Missing Mail search - how is it successful?

[powell-memorabilia]

 

When there is a seemingly lost package, plenty of sellers advise to file a missing mail case with the USPS.  The thought is that the search will “shake the item loose,” which sounds ridiculous.  No way do I think that the USPS is going to hunt around the last known location to find a missing package.

But, I did file a MM request early this morning.  No tracking updates since dropped off the package to my local PO in Ohio on July 31.  Minutes after I submitted the request, tracking was updated to show it is in Florida.  Then, an hour later, it shows out for delivery.

I don’t think that the MM case got the package moving - it is just coincidence.  But, it is odd for tracking to update right after I submit then lost mail case. 

[dhbookds]

I know NOTHNG about how most any computer stuff works........But it's conceivable to me that there is a computer equivalent to the human experience of "I looked in the box an it isn't there, I looked a second time and it's there".  Electric interruptions/server problem.....who knows?  But as you say, it happens enough to spend a few seconds to put in the request to see what happens.......

[jerseyboymusic]

I think it is coincidence!

MM search USED to work, but then the pandemic messed things up

[pennysdream]

I have never actually filed the paper. However, I have asked our post office to look things up. I guess they can see things that are not on the web. Every time the package started moving again in the next update.  The only problem I have had was with a package that just disappeared of the face of the earth. 

[lonebuck-books]

I had a postal carrier pick up my packages last week and instead of scanning them in as accepted, the scanned them all in as 'delivered'.  Needless to say I was stomping out little fires a good part of last week  keeping buyers assured that their item will show up.  I went to the P.O. with all the tracking numbers and they could see the movement through the system on their computers but they wouldn't update at all for us mere mortals checking tracking on our computers.  Fortunately they all got delivered but it sure it a pain when tracking doesn't work as advertised!  Buyers are so accustomed to watching tracking progress that when something doesn't happen as expected they jump to the "blame the seller" conclusion immediately.

[titipeo]

I agree that there is no way that a person is sent to look after a certain package with tracking ID that is written on label on font that requires you look at the label up close. However, I do believe that USPS does have cameras and tracking mechanism that record the movement of packages, maybe some of those tracking points may not be reported, or as @dhbookds said, there is an electronic version of "I don't see, but now I see it" that gets self-corrected along the way. In the end, when there is no tracking, we get anxious as package might be lost in the system, but once tracking shows movement, we get an idea on when we can expect the package.

[ebooksdiva]

Could be a coincidence, but I shipped out an item on August 3rd, the tracking said PICKED UP by the carrier in Denham Springs on Aug 3rd and nothing until yesterday when I requested tracking info to be sent to me. Low a behold the item was suddenly PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY in Baton Rouge which is the city next to where I am in Denham. The package was supposed to be delivered yesterday. Why the PO held onto the package for 3 days is a question that will never get answered. The process of going from one PO to the next here usually occurs within hours, not days. 

[saylesville2003]

In the past month I filed two missing mail requests for service and in both cases, the package was delivered within several days to the recipient. In one case I even received a phone call from the post office to see if everything was satisfactory and apologizing for the delay in delivery. 

In the past there was an entry in the USPS tracking for Case Research but that did not happen in these two instances. However I was happy that the  packages were delivered.

[lakefor94]

The couple of times I have filed a USPS Help Request Form, I received a call from the destination post office. They take a look into the system to see what they can find out and relay the information.