# Ebay # On Address Label? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 14, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-on-address-label/644053 "2012-12-14T19:48:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-on-address-label/644053/1 "2012-12-14T19:48:15Z")
An Ebay buyer has requested that I put the Ebay auction # on the “label” which I assume to mean the address label. Where does USPS allow anything extraneous to name and address to be written on the face of the package (the same side as the address label)? Should I write it below the buyer’s address, below my address, along the top right corner or somewhere else? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-on-address-label/644053/2 "2012-12-14T19:49:19Z")
I skip a few lines, and write it below the ship-to address. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-on-address-label/644053/3 "2012-12-14T19:51:16Z")
I think you could do something like: TO: John Smith/[Auction number] 123 Main St Anytown, USA 12345 ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-on-address-label/644053/4 "2012-12-14T20:13:01Z")
Actually, write it above the name and address, whether it is a letter or package. Here is the reason: The US post offices OCR scanners work from bottom to top. First they look for the city, state, and zip code, then they look for street address. If there is any extraneous information, it should be at the top where the scanners will have already retrieved the information that they need. If you put extra information at the bottom, there is a _small_ chance it could be interpreted as a city or zip code and send your letter astray. Also, avoid the use of punctuation in the address portion (except for the dash in the ZIP+4). And, yes, they are using OCR scanning for both letters and parcels now. Bad example: Large Corporation 234 Main St. Department of Redundancy Department Anytown, UZ 00010 Attention: Bill Jones Order 55555-0123 Improved example: Attention: Bill Jones Order 55555-0123 Department of Redundancy Department Large Corporation 234 Main St Anytown UZ 00010 [&varset%28source%29=sourceType%3Aembedded"]Addressing tips from the United States Postal Service.]([http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb%3AUSPSFAQ&view()=c](http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb%3AUSPSFAQ&view%28%29=c)[c\_usps0910) Note that the odds are that your mail will get delivered whether you follow these rules or not. But if you want to decrease the chances of something going wrong, try to follow these rules as much as you can. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-on-address-label/644053/5 "2012-12-14T23:41:34Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Here is the reason: The US post offices OCR scanners work from bottom to top. First they look for the city, state, and zip code, then they look for street address. Correct. And the lowest address line is the one the USPO will deliver to. For example Large Corporation P.O. Box 123 234 Main St Anytown UZ 00010 will get delivered to Main street, not to the PO Box.