USPS tracking says "Delivery Status Not Updated" - What should I do?

[someday_man]

An item I sold recently was Out for Delivery in Alexandria, VA as of yesterday, 11/30.  The delivery scan never came, and around midnight last night the tracking status changed to "Delivery Status Not Updated".   I hoped it would delivered today and the status would change to Delivered, but it has remained "Delivery Status Not Updated" all day today and now this evening.

I know this can sometimes happen when the mail carrier simply forgets to scan the package at the delivery point, or if something is wrong with the scanner so the information never gets uploaded to the tracking system.  I have not yet heard from the buyer, so I hope this is the case, but it is early yet.

Fortunately I did send this package insured, so theoretically if it is lost I should be able to get reimbursed.  The package value was $100.

As this has never happened to me before, I'm looking for some advice on how to handle this situation.  Is it best to keep quiet until I hear from the buyer?  And if I do hear from the buyer, that he/she has not received the package, what then?   My concern is if the buyer wants a refund due to INR, and I go ahead and give them their money back, and then the package is delivered shortly thereafter, I will be out of luck, as the buyer will have both their money back and the item.

How best to handle this situation?  Is it possible after issuing a refund, to instruct USPS to return the package to me if it is found? 

Hopefully it will not come to this, but I want to be prepared in case it does.  Thanks for any widsom/advice you can provide!

[chrysylys]

USPS tracking is seriously messed up right now and I don't expect it to get any better until at least mid-January.

[someday_man]

Are you saying this is due to the system being overloaded due to the holiday season?  Does this happen every year around this time?

[trustedbasset]

I just got a check from USPS from a lost item I sold in November.  The handlers are not that polite when dealing with packages. All I can tell you is place the label on good and secure. Avoid sending heavy things USPS, Fedex or UPs is better at heavy or larger items. This is just my experience. 

[someday_man]

It wasn't a heavy item, only a few pounds.  And the label was carefully taped and flat.  I always do that.  Maybe some mail carriers are extra busy right now so they aren't as good about scanning?  It's really just this one package though.  Other packages I've sent and received this week have all shown as Delivered.

[callahanmagic]

@someday_man

Speaking only based on my own encounters.

For scenario similar to yours, I usually go to USPS tracking site:

1) Text & Email Updates -

Select ALL the boxes for notification.

2) Or a search case using the tracking number.

Most of the times, action (1) yields positive results.

Sometimes, I'll combined both (1) + (2). 

But, I'll not contact the buyer yet until 10 days from the despatch date

to inform buyer if he/she is tracking the package : to show that you're being

proactive + is following up on the 'errant' package's whereabouts 

with the postal officials and will revert once you've determined whether the

package is MIA or not.

-

Lucas
*still rollin' with the punches*
"Sophie" - Forever Sidekick - April 2007 - Sept, 05, 2017

[castlemagicmemories]

If you sign up online for delivery tracking updates, that often shakes a package loose.

Hope this helps, OP!

[tamaralea]

Don't contact your customer.  Chances are it was delivered.  You will hear from your customer if not.  Sometimes there is a delay on the scan.

[castlemagicmemories]

You might want to wait until you hear from the buyer.

Then you can explain that you are tracking the matter, and that USPS tracking is delayed now due to holiday volume, and that it should be there soon.

[slippinjimmy]

Is it best to keep quiet until I hear from the buyer?

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[castlemagicmemories]

Buyer may be happily awaiting delivery; you don't want to agitate them prematurely.  

[someday_man]

I did try signing up for email updates (all boxes checked) last night.  That has worked in the past, but apparently not this time, at least not yet.

Maybe it's a delayed scan, or a missed scan.  That's what I'm hoping.

[tealt]

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@someday_man wrote:

An item I sold recently was Out for Delivery in Alexandria, VA as of yesterday, 11/30.  The delivery scan never came, and around midnight last night the tracking status changed to "Delivery Status Not Updated".   I hoped it would delivered today and the status would change to Delivered, but it has remained "Delivery Status Not Updated" all day today and now this evening.

I know this can sometimes happen when the mail carrier simply forgets to scan the package at the delivery point, or if something is wrong with the scanner so the information never gets uploaded to the tracking system.  I have not yet heard from the buyer, so I hope this is the case, but it is early yet.

---

I have exactly the same situation with a package I mailed last week...Out For Delivery and then Delivery Status Not Updated.

I did the usual thing--going to the PO tracking page, and I saw the same thing.  I requested updates of package status via email, and have received nothing.

Like you, I know that sometimes the carrier forgets to scan, or the carrier is new/temp and doesn't know how to use the scanner, or the scanner malfunctions.

I've had this happen before, and I will not be contacting the buyer. 

My buyer is most likely a good, honest person, but I don't like to put temptation in their path if it is brought to their attention that they could get their items for free by filing an INR.  So far, the buyer hasn't left feedback, but only about half my buyers do that.

If the buyer contacts me, I don't have much choice.  I'll have to refund in full (I don't have duplicates to send), and then I will file a complaint with the USPS for non-delivery.  The package was priority, so I may be able to file a successful lost-package insurance claim.

[castlemagicmemories]

If the email updates don't start working, you could call your Postmaster and ask what the tracking shows as they have more info than is available to the public.

Just a thought.

[someday_man]

@tealt - Just curious, how long has it been since the package you mailed was originally "Out For Delivery"?