Does this sound like typical USPS?

[OCDP]

I don't have a TON of experience with USPS, but I do have a fair amount. I've ordered from avidvaper, reos mods, 310vapers, etc. All of them are vendors. I've never purchased anything from another member on ECF until last week.

So in a nutshell I bought a Zen Cobalt and broke my bank, and felt pretty apprehensive about the whole deal. I mean a lot of money to someone I don't know, eesh, freaked me out. User has a great classified feedback so that eased my mind.

The user sent my cobalt last Thursday and I still cannot "track" the package as it hasn't even moved. It was sent Priority Mail International and the sender paid the extra doh for a tracking number (which I have) The package just hasn't moved (according to USPS) since then. The status remains at "Pre-Shipment Info - Electronic Shipping Info Received" Which basically means to my knowledge USPS doesn't have the package, they're just aware that a package will be delivered to them to ship out?

Obviously I am worried, it cost me a pretty penny and around this time of year, or any for that matter, it's money I can't lose! I am not saying I don't trust the sender by no means, I moreso don't trust USPS. I am just trying to get a feel for whether this is typical of USPS as I've never bought from another member of ECF, just vendors. At this point I just want an update of some sort which the sender says he's been trying to contact someone at USPS.

To add insult to injury, someone just contacted me from BC with a Zen mod for sale. No USPS, no customs, just straight up Canada Post. Grrr.

 

[Mindfield]

Tracking stops at the border. Once it crosses into Canada, USPS can no longer track it, so you'll only get further tracking info when it's delivered.

However, there should have been some movement on it if he delivered it to the PO. It should still update until it hits the border, so it sounds like he hasn't dropped it off at the PO yet.

 

[OCDP]

Tracking stops at the border. Once it crosses into Canada, USPS can no longer track it, so you'll only get further tracking info when it's delivered.

However, there should have been some movement on it if he delivered it to the PO. It should still update until it hits the border, so it sounds like he hasn't dropped it off at the PO yet.

My thoughts exactly, but he assures me it's been dropped off as he shipped a bunch of stuff out that day. He said that USPS was probably having problems on their side. I just got an order from 310vapers and it all tracked properly. I figured something should have changed since last Thursday. I am used to shipments stop tracking after a certain point, my order from Pink Spot fell off the face of the earth after it left Las Vegas, then showed up at my door two weeks later.

 

[Thompson]

Usps has been slow across the board this past week. I go to get tracking info 10 minutes ago, they added that 'sorting was completed' around 8am.

I checked it when I first woke up around 9:30 and it said no such thing.

Another one took about 2 days before any info popped up.

Still waiting on a LiPo bag, been about 3 weeks. Did get it from China though... With free shipping... So I expected delays on it.

 

[Nubbie]

I would suggest contacting USPS to find out what they are doing with that tracking as the customer service has a little more information.

 

[Thompson]

I've also found, when receiving something from Royal Mail (UK) if I emailed USPS the RM tracking number, 2/2 they sent me USPS's own tracking number as a replacement.

Maybe the Canadian post will do the same?

 

[Not Iris]

I have had a package from Florida that has been *in the air* since Dec 13th and tracking stops there.
Must be one hellofa headwind.

 

[Projectguy]

Hokay tous le monde, hevrybuddy take a valium and relax.

USPS is terrible at tracking but count 6 to 10 business days from the "Date of Acceptance". You will not be disappointed.

 

[MisterMike]

Yup. Just got my Pluid today, and USPS's last update says that it left LA on the 14th.

 

[caitlin]

USPS just sucks at tracking.
And if the vendor uses Stamps.com, it can get even worse (I don't blame stamps.com, I blame a lack of communication on the USPS's part.) ((however, the tracking number is the same if you go to stamps.com or usps, so a lot of times if stamps hasn't updated, i go check the usps site and get more up to date info...IF THERE IS ANY.))

Frequently though, my packages still say "Received electronic shipping info" right up until after they are actually delivered, at which point it will then update to "Out for delivery".

 

[Tgoode]

I am still waiting for a package with 3 Aga-t genesis RBAs in it that was sent from COV on the 10th...

 

[trepalium]

Keep in mind it's prime shipping time for Christmas. That could be adding a delay. I'm in the US and I've had instances with them where I didn't even receive any info until after it got delivered. USPS is weird. They always seem to update whenever they feel like it.

My thought would be to allow at least 10 days before you start getting worried.

 

[Racehorse]

Frequently though, my packages still say "Received electronic shipping info" right up until after they are actually delivered

Then THAT is peculiar to the originating local post office....where they are mailed. They are not scanning everything before they put it on the trucks to leave there. (which they're supposed to do.)

I hand my pacakges over the counter if it's something expensive, and ask for a scan.

Otherwise, stuff will just show "electronic confirmation received" and my buyer on the other end is going to be sweating bullets, like this OP.

OCDP: I'm quite sure everything will work out to be above-board for you. BTW, you are protected anyway, when you pay via Paypal..........and members are "verified" here before they can post in the classies, and then you say they have feedback too...........already a number of safeties built into your transaction. And if ws 30 days, I'd be worried. 5 days out so far, crossing a border, during christmas rush......not so much.

Hope you love your new thing when you get it though!

 

[OCDP]

I appreciate the feedback. There are just certain factors, mainly being buying something from another user that makes me iffy about it all as I've never done this before. I've also never had a scenario where USPS is stuck on pre-shipment info, I usually get a departure scan.

The seller has been great in responding to PM's and contacting USPS, I just need to slow my role for now and be patient. Amazing (or sad) what one little tracking detail will do for peace of mind though. Also nice to know that with PayPal and being verified I have safeties in place, makes me feel better.

I'll be sure to update the thread, hopefully with a pic of my new snazzy cobalt.

 

[Jables]

Breathe OCDP, Breathe!

 

[OCDP]

I'm taking many deep breathes filled with mad murdocks radiator pluid. Takes the edge off

 

[tygertyger]

I'm taking many deep breathes filled with mad murdocks radiator pluid. Takes the edge off

Oh, now you're just teasing me. All you guys that have gotten yours this week are making me nervous. I know for certain mine was one of the very first several orders in, and I'm still waiting. The post man *really* disappointed me today (no fault of his own-- he's great).

If it doesn't show up tomorrow, I'm going to be panicking all weekend that it's in the evil clutches of gov agencies!

 

[CanadianCow]

I still have a package of enchillada sauce in my kitchen (the good stuff my MIL gets in Tucson for real cheap) that I have had for a couple days and USPS still says is in Tucson. Tracking numbers means nothing from them

 

[therealcmac]

My latest iHybrid took 20 days via Priority shipping.

 

[goinpostal]

i work for the post office and you are correct about preshipment info recieved means basically he printed off postage and parcel is awaiting pickup BUT sometimes (depending on the method) there is no tracking available. this is usually when shipper uses cheapest shipping method (first class)but will show when delivered. every once in awhile a scan is missed but packages get scanned when recieved at post ofice (recieved at blah blah postal code), then when assigned for a carrier to deliver (sorted at blah blah postal code), then when a carrier accepts package (out for delivery)and FINALLY when package is delivered (package delivered to destination at blah blah time) so you would have some sort of information on the package unless of course the shipper used first class then you will only know it is coming until u open your mailbox with you being in canada i would not get worried until u hit the 10 day mark...if he shipped first class that is about the timeframe you are looking at.hope that helps!