USPS 1st class free tracking - NOT!

[Mego Magyar]

After the USPS rate increase when I mail a 1st class package I was told that it now came with a tracking number for free. Well I found out yesterday that the number you are given is an internal USPS tracking number and that you can't look up information on it yourself at the USPS web site. If you want a tracking number that you can give to the person you are sending to you still have to pay for it.

[Sideshow Spock]

Despite the fact you were automatically given a tracking number, some package services such as first class parcel and media mail still require a 90c fee (at retail) to activate the number for the customer to track. Otherwise the number stays internal, as you say.

For other package services such as Priority Mail, there is no fee and the number is active.

[toys2cool]

what the hell? are you serious? crap i didn't know that

[WRM]

I just mailed off a few items through priority mail and it came with tracking at no charge...when I questioned the person they informed me that now only priority mail comes with free tracking, not first class...