I mailed  a package last Wednesday,  I paid for the tracking through pbs.  I watched to see where is was going.  It was never once scanned and when I just checked at the usps site, they were notified about the package. Nothing about where it was or if it had been delivered.  The member just pm'd me to say she got the box today.

Request Date: 1/22/2011 10:44 AM ET
Alternate Date: 1/27/2011 12:00 AM ET
Wrapper Printing(s):

• 1/22/2011 12:03 PM ET

Date Mailed: 1/26/2011 9:49 AM ET
Date Received: 1/31/2011 7:10 PM ET
USPS DC#: 420530489102969010386393052633

Delivery Confirmation Events

1. 1/22/2011 12:10 PM ET - Electronic Shipping Info Received - BALTIMORE, MD

I just got my credits for the 4 books that were inside the box.  Is anyone else having problems with tracking not being done on their packages????

The first time I used PBS tracking, I didn't know you had to tell the postal clerk to scan it.  I always use tracking on my books, but until recently

was getting it at the PO for .80cents.  So yes the .27+.19 is worth it to me.  I mailed a bunch of books today and now I have 12 credits since this

morning.

That's been happening just since the beginning of January. There was some kind of upgrade somewhere and the electronic scan confirmations haven't been showing up in many cases. For a while, the barcodes weren't scanable at all and had to be entered by hand. That's probably why we've not been getting many DC confirmations. Nobody at the sorting facilities is going to stop what they're doing to manually enter every DC barcode that comes through.

They're working on the problem.

I use the DC anyway, and since the scan problems started I've been taking them to the PO for at least the initial entry into the system. Last time the clerk saw me coming she made a big show of rolling her eyes and cracking her knuckles.

I mailed 19 packages early today, and still have not gotten my credits.  I watched theclerk scan each and every package so I know they were scanned.

The only place they have to scan your package is when it's delivered.   Even if they did scan it when you mailed it, they probably have not sent that information to PBS yet.    PBS can't give you the credits until the PO gives them the info.

I had the same problem with a package of books I mailed out the first part of the month. Two packages were scanned along the way, but the third just said that the post office was notified that I had a package for them. A couple of weeks later I went to the post office to find out where the package was and the next thing I knew it was scanned. Thankfully I used delivery confirmation, because I had 4 books in that package. I also PM'd the requester to let her know what was going on with the package, because I also sent her another package  a couple of days later and she had gotten it.

Sometimes it takes a while for the scan to work its way from the PO to PBS.  I've had it take several hours, sometimes as little as 45 minutes.

PBS DC scanned by a postal clerk at the PO does usually show up.  PBS DC scans just put in the 'blue box' or whatever aren't showing up.   Pat

I think it is worth it when I'm sending multiples.  I also like the credit assurance when I'm sending media mail over water, such as AK and HI.  It is also well worth it to mail books that are over 13 oz without going to the PO. 

That said, I don't think it is worth it for every book.  I've had a much smaller number of lost books that the eDC would have cost.

I really hope that Encardia and the PO fix this scanning glitch.  This month, I've seen the scans on the USPS website but not getting to PBS.

If getting credits quickly is key, you might consider using printable postage (particularly on a box with 4 books), at least until they can resolve the Delivery Confirmation issue with Endica.  That way, you get your credit(s) as soon as the book is marked "mailed".

The problem with Endicia is long resolved. I've been getting scans on books I've sent with PP for a couple of weeks now. There never was a problem with the DC only barcodes. Some of them don't get scanned en route, but that's always been the case.

Remember it is Delivery Confirmation not tracking. There is no requirement to scan along the way. If the package never gets a delivery scan I believe you can complain to the USPS and get your money back, but enroute scans are just little bonuses not required.

There was never a PBS problem with the 4205 numbers, only the full printed postage. This is just a case of the lack of scans showing on the USPS system and if the USPS system doesn't show them, PBS can't get them.

For the box that wasn't scanned, it might have just been scanned incorrectly at the PO and was one of those books that happened to not get a scan alongthe way. It happens sometimes. But you mailed a bunch of other books that day and got those credits quickly, so it seems like it was worth it, right? :)

its not tracking.  it is delivery confirmation and at that they sometimes do not scan. and yes it is worth it if you are low on credits as you get instant credit.

Most of the big sorting centers scan as they sort, so most packages are scanned at least once while en route.

I personally think it's a waste of money to use on every book.  The fee very quickly adds up to more than what the occasional lost credit or book would be.  I can see the benefits of the printed postage for someone who doesn't have the time or capability to get to the post office easily.  But the credit assurance doesn't make sense to me financially.  I only use it on game books and bulk orders.  I do occassionally use the printed postage when I just have a single book  over 13oz to mail and the weather is bad or I have no other reason to go out.  Then it's worth the fee to me. 

I don't stress about books being marked received. They get there when they get there. I've only had 1 book I sent go lost out of over 1,000 mailed. I always keep a few credits on hand for WL offers adn with the WL hold option, there's really no excuse for needing an emergency credit because you can put them on hold.

With all the posts you make about scans and stuff-it sounds to me like you let yourself stress too much about credits.  Life is too short for that.  Keep a few on hand for WL offers and stop worrying. 

Mary,

 I am not worrying about getting the credits.fast,  I have plenty.  I was just wondering why all of a sudden it was taking so much longer to get the packages scanned .  I mailed 17 more yesterday morning they were all scanned and still haven't gotten the credits.  Wondering why it is taking so much longer to get the information to pbs. 

Funny I've rarely rec'd any books with DC, but last week got one that showed "delivered" several hours before delivery was made to my door!--just happened to be on computer and saw they'd scanned it "delivered" and mail hadn't come yet!

Why is it taking longer to get the info to PBS? Well, the first question you should ask is whether it's taking longer to the the info to the central USPS computers. If you copy/paste your DC #s from PBS to the USPS website, do you see any scan records there? If the answer is no, then the problem is between your PO and the USPS central computers. The best place to ask is probably at your PO.

If you do see the scan records at the USPS website, and they're not showing up in your account, then the problem is between USPS and PBS. If it's been more than a day since the records appeared at the USPS website, then you should ask PBS.

Actually, it is not "tracking" it is Delivery Confirmation you purchase through PBS.  BUT, if you purchase DC and postage through PBS, you get your credit as soon as you mark it mailed.  No worries about anything else that may happen.  You have proof you paid for the postage through the system.

With Delivery Confirmation, it is possible for the book to actually never be scanned enroute.  Best case it is gets scanned right before it is delivered.

I DO pay for DC and PBS postage for EVERY book I mail.  This is because I live remotely and driving to the post office is more inconvenient than just putting in the mail box out front.  I also have rural post offices to deal with.  One is a royal pain for EVERY Media Mail package (they even have a sign taped to the counter regarding it, how they can inspect but they want it open when you arrive to do that.)  To avoid the headache of that, it is more cost effective and feasible to just pay the money to PBS.

It has been my experience that within a day of purchasing the DC/Postage, the details show the postage printed.  This also lets the person requesting know (if they check) that there is action on their request.

With the price of gas and the distance of the post offices around me, it IS worth the money to pay for it online through PBS.  I would waste far more in gas and time mailing them myself personally.