USPS package tracking is totally worthless

[nytemare]

There is no tracking at all, the message for four packages that are coming to me just say that the item was shipped on the 10th, and has no updates. It says that the status should be updated nightly, and it is not. The only tracking I actually got was on one item that said it was delivered on the 13th. Thank you for keeping me posted on the progress. This system should fall under the category of "why bother?"

[Left Is Write]

1. The only time I EVER get Delivery Confirmation from

the post office is when I'm sending an eBay package. That serves as my proof of mailing for PayPal purposes. Otherwise, I agree with you. It's worthless. In some cases, "delivered" only means "delivered to local post office."

[nytemare]

3. Yeah, these are E bay packages

The tracking is very vague. Fed Ex and UPS are pretty good.

[Drifter]

2. Typically ...

when a package is scanned (barcode), the tracking information is updated with the time and location.

Some packages can have many "hops" where a decision is made as to where it should go. Some may have very few.

I have found this type of tracking very useful. I use this to see when a package arrives at my (very large) company.

Cheers
Drifter

[nytemare]

6. There haven't been any updates at all

I don't think they even bother to update the site. It almost seems as if they just say they do it because UPS and Fed Ex do, just to compete.

[hlthe2b]

4. True... but at least you know when it has been delivered....

I know your frustration, but I've been shipping tons lately and have been able to do it from my computer, including insuring (up to $200) and at an incredible discount over UPS. So much that I've sent falls under media mail, which is an incredible bargain. All I really care about is making sure it got there, so their poor tracking system still serves my needs. Hopefully, they'll improve it, though.

[Placebo]

5. The only thing it's good for...

is telling you when your package was delivered. Beyond that, it's totally worthless. Calling it "tracking" is almost a joke, I mean, are they calling it that sarcastically? It doesn't "track" shit, it tells you when the package was shipped and delivered and nothing else.

[nytemare]

7. Seems so

I was happy because I thought I could track the packages. They should just call it "delivery confirmation".

[linazelle]

9. They don't call it "tracking" at all...it's called delivery confirmation..

Expressly for the purpose of confirming delivery.

[KitchenWitch]

8. There is a difference

Between USPS Delivery Confirmation and Tracking. If the seller used Delivery Confirmation, you will only get the information for when the package was dropped off, and after it is delivered, when the package was delivered, you do not get the updates at all.

[Richardo]

10. Go to 'detail'

you'll get every move the package has made.

[nytemare]

11. There is no "detail" button on the tracking page

This is through the US Postal Service. I seem to remember UPS having a detail button, but I don't see one at all on the USPS track page link they gave me.

Ah well, just bitching.