Tracking number already used ???

[barrys_chainsaw_shop]

9400108205497821076393

Yesterday (Nov 29) I bought a USPS First Class label using Bulk Shipping for an item going to UT (I'm in NH), one of 28 labels I purchased.  This morning it says it is already delivered to an address in MO.  Looking at the tracking using eBay links, it has interspersed my local PO's logging for my item with the logging of some unknown item that went to MO with logging starting on Nov 10.  Oddly, when I look at the tracking using the official USPS tracking page, the local PO log entries for my item are missing.  I have verified that the label that I purchased truly has this tracking number.

I wonder now what happens when my item gets to another location, they go to log it, and they discover it has already been delivered.  Anybody else ever have this problem?

[simba6]

Call the 800 number on the USPS web site. They can pull up a lot more info than what is on line. 

[toooldtorock]

I wonder now what happens when my item gets to another location, they go to log it, and

they discover it has already been delivered.  Anybody else ever have this problem?

After a period of time, the Post Office will recycle previously used tracking numbers.

[barrys_chainsaw_shop]

UPDATE:  I talked to my post mistress and she is as baffled as I am but confirmed what I was seeing.  Essentially eBay issued the same tracking number to two different packages.  After spending 30 minutes on the phone with eBay, I was finally able to convince the guy that there really was a problem.  He then spent time canvassing the other techs and learned that there is a bug in the system that is causing this and it is actively being worked on. 

[barrys_chainsaw_shop]

According to one site: "Tracking numbers for First-Class and Priority Mail stay active for 120 days.  In most cases, USPS will reuse a tracking number after about a year following its last use."  So this was not the issue I was experiencing (15 days).

[felix-favorites-atnova]

Did you ever got this issue resolved?

Today, I experienced the same.  Ebay provided the shipping label with a tracking number, but on usps tracking website, it says it was delivered 3 month ago. My buyer is panicking.  I am panicking. 

Oddly enough, ebay tracking says it's still on route. USPS tracking website and Ebay website are showing different statuses. On top of the issue, my buyer's name is different from the receiver's/ship to name.  This is all too confusing. If the tracking number was used 3 month ago, how did USPS accepted my package in the first place?

[wastingtime101]

Do not panic @felix-favorites-atnova and try to ease your buyer's concerns. This has happened to me before and all was fine.

USPS recycles tracking numbers. Occasionally, tracking numbers are recycled too early so you find someone else's scans that took place months before the number was assigned to your label.

Since you are seeing new scans based on when you shipped, that is the part to focus on. Use that info to reassure your buyer the package is on its way to them. If you have any other questions along the way just come back. You might need to start a new discussion here on the shipping board since moderators tend to lock anything revived that's old (6 mos +) because old discussions often contain outdated info and policies.

[wastingtime101]

Hang on - what does this part mean?

"On top of the issue, my buyer's name is different from the receiver's/ship to name."

Where is the name different? On the shipping label?

If it's just a difference between your orders page that shows buyer's registered name on eBay and the shipping address, that's not a concern. I could easily make a purchase and have it shipped directly to Uncle Bob and that would result in a name mis-match.

BUT if you're seeing a name discrepancy on the shipping label compared to the shipping address on the order details, that is a problem.

You did ship the item already, correct?

[felix-favorites-atnova]

Thanks Wastingtime101. Yes, I've shipped the item to my buyer yesterday already. 

You are right, my buyer could be buying it for her relative. The shipping label and order details are the same. 

I was going to ask the buyer if the shipping address looked right to her, but then I didn't want to expose other people's PII in case it was wrong. 

Looks like we will just have to wait and find out.

Greatly appreciate your input. I will start another thread

[kh-jean]

Hi everyone,



Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.



Thank you for understanding.