Duplicate USPS 1st Class Tracking Numbers

JJGold · #1 07-21-2013

This past week I've had 4 (that I know of) tracking numbers that when tracked on eBay shows delivered to another location 12 or so months ago. When you input the tracking number onto the USPS website it will showing electronic info received, no acceptance, no initial scan thru the regional sorting center, but will show scanned as sorted close to the buyers address.

It's quite bothersome, and even had a Case opened as a result. What's up with eBay's tracking link (or is it a USPS problem)?

FYI, the labels are generated via the Stamps.com module within my listing service.

jeffweico · #2 07-21-2013

That is strange. It happens all the time where packages are not scanned - for whatever reason - at the initial post office or the first sorting center. I have also seen a package make it all the way from start to finish without the package hitting a single scan point, only showing "delivered" when the package was received.

The weird thing is the tracking showing information for a different shipment altogether. I always assumed they never re-used tracking numbers. But it makes sense that they COULD since they are only useful for a short time - I mean, who is going to look up a shipment a year later?

It would be interesting if we could figure this out. Maybe someone else has seen this before and gotten an answer on this issue???

GreenBean · #3 07-21-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJGold

It's quite bothersome, and even had a Case opened as a result. What's up with eBay's tracking link (or is it a USPS problem)?

FYI, the labels are generated via the Stamps.com module within my listing service.

Going by jeffweico's response, USPS may be at the root of the matter.

They are known to recyle numbers. I am not sure of the frequency however.

JJGold · #4 07-22-2013

Spoke with Stamps.com and they think they may have received a bad batch of tracking numbers.

Dear ******,

We have escalated your issue to our Research and Development department. We appreciate your patience while the issue is investigated. Please understand that all Development requests are reviewed and prioritized based on the severity of the issue and the number of customers being affected. Due to this process we are unable to project when a solution will be created for this specific issue, but all open tickets are monitored by our technical support staff and we will notify you as soon as a resolution is available. In the meantime feel free to contact us if you would like further information about the status of your issue.

If you wish to submit any additional data about this issue that may assist with the development of a solution, please reply to this email and attach any relevant files.

Thank you for choosing Stamps.com, and we look forward to speaking with you soon.

Tier2 Technical Support
Stamps.com Customer Care

GreenBean · #5 07-22-2013

At least they gave you a reasonable response

I know from an issue with FedEx they too can recycle "numbers".

Always something to give grief to stealth business

JJGold · #6 07-23-2013

It's getting insane. I've had over 50 messages from customers wondering why their tracking shows delivered last October.

No one else here use stamps.com and getting these duplicates?

rsot · #7 07-26-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJGold

It's getting insane. I've had over 50 messages from customers wondering why their tracking shows delivered last October.

No one else here use stamps.com and getting these duplicates?

At least you're proactive about this - not hard to imagine that with the number of packages going out everyday and with the limited use of numbers (e.g. 9 digit tracking code - 13 digit tracking code - etc), sooner or later all services will hit recycle mode...they need to all revamp the code of tracking for the times

GreenBean · #8 07-26-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsot

At least you're proactive about this - not hard to imagine that with the number of packages going out everyday and with the limited use of numbers (e.g. 9 digit tracking code - 13 digit tracking code - etc), sooner or later all services will hit recycle mode...they need to all revamp the code of tracking for the times

USPS claim that is their method.

But there is a software issue which does not complete the task.

For want of a better word, their quality control suxs.

Offsider in WA had a long talk to USPS regarding this issue.

GreenBean · #9 07-26-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJGold

It's getting insane. I've had over 50 messages from customers wondering why their tracking shows delivered last October.

No one else here use stamps.com and getting these duplicates?

We do not use this program.

Too high a number of customers to put your account(s) at risk.

Hope there is resolution.

Gamefreak · #10 08-05-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJGold

It's getting insane. I've had over 50 messages from customers wondering why their tracking shows delivered last October.

No one else here use stamps.com and getting these duplicates?

i have been using stamps for 3 years now without issues until last week when i received 2 complaints about the duplicate tracking issue.

I tell my customers that usps is reusing old tracking numbers but expect their package to be delivered in 2-3 days.

hazy · #11 08-12-2013

What is going on with USPS now? I have a ton of customers messaging me saying that the tracking I sent them is showing their parcel as delivered last year. I check, and it is in fact saying that. Any ideas??

MM78 · #12 08-12-2013

You either went back in time and delivered those packages in the past or it's a glitch. I'm gonna go with glitch, do the trackings show delivered to the correct addresses or just say delivered?.

I have had 2 or 3 packages in the past do the same, eventually the items got delivered fine...

corleone · #13 08-12-2013

I had the same thing. some was freaking out the other day thinking I was trying to scam them because the packaged showed delivered in 2012. Very strange.

hazy · #14 08-12-2013

Yea I told one of my customers that our shipping was just THAT fast...they weren't too amused. So far I have had an overall of 6 complaints. I have not had a chance to contact USPS and listen to their BS yet...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MM78

You either went back in time and delivered those packages in the past or it's a glitch. I'm gonna go with glitch, do the trackings show delivered to the correct addresses or just say delivered?.

I have had 2 or 3 packages in the past do the same, eventually the items got delivered fine...

GreenBean · #15 08-12-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazy

What is going on with USPS now? I have a ton of customers messaging me saying that the tracking I sent them is showing their parcel as delivered last year. I check, and it is in fact saying that. Any ideas??

Yep, we have had numerous reports of this.

Confirmed by USPS that the tracking numbers are being duplicated.

( PITA)

Merged the threads now, hazy.
You are not alone

hazy · #16 08-12-2013

Same issue here... about 6 complaints so far. I wonder, if a customer notices there is an issue with the tracking and opens an "item never received case", will the seller win since it does say delivered? : )

IamDoomed · #17 08-12-2013

Hi, I am running into a weird problem. I sold an item yesterday and printed the shipping label on Paypal like I always do. Today when I check the item's tracking info, I see that it's "delivered" to a totally different state but to make things even weirder the date is last years! I've never seen such thing before and have not a clue why and how this could even happen. Does anyone here have any suggestions because it must be an error with the USPS. What I don't want happening is the buyer lying about not receiving the item when it was in fact delivered.

corleone · #18 08-12-2013

Yes, it's a glitch in their system, it happened to me the other day and another person I know of as well.