isn't there after a week or two.

Some honest buyers have contacted me to re-pay for the item once it has arrived, but most don't. Aus post must be using some low-cost sorting machines as I have had two letters returned to me in recent months, as the machine has failed to read the large address label and two stamps on one side of the envelope and has instead read the very small return address in the corner of the back of the envelope and sent the letter back to me.

I've recently been accused of being a drop shipper, due to the time an item has taken to arrive lol. 

[moov-auction]

I sent about 500 letters over the last year and only had 2 cases (for me it's international parcels that get the unrecieved cases - EBAY SHOULD HAVE SEPARATE HANDLING TIMES FOR INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL PARCELS) - both cases were closed because the items arrived. Plenty of people have messaged about not getting their letters and I've explained the situation regarding Australia Post and link to the latest Aus Post page on delays. All the items eventually arrived. Be courteous and definetly respond with some detail to deter cases and keep the buyer knowing that you care about the transaction and you are doing your best to keep them happy. 

I have tried to get buyers to repay afterwoods but it's almost impossible to do this with international sales and have had no success - and i'm almost sure the items arrived too. I guess that's the consequence of sending without tracking and weigh up how much you've lost compared to what you've made - and i'm sure it's small. 

[philb9053]

Happens to me to, all the time!

I lost count on how many stamped things dissapear into the ether.

Parcels always seem to make it though.

Im thinking of making up a fake stamp with a barcode on it and "Tracking" under it or something.

Then stamping all my large letters with it.

It may throw some people off, maybe - Though i dont have much confidence with Australia Post.

Im constantly getting dipsutes raised at the moment - Its infuriating.

I'm more than nice in my reply.

Explain whats going on with Australia Posts delays - Send them a link to the Aus Post page.

But lose so much money on re sending stuff its crazy.

If something costs me 0.04c to buy and i have them listed in a way so people can buy anywere from "2" to "100".

If someone buys 2 of them i just cant justify charging $8.00 to send as a parcel or 2.2 for stamp and $5 for the tracked sticker thing.

[moov-auction]

Some tips (which will may lose some sales) - 

increase handling time - most of the time buyers are not lying and just haven't recieved it yet. Giving yourself an extra 2-3 days could mean it arrives before case is closed. 

hang in there - especially if you are from Melbourne (very slow). 

Try a different post box (some people say not all boxes are the same) or lodge over the counter at Australia post. 

Go to the postbox EVERYDAY even if you have one sale. Lately due to lockdowns i only go once per week and have noticed worse results than when I use to go every day or 2nd day. 

[silver-fox-bullion]

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@philb9053 wrote:

Happens to me to, all the time!

I lost count on how many stamped things dissapear into the ether.

Parcels always seem to make it though.

Im thinking of making up a fake stamp with a barcode on it and "Tracking" under it or something.

Then stamping all my large letters with it.

It may throw some people off, maybe - Though i dont have much confidence with Australia Post.

Im constantly getting dipsutes raised at the moment - Its infuriating.

I'm more than nice in my reply.

Explain whats going on with Australia Posts delays - Send them a link to the Aus Post page.

But lose so much money on re sending stuff its crazy.

If something costs me 0.04c to buy and i have them listed in a way so people can buy anywere from "2" to "100".

If someone buys 2 of them i just cant justify charging $8.00 to send as a parcel or 2.2 for stamp and $5 for the tracked sticker thing.

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there a cheaper option than your 2.2 and 5 for tracked sticker.     That use the AUSPOST green tracked envoples they are about 4.7 each medium sized one  if ya buy a 10 pack.     or they also have a standard letter sized one that cheaper around $4 of memony they have a tracking number on them...