Why is USPS tracking so unreliable?

Question

I am currently tracking a package I am waiting on, I got the standard "The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper to expect your package for mailing." but that was 3 days ago, yes 3 days. And there has been no update whatsoever. So the statement that they have on there "information is updated every evening" must be false or something. I understand that there are thousands of people tracking things at any given time but why even have a tracking system if its so unreliable? I just dont understand. I just want to know WHERE my package is.

Answer 1

I know I hate the USPS, Well when I was tracking my package it didn't update for 4 days, yeah and then it updated saying you package is on its way. So yeah I think you should check it frequently and see if there is any update, and wait at least another day. If nothing is updated I suggest calling there customer service line.

Answer 2

As you will notice, the notice says that the Post Office was told by the MAILER that they would give the package to the Post Office. Not that the Post Office had received the package from the mailer.
Regular packages (like delivery confirmation, certifieds, insured) are only scanned at the beginning (pick up point) and end (delivery office).
There are scanners available that will pick up all the numbers as the items pass through mail processing centers as the package travels across the nation, but the Post Office doesn't use them.
Three days is actually a short delivery time--you will probably have to wait from 5 days to 2 weeks if the parcel was sent the cheapest way (parcel rate). If it was sent at the Priority rate, you should get it shortly.
After the first scan when the package is accepted, the package won't be scanned again until it arrives at the office that delivers your mail.
I know it's a bummer, but that's the system. People who do not deliver the mail or accept mailings are the ones who design the tracking system. They don't know anything about mail delivery or customer service.

Answer 3

I used to work with UPS and I agree with Sam. The shipper likely notified USPS but then did not actually send over the package. Package tracking is not an exact science, it's driven by manifests. For example when a flight drops off a load at a terminal the tracking will show the package as processing at that terminal as soon as the pilot signs off on his load, even if your package is just sitting in the terminal. Trust me, you don't have to be with USPS to screw up delivering a package.

Answer 4

There is something that alot of people don't understand about USPS "tracking" which is that it doesn't track the package the whole way. It ONLY tells when the package is delivered. I suppose it is possible that the delivery date could be a day off, or maybe it didn't get updated until the next day. USPS tracking shouldn't be compared with UPS tracking.

Answer 5

I too have noticed that USPS package tracking is far inferior to UPS and FedEX. I have received USPS packaged before their website even shows they've left the departure location.

The difference is the USPS is a government entity while UPS and FedEX are private, profit-motivated companies. Customer service is always superior in the private sector.

Answer 6

Because the USPS is full of lazy people and they don't want to exert, like my friend that designed the tracking system. He is just one of and all the lazy people that work there including the ones that stand behind the counter while the line gets longer and they take 10 to 20 minutes to attend one person and after that take a 10 minutes break berfore going to the next one. Don't get me wrong not all are lazy...

Answer 7

Its because of the lazy workers who really do not respect the mail in which they have been hired to sort. A couple of my packages had stopped being tracked, and I had to report the item as undelivered to the company I ordered from, and they had to send me a replacement, then weeks later the original package turned up.

Answer 8

They have not rolled out the equipment to many locations. Recently, I started getting about a day's notice because a central sorting facility near me now has the equipment. It goes from being electronically notified until suddenly it is in the nearby facility and I know I will get it in a day.

Answer 9

It probably sucks so bad because the USPS is a government run agency. They purchase all their software based on who made the lowest bid and probably got what they paid for. Every time I've ever used their tracking I don't get any notices until the day I get it. They pretty much blow.

Answer 10

It's the GOVERNMENT! The only thing they do well is waste money stateside and defend the country. Sometimes they don't bring back the weopons or dispose of properly overseas.