Check your tracking number from USPS

[Bob Stager]

It might be a good idea to look at your receipt and tracking number before you leave the Post Office. I sent a bow to Oregon on Monday and when I went to track it Wednesday, I found they had issued me a tracking number that was for a package that had been delivered in my home town last week!  They told me I have to wait and see if it gets delivered. Any one else ever have this happen ?  Bob

[buckracks7]

They entered a wrong zip code. It still got there, but tracking wasn't any help.

[Paul_R]

Nothing like watching a package you mailed 2 day priority zigzag all over the USA for 3 weeks with tracking information always 2 or 3 days behind. Never had one actually end up lost or even damaged but I really hate the USPS sometimes.

[labrunner10]

I have sent three different packages out this year and they all ended up in a different state than what they were suppose to go. I checked everything twice except the locations they sent the package. I guess I have to double check their work as well as mine

[Ric O'Shay]

I sent a bow out on Tuesday January 21st, Priority Mail and insured. First tracking entry was on the 26th in Dallas (27 miles from here). No tracking info since. 9 days and it still shows to be in Dallas.
Where O where has my little bow gone?

[Bladepeek]

The tracking system is the only thing I don't like with USPS. The item is usually delivered before the tracking system shows any update.

On the other hand, I got mail and packages every day through the various snow and ice storms we've had. UPS refused to deliver - for 4 days. The item was sitting in the local distribution center, but no trucks out to my location (and I live in town).
My friendly mail carrier brought me mail every day and a package from Big Jims right on time.

[ron w]

To tell the truth I have always had good luck with it and I have used it way to many times....lol!

[Wapiti Chaser]

I have found the tracking numbers useless. Package is normally delivered and the tracking number shows it still in town. I think it's just some random number they make up

[Killdeer]

I don't know if all Post Offices have them up yet, but when I scan a barcode on my route, it is uploaded into the tracking system within a minute. I have not checked to see how soon somebody's parcel's progress is visible online.

Today I saw that a parcel I had looked up in the morning, (it was exactly like the one I had needed a signature for yesterday, and I wondered if I had forgotten to write the attempt date on it,) showed today's correct scan when I refreshed the search on my cell phone when I returned from delivering.

Killdeer

[Bob Stager]

Everything turned out fine. The bow was delivered. The problem was that the tracking number given to me was used on a package that had been delivered 4 days sooner to someone in my hometown.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have always had good luck with USPS.  One package 10 years ago went MIA but that's the only issue I've had.

I've never used the tracking they provided.  I guess there's no need unless the item is past due on delivery.  

With the scan technology they have now days, you should be able to tell whether the item is out for delivery, in transit between hubs, or what terminal it was last scanned  in at.  Maybe they are still in the process of updating their system?

It seems like any time there is so much package volume and human contact, mistakes are always inevitable.  I have had issues with other carriers as well.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Bob, Glad it worked out OK!

[bulldog18]

I have had good luck with them also. People shipping to me have not. My most recent purchase came from new Mexico and by passed southeast Kansas and stopped in a suburb of St. Louis before back tracking to back to me. Two purchases before that came from Michigan and spent a week in Pennsylvania before I received them. No wonder the postal service is going broke.

[kat]

This is the first post I read after returning from the post office to mail out a package.    
But to be honest; the tracking is sometimes bad, but my packages have always made it.

[mike g]

I use USPS Priority Mail all the time, No problem yet....A couple late packages but none lost yet.

[moththerlode]

No problems here with them , from bows to live birds over the years.
In fact I think that they do a fantastic job. There isn't a such thing "no human error" in any business.
With that said, I had to chase down the mail truck for my last bow that I knew was out for delivery. She slid sideways doing a 180 at my mailbox ,tossed my mail minus the bow without even stopping and floored it hitting a bend on two wheels.
After chasing her down in hot pursuit she had my bow in the back of truck , she tossed it to me and then burned rubber.