Why can't the USPS have package tracking worth anything?

[I Saw OJ]

I ordered a small USB hub off of ebay, paid all the fees and he shipped the package out to me via USPS. He sent me an email with the shipping info and a tracking number, however whenever I check on the USPS site, all I get is this.

• The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on April 4, 2007 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

It's been like that for the past 4 days now. With UPS/fedex its pretty easy to get up to date shipping info on where your package is and when you can expect it. Is that too much to ask from the USPS? I've had other packages shipped through them before and I've got the same message. I mean why even have that feature if its not going to be used at all.

 

[Compudork]

Don't worry, it just hasn't updated yet. Just give it a few days after you receive the item...it'll change to "delivered".

I too have often wondered the same thing... in fact I've never got it to track through USPS. Only "accepted" then "delivered".

 

[nutxo]

I've never had an issue. It seems to work a lot better than ups.

 

[Jeff7]

I would imagine that adding the capability to scan the tracking barcode at each processing location and then update the system would require a moderate capital investment, and maybe they just don't see it as worthwhile. There are enough rate increases as it is, and with the prospect of continued increases in fuel costs in the near future, I think that's going to use up all of the rate increases the public will tolerate.

 

[rootaxs]

Although it's a "Track and Confirm" service, USPS' service is really more of a delivery status notification in every sense of the word.

That is, it only tells you when delivery has been made.

 

[Anubis]

lol

the last thing i ordered online was a DVI cable, it had arrived and 2 days later i got the tracking info updated, and it didnt even have it as deleivered

 

[erickj92]

Ok, this prob wont happen but i say they should put traking devises in every van and plane, and they will all have different numbers, but u can type the number in on their website and you can see it moving on the map.... that would be awsome!

 

[swtethan]

its not tracking, its delivery confirmation

 

[50cent1228]

b/c they have SH*T LOAD OF PACKAGES TO TRACK and by the time they get to yours its already delivered

 

[Hossenfeffer]

$

 

[Staples]

Because the package is only scanned a very limited amount of times. UPS and Fedex scan them every stop they make.

I never even look at USPS tracking because I know it is worthless. I just expect it in 2-3 days because everything is always priority.

 

[Q]

I've had a package in the mail since March 28th and still haven't gotten it (a game)

USPS sucks

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: Quintox
I've had a package in the mail since March 28th and still haven't gotten it (a game)

USPS sucks

if you paid for regular mail, it can take 10-14 days. calm down beavis.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: swtethan
its not tracking, its delivery confirmation

This is correct .... theres a reason you pay more for Fedex, actual tracking isn't cheap... also I believe Express mail offer more timely tracking options as well.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
I ordered a small USB hub off of ebay, paid all the fees and he shipped the package out to me via USPS. He sent me an email with the shipping info and a tracking number, however whenever I check on the USPS site, all I get is this.

• The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on April 4, 2007 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

It's been like that for the past 4 days now. With UPS/fedex its pretty easy to get up to date shipping info on where your package is and when you can expect it. Is that too much to ask from the USPS? I've had other packages shipped through them before and I've got the same message. I mean why even have that feature if its not going to be used at all.

Stinks, doesn't it?

 

[FoBoT]

just don't use USPS for anything important/that needs to be tracked

/end

 

[intogamer]

USPS does not have a seamless process for packages. If USPS accurately scanned all packages at checkpoints... expect huge delays

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
if you paid for regular mail, it can take 10-14 days. calm down beavis.

Too bad that's about 20 working days ago .

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
I ordered a small USB hub off of ebay, paid all the fees and he shipped the package out to me via USPS. He sent me an email with the shipping info and a tracking number, however whenever I check on the USPS site, all I get is this.

• The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on April 4, 2007 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

It's been like that for the past 4 days now. With UPS/fedex its pretty easy to get up to date shipping info on where your package is and when you can expect it. Is that too much to ask from the USPS? I've had other packages shipped through them before and I've got the same message. I mean why even have that feature if its not going to be used at all.

UPS tracking is horrid and isn't worth a damn.

 

[Norris]

My husband is always griping about their lack of tracking!!!!! I don't know why they bother with it at all as it is it's pointless!

 

[us3rnotfound]

cuz, it'z teh guvment

 

[xanis]

It's a goverment service. /thread

 

[Miramonti]

A lot of government apologists here. :roll:

The truth is they suck because they don't care to be any better, and aren't accountable to improve things. :thumbsdown:

Negligence is the only reason they don't have tracking yet, and incompetence is the reason they can't update their site more timely. I'm not hollering to make it privately operated, but they seem to do their best to make the argument for privatization themselves.

 

[jadinolf]

They are always quick to tell you that the package has been delivered.

 

[drinkmorejava]

Because it costs more money and they don't lose anything by not having it. The only thing they might gain are dips like jjsole, but personally, I don't think I'd want their business anyway. I'd rather save money and time than be able to impulsively check my package every 5 minutes. If I absolutely need to know where something is odds are it's time senstitive and I'd probably use at least fedex 2 day or UPS 3 select. USPS has a targeted market, and they do a very good job at providing the cheap and reliable service that people want.