Tracking numbers


USPS is trying to keep up with UPS by offering web tracking numbers for packages but they don't quite have it right.

I love getting the tracking number for a package shipped via UPS and then watching the progress as my package makes its way across the country and through the system. There it is in Pennsylvania; then Dallas; last night it is in Richmond, CA; ooo today it is in San Jose, schedule for delivery tomorrow. Gotta race home early from work tomorrow night to get it and read/listen/play with it. It seems that getting the tracking number makes the item tangible instead of just an order for something that might arrive "some day".

I shipped a package via the US Postal Service recently and jumped at the chance to purchase a web tracking number for an additional $0.45. Even though the package was outbound I thought it would be fun to track its progress through the system. I got home after the post office visit and checked the web site to see where my package was. The details said "ACCEPTANCE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA". So far so good. I kinda thought it might have gotten a little farther that day since I had dropped it off at the MtV post office right after lunch, but maybe not. The next day I checked again for an updated status--same thing, "ACCEPTANCE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA". Hmmm. By now I was pretty sure it wasn't still at the post office, and I was beginning to suspect I just wasn't going to get the same detail I was used to from UPS. After another day of "ACCEPTANCE, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA" I was wondering if either my package was lost, or maybe these tracking numbers don't really get updated on the web. Finally, the following Saturday the status changed. Now it read "We attempted to deliver your item in LANCASTER, PA and a notice was left." Ok, fine. I shipped my package to a business and it arrived on Saturday and they are not open on Saturdays. But at least I knew my package wasn't lost and the tracking status did get updated. A few days later the tracking status was still stuck at "We attempted to deliver..." when I received a letter from the destination business telling me they had received my package. Oh well, I guess next time I'll just save my $0.45 and skip the tracking number option from USPS.

Posted: Fri - February 20, 2004 at 12:55 AM        

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