Postal Service

[shortrackskater]

The postal service tracking is among the worst...piss poor really
Being it was sent first class it will probably show up at your door before you see any tracking info.

I've had priority packages show up before tracking info was updated.
Prices have gone up using the postal service but that don't mean they got any better.

Tim

I should have added this to my post! Same exact thing happened to an item I shipped on ebay just last week.  I watch my stuff to make sure it gets there and my "tracked" information was not updated until the item arrived at the door.

[mvco]

I have also noticed this lately.  USPS tracking numbers are useless now.

[knagl]

Unless they've changed policy, I don't believe the USPS typically does a scan when an item is brought to the post office -- it's more of a delivery confirmation number, not a tracking number.

[Foster]

I think it depends on which post office or if you use a alternate drop off location like Office Depot, etc.

[Ron (r273)]

I think USPS charges extra for tracker or delivery confirmation.

Ron (r273)

[idesign]

USPS now calls it USPS Tracking.  If you bring something with a prepaid label on it to a post office they will scan it in for you and it will show up in their system as ACCEPTANCE, with a TIME and DATE.

[channelmaniac]

Unless they've changed policy, I don't believe the USPS typically does a scan when an item is brought to the post office -- it's more of a delivery confirmation number, not a tracking number.

This is why I stand in line and pay at the counter. They put tracking #s on them when you do that and they are automatically in the system.

If you hand it to your letter carrier or drop them off at the Post Office then they don't always get scanned.

[channelmaniac]

I think USPS charges extra for tracker or delivery confirmation.

Ron (r273)

Not anymore.

It's included now after the last rate changes took effect.

[Buzz]

I mailed a flat rate box to Navada yesterday, the post master peels this white label from one label and sticks the rest of that label to the package. The part he/she peels off is placed on a card and handed to you.  Attached is the card I received yesterday, also attached is a tracking I just did.

[a69mopar]

U.S.P.S. is the best choice when receiving an item North of the border.  UPS, and FedEx both soak you with handling fees at the border.  with UPS, a $20 item can cost you another $20 once it crosses the border (fees are something like $18.75)  .  I have had lost items with U.S.P.S., but never ones that had tracking. 

Thanks,
Wayne

[tkrozleski]

Here's my FEDEX ground tracking as of today going to Vegas. Left Michigan Monday 3 PM and then left Ohio the next day Tues. at 11 AM. No updates since. Most likely will be updated after the delivery? Hope so! Suppose to deliver tomorrow! Hope it isn't setting somewhere or lost !

None are perfect. Some are better then others. I guess as they say, they all have their pro's and con's.

Date/Time Activity  Location
 -  5/21/2013  -  Tuesday
11:08 am Departed FedEx location  PERRYSBURG, OH
3:42 am Arrived at FedEx location  PERRYSBURG, OH
 -  5/20/2013  -  Monday
8:18 pm Left FedEx origin facility  SAGINAW, MI
6:37 pm Arrived at FedEx location  SAGINAW, MI
3:27 pm Shipment information sent to FedEx  
2:53 pm Picked up  SAGINAW, MI

[AnDaLe!]

Actually they are getting better with turning "Delivery Confirmation" into tracking.  Some years back nothing happened until it was delivered....thus confirming delivery.  I print my postage via ENDICIA using an old UPS thermal label printer, have been doing so for over 10 years.  I do a bulk drop off, usually not over the counter, but it seems that more and more the package is getting scanned in at the departure post office, and instead of having to wait for delivery, true "tracking descriptions" are showing updates along the way, even "out for delivery".  This goes for First Class as well as PM and EM.

As I think someone already mentioned, I think a lot of it depends on where you mail it.  I also think that because my Endicia mailing software generates the label and the tracking number, it gets it into the USPS system immediately and with more detail.

With all that said, they still SUCK!!!  Prime example a Priority package we mailed to my niece for her birthday about two weeks ago.  Mailed it Saturday from Texas and it showed out for delivery in California on Monday, then nothing for a week.  They left no notice or package.  I finally sent my family out there the tracking info, they printed it and yesterday presented it at the local post office asking WTF happened.  90 seconds later the package was in their hands.  The postage was nearly $50 and this is the service it got.  And they wonder why they lose more and more customers and money each year.  My overall experience with them is not bad, and I mail about 400 First Class and Priority packages a month, but the last year it seems that delivery is taking an extra 1-2 days, and that is with me mailing at the main Airport post office that sends most of it straight to a plane.

[Buzz]

This is my experience in the last two days,  don't think I have a bitch. Please understand I live in a one horse town and this package was in 7 Post Office buildings and was still ready for pickup in a day and a half. Oh about 275 miles


 Your Label Number Service Status of Your Item Date & Time Location Features
 
    Result 1  9114901075742420101422
  Priority Mail®
 Available for Pickup
 May 23, 2013, 8:32 am
 OVERTON, NV 89040 
 Expected Delivery By:
May 23, 2013


USPS Tracking / Delivery Confirmationâ„¢

 
   Arrival at Post Office
 May 23, 2013, 8:11 am
 OVERTON, NV 89040 
 
   Processed through USPS Sort Facility
 May 22, 2013, 3:44 pm
 LAS VEGAS, NV 89120 
 
   Depart USPS Sort Facility
 May 21, 2013
 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93380 
 
   Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility
 May 21, 2013, 8:34 pm
 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93380 
 
   Acceptance
 May 21, 2013, 2:17 pm
 LLANO, CA 93544