Question about USPS tracking

[palitoy]

I made a pretty cool purchase recently and the seller sent me a tracking number but it doesn't seem like the number ever updates. The box hasn't left New Jersey since the first.

Is this common for USPS?

I'm so used to the "Real time" tracking numbers of UPS or Fed Ex that this one kind of unnerves me a little.

[megoat]

I made a pretty cool purchase recently and the seller sent me a tracking number but it doesn't seem like the number ever updates. The box hasn't left New Jersey since the first.

Is this common for USPS?

I'm so used to the "Real time" tracking numbers of UPS or Fed Ex that this one kind of unnerves me a little.

Yeah, USPS "tracking" ain't like the other boys. It's called "delivery confirmation" for a reason--it essentially only gets updated when the package has been delivered. It doesn't give you day by day progress of where your package might be......

[palitoy]

Thanks Matt, I'm so unfamiliar with it that I didn't know if I should panic or not. Come to think of it Canada Post tracking is about the same.

[Mikey]

I remember when I first started on eBay YEARS ago, USPS tracking used to update every night...
Once I literally watched a package I bought go from Vegas to somewhere in the mid-west, to Newark to finally here.
Today though, that all changed.....
Now the tracking only gives one of two responses.....

1.Your package was accepted on date in Town
2.Your package has been delivered.

2.5 --- If you have insurance (your package has been accepted)

[toys2cool]

I think they still have that option that tells you by email if there are any updates

[JPkempo]

I've see it not update untill the day after I got the package.

[Mikey]

I usually send everything SIGNATURE confirmation.
Costs about 2-ish bucks.
Even that doesn't update.
Just accepted on.. and delivered on.

[Dave Mc]

Many people confuse delivery confirmation with tracking and send the delivery confirmation number to you. That will only ever show that it was submitted to the post office, and that it was delivered. That's it's purpose. It is not meant to track.

Tracking is a totally different animal and one I very rarely ever seen on a package I receive.

[BlackKnight]

I was under the Impression that Delivery Comp/Tracking did not work outside the US with United States Postal Services. Or at least thats what I was told..

[palitoy]

I was under the Impression that Delivery Comp/Tracking did not work outside the US with United States Postal Services. Or at least thats what I was told..

Oh that's true but this parcel is going to a contact in the US, the seller didn't want to ship to Canada.