Marking an item shipped, but NOT providing a tracking number?

[drseiko]

Im wondering what the rational for this is?  Is it so the seller has more time to ship, or are they trying to pull a  fast one. Recently Iv bought a few items from sellers and they mark it SHIPPED, but they dont provide a tracking number.  I know for a fct that USPS puts a tracking # on every parcel they ship,  so I dont know why a seller would leave this informaition out except to give them a few extra days to ship all the while marking it shipped.  Seems like they are being deceptive to me? 

Anyone have any idea`s why sellers would chose to do this?  

[*help_no_brakes*]

"Anyone have any idea`s why sellers would chose to do this?  "

Possibly because sellers are not required to provide tracking details.

Tracking is after all for the protection of the seller.

When I buy I never look for a tracking#

I know the LAST ESTIMATED Delivery Date & I have the MBG as  my protection.

[drseiko]

I suppose it could be that simple, but it really shows a lack of respect for the buyers time. In my situation, I have a PO box BC USPS does`nt deliver to my door, so I like to know what is at/in the box and whether it is worth the 30 minute round trip to go get it, and I certainly don`t go unless I know something has arrived and ready to be picked up. This is why it may be a big deal to me and maybe not everyone else.

[creoleorchid]

That makes sense to me.

Some sellers are just lazy, some are using non tracking methods,  some are drop shipping, some shipping from out of the country.....many reasons. I don't like not having tracking either.

[rixstuff]

Well, yes there is a tracking number but whether the PO ACTUALLY SCANS it to track it is a whole nother story.  My local PO doesnt scan anymore.  They leave it to the big sort center across town to do the scanning so I cant see progress until the items get there.  The carriers stopped scanning a long time ago.  I have three packages that shipped with NO TRACKING AT ALL (yet there's the number on the labels) that dont even show shipped, yet here they are in my house just fine.  I left feedback so the sellers know they got here.

Even with tracking many items will go to a certain point and just sit - for WEEKS - for no reason.  It helps to go to the PO and ASK them where the item is but that is a bit harder now with the holiday rush.

[7606dennis]

Some sellers do not furnish tracking because some buyers constantly bombard them with questions concerning the items movement through the system which the seller has no control over.  Seller's are not required to furnish tracking numbers to buyers.  If the item hasn't arrived by the last day of the estimated arrival time.  The buyer can file an INR dispute.  Of course, the seller can then furnish the tracking number in response to the dispute through the resolution center.

Frankly, many buyers get carried away with wanting to watch the items progress through tracking.  Patience can be a good thing.

[rixstuff]

Happened again today.  ANOTHER package arrived with ZERO tracking and an overseas package just showed up without any customs or anything.  Just wait for hte packages to show up at your house and tracking be damned.  As a seller keep looking for delivery confirmation and ask the PO for updates when the delivery time has passed.

[beautybylynn]

As I have a closed in porch, and keep my screen door locked during the day, I like to see tracking also so I know about when to leave my door unlocked for the package ( I have a small mail slot) I was ready to contact a seller that I bought from to ask him about the tracking number and then I received the package, it was in an envelope(no tracking) 

[critter_mama_2007]

I think the po has some new kind of notification system that emails you with what you are going to receive in the mail at your address.  If you nose around on the usps website you could probably find info on it.  I saw an ad on tv about it or a blurb on the local news.  can't remember which.

[7606dennis]

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@rixstuff wrote:

Happened again today.  ANOTHER package arrived with ZERO tracking and an overseas package just showed up without any customs or anything.  Just wait for hte packages to show up at your house and tracking be damned.  As a seller keep looking for delivery confirmation and ask the PO for updates when the delivery time has passed.

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Ya lost me here.  A package that you were expecting (a logical assumption since you ordered it) arrives.  The seller sent it without tracking (another assumption on my part since it arrived without it) but it arrived so I fail to see why its lack of tracking is an issue.  The only reason that it would matter is if you were planning to file an INR dispute, but since you state that it has arrived to do so would committing fraud and I surely do not think you would want to post about it if you were.  Sellers are not required to ship with tracking.  In this case, the seller obviously trusted in your honesty not to use it.  I trust that his faith was justified.  

[readabouthorses]

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@critter_mama_2007 wrote:

I think the po has some new kind of notification system that emails you with what you are going to receive in the mail at your address.  If you nose around on the usps website you could probably find info on it.  I saw an ad on tv about it or a blurb on the local news.  can't remember which.

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It is called Informed Delivery and it is really great. My rural mailbox is way down a dirt private road from my house so I can't see the mailman. Informed Delivery sends an email and can also be checked online. It shows a photo of mail pieces arriving that day. Not sure what shows for packages since I never get packages. I'm not sure if this is also available for PO Boxes but I sure would check it out if I had a PO Box as I used to have one where I lived before and it would have been nice to know if the trip to the PO was necessary or not.

[shoptalkid]

Just because a seller doesn't use tracking doesn't mean they didn't ship the items.    When sellers purchase labels through eBay, tracking is automatically uploaded and the order is removed from the "awaiting shipment" list.    For sellers that can ship certain items in plain letter envelopes, every order has to be manually marked as "shipped".   If they don't do this, they won't able to stay on top of things.  

Don't start worrying about whether or not your items are on the way or not.  Even Chinese sellers ship some things without tracking.  That doesn't mean you will never get them.   If the lastest delivery date arrives and you still don't have your items,  open a case. 

[dtexley3]

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@rixstuff wrote:

Happened again today.  ANOTHER package arrived with ZERO tracking and an overseas package just showed up without any customs or anything.  Just wait for hte packages to show up at your house and tracking be damned.  As a seller keep looking for delivery confirmation and ask the PO for updates when the delivery time has passed.

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Every time you receive a package that has the tracking barcodes on it you should be filing a complaint with your carrier, your local postmaster, the postmaster of the shipping PO and the postmaster general.  Carriers are REQUIRED to scan on pickup and delivery.   Some don't like to because it takes a few extra seconds each time, but it's not optional and they know it.

[muttlymob]

I know for a fct that USPS puts a tracking # on every parcel they ship,

No, they don't.  It is still possible to mail a parcel without tracking.  Even Priority.

If someone puts stamps on a lightweight parcel and drops it in a blue collection box, how would that sender ever know if the USPS has added tracking or not?

And it is not possible to get tracking on letters or flats, for those items that qualify and sellers are willing to take the risk.

[rixstuff]

You can see packages in Informed Delivery too - you have to sign in to the site and have the option of seeing mail or packages.