How reliable UPS/USPS Tracking Nrs?

[617fan]

Just curious as to everyone's experience with these? I am waiting on shipments from both USPS and UPS, in both cases the seller says the items were shipped and the carriers website says shipping was ordered and the item is waiting to be picked up?

 

[imashooter2]

UPS has always been spot on for me. USPS had a long period when about 60-70% of their "delivery confirmation" numbers would never show as delivered. But they are much improved now and I haven't seen anything of that sort in about a year.

ETA: If the web site says the item hasn't been scanned in, then I'd bet money it hasn't. I've never seen anyone's web site that didn't have accurate scan in information.

 

[SASABERANGER]

UPS numbers are pretty accurate.
The USPS numbers are only as accurate as the the workers scanning them. Sometimes great, sometimes so-so and other times not at all.
Cost of the tracking is included in UPS, extra at USPS since they found out folks would pay extra to get scammed.
All-in-all the UPS folks seem to be more diligent in their duties than the USPS folks, but then their job security depends on it.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

 

[Steave]

UPS and FedEx are generally right on, USPS not so much

 

[jrm53]

Ups

I have never found a UPS tracking number to be wrong on the ones I have checked on the computer to see where the package was at. USPS I dont know about. Jeff

 

[samIam]

Usps

USPS is not reliable.I'm tracking one now that I sent out on WED.As of Thur.their site has no update.

 

[K96771]

The USPS numbers are poor, but I find their delivery time better. MidwayUSA (MO) to NJ - ordered Monday a.m. and at my door on Wednesday afternoon. The last order was delivered on a Saturday. Who else delivers on Saturday?

 

[oldRoger]

UPS tracking is great. You can follow a shipment all of the way.
USPS delivery is usually good, forget their tracking.

 

[m657]

re: "USPS delivery is usually good, forget their tracking."

Most often on USPS I will get the package delivery BEFORE their system ever tells me it was even shipped. USPS web tracking is abysmal over the past 2 years. Delivery on the other hand....often is quite good....you just don't know where the package IS....nor do they care, so it seems.

 

[sipowicz]

I went into UPS yesterday to mail my bother in NY some ammo...13 boxes to be exact....I handed the box to the woman and she put it on the scale...then she says that will be 14 dollars..wow...that seemed cheap..Iasked her how much did it weigh...she says 4.6 pounds....I wasn't going to argue with her since she did pick it up...she must be really strong to think 25+ pounds was only 4.6 pounds...

 

[TNDixieGirl]

UPS has good tracking. To my knowledge, USPS doesn't even offer tracking. It's "Delivery Confirmation"(says when picked up, says when delivered, no tracking in between) and it's spotty at best.

 

[BigRich315]

A note on the efficiency of UPS:

All of my UPS shipments are delivered from Cincinnati. I noticed that every shipment that comes from the NE travels through Cincy, down to Lexington, and then back up to Cincy. That adds about a day and 180 miles for travel. It might just be me, but that doesn't seem very cost effective...

 

[Evil Dog]

I've no problems at all with UPS... their tracking system works well for me. USPS though will often deliver before the "Delivery Confirmation" number even shows.

 

[gunlovingirl]

USPS Track and Confirm is worthless. If you have insurance over $200 with USPS, it automatically includes delivery confirmation. Be aware, all delivery confirmation does is show it was delivered. All the mailperson does is scan the package when it's delivered. Doesn't have to be signed for. For expensive items, it's best to get signature required and use priority. UPS tracking is much better than USPS.

 

[2152hq]

The USPS Delivery Confirmation will update as the package goes through the system and show different PO locations that it's at.
But, as stated already,,it depends on the thoroughness of PO emplyees to scan the package and at delivery point it's just another scan and placed on the door step or mail box. Unless there is a signiture required card, insurance for over $200, etc,,no signiture of recipient is required to be obtained by the PO.

The signiture delivery confirmation from insured packages over $200 isn't available on-line. You can get it by going to the PO itself and they can retrieve it from the Way-Back Machine in the back room.

Even with all that I've had at different times had signiture required packages from all 3 carriers dumped w/o them getting one.

They're all great till they loose or break something on you....

Short of self delivery,,,we haven't much choice other than to pack well, insure, use lots of tape and pray.

 

[therevjay]

I have had USPS tracking tell me my package was in Bosie ID 2 days after I recived it.

On the other hand, I have a friend who has worked for UPS for yrs who always sends packages by "USPS". He says it's cheaper, and he thinks they have a better chance of getting there with the contents unbroken.

 

[burk940]

My experiences with UPS tracking have been great, and no major problem with FedEx. FedEx did miss a scan when something I ordered recently went through the local hub and was put on the truck for delivery. It never showed that it arrived at the local hub and never showed "out for delivery", but it was updated as soon as it was delivered. I only use USPS for birthday and Christmas cards.

 

[hangtree]

UPS and Fedex spot on for me and sometimes sooner (altho rare.) Lots of ebay trans as seller and buyer (okay mostly buyer.)
USPS worse I ever got was 5 days later delivery to me.