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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to thnk that tracking parcels is completely pointless.

23 replies

offtoseethewizard64 · 12/11/2014 12:44

I recently ordered a large electrical item from a large on-line retailer. I received an e-mail when the item was despatched which had a tracking number and a link to track the parcel. On the due delivery date, I received a further e-mail saying the parcel had been delayed a further 1 - 2 days. The tracking system still showed the parcel as 'despatched' since the day before the original delivery date. WHen the parcel didn't arrive after the 2nd date, I rang the company who seemed clueless as to where the parcel was - other than "it's with the courier". They promised to check it out and let me now a new delivery date within 48 hrs. I heard nothing so chased again and was told that the parcel was probably lost Hmm. WHen I asked how this was possible with a tracked parcel I was told that it had probably been put in a truck for a different courier by mistake and that as the courier who should have it didn't have the parcel then they wouldn't update the tracking system. Surely there is a fault in the system here, which makes it completely pointless?

OP posts:
TheFutureMrsB · 12/11/2014 12:48

I ordered something quite expensive so used next day tracked delivery, parcel showed as being delivered at 8.55am despite the time being 8.24am! It didn't actually turn up until the day after either so not sure what happened there. It did make the tracking completely useless for me though.

SaucyJackOLantern · 12/11/2014 12:54

It depends on the company.

I had a parcel delivered from Kiddicare where the courier supplied an online sat nav tracking thingummy. I tracked the van driving through my town and turning into my road and ran out to meet it Bobbie from the Railway Children style.

beachyhead · 12/11/2014 13:01

Mine was the same, Saucy.... I was told 'Sam' was coming, and what number on his list I was (30). I stalked tracked him from his depot about an hour away, all around the villages. He was late, so I left a note on the gate telling him to put it in the porch. On my school run, I received a message telling me it had been delivered, with two attached pictures of my NOTE and my PORCH Grin

Loved it - very satisfactory way to waste a day....

Thehedgehogsong · 12/11/2014 13:07

Once i tracked my bridesmaid dresses and they showed as delivered and 'in cupboard'. Super confusing as there is no cupboard anywhere near my house. Further investigation found 3 houses with outside 'cupboards' on my street. Two empty; one I couldn't look in as the owner was on holiday. A week later he returns, opens the cupboard and voila!! Dresses inside.

The mystery was kinda fun, but I did complain and get a partial refund. Turns out though, I put the wrong address on the delivery details. Never confessed, far too embarrassed.

So I guess the courier situation can be seen as a bit of a game of cluedo? Also, there is always the option of complaining. even if they've done nothing wrong

Original poster
offtoseethewizard64 · 12/11/2014 13:27

The item I ordered is now 'out of stock' so they are unable to despatch a replacement item to me. They are refunding me my money and have suggested I buy them item elsewhere - helpful. They do not have a clue where the parcel is - nor do they seem to care.

OP posts:
MildDrPepperAddiction · 12/11/2014 13:28

I agree. DS was waiting for a parcel from his grandad recently and when it didn't show up I checked the tracking which said delivered.

I had no parcel and no card through the door. Apparently the driver gave it to some man on the street who said he'd take it in for me. The real joke, he wasn't even on my street. He was two streets away and gave the parcel to someone I'd never heard of.

Eventually got it back, and the company were less than useless.

mutternutter · 12/11/2014 13:31

Currently tracking a parcel now. Sad but I enjoy it...

RedToothBrush · 12/11/2014 13:38

YABU.

Yesterday I was told 'Gary' (yes really I got a name) would be delivering to me between 11.48 and 12.48. This is a godsend having a small baby. Gary did indeed turn up at 11.56.

I wish more companies did this.

RedToothBrush · 12/11/2014 13:40

DI had no parcel and no card through the door. Apparently the driver gave it to some man on the street who said he'd take it in for me.

The problem isn't with the tracking then is it? Its with a crap delivery driver who doesn't do his job properly.

Original poster
offtoseethewizard64 · 12/11/2014 13:53

I'm pleased to hear about all your successful stalking tracking stories and would hope that those particular couriers don't lose parcels - but what you are actually tracking is the van and the driver - and by good fortune your parcel, as it happened to be on the van.
My issue is with the fact that my parcel was allegedly scanned as being handed over to the courier at the distribution depot, but after that it seemed to disappear into thin air. The only theory that customer services could come up with was that it had been scanned and put in the wrong truck Hmm which means that the courier that should have it is not tracking it so it just shows that it hasn't moved since it was handed over at step 1. Whoever does have it won't be tracking it as they didn't scan it initially, so from their point of view, this parcel doesn't exist (apart from the fact they have a parcel which is unaccounted for and has probably been opened and sold on e-bay by now).

So your stories prove that tracking works as long as the parcel goes where it should. The minute the parcel goes astray, tracking does nothing to tell anyone where that parcel is (whether it disappears in transit or is delivered to the wrong destination or handed over to some random stranger.)

OP posts:
popcornpaws · 12/11/2014 13:53

Definitely depends on the company, I have had the txt/email with Steve has 12 parcels to deliver, you will be number six and he will be with you at 11.04 or similar, i would pay extra for delivery if this was always the case!

RedToothBrush · 12/11/2014 14:51

The minute the parcel goes astray, tracking does nothing to tell anyone where that parcel is (whether it disappears in transit or is delivered to the wrong destination or handed over to some random stranger.)

Thats not the tracking thats gone wrong though. Thats the driver being a twat. I recently had a parcel delivered to completely the wrong place. It was put in a car park a mile away. I only got it because some kind person brought it to my house. I had been following the tracking and looking out the window for the delivery. The second it said it had been delivered, I knew there was a problem as I knew the exact time it had been delivered and where I was at that time. It enabled me to argue the toss with the delivery coming and go "oi, you think the driver could come up with a better name for an imaginary signatory than A. Smith" It was obvious what had happened. It was the last drop of the day (5.30pm and all deliveries by 6pm) and he clearly couldn't be arsed.

There are companies that do what the person above said - and photograph the place they deliver to prove the delivery - if they deliver to the wrong place its much more obvious. (I forget the name of the company doing it, but the place I worked for a year ago wanted to start using them, but couldn't as they were proving so successful they were only taking on clients who did large enough volumes at the time).

lougle · 12/11/2014 15:14

Tracking is fab. I had a parcel due today, tracking showed it to be 1 hour away. I had to go out so I updated the tracker to leave it in a safe place. Job done.

OohOod · 12/11/2014 15:21

Lars brings our parcels. I get emails and times and everything.

Oh and white van parcel man who comes at lunchtime or 7pm as he knows I'll be in.

yes I probably get too many parcels

BackOnlyBriefly · 12/11/2014 15:39

I love deliveries where you can see them getting closer. I hate tracking that says 'out for delivery' for the whole day and then updates at 5pm to say "delivered at 10.30am' That's no use to me.

The campanies should do a poll and see what people want. I'm usually not in a big hurry to get the item, but I do want to know when it's coming.

trikken · 12/11/2014 15:48

Dpd is good. I always seem to get dpd dave with which delivery i am and how far away with a map so i can see. Its not been wrong yet. Though hermes and yodel are awful around here and parcels either don't turn up or the tracking is completely wrong.

naty1 · 12/11/2014 15:50

Yes my book delivery didnt show up on tracking till the morning it was being delivered. It was split into 2 boxes and the 2nd isnt on the tracking (yet?)

Original poster
offtoseethewizard64 · 12/11/2014 16:00

I have re-ordered my item from another company. It has been dispatched. The confirmation says "there is no tracking reference for this item". I'll just have to wait and see what happens. This time it is coming via Yodel - last time it was Citylink. Wish it was coming by Hermes - our Hermes guy is fab.

OP posts:
Sallystyle · 12/11/2014 16:14

I stalked a Robbie once for my iPhone.

I was quite sad when he got here. I was even shouting at how slow Robbie was at number 20 and wondered if he was using someone's toilet or something.

I wanted to ask him when he got here what happened at number 20 but my husband said that would be too stalkerish

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 12/11/2014 16:32

I got a shock on Sunday.... delivery man knocked with a parcel for me at 2.15 Shock on a SUNDAY

OwlCapone · 12/11/2014 16:34

My issue is with the fact that my parcel was allegedly scanned as being handed over to the courier at the distribution depot, but after that it seemed to disappear into thin air.

This time last year I ordered a new ipad. After I had been watching its progress via the tracking website, UPS scanned it onto the delivery van early in the morning and then it apparently vanished. It took about 3 weeks to sort it out with Apple and UPS.

IgnoreMeEveryOtherFuckerDoes · 12/11/2014 16:41

I like dpd courier service and I know they get bad rap but I love my Hermes delivery driver he is in his 70's.

Sorry op my most was non helpful

RedToothBrush · 13/11/2014 08:17

DPD are all kinds of awesome. My postie is awesome.

I'm gutted that Amazon have switched to their own delivery company this year. They have yet to prove themselves.

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