Pack & Track to the US

[digital*ghost]

I'm still kinda new to international shipping, but just thought I'd check to see if this is normal. I normally just send, and on average, around 2 weeks or so after, the package will arrive (or so I assume, based on the time of feedback I get), but otherwise I don't really pay any attention and don't follow the tracking events unless a customer asks or something.

Ok, so... I sent a package via Pack & Track on the Saturday before Australia Day, it was updated as processed through facility the following Thursday, and that was the last event. The customer has been messaging me pretty much at least once a day to try and find out where it is and so forth, and is now so worried about it that they've mentioned opening an investigation with AP. 

I've tried to allay their concerns, gave them a link to subscribe to tracking events, mentioned that these packages can vary in delivery time quite a bit (eg I had one apparently arrive in 3 days, others took 4 weeks), but I suspect the only thing that's going to really help is the package being delivered (they were apparently told by USPS the package should have arrived by today - thanks guys. >_>)

Anyway, I've compared the tracking events from this package to other ones I've sent via P&T, and most of them have another event 2 days after being processed through the Aus facility as being processed in the US. So I guess what I'm actually asking is, should I be worried about this one? I normally wouldn't have been just yet, but I know the customer certainly is, and it's $150 worth of product in the package, so I would like to avoid them being so worried that they open a dispute prematurely (not an eBay sale, so defects and MBG doesn't come into it, I'm more concerned that the dispute will be opened before the package has a real chance to get there, but at the same time, I don't actually know if a week between being processed in Oz and appearing over in the US is pretty normal, cos as I said, my other ones were all processed quicker than that... ). 

[i-love-my-sheep]

i've given up trying to work out the postal system. It's been taking on average, 3 weeks to get mail from central western NSW to rural victoria, yet I got a parcel from China today that was posted last Friday. Go figure.

It's looking highly likely that I will have to do a refund tomorrow for my first ever INR because Aust Post can't get their act together when sending stuff to Victoria. Thankfully, my buyer hasn't opened a dispute (yet!!).

[digital*ghost]

A lot of domestic packages travel by road, whereas international has to come by plane - often directly to the closest capital city, so I can sometimes understand why international can occasionally arrive sooner, but at the same time, there's lots of nonsensical (to me) processing delays while a domestic package travels between two points (repeatedly, sometimes ) in Oz. 

[kopi.tea]

This news announcement from eBay USA may help answer the question depending on where your buyer is located.

http://announcements.ebay.com/2015/01/severe-weather-predicted-for-northeastern-us-shipping-communic...

I'm actually quite curious about Pack & Track services - will Paypal/eBay accept the tracking number if a dispute arises?

From what I've read on the US/UK forums, all International Post must be registered for Seller Protection.

What I normally do for US buyers is to send the package via Registered Post and after 3 or 4 days later, input the Forward Air Bill number on the USPS website and I can track it from there (I also direct the buyers to the site , providing them with the number). This is like a safeguard for me, package is being signed for upon delivery and I can also screen shot the tracking on USPS site.

[2106greencat]

Just so you know digi, there are strikes in the US that are affecting exports, so this same industrial action may be (and I stress MAY) be caught up in all of this and impacting on imports as well.

Containers out of the US (LCL's and FOB's) have been delayed anywhere between 14 and 38 days.

We paid for stock on 18 December and it is not scheduled (after 3 attempts) to be loaded on board until 15th Feb.

While this may not be directly affecting the postal/air services, the back logs may impact on normal freight movement........just a thought.

[digital*ghost]

Egads - it'd be just my luck for weather and strikes to affect the delivery of the most expensive package I've shipped OS so far.  (Buyer is in a south-eastern state, though, so hopefully the weather won't affect delivery).

Re: the difference between registered and pack & track... Registered is typically not trackable in Oz, and gets a signature on delivery (as you know), Pack and track can be tracked via AP from start to finish, and doesn't get a signature on delivery - as far as PayPal and eBay are concerned, an online status of delivered is as good as a signature for packages under $750 (including postage), as long as you also have documentation to show the delivery address. There used to be a difference between insurance as well, I have vague memories of P&T being insurable up to just $200 or similar, while registered could include up to the normal $5k extra cover...but I was looking at the service comparisons earlier today and they both have an X for extra cover (meaning it can't be purchased?), so I don't know about that anymore (their charts are a bit misleading though, they have a tick showing you can register an international letter, but when you investigate further, it turns out you can't register a letter, only use a parcel service instead >_> ). 

I'm starting to think registered might be the better option for US orders, it might not be trackable at the start, but if it's trackable when it hits the US and requires a signature, it might help avoid situations where an item is delivered but not scanned.

[kopi.tea]

I use the same process for my UK and Canada buyers too (Royal Mail & Canada Post) just by inputting in the Forwarder Air Bill number.

Below is a screen shot of how the tracking looks like for one of my US customers.

The part where it said "Original Post Is Preparing Shipment" shows up on USPS screen two days after I posted out the package.

I hope this helps.

[digital*ghost]

I've shipped a few standard packages to Canada - they have a tendency to scan and track the normal customs number, bless 'em 😄 and as the majority of my packages are valued $30 or less, that's how I usually ship. It's annoying that the one package I'm having issues with is - according to Australia Post - reliable delivery in 7-10 days and fully trackable. Hmmph.

(Never got any results for the customs number on US packages when just a normal letter, though, but I take a scan or photo of the package with the customs form attached for all packages I post that way, just for my own records and in case it ever comes in handy). 

[jensmanchester-australia · Accepted solution]

The parcel should be well and truly showing on the USPS tracking site by now. I would ring Australia Post tomorrow and lodge and investigation based on the fact that Pack and Track is supposed to be fully trackable and nothing is showing as it having reached the US.

Australia Post should be able to tell you exactly what day it left Australia (just in case it got held up here for any reason)

[digital*ghost]

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@jensmanchester-australia wrote:

The parcel should be well and truly showing on the USPS tracking site by now. 

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That's what I was afraid of... Thanks jens, I'll get in touch with them in the morning.