Can you tell if a USPS package is Priority just by its tracking number?

October 29, 2015 11:28 AM

I ordered a textbook on Amazon from a non-Prime seller (none of the Prime sellers had it in stock) and specified "expedited" shipping. The seller provided a USPS tracking number, but the estimated shipping time is longer than I had expected. Is there any way to ensure that this package was shipped via Priority Mail?
posted by Seeking Direction to Shopping (14 answers total)

Did you look up the tracking number? I'm looking at a USPS tracking number I have active right now and right under "Product & Tracking Information" and above the actual tracking information it says "Postal Product: Priority Mail 2-Day". Does yours say anything like that or have that field?
posted by brainmouse at 11:32 AM on October 29, 2015

Amazon's shipping policy for third party sellers may not be quite what you expect. Regular shipping is quoted as 4-14 business days to ensure that sellers can use Media Mail for low cost shipping. Expedited shipping is 2-6 business days, which is still a big enough window that sellers don't need to pay for Priority Mail in many cases. Amazon doesn't care what shipping method the seller uses as long as it is intended to fall in these ranges.

How long is the estimated shipping time?
posted by zachlipton at 11:46 AM on October 29, 2015 [2 favorites]

I've run into this issue with expedited shipping on Amazon from third-party sellers too. I think Amazon is actively deceitful in how they present information on this, and it's super frustrating. The requirements for what sellers have to do when you check the "expedited shipping" box and any normal understanding of what that term means are wildly divergent. When it happened to me, my only recourse was to cancel the order with the third-party seller and purchase the item new via Prime shipping.
posted by rainbowbrite at 12:11 PM on October 29, 2015

Yes you can tell what kind of mail it is by the number of digits. See Here.
posted by French Fry at 12:23 PM on October 29, 2015

Response by poster: The number doesn't exactly match any of the sample formats USPS posts. Ugh! I guess it will have to be Prime or another website for books next time.
posted by Seeking Direction at 12:46 PM on October 29, 2015

Some high-volume sellers actually use their own freight carriers for most of the package's journey, but claim the tracking number is USPS even though it isn't. "Better World Books" (in any of its many names/guises; they have many seller accounts) is notorious for this. Their actual tracking service is myordertracked.com; you could try your tracking number there to see if it works.
posted by dorque at 1:00 PM on October 29, 2015

Response by poster: The seller does not appear to be a Better World Books account; this seller actually has very good reviews both on and off Amazon! I should clarify that USPS listed the item as having left the carrier facility yesterday; however, I don't see "Priority" or similar listed on USPS's page. I ordered the book almost a week ago, and I am simply less than happy with how Amazon describes "Expedited" shipping for non-Prime items.

Oh well, thanks for the help (so far)!
posted by Seeking Direction at 4:41 PM on October 29, 2015

Did you try googling the tracking number? That should tell you which company the seller used.
posted by Nicole21 at 4:47 PM on October 29, 2015

Response by poster: It is USPS for sure.
posted by Seeking Direction at 4:49 PM on October 29, 2015

Hi, bookseller here. Can you drop your seller an email and ask them about your package? I get questions about "where's my package" on occasion, and I'm very happy to respond. I hate to hear that this experience might turn you off 3rd party sellers altogether--there are some marvelous ones out there.
posted by thebrokedown at 5:45 PM on October 29, 2015

Response by poster: Yes, I have contacted the shipper. Fingers crossed...
posted by Seeking Direction at 5:53 PM on October 29, 2015

Yes. Type in the tracking # into the USPS website. When the information comes up, on the top left-hand side under "Product & Tracking Information" (under tracking number, under delivery day) it will say "Postal Product:" and after the colon it will tell you what service was used. "Features:" next to it may have additional info.
posted by atinna at 9:15 PM on October 29, 2015

Response by poster: Well, the package arrived, and the seller noticed the tracking status update at the same time I did! I don't know why USPS thought it would take until next week. Thanks for the help.
posted by Seeking Direction at 8:04 AM on October 30, 2015

Response by poster: Also, forgive me for my remark about non-Prime sellers. This one was actually very good to work with.
posted by Seeking Direction at 8:05 AM on October 30, 2015