Can't reach the USPS website?!

[IronWolf]

About half the time I'm expecting Priority Mail packages it says that right up until it arrives and beyond. Oh well, thanks anyway, guys.

You know that's been my experience with their tracking system too. The online web page says they were electronically notified of the package even when I have received the package and it sits in my mailbox! Not much of a tracking system....

 

[Desdichado]

I'm thinking about calling their 1-800 number with the tracking number and seeing if I get a better result. Since it shipped Tuesday evening, I was half expecting it today, although I think it may have shipped late enough that Tuesday didn't count.

Too bad; the package is a video game I ordered. I'm stuck home today, but going to work tomorrow; today would have been a great day for it to arrive.

 

[IronWolf]

I'm thinking about calling their 1-800 number with the tracking number and seeing if I get a better result. Since it shipped Tuesday evening, I was half expecting it today, although I think it may have shipped late enough that Tuesday didn't count.

If you ended up calling the number I would be interested to hear if you received better information this route.

 

[Desdichado]

I didn't; I've been busy.

Of course, last time I tried to call it, I found it on their website, which I still can't access for some reason...

 

[Desdichado]

Turns out, no, the phone system isn't any better than online. They said "delivery information for this item is not available; please contact your sender for more information."

By the way, if Priority Mail is 2-3 days, and I'm being forgiving and not counting Tuesday (because it shipped late in the day) then it'll be late if it doesn't arrive today.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Turns out, no, the phone system isn't any better than online. They said "delivery information for this item is not available; please contact your sender for more information."

The item you're trying to track is an electronic shipping label number. Those are purchased for a discounted price by online vendors (particularly eBay) so that the senders can see when and where the package was delivered to. These electronic shipping label numbers are only trackable online; no information on them is available through the 1-800 number.

If your 20-digit long number begins with a 03 or 23, it's a Delivery Confirmation Number or Signature Confirmation Number and information on it is available through the phone system. Otherwise, information on it can only be accessed through USPS.com or possibly the sender's web site.

How do I know all this? I currently work for said telephone system, so it's my job to know how the United States Postal Service operates.

 

[drothgery]

By the way, if Priority Mail is 2-3 days, and I'm being forgiving and not counting Tuesday (because it shipped late in the day) then it'll be late if it doesn't arrive today.

I'm pretty sure Priority Mail isn't guaranteed, and is usually no faster than regular mail.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I'm pretty sure Priority Mail isn't guaranteed, and is usually no faster than regular mail.

True, and false. Priority mail isn't guaranteed, but it actually is faster than regular mail (unless the origin and the destination are near each other).