USPS versus UPS/FedEx tracking

[ctmullins]

I find this so annoying.

When I order something that gets shipped via UPS or FedEx, tracking looks like this:

• Day 1 - Package received in Los Angeles CA
• Day 2 - Package in Flagstaff AZ
• Day 3 - Package in Amarillo TX
• Day 4 - Package in Memphis TN
• Day 5 - Package out for delivery

If, on the other hand, the seller ships via USPS, the tracking looks like this:

• Day 1 - Package received in Los Angeles CA
• Day 2 - Package in transit to next facility
• Day 3 - Package in transit to next facility
• Day 4 - Package in transit to next facility
• Day 5 - Package in transit to next facility
• Day 6 - Package out for delivery

How is that value added? If USPS can’t tell me how far along its journey my package is on any given day, then why even bother??

 

[bholder]

When I've used USPS tracking lately, there's been an indication of which facility each stop was at, don't know why you're not getting that.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Your package was probably misrouted. That's not how USPS tracking normally looks but I have seen that happen.

 

[Clark Dark]

Hey CT, I was awaiting a package sent via USPS and it went from Ohio to Illinois to Texas before coming to Wisconsin. I'd rather see the tracking info you got, lol lol lol, then see it be coming closer then going farther away.

 

[bholder]

I've had my share of misroutes (like going from Syracuse to Pittsburgh to get here), but they happen occasionally regardless of which vendor (in my experience). Don't know that USPS is any worse in this regard...

 

[grinx]

i tried to USPS track something recently and it required creating a profile to log in to........no thanks

 

[buldog5151bass]

I've been shipping 50-200 packages per year through USPS for 15 years. Their tracking is pretty good, although sometimes the computers at the post offices are more up to date. But no matter what, it WILL tell you when it gets to the destination town, when it's out for delivery, and when it is delivered. What more do you need?

 

[ctmullins]

I've been shipping 50-200 packages per year through USPS for 15 years. Their tracking is pretty good, although sometimes the computers at the post offices are more up to date. But no matter what, it WILL tell you when it gets to the destination town, when it's out for delivery, and when it is delivered. What more do you need?

The question is “what more do I want?” And the answer is “day-by-day visibility, on par with the other shippers”.

But if I’m the only person having this issue, then it might be something I’m doing wrong....??

 

[Alkali Ike]

The question is “what more do I want?” And the answer is “day-by-day visibility, on par with the other shippers”.

But if I’m the only person having this issue, then it might be something I’m doing wrong....??

Are we talking about your experience with a single package? Or many? As I said earlier, I have seen what you said happen but it’s rare.

How about this: I ordered an item from Amazon last week. Got a UPS tracking number right away. But the tracking number wasn’t in the UPS system at all. I kept getting a prompt to contact UPS for help every time I tried to track it. Then the package mysteriously appeared even though the tracking number was “invalid”. Even now it says “invalid”.

It happens to all of the shipping companies.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Part of the fun of them trying to keep up with thousands of packages every day, as cheaply as possible. Folks, it ain't gonna be perfect. They can SAY it is somewhere to make you happy, but that doesn't mean it's actually there. As long as I know when it gets to the destination town/city, and when it is delivered, I don't sweat the details. Neither should you. IMHO.

 

[ctmullins]

Many packages. But it might be the tracking app I’m using. I’ll compare against the actual USPS website...

 

[Alkali Ike]

Many packages. But it might be the tracking app I’m using. I’ll compare against the actual USPS website...

“Package in transit to next facility“ is consistent with what I’ve seen a couple times. I think it’s a generic message that means “Someone misrouted it but we’re not going to tell you anything more until it gets to the actual destination”.

Postal clerks have access to much more detailed information. They may or may not share gory details with you. Also I think USPS has been trying out a new premium tracking service that gives you all those details but they want you to subscribe to the service. Not 100% sure though.

 

[buldog5151bass]

As I said, the post offices have more specific tracking info. I assume that is what they will offer. Meh.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Here’s info on USPS Premium Tracking.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[ctmullins]

This is typical for me - zero information for five days, then poof, all of a sudden it’s almost at my doorstep.

Not helpful.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I thing I found out about USPS Ground. Unlike priority, they will not roll out another truck if the truck for that day is loaded. So a large package can sit until there is room. For priority and priority express, they will roll out a new truck.

 

[capnjim]

USPS= hardworking reliable service
Fedex= greedy money hungry crooks

 

[MJ5150]

FedEx and UPS focus on delivering and tracking packages, so I'd think they have more time and money to devote to the infrastructure that can tell you every truck/van/plane/facility/hub/etc your package passes through and at what time.
USPS does many more things (stamps, money order, mail boxes, PO boxes, etc) and likely with a smaller budget. The infrastructure the USPS has in place is likely not as robust as what the others are using.
I get those same stretches you do @ctmullins where all it says in my USPS tracking is 'in transit to next facility'. But then at the same time I think it's cool when it kind of goes dark like that, then shows up on my porch when it was promised.

-Mike

 

[pcake]

the last three times we had USPS deliveries, there were no updates until after delivery - then they magically appeared.

 

[JKos]

USPS tracking and notifications seem rather spotty. When I send packages, sometimes I get a notification for every little step the package takes. Sometimes I get nothing, finally check manually, and find out it was already delivered.

- John