I have a small suggestion that a lot of users would like. I hate FedEx (used them 6 times in a month, had 6 very stressful moments. Don’t want to use them again). So I am forced to use USPS. Could SparkFun include tracking for USPS? At USPS its called DC (Delivery Confirmation) and it costs about 50c ($0.50) to add. Very simple. Just ask for it at the window. You could charge $1.00 for it if you want. I just like to know where my package is currently located and when I should expect it.
Also, if you guys can, get UPS They are wonderful and I never had any problems with them before.
My experience with USPS “tracking” is that they don’t report anything until the package is delivered (which is probably why they call it “Delivery Confirmation” and not “Tracking”). Their web page often doesn’t even claim to have heard of the package at all until it has been delivered.
But maybe I’ve just had bad luck with it. I’ve generally had good luck with both Fed-EX and UPS, as long as no signature is required. What I hate is when I pay to have something delivered overnight and the next day I come home from work to find a sticker on my door because it was sent with a signature required. :-/
Well, yes… USPS updates their information at the end of the day. Some sort of tracking information is better than none. At least this way I will know when the package entered my state or whatnot. I don’t to know the exact location of my package… I just want to know that it is moving or how fast it is moving.
khearn:
My experience with USPS “tracking” is that they don’t report anything until the package is delivered (which is probably why they call it “Delivery Confirmation” and not “Tracking”). Their web page often doesn’t even claim to have heard of the package at all until it has been delivered.
But maybe I’ve just had bad luck with it. I’ve generally had good luck with both Fed-EX and UPS, as long as no signature is required. What I hate is when I pay to have something delivered overnight and the next day I come home from work to find a sticker on my door because it was sent with a signature required. :-/
Keith
I have the same problem. Package only took 3 days to ship (which was amazing considering what it was / how much i paid), but the only tracking was “Billing info stuff received” for 2 days, then “Delivery!!”
khearn:
My experience with USPS “tracking” is that they don’t report anything until the package is delivered (which is probably why they call it “Delivery Confirmation” and not “Tracking”). Their web page often doesn’t even claim to have heard of the package at all until it has been delivered.
But maybe I’ve just had bad luck with it. I’ve generally had good luck with both Fed-EX and UPS, as long as no signature is required. What I hate is when I pay to have something delivered overnight and the next day I come home from work to find a sticker on my door because it was sent with a signature required. :-/
Keith
I have the same problem. Package only took 3 days to ship (which was amazing considering what it was / how much i paid), but the only tracking was “Billing info stuff received” for 2 days, then “Delivery!!”
Better knowing than not knowing… FedEx delivered my package to the wrong house (was delivered like 5++ blocks away). I wouldn’t of known if it wasn’t for tracking. Its a helpful thing. Even if its like “waiting for update” and then poof! “delivered.”
Latest USPS Electronic postage shipment includes tracking. USPS will now scan in upon acceptance of package. You can now track from time of postage to delivery. Used it myself. Zero cost for this and delivery confirmation if sender buys postage in Electronic format.
I hate FedEx (used them 6 times in a month, had 6 very stressful moments. Don’t want to use them again).
interesting, i have used them for years and years and have yet to have one problem. yet on the flip side i hate USPS and would not trust them to deliver a package next door
I hate FedEx (used them 6 times in a month, had 6 very stressful moments. Don’t want to use them again).
interesting, i have used them for years and years and have yet to have one problem. yet on the flip side i hate USPS and would not trust them to deliver a package next door
Don’t get me started with FedEx… I just hate them. I like USPS the most though. They are cheap and fast. Their tracking may not be the best, but they have saturday delivery and some of the packages come in the regular mail, so I don’t have to be home to sign for it. Sure they beat it with a bat… but it won’t damage my breakaway headers or LEDs… Plus, Spark packages everything very well! No adult content in the newspapers found yet. :lol:
One thing I’ve learned from monitoring the forums is that one person’s favorite shipper is another’s worst nightmare. It really depends on a lot of factors and your location. I like USPS also because it is inexpensive and of the Saturday delivery. Up to now, I haven’t received any package that looked like it went through the jaws of hell. Although I’m due for sure now.
I’ve had so-so results with FedEx. I once received a laptop from Dell destined for a house three blocks away. It was left on the doorstep (without a signature) and I had a lot of explaining to do to my wife who thought I went out and blew the budget. To answer the question that may be popping into your head, I did call the intended recipient – I didn’t want to risk bad karma! He was very grateful as he requested special overnight delivery and Dell was saying that the package was already delivered.
They are wonderful and I never had any problems with them before.