Why do companies email tracking numbers that don't work?

[PingSpike]

They said it was shipped 10:30 friday morning...I thought "damn, that was fast...I ordered that at 8:30"

Well the tracking number doesn't work on UPS's site, and it still doesn't. I've had this happen before...I mean did they mail me the wrong number or it just some preprinted label that hasn't been scanned yet?

 

[XZeroII]

Never happened to me

 

[Looney]

Can't say it's happened to me.

 

[ActuaryTm]

If shipped via ground service (and even a few of the air services), tracking results can take a number of days to actually be visable online, especially over a weekend. May very well be the correct number.

 

[RobCur]

Give it sometime, it may not show up until monday midnight or even until tuesday midnight...

 

[rh71]

When they send it out, the tracking number is preprinted so they have it available for you. That doesn't mean it's scanned by UPS yet...

So give it at least a day or two if it doesn't initially work.

 

[Viper GTS]

That's very normal, they take a while to show up.

Be patient.

If nothing else try your tracking number after you receive the package.

Viper GTS

 

[PingSpike]

I'm sure you guys are all right on. I had a tracking number get mailed to me 2 days after I received the package once so this really isn't anything new to me. I'm just pissed because this is for work, its software that set us back 1200 bucks and I will be happier when its in my hands.

 

[BillGates]

Yeah, I too have had times where my package arrived before my tracking number was valid on the tracking website.