Delivery Confirmation (DC) service is designed to be a low-cost alternative to full tracking service. Tracking with UPS, for example, is scanned at pick-up (acceptance), automatically along the way as the package is sorted at routing centers, when it is finally loaded to a van, and when it hits the final destination (delivery). The only USPS mail classes that offers this type of tracking are the various EXPRESS mail types.

There are two Delivery Confirmation rates, a retail rate and an electronic rate. The retail rate is paid at the counter, or to your route carrier at pick-up, and the fluorescent green DC label (fig.1) is used. You get a stamped receipt in most instances (although city pick-up carriers may give you an unstamped receipt). The charge for this is the full retail rate, and the barcode is acceptance scanned.

Figure 1.  Retail rate Delivery Confirmation barcode sticker

The electronic rate (e/DC) is applied when postage is generated by software, like those labels produced by Paypal (Pitney Bowes), stamps.com, Endicia.com and the USPS website, among others. The rate is reduced (even free for Priority mail) because it encourages the use of electronic postage and improves delivery accuracy, which reduces error, therefore handling and labor costs.  It is not automatically acceptance scanned.   Instead, it's reported directly to the USPS computers when your label is created... and that's it. That's why the message you see is "we were notified to expect the package," even though the package may be out on a truck someplace!

If you want an acceptance scan that shows the USPS has received your shipment as well as delivery confirmation, you should print your labels online using a SCAN form.

When postage labels are created online, a recent option is to add your packages to a Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice (SCAN) form.  The SCAN form ties all of the packages together on one barcode that represents the total shipment.  When the SCAN form is read at the Post Office, all of the packages are entered into the postal computer system as "Shipment Accepted."   When the Delivery Confirmation Number of the package is looked up, it will show that the USPS accepted the package and that the package has been delivered.  This gives eBay Buyers a better shopping experience, and I highly recommend it..

Some things to know about using SCAN forms:

1. Your postage labels have to be printed through an online service
2. All the packages have to ship from the same place on the same day
3. If you need to add packages after producing a SCAN form, just create a new SCAN for those
4. Give the SCAN form to your carrier (scheduled pick-up) or to the counter employee
5. The SCAN form will be returned to you for your records
6. The SCAN form's number can also be looked-up online to see when a particular shipment was accepted
7. The Delivery Confirmation Number shows the history of a particular package in the shipment
8. Not all online label services offer SCAN yet, but the number is growing.  \

Some misunderstandings I've seen about Delivery Confirmation:

• DC only gives you the date, ZIP Code and the time your article was delivered (or the date and time of attempted deliveries). It isn't a legal "proof of delivery," which requires a signature (like, say, Certified letters) - but it is sufficient for eBay, Paypal and most delivery disputes. In fact, eBay recommends that all mailed packages use Delivery Confirmation, require insurance, and should use signature delivery on higher value items.  I add that you should use SCAN, too.
• DC is not a confirmation that your postage fees are correct.
• There is no additional information to be had by purchasing DC at the PO, except for the acceptance scan. The retail rate would apply. You do get a bright green sticker, though!

I hope this covers the basics for you!  Please feel free to visit my Mentor group if you have questions about this topic.  Thank you!

Uncle Joe Adamson

Refs:

1. USPS Delivery Confirmation FAQ
2. USPS website, Delivery Confirmation
3. Publication 91, Confirmation Services Technical Guide
4. USPS Annual Reports, 2003-2005
5. PS Form 3152, Confirmation Services Certification
6. PS Form 5630, Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice
7. eBay University, The Basics of Selling on eBay
8. Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
   

Uncle Joe is a PowerSeller, Trading Assistant, eBay Volunteer and Mentor, and an Education Specialist trained by eBay.  He's been enjoying eBay for fun and profit since 2001.  He's mostly involved with selling tie dye shirts and clothing in his Silver Dollar Outpost eBay store (you can find savings in his blog).  If you have any comments or suggestions, please click on his Feedback Profile and send a note.   You may also enjoy joining his Mentoring group.