My wife likes to pass along detailed updates as her packages physically progress through the delivery chain. It brings to mind that movie visual method by which an airplane graphic is shown to gradually crawl along its route upon a map.
No, but deciphering the USPS tracking number does.
Years ago we were mailing a lot of packages to family for Xmas. A couple a day over many days. While entering the tracking numbers on their web site I started to notice a pattern.
The USPS tracking number is 22 digits long. The first 8 identifies the post office the package was mail at. The next 4 represents the service being provided. The next 4 is the date it was mailed, the first is the last digit of the year and the next three are the day of the year it was mailed. (ex. 12/16/2023 = 3350, 12/16/2024 will be 3351 because of the leap year) The next 5 are the item number. That leaves one digit, it is a check digit. Check digits are used to verify that all the other numbers are entered correctly and haven’t been transposed.
Guilty as charged. However, nowadays, tracking can be a hit or miss. Sometimes I see an item that’s allegedly still in California, and then it arrives that day. Other times, I’ll be told that something is out for delivery, and then get a message that it’s delayed.
You can sign up for free services from most shippers than will send you far more information about the movements of your packages than you would ever care to know. :)
FreyjaRN Premium Member 6 months ago
It depends on the packages.
I’m still getting my monthly Sakuraco boxes from Tokyo. They send a tracking link each month.
seanfear 6 months ago
to me it’s a sport actually, ’cause it burns so much calories on my nerves
blunebottle 6 months ago
Probably.
Jml58 6 months ago
I don´t think so.
PraiseofFolly 6 months ago
My wife likes to pass along detailed updates as her packages physically progress through the delivery chain. It brings to mind that movie visual method by which an airplane graphic is shown to gradually crawl along its route upon a map.
nosirrom 6 months ago
No, but deciphering the USPS tracking number does.
Years ago we were mailing a lot of packages to family for Xmas. A couple a day over many days. While entering the tracking numbers on their web site I started to notice a pattern.
The USPS tracking number is 22 digits long. The first 8 identifies the post office the package was mail at. The next 4 represents the service being provided. The next 4 is the date it was mailed, the first is the last digit of the year and the next three are the day of the year it was mailed. (ex. 12/16/2023 = 3350, 12/16/2024 will be 3351 because of the leap year) The next 5 are the item number. That leaves one digit, it is a check digit. Check digits are used to verify that all the other numbers are entered correctly and haven’t been transposed.
Maybe I need a new hobby. ;-)
rockyridge1977 6 months ago
No…..but the research is fun!!!!
kaycstamper 6 months ago
Hmm, I must have quite a hobby then!
old_geek 6 months ago
Where is it now?
ladykat 6 months ago
Depends on where the packages are coming from!
pheets 6 months ago
Maybe more like a job..
clynnb1224 Premium Member 6 months ago
ordered the hubby some stamps in late February (22nd)….just arrived on April 2nd, after traveling the eastern sea board of the US….
cuzinron47 6 months ago
Naw, it’s too much like work.
Lola85 Premium Member 6 months ago
Guilty as charged. However, nowadays, tracking can be a hit or miss. Sometimes I see an item that’s allegedly still in California, and then it arrives that day. Other times, I’ll be told that something is out for delivery, and then get a message that it’s delayed.
mistercatworks 6 months ago
You can sign up for free services from most shippers than will send you far more information about the movements of your packages than you would ever care to know. :)