posted on December 17, 2003 09:58:21 AM new
I have been using Endicia for about 2 months now, and I use their electronic delivery confirmation for all my shipments.
Usually when I look at the postal log, it says something like "USPS has been electronically notified by the shipper to expect your parcel on Dec. 15" or whatever. However, the past 3-4 days all say "There is no record of that mail item."
posted on December 17, 2003 10:08:18 AM new
This is typical Post Office stupidity. The original message a year or so ago said something like
"this package was shipped using electronic delivery confirmation and has not yet been scanned into the system"
something that buyers could understand. Then they changed it to messages that implied it was never shipped. I sometimes get angry emails from buyers and have to explain it yet again. Why couldnt they leave well enough alone?
posted on December 17, 2003 10:21:25 AM new
Up until 10:00pm EST, THAT is what it will say -- after the evening run by the USPS, the correct info will show on the DC tracking site
posted on December 17, 2003 11:35:49 AM new
That's the thing -- these are items I mailed and dropped off at the post office days ago, where it's still saying no record. Very strange.
posted on December 17, 2003 12:17:12 PM new
Just a thought.
If you take it to the counter person, and they enter each address into the computer, it is entered in the system.
If you drop it at the dock, or if the counter person does not go to the trouble to enter the packages and scan each label, the message is the one you are seeing.
My packages through Endicia say the same thing as yours. I drop mine at a dock.
I think your counter employees may have skipped entering your tracking numbers into the system due to holiday volume.
posted on December 17, 2003 12:18:33 PM new
After it is delivered, and the tracking number gets in the system, it should show as delivered. No loss of functionality.
posted on December 17, 2003 12:31:25 PM new
Oh, gousainc! "After it is delivered, and the tracking number gets in the system, it should show as delivered. No loss of functionality"
Tell that to the seller who shipped me a $75 printer cartridge 4 weeks ago. It hasn't shown up and now he is obligated to pay or replace. He posted it thru Stamps.com, but USPS tracking says " The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper or shipping partner on November 29, 2003 to expect your package for mailing. No further information is available for this item. "
I have had a few of my own Edelivery_confs not show in the system either and I always take mine to the counter! I just hold my breath until they are delivered.
But I'm tired of turning blue, so everything over 5 lbs, now ships Fedex. I have tracking from the minute it leaves my hands! (And it is usually cheaper too.)
posted on December 17, 2003 12:35:38 PM new
Itray is correct, because DC is NOT tracking!
If I ship something valuable via the USPS, I slap REGISTERED on it (along with free/cheapo eDC for PayPal), so I do have legitimate means of truly tracking the item!
posted on December 17, 2003 12:55:55 PM new
I find that the PO does track the DC about 98% of the time. The only time there will be a problem is if:
1) it falls into that 2% that didnt get tracked AND
2) the customer claims non delivery.
Fortunately, this has never happened to me. In thousands of packages, some sent first class with no tracking at all, the only one ever lost was going overseas. I did once have a close call when a $600 camera that I sent signature required was delivered without any tracking or signature. I was afraid to email the customer in case they decided to claim they never got it. But it's been about a year, so I guess I'm safe. Good thing they didnt use Paypal. Then I'd still have another 6 months of worrying.
posted on December 17, 2003 07:51:29 PM new
My local P.O. said they are now only scanning in the eDC at the receiving P.O. Because it was often getting entered 2x into their system - once when it was received and once at the delivery point.
I challenged them on their claim that each and every delivery person had a scanner to say when it was "actually" delivered to the address. They countered with "There are 40+ scanners our people use out of this P.O. so they better get scanned at the point of delivery..."
I guess it comes down to what your individual carrier does.
Just my 2-cents.
Wayne
Trying to Make a Difference - One Satisfied Customer at a Time....
posted on December 17, 2003 09:58:49 PM new
ltray you are right.
I was generally speaking that not showing in the system initially, does not affect the final scan showing in the system later.
Certainly all of the flaws, and failure rates are still intact.
That was a good point though, as "should" and "what actually happens" can be two different outcomes with the Post Office and that should not be overlooked.
posted on December 19, 2003 01:48:52 PM new
Periodically, the USPS server which dispenses E/DC numbers to our software during the day, fails to successfully upload this information to the master tracking cluster in San Mateo, CA that evening. That's when you will see a message saying that there is no record for that package. This happens pretty infrequently.
The next release of DAZzle will allow you to draw E/DC numbers from the USPS server or (new) our Endicia server cluster in Palo Alto, CA. Those dispensed by the Endicia server cluster will be uploaded to the master tracking system by us, and thus we will have more control over this.
posted on December 19, 2003 08:48:29 PM new
Harry, thanks so much for the detailed answer. Finally, today the parcels in question showed up as recognized in my log, but I really appreciate that explanation.
