USPS tracking help

flava

flava

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Hi,

I won't get in all details, but I bought a knife from the USA (I'm in France) in late august. I asked for it to be sent with USPS Global Express (worked perfect for me all the time). The seller says he sent it with USPS Global Priority :mad: more than 3 weeks ago. I got an email from USPS 3 weeks ago saying a label was printed and the package will be shipped (USPS Global Priority with a tracking number). The tracking number doesn't work, which could be normal, USPS doesn't advertise international tracking with Global Priority. All my packages from the USA arrived in 7-10 days maximum. My questions are:

1. Does the email from USPS prove the package was sent, or just that someone printed a label for an eventual shipping?
2. With the tracking number (LCxxxxxxxxxUS), is there a method to find out if the package was sent and if it leaved the USA?

If someone works with USPS or has experience with these things, I would appreciate any help. I have paid quite a lot of money for that knife and I'm really worried.
 
It could be that the knife is 'on hold' at the customs in France.
I live in The Netherlands and sometimes have the same problem.

But i recieved all the knives i ordered (64 knives)
 
Neri said:
It could be that the knife is 'on hold' at the customs in France.
I live in The Netherlands and sometimes have the same problem.

But i recieved all the knives i ordered (64 knives)
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Yeah, I know the knife could be in customs, I buy quite a lot from the USA and I'm familiar with the procedure.
It also could have never been sent as far as I know. My problem is I can't tell between these 2 scenarios. This is why I clearly said I want it sent with USPS Global Express, it has online tracking.
 
In answer to your #1 I believe it just means lable has been formatted and printed...those more in the know (Such as Esav :-) will hopefully chime in...sorry to hear of your delima my Mastiff Lovin Bro, Im currently waiting on an overdue package sent USPS I cannot track as well, Hence I feel your pain :-)! ANYTHING I can do Holler please!


LD
 
1-Only shows the label was created.

2-IF it has been scaned in somewhere it will show up when you enter the # on the website. As it is not showing up for you, it must not have been scanned in yet. With domestic priority, it is not a tracking number but a delivery confirmation number. It may not show up at all until it is delivered. I would assume it is the same with international priority. Doesn't mean he didn't send it. No way to know that I am aware of.
 
I don't think that you can get delivery confirmation or insurance with USPS Global Priority mail. :(
 
USPS Global Priority is the most economical means of shipping (of the "Global" services USPS offers). No tracking or insurance with USPS Global Priority.



USPS Global Express does have tracking, insurance, and a return receipt.


USPS Global Express Guaranteed offers guaranteed delivery, tracking, and insurance


1. Does the email from USPS prove the package was sent, or just that someone printed a label for an eventual shipping?
Click to expand...


It indicates that the shipper used the USPS website to print a label.


2. With the tracking number (LCxxxxxxxxxUS), is there a method to find out if the package was sent and if it leaved the USA?
Click to expand...

No.

You're going to have to rely on the shipper's word or when it arrives at your destination.

Your shipper could have purchased a "certificate of mailing," but that only indicates that the parcel was mailed.
 
Thanks for the answers. :thumbup:
If the package doesn't show up in a week I'll ask the sender to refund the $ as he didn't respect his side of the deal (shipping by Global Express).
I hope I'm just being paranoid about it and the package is delayed.
 
I've shipped quite a few things using USPS Global Express. While a more expensive method to ship, I haven't experienced a single problem.

From the stories that I've heard about USPS Global Priority, I avoid it like it was the flu. :D It seems more like our version of "parcel post" shipping or what is commonly termed, "Slow boat to China."

Did the shipper tell you why they used Global Priority instead of Global Express ?



Hope it all works out for you !
 
I have noticed that any shipping label that you print yourself is not scanned in until after it is delivered.
I sent out a knife via priority to PA on the 18th and the person says it has not arrived yet and the tracking # only shows that it was recieved at my PO.
 
I normally let the shipper use Global Express. A few years back a maker misunderstood me and shipped it Global Priority. He shipped it end July and it went of the radar for months. Early September we started a "search and rescue and claims" operation but to no avail. Then without any warning somewhere in October there stopped a truck in front of my house and out came a delivery guy with my knife.

So I got my knife in the end but nobody could explain to me (until this day) what really happened. What I'm trying to say with this story is don't panic, start all the right procedures and wait and see. It could come in the end.

Besides that USPS makes mistakes with their registration system. I just recently shipped a package to the US with GE tracking and tracing. After the normal period was elapsed there was still only mention of that the package left the Netherlands nothing more. I then received word from the US that the package was delivered and it took USPS another three days to correct the status in their system.

Marcel
 
Almost all Global express is done by FEDEX for the post office.

That is why you see FEDEX boxes in the major Post offices now.

Global Priority is done by the USPS.

S/F,
CEYA!
 
GigOne said:
Did the shipper tell you why they used Global Priority instead of Global Express ?



Hope it all works out for you !
Click to expand...

No he didn't :confused: I hope it was a mistake. When I noticed it was too late, so I didn't make a fuss about it thinking everything will be OK. It still might be OK but I'm starting to plan what to do if it isn't.
 
ceya one said:
Almost all Global express is done by FEDEX for the post office.

That is why you see FEDEX boxes in the major Post offices now.

Global Priority is done by the USPS.

S/F,
CEYA!
Click to expand...

FedEx boxes have been placed outside post offices in accordance with an air transportation agreement from June 19, 2001 http://www.usps.com/news/online/0619_1.htm

Global Express is still a USPS product. We can't say who actually delivers it once USPS turns it over to a foreign post office.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
FedEx boxes have been placed outside post offices in accordance with an air transportation agreement from June 19, 2001 http://www.usps.com/news/online/0619_1.htm

Global Express is still a USPS product. We can't say who actually delivers it once USPS turns it over to a foreign post office.
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It states that "FEDEX handles it " in the post office next to Global Express sign with the prices. I was letting him know that a thrid party is involved.


http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub51/pub51_002.html#vnameref_1



Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG™) is an expedited delivery service for both documents and non-documents (i.e., merchandise items) that is the product of a business alliance between the Postal Service™ and FedEx Corporation.

Global Express Mail (EMS) is not done by FEDEX, according to the site.




S/F,
CEYA!
 
Global Priority can be tracked up to the point it is ready to leave US territory. If all the number ever returns is "a label was printed and the package will be shipped by USPS Global Priority" then it was either never shipped, or not scanned properly at the seller's Post Office. However, generally, if the second reason is true, it will show once it hits the "departure center" and gets scanned there. From where I live that has always been JFK for anything I've ever shipped to Europe and LAX for anything I've sent across the Pacific, but there may be others as well.
 
The Deacon said:
Global Priority can be tracked up to the point it is ready to leave US territory. If all the number ever returns is "a label was printed and the package will be shipped by USPS Global Priority" then it was either never shipped, or not scanned properly at the seller's Post Office. However, generally, if the second reason is true, it will show once it hits the "departure center" and gets scanned there. From where I live that has always been JFK for anything I've ever shipped to Europe and LAX for anything I've sent across the Pacific, but there may be others as well.
Click to expand...

It says "There is no record of this item." Since 05 September. :(
For now I'll wait and see. It sucks but I don't exactly have another option. If the package was sent Global Express as agreed, this would be a non issue :mad:
 
imho as long as the individual did ship the item, and as long as it clears french customs with no problems, you'll get it irregardless of the particular method, might be longer is the only thing, also imho 2-3 months isnt the norm from US to france, so give it a few days and see WTF, the guy might have just made a mistake/got confused, last time i shipped to canada USPS certainly had me confused by the end of the transaction, i almost shipped priority by mistake myself lol.

hopefully all will be well,,,,,,,,,,,
 
I know it might not be of any consolation, but I bought something not too long ago and had it shipped from Guam. The delivery confirmation stayed at "accepted" for three months while I waited for my package. I figured it lost, but all the sudden it showed up three months and 7 days after the original shipping date. I happen to know that it usually takes around a week for something to make it to Cali from Guam so this was obviously a huge mistake. It's unfortunate, but the USPS occasionally makes mistakes and misplaces mail (the processing facillities are huge and sometimes a piece of mail might get lost in the sea of empty equipment stored around the plant only to be found later on and delivered at a much later date) mail can also fall under the sorting machines and stay there for a little while until swept out or might have been accidently thrown into a sack going to a different destination. There are many things that can happen and all unfortunate. The postal service makes mistakes like any other organization of it's size. They just do their best to make those mistakes minimal however and are very good at correcting them. You shouldn't worry too much. I've only had that one problem out of countless transactions with the USPS. Your package was probably just severely delayed by some error but you should end up getting it later rather than sooner (either that or an aboriginal is having fun carving a new spear with his new knife and you'll be receving a nice new set of loin cloths from amazon.com). I hope all goes well for you!
 
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