Postal Letter

How reliable is the USPS tracking website?

I bought something from eBay, payed with PayPal, and got a trackign number to track through the US Postal Service. When I went to the website to track the number, I got this message: "Status: Electronic Shipping Info Received The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper or shipping partner on October 05, 2006 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later." Okay... October 5th was Thursday. I know the Post Office is not in operation on Sunday, and that today is a holiday... But you'd think there would be some tracking information for Friday the 6th or Saturday the 7th. Is this a problem with the USPS trackign system, or do you think that my purchased item has not yet been given to the post office?

Public Comments

1. usually it takes a day or two to update/refresh USPS page, but it is very accurate. but not fast. you might receive your package before it is posted online. :)
2. Don't worry, you haven't lost your mind! We have experienced this as well. USPS is horrible at updating their tracking system. I've had folks that have received something, but it takes days to see it appear in the USPS system. Eventually, it does though.
3. In my experience (eBay Powerseller), the tracking system is pretty accurate, if not a little slow. It probably means the shipper has not yet delivered the item to the post office. Normally, once it is in the post office, it is scanned as picked up and you would see it within a few business hours (up to a day) on the tracking site.
4. Go here and click on learn...{:-{}.
5. i think it is pretty reliable.
6. Excellent!
7. What the tracking system is best at is giving you peace of mind that your item is heading your way. If the person is sending it from their home more than likely it won't be scanned in until it reaches a major facility hub. What it also provides is evidence in case something goes wrong with your order. I do agree that the system needs to be improved.