USPS Priority Express Signature issue

[yeppers977]

I printed a label for a USPS Priority Express shipment using the Paypal shipping tool.

The customer online record shows Signature Required as the default selection and the waiver of signature is unchecked.

Even the actual shipping label shows Signature Required on it.

I dropped the envelope on the USPS counter (I didn’t deliver it to the USPS clerk by hand) and later during the day it was processed and shipped to its destination.

Today the item was delivered in/At Mailbox and the proof of delivery notes the following:

The recipient's signature is not available because the
waiver of signature that you authorized was exercised at the time of delivery

I don’t understand how the signature requirement is waived even though the customer online record has the signature required box checked.

In my case the item costs under $750.00 and the tracking shows the item is delivered in/at the mailbox, which should be sufficient if an INR claim is filed with Paypal

But after paying extra $9.00 to insure this package I found out I actually had no insurance on it. If the buyer says he didn't receive the package I won’t be able to make a claim with USPS even though I paid for insurance to cover the full value of the item.

Another thing, there is no option to check or uncheck signature requirement when Priority Express is selected as the shipping method.

You can add extra insurance to the Priority Express which is completely useless since USPS claims the customer shipper waived the signature requirement which makes the insurance void.

Please fix this problem where the shipment somehow mysteriously defaults to signature waived when the shipment enters the USPS system. Or advise the customers even though their customer record shows signature required the shipment is sent with signature waived if they drop it on the USPS counter.

[DPCreations]

I think you are interpretating the action incorrectly. 

With the record showing that the customer waived signature requirement you should be OK.  It was the recipient who informed the local post office that the customer was waiving the right to claim non-delivery.  This transfers the risk to the buyer rather than the seller.  The buyer would have no claim since the buyer gave up that right.

[yeppers977]

"The recipient's signature is not available because the waiver of signature that you authorized was exercised at the time of delivery" is the message that reads in proof of delivery.

I realized I made a typo in my previous note about customer waiving the signature, which I corrected..

[DPCreations]

The recipient always has the right to waive signaturre requirement.  For USPS, the carrier would leave a note for the absent recipient.  When the recipient comes home and gets the note there would be an option for the recipient to sign the note and request delivery with actualy signature requirement waived.  The carrier would find the note the next day, read the note and then leave the package without signature as it was waived by the recipient.

With UPS I think the recipient can actually waive signature requirement before delivery.

For clarification you should phone USPS to find out the real meaning of "you".  Your quote is not the same as your original comment about the waiver.  At this point it's not clear.

If it meant you waived the requirement, then it is a USPS issue, not a PayPal issue as the carrier may have made an incorrect decision.  You won't know unless you phone the destination post office.

[yeppers977]

“ For USPS, the carrier would leave a note for the absent recipient.  When the recipient comes home and gets the note there would be an option for the recipient to sign the note and request delivery with actualy signature requirement waived.  The carrier would find the note the next day, read the note and then leave the package without signature as it was waived by the recipient.”

In my case this is not possible since I shipped the item yesterday and it was delivered in the mailbox this afternoon. There is just not enough time for the customer to receive the slip fill it and put it back in the mailbox etc.

So it is impossible for the customer to waive the signature.

I can only see two problems here, either there is flaw with Paypal Priority Express shipping labels or USPS just waived my signature in their discretion. I am going to follow up USPS just to get to the bottom of this.

[DPCreations]

My guess would be that the local carrier made a decision for expediency.

You could also go to USPS.com and fill in a form with the details; it will take longer so I suggest you also phone the delivery PO.  When you fill out the form, the investigation will go to the local PO.  Our PO is good at that a supervisor will call in a couple days.  I've also filled in forms which go to the regional center when the local PO doesn't answer or explain. 

Best to do all your research so you are ready in case of a dispute.

As long as the label was correctly marked it should be OK.  You did keep an extra copy of the label?  I always print 2 labels so I can keep one with the product shipping pack of papers.

[yeppers977]

yes I have two copies of the actual label which clearly notes that signature is required.

I think I will fill the form you suggested and hopefully find out why the signature was waived without my consent for an insured package.

[DPCreations]

I hope there is no dispute and I hope you get an honest answer from the local PO.  You may have to be persistent and request documentation of they state anything other than it was the carrier error.  We've had our substitute carriers make bad decions about forwarding mail; the local supervisor even admitted that the carrier had issues.  

[yeppers977]

I wonder what their explanation is going to be. I didn't sign anything waiving the signature requirement.

I should also be protected by Paypal's seller protection if there is any dispute.

The package shows as delivered and the value of the item was under $750.

[Whac-A-Mole]

It could be the postman too,we have rookie postman who does not come to the door and ask for signature,but just leave it in my mail box.

Your insurance is with USPS,this $750 signature business is with Paypal and Ebay,cc issuers do not expect signature when someone files chargeback with them.