OT: (kind of) USPS Global Express Mail

[mfunnell]

Has anybody recently tried to track a parcel with a tracking number supplied by this service? I recently bought a lens from Tony Rose, who shipped via US Postal Service Global Express Mail and provided me with the tracking number. As near as I can tell, that number (which was accurate according to the label) was never able to track anything. The parcel was shipped by Tony, left the US, arrived in Oz, cleared customs, was delivered to me and was signed for. All events that, for example, UPS or FedEx manage to track quite nicely. But no such joy with the USPS, it seems (or Australia Post at this end, I suppose).

I have another item that is, or should be, on its way. I'm assuming it will get here. But the only event that shows when inquiring on its tracking number is that it left the US. Days and days ago. Perhaps I can ask it where its been. Assuming it hasn't been lost in transit. And who would know how or where?

Hmm. Excuse my frustration. I'll go lie down now...

...Mike

 

[back alley]

once an item leaves the states the usps is useless as far as new information is concerned.
after that it depends on the post office of the receiving country.

parcels from the states to canada are USUALLY well tracked by the cdn post office and the info is available and updated each evening.

one question, if you state that your post is off topic then why not put it in the off topic section?
joe

 

[mfunnell]

if you state that your post is off topic then why not put it in the off topic section? joe

Because I went looking down the right-hand-side of the front page trying to figure out the most appropriate forum, and neither "Miscellaneous Topics and more", nor "Off Topic" appeared. I may be lazy, but I'm also a touch navigationally challenged by recent changes.

...Mike

 

[back alley]

hhhmmm...i never use the list on the left but i hit the forum link at the top of the page.

interesting...ok, you are forgiven.

😉

 

[mfunnell]

i never use the list on the left but i hit the forum link at the top of the page.

It would appear that I'm even more confused than I thought. Unable to tell right from left, now :bang:

I really need to lie down!

...Mike

 

[mfunnell]

once an item leaves the states the usps is useless as far as new information is concerned.
after that it depends on the post office of the receiving country.

And I did note that Australia Post was responsible at this end. Perhaps I should clarify:

In the past, I've seen better tracking information from USPS Global Express Mail. They have, for example, noted when the item was collected and have tracked delivery as far as departure from the US (and, perhaps, arrival overseas - I'm unclear on where the hand-off of responsibility occurs). I've also seen that updates from this end (presumably supplied by Australia Post) are also reflected in their system.

But just recently (the last couple of weeks) I have noted two instances: one with no information whatsoever and another with one entry only, which can't be everything within USPS responsibility (eg. they must have picked the parcel up, but there's no record).

So, I'm wondering, is there some problem with their system? Is it ongoing, or is it something recent? Is my experience unusual?

I ask (a) I guess because I'm frustrated, and would just like to know; and (b) because if past good experiences have been happy accidents and current bad performance is the norm then I might prefer to use alternative shipping methods, even if they're more expensive.

...Mike

 

[stesm]

I've shipped scores of parcels vis USPS and find the tracking just about useless. More often than not, the package has arrived before the system even recognizes the number. They know how to get the packages to the destination, but using Windows 3.1 for tracking just ain't working.

 

[peter_n]

I think the USPS do a pretty good job in general but their tracking leaves a lot to be desired in terms of what they choose to publish. It is nothing like the tracking system of UPS. With the USPS here in America, you get to find out when it was picked up (or handed in at the post office) and when it was delivered. That's it. I buy from Tony Rose too and it is useful only in that you know that the lens or whatever is now sitting on your doorstep and you better get home quick before it's nicked.

Contrast that with Japan Post who send to America via EMS. They have complete tracking like UPS and it's pretty amazing to go to a Japanese web site and see that the package is being processed at your local post office, post office ZIP code and scheduled delivery. USPS must have the technology otherwise how could that kind of detail appear on the Japan Post web site? They don't make tracking detail available though...

 

[demian]

Ok, why is the "Miscellaneous" section(s) not listed on the left column with the others?

In all this time I was never even aware there were such sections?!

 

[akalai]

I haven't used USPS EMS in the last few weeks but have used it a lot as it is one of my two methods of shipping from the US. (The other being Global Priority Mail Flat-rate Envelope (Large) for packages upto 4lbs and of no great value.... this is fast at 4-6 days and costs only $9!)

USPS EMS is in my experience brilliant and I have been able to trace the package via the USPS website down to the package being placed in the delivery van for drop off here in Australia. You can also trace the USPS packages sent here via the AusPost website by clicking on the "International Courier Tracking".

The only time I have had any issues with tracking was with numbers generated by the sender prior to shipping and not "in store" USPS provided tracking numbers. Other issues have come from my own typo generated errors from adding spaces and the like to the actual tracking number.

Hope you get this resolved and it is a one off because I'd hate for there to be a loss of quality in this service. It definitely beats any of the other international courier services.... HANDS DOWN!

 

[thedilettante]

The (great) EMS service still seems to be the same. I shipped a G2 from Newtown PO to Chicago this week. Full tracking info from Aust Post & USPS ( after arrival scan ) without any problems. Been a while since I bought anything though so I'm not sure about shipping into Australia.

 

[peter_n]

Yes I think its EMS that is the common thread that provides tracking even where there is no tracking (to speak of) locally.

 

[Bill58]

INSURANCE is far more important to me than tracking when sending recieving valuable camera gear!!!!!!!! Global Priority has no insurance, but EMS does.

 

[mfunnell]

Just to finish this off: my item finally arrived. Tracking showed one additional entry (item cleared customs, or some such) then it was delivered.

Interestingly, I'm receiving another item - from Japan this time - and all steps of the process (including its various stops at internal locations in both Japan and Oz) have been reflected while tracking through the Japan Post and Aussie Post web services.

I'm not sure if the differences can be put down to USPS versus Japan Post or whether its just luck of the draw in terms of getting staff who are more or less rigourous about scanning items on different days or at different locations 😕

...Mike