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For resellers relying on the USPS to deliver packages, recent severe weather conditions in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. may pose significant challenges. Hurricanes Helene and Milton and widespread flooding affect mail processing, transportation, and deliveries across several key states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
This means that if you’re shipping from or to these areas, your packages may experience delays or, in some cases, not make it to their destination—at least for now.
For those who run our reselling businesses across marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, Mercari, Depop, Vestaire, Kidizen, Grailed, and Poshmark, reliable shipping is crucial to maintaining customer satisfaction and meeting platform requirements. Unfortunately, the severe weather conditions are beyond anyone’s control, and even USPS has been forced to adjust operations in some regions.
What you should do as a reseller
If you’re shipping from areas affected by storms or flooding, check in with your local USPS office first. Some areas may not offer postal services, and your nearest branch might be temporarily closed or experiencing delays. You can use the USPS Service Alerts page to get real-time updates on service availability in your area. You can also check the “Residential Service Disruptions” page. It’s a simple but essential way to stay informed about shipping descriptions nationwide.
Another option is to directly contact your local USPS office or visit in person (if safe) to verify whether they accept packages for delivery. Even if they are, it’s a good idea to be transparent with your buyers about potential shipping delays caused by the severe weather.
Keep buyers in the loop
Communication is vital when your business is facing unexpected shipping delays. Be proactive in notifying your customers about the potential for slower-than-usual deliveries. Most buyers will understand that severe weather is out of your control, especially if you provide them with an updated timeline and ongoing communication.
Consider updating your listings with a note about possible shipment delays to or from affected areas. On some platforms, you can include a temporary message in the listing description or send a message to buyers immediately after they purchase. You can also use your List Perfectly catalog to make any description changes on your listings.
Potential scanning issues with USPS packages
If you’re shipping packages from areas affected by the severe weather, it’s essential to know that the USPS may not scan your packages as usual. Due to mail processing and transportation disruptions, some packages might not show tracking updates immediately or even miss scans.
This doesn’t mean your package isn’t moving, but it may not show up in the tracking system until closer to its destination. To avoid confusion, it’s a good idea to let your buyers know there may be gaps in tracking updates due to the weather conditions. Clear communication can help keep buyers informed and prevent any unnecessary concerns.
Stay safe and stay updated
Most importantly, if you are in one of the affected areas, take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe. Your reselling business is essential but not more important than your well-being. Follow local guidance, and once conditions have improved, you can resume your shipping operations.
In the meantime, stay informed by checking USPS updates regularly and communicating clearly with your customers. Rest assured, buyers will appreciate your transparency and understanding as you navigate this temporary challenge.
Be sure to stay updated by checking with the marketplaces for any announcements. For instance, eBay often shares essential information on its community board, making it an excellent resource for sellers to keep track of updates and changes.
It’s also a good idea to regularly check the Poshmark Status page for any updates or issues with the platform. This page provides real-time information on any outages, slowdowns, or maintenance that might affect your selling experience. Staying informed through the Poshmark Status page can help you plan around potential disruptions and ensure your business runs smoothly.
Minimize reselling disruptions
As severe weather becomes more frequent and unpredictable, staying prepared and informed is essential for your reselling business. You can minimize disruptions and keep your business running smoothly by monitoring weather alerts, maintaining strong communication with buyers, and leveraging tools like List Perfectly to manage your listings efficiently across multiple platforms.
Remember, platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and others may have their own announcements or temporary policies during extreme weather events, so checking their community boards or status pages can give you timely updates. Staying flexible and proactive during these times can help protect your business and satisfy your customers, even when Mother Nature throws a curveball.
