USPS's Informed Delivery

[Mike64]

Non-tracked packages? No.

Then again, I don't know that I've ever physically received one of those...

I get small stuff like that fairly often, and even the occasional moderate-value package from Europe (where tracking usually adds even more to the cost than it does to domestic packages). I've never failed to receive one, but it would be nice on general principle to have some evidence that they've made it as far as my local sorting facility...

Usually the things I am really interested in are my packages, not the letters.

Dunno if tracked packages are what you mean, but are you aware that you can get alerts for those even without creating an account? All you have to do is enter an email address after using the USPS tracking page to "check on" a package. Early on, iirc, you couldn't request alerts until the package had actually been received by a PO, but I'm pretty sure that these days you can even do it as soon as the tracking number itself enters their system, as soon as a shipper prints-their-own postage, even before it's physically in USPS hands.

 

[Muse]

These days I'm getting emails from the PO saying that packages have been delivered. I gather that I can ask for emails on a particular package if I go to the trouble to enter the tracking number on their site. What would really be cool is to get emails automatically updating the delivery scenario for forthcoming packages, in particular what day it will likely arrive. It's no biggie, but I'd like that. I still get nervous the ways my apparently brainless mailman leaves stuff on my porch. This guy is the worst.

 

[GeekDrew]

These days I'm getting emails from the PO saying that packages have been delivered. I gather that I can ask for emails on a particular package if I go to the trouble to enter the tracking number on their site. What would really be cool is to get emails automatically updating the delivery scenario for forthcoming packages, in particular what day it will likely arrive. It's no biggie, but I'd like that. I still get nervous the ways my apparently brainless mailman leaves stuff on my porch. This guy is the worst.

I have no idea how I managed to sign up for it, but somehow I've managed to get USPS to be pedantic about shipment updates. They email me every single time a transaction happens on any package being sent to me. Which is kind-of nice and kind-of obnoxious. But I definitely know when I'm about to receive something.

 

[Mike64]

I have no idea how I managed to sign up for it, but somehow I've managed to get USPS to be pedantic about shipment updates. They email me every single time a transaction happens on any package being sent to me. Which is kind-of nice and kind-of obnoxious. But I definitely know when I'm about to receive something.

I wonder if the USPS has gotten around to creating a UPS-like system? UPS will actually send notices when any package going to your specific address enters their system, regardless of the name of the addressee, or whether you specifically request notification. With that, you can specify default settings to limit the notices to avoid the constant barrage of mostly-irrelevant ones. You can also set a blanket/default "signature release" which is really pretty cool, since the worst thing about UPS was almost invariably missing first-attempt deliveries...

Otherwise, I don't know exactly what you signed up for, but when you do it on a per-package basis, you can specify which of several types of notice alerts you want. Some shippers also seem to enter your email address for notices (if they have it, which these days they usually do), since I often find myself receiving multiples of the same message.

I gather that I can ask for emails on a particular package if I go to the trouble to enter the tracking number on their site. What would really be cool is to get emails automatically updating the delivery scenario for forthcoming packages, in particular what day it will likely arrive. It's no biggie, but I'd like that. I still get nervous the ways my apparently brainless mailman leaves stuff on my porch. This guy is the worst.

You can definitely request more than delivery confirmation notices if you have a tracking number. I don't think they're quite as advanced as UPS as far as giving a reasonably definite "delivery date" ahead of time, but you can get notices that let you know when the package has reached various stages in the delivery process that let you know when it's arrived at your local/last-mile postal station, and when it's gone "out for delivery". And for what it's worth, beyond a certain size, packages are delivered by a separate, "package only" carrier, not the regular "letter-carrier".

 

[Aikouka]

AFAIK, the OCR reading is for the zip code only: it prints a bar code on every envelope which contains the zip+4 info. This alone localizes the mail quite well for final sorting and delivery.

I don't have firsthand knowledge on it, but to my knowledge, it does read the entire address. I remember being told about how hard it can be based on how crappy some people's handwriting can be. Also, keep in mind that most people don't print the full nine-digit zipcode, so they'd need to read the address to determine that.

 

[GeekDrew]

I don't have firsthand knowledge on it, but to my knowledge, it does read the entire address. I remember being told about how hard it can be based on how crappy some people's handwriting can be. Also, keep in mind that most people don't print the full nine-digit zipcode, so they'd need to read the address to determine that.

Perhaps, but "most people" sending mail constitutes an extremely small percentage of mail volume, I imagine.

 

[Brainonska511]

I don't have firsthand knowledge on it, but to my knowledge, it does read the entire address. I remember being told about how hard it can be based on how crappy some people's handwriting can be. Also, keep in mind that most people don't print the full nine-digit zipcode, so they'd need to read the address to determine that.

My knowledge on it may be a bit dated. However, I speak specifically of the simple barcode the machines print. It's just the zip+4 to aide routing, as that's what the sorters are really going for: the short and long lines are 1s and 0s in blocks of 4 per digit (IIRC). Perhaps sorting on a local level is more detailed, but for general processing, zip+4 should be good enough.

 

[Aikouka]

My knowledge on it may be a bit dated. However, I speak specifically of the simple barcode the machines print. It's just the zip+4 to aide routing, as that's what the sorters are really going for: the short and long lines are 1s and 0s in blocks of 4 per digit (IIRC). Perhaps sorting on a local level is more detailed, but for general processing, zip+4 should be good enough.

Yeah, I know about the barcode. A person that used to work on the stuff showed me it and what it meant. The point I was making is that it can't print the full barcode unless it knows all nine digits of the extended zipcode. Most people only write the normal zipcode (five digits) meaning it needs to use the address to determine the other four digits.

 

[Ferzerp]

I wonder if the USPS has gotten around to creating a UPS-like system? UPS will actually send notices when any package going to your specific address enters their system, regardless of the name of the addressee, or whether you specifically request notification.

Yes, that's exactly the service I alluded to earlier. I receive emails and texts for new packages with tracking numbers when the label is generated, when it is out for delivery, when it is expected the next day, etc. It requires trackable shipments, yes.

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action (and then manage your packages link)

 

[Mike64]

I don't have firsthand knowledge on it, but to my knowledge, it does read the entire address. I remember being told about how hard it can be based on how crappy some people's handwriting can be. Also, keep in mind that most people don't print the full nine-digit zipcode, so they'd need to read the address to determine that.

Yes, that's my understanding, too. For quite a while now. That's what got me into the habit of writing snail mail addresses in "machine friendly" format - using USPS "official" abbreviations when I know them, putting the apartment number on the same line as the street name and number, with no comma between the city and state names. But the only (rare) times I've ever bothered with Zip+Four have been when I've given my address to someone (usually a government- or corporate-type someone) and wanted to be as sure as humanly possible of getting whatever was being sent to me as quickly as humanly possible...)

Yes, that's exactly the service I alluded to earlier. I receive emails and texts for new packages with tracking numbers when the label is generated, when it is out for delivery, when it is expected the next day, etc. It requires trackable shipments, yes.

Interesting. The "trackable shipments" requirement kinda kills my interest in it, though. With email being the norm for so many commercial transactions these days, I invariably get notice of tracking numbers and just track them myself. (And 99.5% of the packages I get that might require a signature ship via UPS, so delivery instructions are irrelevant.) If it captured "parcels" without tracking numbers, that would be pretty cool, though, since I do get a fair number of those via USPS. But even that's not really a big deal, since I can't recall ever not receiving one that was sent, though it would be nice to have some idea where they were, when.

 

[destrekor]

Yes, that's my understanding, too. For quite a while now. That's what got me into the habit of writing snail mail addresses in "machine friendly" format - using USPS "official" abbreviations when I know them, putting the apartment number on the same line as the street name and number, with no comma between the city and stat namese. But the only (rare) times I've ever bothered with Zip+Four have been when I've given my address to someone (usually an government- or corporate-type someone) and wanted to be as sure as humanly possible of getting whatever was being sent to me as quickly as humanly possible...)

Interesting. The "trackable shipments" requirement kinda kills my interest in it, though. With email being the norm for so many commercial transactions these days, I invariably get notice of tracking numbers and just track them myself. (And 99.5% of the packages I get that might require a signature ship via UPS, so delivery instructions are irrelevant.) If it captured "parcels" without tracking numbers, that would be pretty cool, though, since I do get a fair number of those via USPS. But even that's not really a big deal, since I can't recall ever not receiving one that was sent, though it would be nice to have some idea where they were, when.

It should capture parcels not otherwise tracked - the original Informed Delivery was something like "My USPS" or something, and it only tracked parcels with tracking numbers. Now Informed Delivery rolls that service together with some general information for everything else in the mail. I can't tell if it generally picks up parcels mailed via First Class or if those aren't getting any photos, I haven't had any non-tracked parcels in awhile.

 

[Mike64]

It should capture parcels not otherwise tracked - the original Informed Delivery was something like "My USPS" or something, and it only tracked parcels with tracking numbers. Now Informed Delivery rolls that service together with some general information for everything else in the mail. I can't tell if it generally picks up parcels mailed via First Class or if those aren't getting any photos, I haven't had any non-tracked parcels in awhile.

Hmm, thanks. I only briefly glanced at the "about this service" page before I posted, but I'll take a closer look when I get a chance...

 

[Elixer]

What a load of BS.

We apologize we are unable to attempt delivery of your item on December 5, 2017 in xxxxx due to an unforeseen operational issue. Your item will go out for delivery on the next delivery day.

"Unforeseen operational issue" that must be code for, mailman was too lazy to deliver today, since the chump didn't even pick up outgoing mail, he just passed by the box.

 

[destrekor]

What a load of BS.

"Unforeseen operational issue" that must be code for, mailman was too lazy to deliver today, since the chump didn't even pick up outgoing mail, he just passed by the box.

Did you piss off your mailman or something? lol

 

[Elixer]

Did you piss off your mailman or something? lol

No, it is a new guy, but I should report them, but, that would make things even worse.

 

[Elixer]

Well, it finally arrived last night at 8:45 PM, and I met the new driver (which wasn't the same one before) and asked them what was up. "Sir, I have no idea, I only deliver mail!" I go, so, why wasn't it delivered when it was supposed to, what was the issue? They go "Sir, I have no idea, it wasn't in the truck, then she just took off to the next mail box."

So, ... sigh.

 

[pcslookout]

Does anyone know if there a limit of how many people per a household can sign up for informed delivery ?

 

[Muse]

I have it but I rarely check the attached images. Usually the only thing I get from the mailman that I'm wanting to know if it's coming is packages and AFAIK they don't included those in informed delivery.

 

[IBMJunkman]

I did find you can’t monitor 2 street addresses with 1 email address.

Does anyone know if there a limit of how many people per a household can sign up for informed delivery ?

 

[IBMJunkman]

I also noticed today the email message has changed format. The tracking number is at the end of the subject so on a phone you can’t see it in the recap panel. Same on an iPad.

 

[JM Aggie08]

I can't consistently rely on them to deliver mail on a daily basis. It's hard to operate at a high level when you're underfunded and understaffed.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I can't consistently rely on them to deliver mail on a daily basis. It's hard to operate at a high level when you're underfunded and understaffed.

I'm sorry, do you expect to be paid amazing pensions of $60k+/year for life under the amazing skillset of the ability to look at some text and distribute it into an appropriate box?

That's only something that 99.95% of the population is able to perform.

 

[JM Aggie08]

I'm sorry, do you expect to be paid amazing pensions of $60k+/year for life under the amazing skillset of the ability to look at some text and distribute it into an appropriate box?

That's only something that 99.95% of the population is able to perform.

I was referring to the Postal Service being underfunded and understaffed. Salary had nothing to do with it, you illiterate fuck.

Keep on trolling.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I was referring to the Postal Service being underfunded and understaffed. Salary had nothing to do with it, you illiterate fuck.

Keep on trolling.

Underfunded... You know, I hear that relates to how much a given company or division requires for SPENDING. Last I checked, how much you pay your employees has a shitload to do with how much you deem is necessary for funding.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Underfunded... You know, I hear that relates to how much a given company or division requires for SPENDING. Last I checked, how much you pay your employees has a shitload to do with how much you deem is necessary for funding.

Spending can also mean increased means for automation, removing the human element to make things more efficient and consistent. Or, worst case, hire MORE people (hence my understaffed comment). This is the last time I'll reiterate -- at no point in my initial post (or thought for that matter) did I insinuate that a pay increase will fix the problem.

But please, feel free to continue on believing what you want to believe and failing to put words in my mouth lol. Why is this even a discussion?