USPS versus UPS/FedEx tracking

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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...

 

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

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

“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.

 

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

 

Here’s info on USPS Premium Tracking.

USPS.com FAQs

 

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.

 

USPS= hardworking reliable service
Fedex= greedy money hungry crooks

 

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

 

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