USPS tracking question?

[missjen831]

I purchased a widget 2 weeks ago and the seller uploaded tracking the next day. He didn't buy the label from ebay or paypal but purchased it electronically. USPS, up until today, had NO record of the tracking number. When it didn't arrive a couple days after the ETA, USPS still said no record, and the seller stayed silent, I filed an INR. That was 2 days ago. Today, I received the item and, as of today USPS shows on a delivery scan on the tracking page. The widget was shipped media mail. I was just wondering if this is normal? I've had packages I shipped that showed no tracking until it reached the buyers city. But never, as a buyer or a seller, have had I had tracking with a delivery scan only. And adding to this odd situation, the seller never responded to my INR. I closed it obviously. Is it because the seller used media mail?

[apache.falls]

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@missjen831 wrote:

I purchased a widget 2 weeks ago and the seller uploaded tracking the next day. He didn't buy the label from ebay or paypal but purchased it electronically. USPS, up until today, had NO record of the tracking number. When it didn't arrive a couple days after the ETA, USPS still said no record, and the seller stayed silent, I filed an INR. That was 2 days ago. Today, I received the item and, as of today USPS shows on a delivery scan on the tracking page. The widget was shipped media mail. I was just wondering if this is normal? I've had packages I shipped that showed no tracking until it reached the buyers city. But never, as a buyer or a seller, have had I had tracking with a delivery scan only. And adding to this odd situation, the seller never responded to my INR. I closed it obviously. Is it because the seller used media mail?

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that's what USPS Tracking is

"Delivery Confirmation Is Now Called Tracking" they stated when it all started

[mintcityauctions]

Is it possible for a package to be processed through UPS Mail Innovations and never receive a USPS scan?  I'm awaiting a package that only shows scans from the originating UPS facility.  That info shows up when I run the tracking number on both UPS and USPS sites, but there is no update after it went through the UPS MI facility a week ago.  USPS tracking says the package is still "on its way" to USPS, although delivery is now two days overdue according to UPS.  I'm wondering if USPS even bothers to scan UPS MI shipments.

[missjen831]

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@mintcityauctionswrote:

Is it possible for a package to be processed through UPS Mail Innovations and never receive a USPS scan?  I'm awaiting a package that only shows scans from the originating UPS facility.  That info shows up when I run the tracking number on both UPS and USPS sites, but there is no update after it went through the UPS MI facility a week ago.  USPS tracking says the package is still "on its way" to USPS, although delivery is now two days overdue according to UPS.  I'm wondering if USPS even bothers to scan UPS MI shipments.

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Yes it’s possible. USPS tracking has been really bad lately in my experience.

[sam9876]

In my experience, USPS tracking has been virtually perfect.

[mintcityauctions]

I did a little research which might explain some of this, especially if your item is traveling in an envelope:

USPS classifies First Class envelopes as "parcels" when they are more than 3/4" thick.  If the envelope is thinner than 3/4", it goes into the standard letter-sorting system, which only reads the destination zip code.  There are no automatic barcode scans as USPS doesn't provide free tracking service for First Class Letter Mail (except for the Final Delivery scan entered by the carrier).  You can request a manual Point-of-Origin scan and Parcel Status for your envelope at the counter, which is at the PO's discretion.  If your envelope is less than 3/4" thick, they're not obligated to scan it, although if you catch them on a good day, they might do ya a favor (moral of the story....be nice to your postal clerk).  If you just drop the envelope in the mail slot or opt for carrier pickup and it doesn't meet the required thickness for Parcel Delivery, it will likely be sorted as a letter with no tracking scans.  Priority Mail envelopes are scanned and tracked regardless of thickness, so it may be worth the few extra bucks if you want those updates.

[mintcityauctions]

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@missjen831wrote:

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Yes it’s possible. USPS tracking has been really bad lately in my experience.

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I concur.  As it turns out, my package was classified as a Lightweight Parcel, so USPS should have tracked it every step of the way.  The seller was preparing to send out a replacement today.  Of course I checked Tracking this morning and sure enough, it was updated as Out for Delivery from my local PO.  I notified the seller, hopefully before they dispatched the second shipment.  This particular seller has been exemplary, and has bent over backwards to accomodate me.  I see now how poor tracking on the part of USPS can lead to a lot of hassles for sellers and buyers alike, especially when delivery estimates are off and tracking info isn't updated in a timely manner.  Shipments are occasionally overdue.  Tracking is occasionally inaccurate.  Those things in and of themselves are understandable in a system that moves millions of letters and parcels day in and day out.  It's when the two combine in any one shipment that it can easily be frustrating.