Seller Claims Same Day Dispatch Auspost

An online seller claims that do same-day dispatch.

I purchased something on a Friday, expecting to receive it no later than Tuesday the following week, given their promise of same-day dispatch, and that once a parcel gets into the AusPost delivery system, it keeps moving even over the weekend. (Based on past experience)

After purchasing I received confirmation, and a tracking ID.

However the tracking site (AusPost) did not update with any info until the following Monday, when it did it said this:

Shipping information received by Australia Post with the day (Monday) and date.

Eventually received the item on Friday.

I suspect that the seller is somehow lodging the items with AusPost, with a kind of intention to send, that creates a tracking id, etc. But that AusPost is not actually picking up the item until the next business day, and they claim this as Same Day Dispatch.

Sort of like me selling something on Ebay, when the item sells I put the item in a prepaid envelope with an intention to send it the next day. I can even give the buyer their tracking ID straight off the parcel.

I feel the seller is not being honest, so I called them out on it. They remain adamant that they posted it on the Friday, and showed a screenshot of their AusPost business portal or whatever, claiming they have no control over what AusPost puts on their public facing site.

Any thoughts?

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Comments

  • +6

    You can print your own labels - this will issue a tracking no.

    The package then has to be dropped at post office or picked up.

    • +3

      Yeah, I guess the question I'm asking is what is the definition of posting an item?

      Is it lodging the item with an intention to physically post it, or have AusPost pick it up, etc.
      Or is it physically handing the item over to AusPost (Before cut off time, lol)

      It's not a big deal, just thought I'd see what other people think about it.

      • +7

        OP I agree with you.
        Same day dispatch implies that the item leaves the seller and is handed over to Aust Post.
        I does not mean 'print label and deliver to Aust Post the next day'.
        The problem you have is that you cannot be sure that the item was not delivered to Aust Post - by placing in a collection box or elsewhere on the same day but after the collection cut-off. If it was done in one of these ways, it may not track as received by Aust Post until the next day.
        Unless you know when the item was actually handed over - not when it was tracked by Aust Post as received - you don't know that the seller has not complied.

  • Did the parcel arrive within the estimated delivery window?

    • +1

      Technically… I'm not sure, I think AusPost have pretty huge delivery windows, so probably.

      Saying "same day dispatch" creates an expectation that the item will be posted, and that the tracking information will reflect that.

      • From ebay website:

        Same-day handling

        If you offer same-day (0-day) handling, make sure you choose an appropriate order cut-off time. If the order is confirmed after the cut-off time, you have until the end of the following business day to handle and send it.

        The default cut-off time is 2:00 pm, but you can set your own cut-off times for each day, as well as specify your working days. To manage your preferences, use the button below.

        • That is same-day handling… not what I'm talking about, to quote the seller:

          "Free same day dispatch on all orders"

  • Maybe they ran out of time, or Australia Post didn't pick up?

    • Probably, I think in that case customer service should just that, I dunno…

  • +15

    Lol. You must be new to postage labels, tracking numbers and posting items.

    As soon as an item sells you can create a postage label and tracking number online in less than a minute.

    If it was dropped off at their local post office on Friday after parcel cut off time (typically 4pm) then it won't get processed by the post office until Monday morning. Only then will it enter the AP network and make it's way to you.

    expecting to receive it no later than Tuesday

    That's a huge assumption to make.

    Any thoughts?

    Yes. You made assumptions about a process and system that you know nothing about and playing victim because of it.

    • +3

      That makes sense. Cheers.

    • +1

      What you are saying is exactly what I assumed about their process.

      They are not phyiscally posting the item on day of purchase, they are just "creating a postage label" as you said.

      The item was clearly not posted until the following business day, evidenced by the AusPost tracking.

      • -2

        Did you not read the part where I talked about parcel cut off times?

        FFS.

        If you're just after confirmation bias then I suggest you post the same thread on whirlpool.

        • +1

          Seller obviously would need to "post" the item before the cut-off-time… they didn't, so why make a claim that you are doing that?

          Why are you getting so upset about this?

          • -5

            @aleph1: I'm not upset. I'm actually having a great laugh at your expense while eating my hot cakes for lunch.

            The sellers definition of post is likely different to yours.

            • @Muzeeb: What is your definition then?

              A. Lodging an item / printing a postage label

              or

              B. Physically handing the item off to AusPost

              I think the seller in this case is claiming A as "same day dispatch", and i'd argue that's disingenuous.

              • @aleph1: My definition would be "C: lodging the item with Australia Post"

                What AP do with the article after they have it is out of the sellers hands. Again, cut off times apply.

                • +2

                  @Muzeeb: And would you consider "Dropping an item off after cut off time" the same as "same day dispatch"?

                  • +2

                    @aleph1: Yep. I gave the article to Australia Post on the same day you purchased the item.

        • +1

          That's incorrect. If you drop a parcel off on Monday at 528pm and the post office closes at 530pm, the tracking will state 'Received by our Network (Post Office Suburb Name Here) Monday 528pm'. Unless they fail to scan it.

          • -1

            @hamza23: That's right. They seller probably dropped off multiple other packages at the same time and didn't want to wait for the "lodgement receipt".

            • @Muzeeb: This is odd, what are you trying to argue? that AusPost is somehow at fault, or what?

              If an item is handed off to AusPost then it is immediately registered in their network, they don't just leave parcels lying around.

              • -1

                @aleph1: No one is at fault. This is just how the system works. They actually do leave articles lying around. They don't go straight into the back of truck and drive it to your house as soon as you lodge it because there are cut off times. I don't think I could have been any clearer.

                • @Muzeeb: Right, no one is at fault… and seller should be careful about making claims of "Same day dispatch".

                  I just saw that you 16056 comments on this site.

                  • @aleph1: Maybe the seller dropped their parcels off right at closing time and the staff were like fk it, we'll scan them monday.

                    Or, they knew the van would have picked up the parcels already and decided there was no difference between taking them down on friday arvo as opposed to monday.

                    I'd say it was the latter.

                    But I do agree same day dispatch if ordered before a certain time means it leaves the same day.

  • +4

    Does it matter? You've received your parcel so everything is right with the world!

    • +1

      lol i want to live in the world OP has created in their head

      cute to imagine just because you brought something on Friday you expect Aus Post to send a van out that afternoon to collect it just for you, hahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhahahaha

      • Karenitis is a bugger of an affliction. There needs to be a vax for it.

        • Yeah you're right I guess, better to just laugh about it.

          But it can get annoying, and it was for a medical device, so there was a sense of urgency about getting the item. The same-day-dispatch marketing works, because I probably would have gone with an Ebay vendor if it hadn't been for that.

          I don't think trying to personally insult people on a web forum for asking questions is a great affliction either though.

          • @aleph1: You can probably tell who the sellers are by our responses. I've received way too many buyer emails whinging about dispatch/delivery/receipt/packaging/their courier driver, etc.

            I appreciate the sense of urgency however there is always something. People need to be better organised with their wants/needs & not automatically default to reaching out with accusations & blame nor waiting to order & expecting it pronto.

            To be frank, I don't get creating a post to have a nit-pick about an order being dispatched on time after you have received your order.

            • +1

              @[Deactivated]: That's a good point about some people on here being sellers, gives a bit of context.

              I'm refraining from mentioning the seller, (this is NOT about AusPost) leaving negative reviews, or engaging with their customer support…. Call it letting it off steam in a controlled manner??

              I'm legitimately trying to politely raise what I consider, as a buyer, to be a valid point about setting customer expectations with regards to postage/delivery times.

              • @aleph1: And you have been ever so polite.

                I ordered something from the UK last night that cost me $16 in shipping & yet I pay ~$10 to send parcels <30kms away. I may or may not choose to post about this on here.

            • @[Deactivated]: 99% of the time I will ship the same day, but I advertise 2 days. That way you get praise when it rocks up early instead of complaints.

              • @Some Human: But as a seller, you have no control over how quickly the 3rd party postal system will deliver. Even Aus Post no longer guarantee their Express Post as next day,

                • @[Deactivated]: Yep, well aware of that. But a 2 day head start means most will rock up earlier than the estimated date.

                  • @Some Human: Do you receive requests to do same day dispatch? I'm so over the admin emails

                    • +1

                      @[Deactivated]: Only at christmas. So I just post when I was going to post anyway and then get them thanking me for rushing their order.

                      • +1

                        @Some Human: hmmm … I may change it up. Although, my fear would be that they won't proceed with an order if not same-day dispatch. May trial.

                        Thanks for giving me more stuff to think about on a Friday!

                        ;)

    • No, it doesn't really matter. I'm just wondering why you would claim an item is posted "same day" when it's not posted until the following business day.

      Seems dishonest, and creates unrealistic expectations.

      • Same day dispatch is as a result of Amazon ….. all businesses, including small businesses, feel they have to include this because buyers have unrealistic expectations.

      • There's enough of a grey area with the definition of "dispatch" especially when it comes to Australia Post that I can see how people's expectations will differ.

        FWIW, I agree with you.

        I sell things only on an occasional basis and state it will be posted "next business day". As a seller, I ensure that it is physically handed to Australia Post and scanned before close of business. That is what I expect of others but am not surprised if that doesn't happen.

        If I'm not happy, I spend my money elsewhere next time.

  • +5

    Wow that’s an outrage

    • +1
    • Your sarcasm is duly noted.

    • I know right? First world problem.

      And I'm the a-hole reading this post taking away precious time from my doomscrolling.

  • +1

    What time Friday did you order it?

    • Before midday.

    • Actually, I checked the order confirmation at it was at 830AM on Friday.

  • +1

    Oh my god, life is just so unfair yes? ! If you need the name of a good psych message me. I hope you get over this tragedy and are able to move forward with your life. Remember the kid that fell down the well? Well this is MUCH WORSE than that. I feel for you.

    • +2

      Great, thanks for your input.

  • +3

    I can almost guarantee they put it in a postbox on Friday and it sat there until it was picked up on Monday.

    • How can you almost guarantee that?

      • Works (loose term) for A Post

  • +1

    By picking the order, creating the label, packing the order and dropping it in their pile of orders for Auspost, that would likely mean they see the item as being dispatched in their system. If the Auspost pickup/drop off for the day happened at a time before you ordered, then Auspost's system won't see it until they have it. Doesn't mean they haven't fulfilled their end of the deal.

    • I guess I don't really see it like that, but I appreciate your input/opinion. Thanks.

      I think if sellers want to make claims like thisthey should have a purchase cut-off-time of some sort, and be explicit about what they mean by "same day dispatch".

      edit: To be clear, I agree with you hypothesis about what happened, I just don't agree that it really equates to "same day dispatch" unless it's actually handed over to AusPost.

  • A-Posts business model benefits pseudo (if not outright) fraudulent behaviour by way of (a) selling pre tracking numbered pkgs that sellers can activate anytime and not have even pkgd let a lone sent, and (b) a feral system with unaccountable staff,support and performance. The ACCC thinks that's all dandy. The Postal Ombudsman may as well be Sphincter Boy.
    Get the Min for Communications email address, contact her and call out this crooked situation. Until many ppl do, this is the accepted system.

  • seller negative feedback - "bought item at 11:59 PM. was not posted the same day. discustard, untrustworthy seller. refused to give me a full refund even though the item is what I wanted and works perfectly"

  • One I confuse, if there is Shipping information received by Australia Post status on Monday, it means the seller just did entries to create that consignment on Monday, how you can get a tracking on Friday, 3 days prior. This 'Shipping information received by Australia Post status' what I see checking either eParcel or My Post Business my own tracking numbers to customers.

    Could it be the tracking provided on Friday is a fake one, then get updated again with the real one on Monday?

    Like some says here, sometimes what matters really is if the seller delivers to you on time? seller post code/area and your postcode to check in Auspost shipping time calculator.

    • +1

      Even Confucius would be much confused

    • One I confuse, if there is Shipping information received by Australia Post status on Monday, it means the seller just did entries to create that consignment on Monday, how you can get a tracking on Friday, 3 days prior. This 'Shipping information received by Australia Post status' what I see checking either eParcel or My Post Business my own tracking numbers to customers.

      I think you are missing what is being said above. Those with an "AusPost Business" can lodge a parcel and get a tracking number. That gives an "Shipping information received by Australia Post" status. Once it is scanned by Auspost (either at the post office or from pickup from Business), then it gives you an update.

      Could it be the tracking provided on Friday is a fake one, then get updated again with the real one on Monday?

      No. This isn't the PayID like scam.

      • Ok, after checking further, I usually prepare eParcel shipments on Sunday for any Saturday orders to reduce workloads. I got tracking numbers the soonest I created the consignments which I used to update the orders' tracking number so that orders are removed from to be shipped list. Those orders didn't have any status at all during the consignment creation. Instead 3 articles I checked, all has 'Shipping information received by Australia Post' on Monday 10AM when I manifested all the consignments, 20 minutes later it has another status 'Received and ready for processing' when post office driver came, scanned and collected them.

        Thus in OP case, it's true that tracking has been generated on Friday, but it's really only finalized among other parcels on Monday before then get picked up that day or submitted to post office.

  • Fairly clear,
    Tracking supplied on Friday was internally generated.
    Shipping information received by Australia Post on Monday is the first time AP were told about it.
    Next scan will be when AP actually recieved and scanned it in.

    It was not sent on the Friday. All they did was enter it into their internal system. They did not even send the manifest to AP

    Example tracking (one we sent out today that shows in our internal system as sent at 12:50pm, then submitted to AP at 3:32 and then handed over the counter and scanned at 3:49)
    Ready for processing
    Shipping information received by Australia Post,on Fri 1 Sep, 3.32pm
    Current milestone: We've got it
    Received by our network GLEN WAVERLEY VIC • Fri 1 Sep, 3.49pm

  • +2

    To me same day dispatch implies it will be physically taken to the post office (if ordered before a reasonable time, say midday).

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