TECH Post office package tracking

[kyrsyan]

This past weekend I had a rather expensive package go missing. Friends and/or I had been working in the yard all day and hadn't seen the mail carrier stop. There was nothing in the mailbox. So I opened a missing package case and I contacted the shipper.

Monday I got a voicemail message telling me that they were trying to locate the package and didn't hear anything else from the Post Office. That was semi-expected because someone took out power to the town in the middle of the night and it caused some issues across the board. The shipper sent me an email saying that I should ask the Post Office to geotrack the package and then get back to them.

Today the Post Master of the local Post Office called and I got an education. When the employee scans a package as delivered, that scan device also records the date, time, and coordinates that the employee is at. They use that information to try to retrieve packages that have gone missing, but also to counter all the "I didn't receive it" claims.

My package was mis-delivered to a neighbor. Which one I don't know. But the neighbor insists that they did not receive it. The first time, without the geotracking info, the neighbor said that they didn't get it and there was no way it was stolen out of the box. The second time, with geotracking info, they said they didn't get it and it must have been stolen. I'd like to know which neighbor so that I can avoid them in the future but doubt I'll get that info.

Anyways, Post Office screw up so the entire package should be replaced by the shipper and paid for by the Post Office. And the Post Master is likely going to be keeping a closer eye on those packages for the next month or so. He didn't like hearing how much those contents were going to cost them. He did say that with the new system in place, they've had 4 packages completely "disappear" since it started. All other packages were located one way or another. Just thought it was an interesting tidbit to share.

 

[FireDance]

That is interesting. Let us know if you hear more.

 

[kyrsyan]

I love the company I ordered from. I've ordered from them multiple times. Within an hour of forwarding the Post Office email, they have reissued the order at no charge to me. I should have the replacement package by this weekend.

 

[Txkstew]

I've never had a delivery problem with UPS, FedEx, or USPS. However, one day some years back, a FedEx truck pulled up. I hadn't ordered anything, but my stepson walked out to the truck. He came back in with a good sized box. It was a big set of Rachel Ray ugley ass, orange cookware. My then girlfriend was all a twitter about it, saying she always wanted a set.

I looked at the label and it was for a neighbor a few houses down the street. I told my GF she couldn't keep it. Sorry, I'm calling FedEx. A few hours later, a van with a uniformed guy got out. I took the box out to him. He looks at it, and says oh, it's Ground shipping. He looks at me, and says, I'll take care of it.

I'm not keeping someone else's package, because I want mine delivered to me. Shitty of people to keep stuff like that.

 

[Josie]

I had an artificial Christmas tree delivered to an identical numbered house on a different street. I guess those people called FedEX and they sent someone out to pick the tree up and deliver it to me. I understand large packages like that but when it's something small and in the neighborhood, I just redeliver it to the correct address.

I had a shirt I ordered before Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. I followed the FedEx tracking all the way to the hub in Indy where is was handed off to FedEx Smartpost (Post office). From there it apparently fell into a wormhole and ended up on the other side of the galaxy because, as far as I know, it's never, ever reappeared. The company sent me a replacement ASAP.

 

[Warthog]

One time I ordered ammunition and the store sent me a Glock 17 instead! I told them I sure did like the G 17 they sent me, but they need to pick it up! UPS was at my door the same day to validate the pickup ticket. Hopefully your neighbor comes thru and gives back your package!

 

[Milkweed Host]

Last year, I ordered a V-belt. USPS tracking number indicated that it was
delivered, but I received nothing. Postmaster said the delivery coordinates
indicated that it was delivered just down the road from me where there is
just open farmland. Postmaster said that since the tracking number indicated
that it was delivered, it's not their problem.

I know the guy who delivers our mail and I'm very well aware that he had mental
health issues.

Anyway, with the huge numbers of USPS mail/packages being delivered each day, I'm surprised
they get it right as often as they do.

 

[kyrsyan]

One time I ordered ammunition and the store sent me a Glock 17 instead! I told them I sure did like the G 17 they sent me, but they need to pick it up! UPS was at my door the same day to validate the pickup ticket. Hopefully your neighbor comes thru and gives back your package!

I doubt it. Let's just say that it was probably consumed before the weekend was over. And if the package were to be returned, I wouldn't trust enough, at this point, to risk using it. Shipper has told me that if it appears, just mark it RTS and give it back to the post office. Post office will have to pay at this point, regardless, because the shipper isn't going to take risks on that either.
I'm betting it was a sub/new driver. So someone is going to get a coaching and hopefully it won't be repeated. Because I'm pretty sure that if a second package from that shipper disappears, someone is likely to get fired or put in an alternate position where they can be supervised. Like I said, replacement costs are not going to be cheap.

 

[db cooper]

We had a rural carrier who was just pathetic, he had so many complaints against him he should have been canned. He'd constantly deliver other peoples mail to our box, and our mail to someone elses. What really PO'd me is back then we used to get Netflix DVD's. Many came cracked, some never came at all, some were misdelivered. The ones that were never delivered were returned to Netflix as though we watched them, which suggests whoever got them watched them and returned them. I made complaints, but no one listened.

His job before the post office was a school teacher. Just how anyone that dumb could be a teacher is beyond me, but considering today's standards, he'd fit right in.

The good news is he flipped his car, it landed in a slough and all his day's mail wound up in the water. This forced his retirement. He survived.

 

[kyrsyan]

We had a rural carrier who was just pathetic, he had so many complaints against him he should have been canned. He'd constantly deliver other peoples mail to our box, and our mail to someone elses. What really PO'd me is back then we used to get Netflix DVD's. Many came cracked, some never came at all, some were misdelivered. The ones that were never delivered were returned to Netflix as though we watched them, which suggests whoever got them watched them and returned them. I made complaints, but no one listened.

His job before the post office was a school teacher. Just how anyone that dumb could be a teacher is beyond me, but considering today's standards, he'd fit right in.

The good news is he flipped his car, it landed in a slough and all his day's mail wound up in the water. This forced his retirement. He survived.

I think the new measures, like tracking the carriers and tracking where packages go, is part of the new efficiency focus of the post office. And will likely help to put and end to the endemic favoritism and ability to keep jobs when not doing the job.
We are rural. And I've been here for about 15 years. Until this year, not a single one of our drivers had an official vehicle. Every carrier had a personal vehicle that they modified and used for their route. But as of last month, they are all in USPS vehicles, the new ones. I really won't be surprised if it comes out that the tracking is becoming even more thorough. And tracking through the scanner is actually better than tracking the vehicle, although they might end up doing both. The scanners can also go with carriers that have to walk portions of their routes.
Here, the post master is a middle aged guy from the community. His family is rooted here. So he doesn't like nonsense and doesn't tolerate carriers not doing their jobs. He's polite. But you do your job. Even when they are short handed, you do your job.

 

[db cooper]

Here, the post master is a middle aged guy from the community. His family is rooted here.

The town I grew up in had post masters from the community, they were very good at their jobs and well liked. I do not recall anyone ever criticizing the post office when I was a kid. Our postmaster where we live now was born in communist China. Much could be said about that.

 

[patriotgal]

Know 3 people with tracking numbers on 3 different auto titles sent usps. All 3 are missing. Tracking numbers aren't showing anything. If you are sending something on your dime, be aware that usps may send your property to a black hole. If the pkg is coming to you, pray that usps actually scans it along the route.

 

[Meemur]

Know 3 people with tracking numbers on 3 different auto titles sent usps. All 3 are missing. Tracking numbers aren't showing anything. If you are sending something on your dime, be aware that usps may send your property to a black hole. If the pkg is coming to you, pray that usps actually scans it along the route.

This is why I hand-deliver some items.

 

[pauldingbabe]

I love the company I ordered from. I've ordered from them multiple times. Within an hour of forwarding the Post Office email, they have reissued the order at no charge to me. I should have the replacement package by this weekend.

Don't you love customer service?

Leave them some review love.

 

[Jackpine Savage]

Another reason I love living out here in the sticks. Over the last 20 years I've known all our mail carriers prior to them working for the USPS. But I am sometimes called on to get them unstuck, change a tire, and make sure I'm around to get the really heavy packages out of the trunk.

 

[patriotgal]

Unfortunately our mail carrier is a disaster they won't fix. Several places here in the boonies now have cameras just to catch him screwing around with the mail. Post office doesn't care. They have another driver who runs part of his route then smokes weed in the parking lot. Everything he doesn't want to deliver gets thrown in the blue drop box out front. We had to get a box in town. Ups isn't much better. FedEx is awesome for us.

 

[Walrus Whisperer]

I love my mailman. He's a big huge guy. Sometimes he does something amazing. When I told him that I had luekemia, he got out of his mail truck and gave me a big hug that made my ribs creak. jeez, all I did was warn him that if the mail started piling up, they might check to make sure I wasn't a cold body.

 

[kyrsyan]

Don't you love customer service?

Leave them some review love.

Oh I tell people about them whenever that topic comes up. They are quality and their customer service is out of this world. I could probably get the product elsewhere. But nowadays there aren't many businesses that have amazing customer service.

 

[Reasonable Rascal]

How is this for messed up? This is an eBay order from March 5th. Somebody somewhere badly needs a map. I just checked on the approximate arrival time and found this mess.

RR

Mar 13, 2023
7:53am
ARRIVAL AT UNIT
MARTINSBURG, WV 25404

Mar 13, 2023
4:00am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
SIOUX CITY, IA 51101

Mar 13, 2023
2:20am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
SIOUX FALLS SD DISTRIBUTION CEN, 57104

Mar 11, 2023
8:26pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
SIOUX FALLS SD DISTRIBUTION CEN, 57104

Mar 11, 2023
2:19am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
SIOUX FALLS SD DISTRIBUTION CEN, 57104

Mar 10, 2023
9:12pm
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
DES MOINES IA NETWORK DISTRIBUT, 50395

Mar 10, 2023
12:00am
In Transit to Next Facility

Mar 9, 2023
8:35pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
DES MOINES IA NETWORK DISTRIBUT, 50395

Mar 9, 2023
5:33pm
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
DES MOINES IA NETWORK DISTRIBUT, 50395

Mar 9, 2023
1:31pm
In Transit to Next Facility

Mar 9, 2023
12:22pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
FT WORTH TX PACKAGE SORTING CEN, 76178

Mar 9, 2023
9:17am
In Transit, Arriving On Time

Mar 9, 2023
6:00am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
OKLAHOMA CITY OK DISTRIBUTION C, 73107

Mar 9, 2023
5:45am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
OKLAHOMA CITY OK DISTRIBUTION C, 73107

Mar 9, 2023
3:20am
In Transit to Next Facility


Mar 9, 2023
1:49am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
DALLAS TX LOGISTICS CENTER, 75059

Mar 9, 2023
1:28am
ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
DALLAS TX LOGISTICS CENTER, 75059

Mar 9, 2023
12:43am
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
DALLAS TX NETWORK DISTRIBUTION, 75398

Mar 8, 2023
9:29pm
DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
DALLAS TX NETWORK DISTRIBUTION, 75398

Mar 8, 2023
4:46am
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
DALLAS TX NETWORK DISTRIBUTION, 75398

Mar 8, 2023
3:31am
ORIGIN ACCEPTANCE
DALLAS, TX 75208

Mar 6, 2023
5:11am
PRE-SHIPMENT INFO SENT USPS AWAITS ITEM
DALLAS, TX 75208

Mar 6, 2023
3:33am
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
DALLAS, TX 75208

Mar 6, 2023
3:33am
SHIPPING LBL CREATED USPS AWAITS ITEM
DALLAS, TX 75208

Mar 6, 2023
1:33am
Tracking number provided

 

[earthbud]

I was supposed to have a first (last?) class package delivered this past Saturday. It didn't make it, and now tracking shows "arriving late." No sh!t, Sherlock.

1. Mar 11, 2023
   12:00am
   In Transit, Arriving Late
   
   
2. Mar 10, 2023
   12:00am
   In Transit to Next Facility
   
   
3. Mar 9, 2023
   11:56am
   DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
   KANSAS CITY KS LOGISTICS CENTER, 66021
4. Mar 9, 2023
   1:31am
   ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
   KANSAS CITY KS LOGISTICS CENTER, 66021
5. Mar 8, 2023
   9:15am
   DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
   ATLANTA, GA 30336
6. Mar 8, 2023
   5:03am
   ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
   ATLANTA, GA 30336
7. Mar 8, 2023
   4:14am
   DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
   ATLANTA GA DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 30304
8. Mar 7, 2023
   3:15pm
   PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
   ATLANTA GA DISTRIBUTION CENTER, 30304
9. Mar 7, 2023
   6:30am
   ARRIVED AT USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
   WINDER, GA 30680
10. Mar 7, 2023
    5:58am
    DEPARTED USPS REGIONAL FACILITY
    ATLANTA NORTH METRO DISTRIBUTIO, 30026
11. Mar 6, 2023
    10:22pm
    PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
    ATLANTA NORTH METRO DISTRIBUTIO, 30026
12. Mar 6, 2023
    9:22pm
    ACCEPTED AT USPS FACILITY 10
    ATLANTA NORTH METRO DISTRIBUTIO, 30026
13. Mar 6, 2023
    9:07pm
    ORIGIN ACCEPTANCE
    TUCKER, GA 30084
14. Mar 6, 2023
    12:19pm
    SHIPPING LBL CREATED USPS AWAITS ITEM
    TUCKER, GA 30084
    

 

[meezy]

My husband is a USPS mail carrier. He's terrific; everyone including the dogs on his route love him. And the PO where he works is very good too. But that doesn't mean he has full faith in his employer for not screwing up. We laugh every time the new USPS TV commercial comes on that says "perfectly orchestrated."

As far as I know, the USPS won't reimburse either receiver or sender unless insurance was purchased along with the postage, or unless it was shipped priority, and with priority mail it's only up to $50 (or $100, depending on where you buy the postage). No matter what happens.

And as a long-time eBay seller, I can assure you they don't usually do so, even then.

If you have something expensive to send, you're better off with UPS or FedEx.

I also know that the USPS will scan a package as "delivered" when in reality, the carrier brought it back to the PO because they either forgot to deliver it or it was the end of their shift and they wanted to go home -- and they didn't want to get it marked "late." (This is more common with rural routes vs. city.) In which case, it's usually delivered the next day, so I tell people to wait 24 hours before panicking about the porch pirates. But if it does happen, call the postmaster and complain because they are NOT supposed to do that. But they do. Often.

Oh, and since many rural carriers use their own vehicles, there's nothing to stop them from just taking your package home with them after scanning it delivered. Not saying it happens, but I can see how it could.

UPS, of course, is not perfect either. A few years ago, I got several packages delivered to me that had my address but someone else's name. I assume someone put the address in their system wrong. It happened multiple times over a few months. It was boxes of tile samples. The first time I took it back to UPS and told them to send it back, and they told me if I left it there it'd just get redelivered to me. Huh? I called the company, but lo and behold, a few weeks later I got another one. So I just decided to keep them, figuring maybe one of these days I'd use them for a craft project. They were nice tiles.

 

[patriotgal]

I once asked a postmaster who was responsible for teaching geography to employees. A letter mailed to an address 20 miles away went to Hawaii first. Sent a priority envelope to Des Moines and tracked it to post office near friends home. Unfortunately the post office sent it to Montana and back before delivering it a few blocks from post office. You can't make this stuff up. One local carrier is known to just put everything in one of the blue drop boxes so he can smoke weed all day and draw a check.

 

[ShadowMan]

A couple of years back we shipped a "CARE PACKAGE" of American goodies to our daughter in Finland via USPS. It disappeared for a while then sudden returned to us about two months later. It had somehow ended up in FRANCE and had been opened on one side and the only thing missing was the box of POP TARTS we packed in it. POP TARTS?!?!?! That was the only thing they took. In a country that is supposedly known for it's fine pastries someone stole the Pop Tarts.....sad.

 

[WildDaisy]

I can pretty much assure you that most likely it was NOT the neighbor, but someone taking it off the porch/mailbox. Thieves follow the trucks around and take them within seconds of the carrier driving off. NEVER EVER use USPS for anything valuable. If it absolutely positive has to be there.....dont use them. As with any government entity, they are worthless. Use FedEx or UPS.

I had all my Christmas presents stolen one year from my porch. There was 15 minutes from the time I got the delivery notice until I got home to check. When I called the post office, it seems they had a bunch of people calling for missing packages.

 

[bracketquant]

Sometimes it isn't the company, it may be just the driver. I've only had one package ordered that didn't arrive in my life.

But...the package was scheduled to arrive over the course of a couple of days. One day, a UPS truck pulls up and stops in front of the house for several minutes, the driver doesn't get out, and then the truck drives way. Several days later, I figured that it was possible that my package was aboard, a very large but inexpensive item. The truck was likely GPSed for place and time, so any records would show a stop and "delivery".

 

[WalknTrot]

Don't buy anything and have it shipped that is too expensive to lose. Don't sell anything and ship it that's too expensive to refund.

 

[meezy]

I'm expecting a package today. It's kind of important. Tracking and informed delivery say it's coming today. Mail's already been delivered. Instead, in my box I had someone else's parcel. Delightful.

Post office lady said the one I got was delivered yesterday and mine's still out for delivery. She said I haven't got my mail for today yet. How odd, I've got everything else that was supposed to be here.

Yeah, I'm a little anxious. It's my dress for my daughter's wedding. Not sure there's time to get another one sent even if they still have my size available.

I complained to my husband. No, it didn't do any good. LOL

 

[Old Greek]

I never use the Pony Express (USPS) for any package shipment. Too many lost items. FedEx or UPS with full insurance. Had one claim (FedEx) in 10 years and the insurance covered fully.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Somebody somewhere badly needs a map.

No human being has anything to do with package routing. Go beat up a computer somewhere

the only thing missing was the box of POP TARTS we packed in it. POP TARTS?!?!?! That was the only thing they took. In a country that is supposedly known for it's fine pastries someone stole the Pop Tarts.....sad.

I don’t care who y’are, that’s funny right there.

 

[Reasonable Rascal]

No human being has anything to do with package routing. Go beat up a computer somewhere

I don’t care who y’are, that’s funny right there.

Well, whoever programmed that computer told the darn thing that West Virginia is in between Sioux City and me. Since that's only about 40 odd miles that's a tight squeeze.

By the way, the package made it from West Virginia to my local post office in less than 45 minutes. Just in time for the carrier to pick it up and deliver it later. I have it all on the tracking. I'm not home right now to grab the package by expect there's probably steamship travel stickers on the thing.

RR

 

[psychgirl]

A couple of years back we shipped a "CARE PACKAGE" of American goodies to our daughter in Finland via USPS. It disappeared for a while then sudden returned to us about two months later. It had somehow ended up in FRANCE and had been opened on one side and the only thing missing was the box of POP TARTS we packed in it. POP TARTS?!?!?! That was the only thing they took. In a country that is supposedly known for it's fine pastries someone stole the Pop Tarts.....sad.

I love Pop Tarts!
I can sorta get it

 

[Dennis Olson]

Well, whoever programmed that computer told the darn thing that West Virginia is in between Sioux City and me. Since that's only about 40 odd miles that's a tight squeeze.

I’ll be the last person to ever be on the USPS side, but perhaps there were road closures or equipment availability issues that contributed to the bizarre routing. All that gets fed into the system you know.