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USPS Priority mail now has tracking, insurance, and delivery date

allisolm

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
For those of you who ship packages often, this might be of some interest:

The USPS is now offering free online tracking for priority mail shipments, free insurance and date-specific delivery. No change in rates for these additions.

https://www.usps.com/priority-mail/
 
I tried it once, because the Postal Clerk bullied me into it, instead of overnight delivery the check. It only had to go across Atlanta, but it took two weeks and in that time I hand delivered a replacement check thanks to the USPS.

Seriously, no in-town package should take two weeks to deliver, but the USPS says nothing about it--and certainly no apology.
 
BarkingGhostar said:
I tried it once, because the Postal Clerk bullied me into it, instead of overnight delivery the check. It only had to go across Atlanta, but it took two weeks and in that time I hand delivered a replacement check thanks to the USPS.

Seriously, no in-town package should take two weeks to deliver, but the USPS says nothing about it--and certainly no apology.
Click to expand...

You probably used the regular mail. Priority takes 2-3 days.
 
BarkingGhostar said:
I tried it once, because the Postal Clerk bullied me into it, instead of overnight delivery the check. It only had to go across Atlanta, but it took two weeks and in that time I hand delivered a replacement check thanks to the USPS.

Seriously, no in-town package should take two weeks to deliver, but the USPS says nothing about it--and certainly no apology.
Click to expand...

No Priority package should take more than 4 days in the contiguous states. :/
 
surprisingly, the last package i shipped took 10 days to get from philly to LA, shipped usps priority flat rate...
 
I saw this the other day, and to be clear, the only real change is that you get free insurance for up to $50 or $100 (depending). You could always find out how long your package would take by going to the USPS's Postage Price Calculator. At least in my experience, tracking has always been available for Priority packages.

As for USPS woes, I've never really had any problems with them, but they're really only cost efficient for smaller and/or lighter packages. During my eBay selling, I've found that if you have about a "medium sized box" (say... greater than maybe 800 cubic inches) that weighs over a few pounds (4+?), it's almost always cheaper to ship via FedEx or UPS. Also, to note, insurance is free on those for up to $100. For auctions that are close to that threshold, I normally add both FedEx and USPS, but everyone just selects the main option anyway. Had a guy pay $15 for shipping a $25 item, when it would have been about $4-5 cheaper to choose the FedEx option. 😛
 
Well according to the USPS site it says "Improved Tracking." I shipped one yesterday. Just looks like there is more frequent updating than there used to be
 
Post office wonders why they don't get more business, inability to even offer slightly relevant tracking data could be a start. I would half expect that if I had something shipped right now by ups I could log in and see an update about it being on burnt next to the tarmac while a postal delivery would still say item received no additional details yet available even though I received it a week ago.
 
lupi said:
Post office wonders why they don't get more business, inability to even offer slightly relevant tracking data could be a start. I would half expect that if I had something shipped right now by ups I could log in and see an update about it being on burnt next to the tarmac while a postal delivery would still say item received no additional details yet available even though I received it a week ago.
Click to expand...


The USPS tracking is pretty good now. The one I shipped yesterday they have been sending me email update when it hits a major milestone too (Arrival at local post office, out for delivery, etc)

Out for Delivery
August 15, 2013, 8:02 am
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70123
August 15, 2013, 7:52 am
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70123
Arrival at Post Office
August 15, 2013, 7:47 am
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70123
Depart USPS Sort Facility
August 15, 2013
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70113
Processed through USPS Sort Facility
August 15, 2013, 2:34 am
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70113
Depart USPS Sort Facility
August 13, 2013
RALEIGH, NC 27676
Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility
August 13, 2013, 4:44 pm
RALEIGH, NC 27676
Acceptance
August 13, 2013, 2:17 pm
DURHAM, NC 27709
Electronic Shipping Info Received
August 12, 2013
 
lupi said:
Post office wonders why they don't get more business, inability to even offer slightly relevant tracking data could be a start. I would half expect that if I had something shipped right now by ups I could log in and see an update about it being on burnt next to the tarmac while a postal delivery would still say item received no additional details yet available even though I received it a week ago.
Click to expand...

Hardly, UPS ground usually doesn't update until it gets to the destination, and I have seen major errors in the tracking, and UPS air basically has zero updates usually until the product is going to be delivered.
 
I don't know who at UPS hates you, but I've always seen an update each time it was processed at a shipment leg, along with out for delivery and delivered notices.
 
trmiv said:
The USPS tracking is pretty good now. The one I shipped yesterday they have been sending me email update when it hits a major milestone too (Arrival at local post office, out for delivery, etc)
Click to expand...

Hm, I wonder if it's mostly the e-mail updates that have changed then? Because the tracking information that you posted looks like what they've had in the past.

What I would really like is a system like UPS has where if someone sends you a package, it will automatically start alerting you to its status. It can be really helpful with some websites that are simply awful at updating the customer -- I'm looking at you, Dell! :|

EDIT:

DCal430 said:
Hardly, UPS ground usually doesn't update until it gets to the destination, and I have seen major errors in the tracking, and UPS air basically has zero updates usually until the product is going to be delivered.
Click to expand...

The number of updates depends on how many stops it has to make. Here's a two-day shipping (via ShopRunner) NewEgg order:

Code: 
[omitted], AL, United States     08/15/2013     8:03 A.M.     Out For Delivery
    08/15/2013     6:57 A.M.     Arrival Scan
Nashville, TN, United States     08/15/2013     4:31 A.M.     Departure Scan
Nashville, TN, United States     08/14/2013     7:42 P.M.     Arrival Scan
Louisville, KY, United States     08/14/2013     6:00 P.M.     Departure Scan
    08/14/2013     10:48 A.M.     Arrival Scan
Jamaica, NY, United States     08/14/2013     8:26 A.M.     Departure Scan
    08/14/2013     6:46 A.M.     Arrival Scan
Secaucus, NJ, United States     08/14/2013     4:22 A.M.     Departure Scan
Edison, NJ, United States     08/13/2013     9:43 A.M.     Origin Scan
United States     08/13/2013     12:05 A.M.     Order Processed: Ready for UPS
 
Last edited:
Priority is all I use. Love USPS

The flat rate boxes are so nice to use.

I freaking hate UPS. Horrible horrible prices. Beat the crap out of your box and it takes ages to get anywhere.
 
T9D said:
Priority is all I use. Love USPS

The flat rate boxes are so nice to use.

I freaking hate UPS. Horrible horrible prices. Beat the crap out of your box and it takes ages to get anywhere.
Click to expand...

not to mention that most "ups stores"are privately owned and ups can deny your insurance claims if something happens.
 
The post office lost an ipad mini and the clerk even acknowledged me handing it to him yet it never shows a scan. I personally think someone at that po stole it because I mentioned it being an ipad and fragile.
 
Aikouka said:
I saw this the other day, and to be clear, the only real change is that you get free insurance for up to $50 or $100 (depending). You could always find out how long your package would take by going to the USPS's Postage Price Calculator. At least in my experience, tracking has always been available for Priority packages.

As for USPS woes, I've never really had any problems with them, but they're really only cost efficient for smaller and/or lighter packages. During my eBay selling, I've found that if you have about a "medium sized box" (say... greater than maybe 800 cubic inches) that weighs over a few pounds (4+?), it's almost always cheaper to ship via FedEx or UPS. Also, to note, insurance is free on those for up to $100. For auctions that are close to that threshold, I normally add both FedEx and USPS, but everyone just selects the main option anyway. Had a guy pay $15 for shipping a $25 item, when it would have been about $4-5 cheaper to choose the FedEx option. 😛
Click to expand...

Priority used to cost .75 extra... now it is included.
 
T9D said:
Priority is all I use. Love USPS

The flat rate boxes are so nice to use.
Click to expand...
Indeed. It's hard to beat dropping it in a box, slapping on a label, and having USPS pick it up for free.🙂
 
trmiv said:
Well according to the USPS site it says "Improved Tracking." I shipped one yesterday. Just looks like there is more frequent updating than there used to be
Click to expand...

You mean there's tracking information before it's actually delivered instead of days after? HOLY CRAP.
 
DCal430 said:
Hardly, UPS ground usually doesn't update until it gets to the destination, and I have seen major errors in the tracking, and UPS air basically has zero updates usually until the product is going to be delivered.
Click to expand...
In my past experience, this was a problem if UPS didn't scan the Ground package at the original pickup. I used to work for a company that shipped a fairly large daily volume, and I figured packages weren't scanned when shipped out. So tracking didn't show up until days later when it got to a regional UPS facility.

I haven't really seen this as a universal UPS Ground problem with other vendors shipments, as lupi attested to.
 
I was in high school when I bought a bunch of components to build my computer. I remember UPS tracking was already live back then. This was ~2000. Way to catch up 13 freaking years later USPS.

No and don't give that excuse how it was meant to be "delivery confirmation only." That might have been fine 10 years ago.
 
speaking of USPS tracking, just last month I had a small package that was showing delivered in online tracking. But no package, no info notice that it was left next door or being held at the PO. Emailed USPS to initiate a trace (I assumed it wasn't delivered) and the local supervisor emailed an 'apology' days later that the office had been closed when the mail carrier tried to deliver around the lunch hour. In the meantime, an info notice was left that I could pick up at the PO the following Monday. Instead, I requested online for a next business day redelivery.

When the carrier finally dropped it off either Monday or Tuesday, he was being snippy and casually mentioned I'd put in a 'complaint' when all I truly wanted to know is where a missing "delivered" package was.

So clearly they could do a little better in the tracking department. This isn't rocket science.
 
My advice for shipping Priority Mail is to weigh the item, print the postage yourself (either through USPS.com or PayPal's site (which allows you also to print off First Class postage, which USPS.com doesn't)) and then either drop it in your mailbox, or schedule free pickup from your door. Reason being, and I'm sure this varies from post office to post office, but the folks behind the counter treat me like I'm trying to scam the post office. It is just much simpler to do everything from home and have them pick it up, never had them complain about anything.

Priority mail really is pretty fantastic, their padded flat rate envelopes can hold a lot of stuff and it only costs about $5 to ship anywhere in the US with 2-3 day delivery time. UPS/Fedex can't touch that price point for the average consumer.
 
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