topic Re: Where Do They Go? in Community Chat

Where Do They Go?

Desert Lily — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 17:37:34 GMT

Where do the packages that get lost by the shipper go?

-Are they thrown out?

-Are they pilfered?

-Are they sent to a different address?

-Are they taken by the driver of a delivery truck?

-Are they taken by a person processing them?

-Are they returned to the sender?

-Where do they go??

I recently ordered a dress that was first shipped by UPS and was then handed over to the USPS. On delivery day to the USPS, the item was lost; never to be seen again.

My address was on the label & QVC's address was on the label, so if it was "lost" it would've been able to be returned to the sender or sent to the receiver - but it wasn't. I know we saw pics of a couple drivers dumping their packages during the pandemic, but millions of packages are shipped every day.

So, where are all of the "lost" packages going?

Those packages have to be someplace and handled by someone.

Re: Where Do They Go?

vermint — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 17:44:09 GMT

@Desert Lily Probably all of the above.

I recently ordered something from Etsy, the label was created, but it was never scanned as "picked up". The seller said it had been, so we waited a couple weeks, still no movement. She refunded my money, and told me if it ever did show up to just keep and enjoy the item. Four months later, still nothing. Who knows where it ended up!

Re: Where Do They Go?

SilleeMee — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 17:48:42 GMT

They go here, are most likely stamped as 'unclaimed' and then when no one claims them who knows what happens after that.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Foxxee — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:34:03 GMT

I was told by a Postmaster, one of my packages was dumped in a California warehouse because USPS and Newgistics couldn't get enough people to deliver all of the boxes.

If I get it at all, it might be 6 months from the date I began my search. It's been 4 months.

I'm sure some are stolen.

Re: Where Do They Go?

justashopper — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:22:21 GMT

they get paired up with a lost sock and go to the future to reappear at a time of their choosing.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Puppy Lips — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:27:37 GMT

Our business sent a $100 book to a customer. It never showed up. The tracking just stopped at one of the postal locations. Never found out what happened to it. And of course USPS is not responsible whatsoever.

Re: Where Do They Go?

kitcat51 — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:28:58 GMT

If they can't be delivered or returned to the seller, they're sold-auctioned in lots.

Re: Where Do They Go?

RespectLife — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:35:58 GMT

@Puppy Lips wrote:
Our business sent a $100 book to a customer. It never showed up. The tracking just stopped at one of the postal locations. Never found out what happened to it. And of course USPS is not responsible whatsoever.

@Puppy Lips

USPS IS responsible IF it was insured for the full value!!

Uninsured? Tough luck!

For QVC returns, if we use the prepaid label, it is fully insured....pay on our own we must pay extra for insurance.

Our local PO had a guy arrested who dumped a truck load of packages in a ravine not too long ago.

While he obviously lost his job...he got a 'legal' slap on the wrist.

Many of the pkgs had been pilfered by passer-bys....but some did get their merch.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Desert Lily — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:06:23 GMT

@SilleeMee I did a google image search, and the pic you posted is of empty boxes from a company that did a smart phone exchange. I don't think the lost packages are there.

Re: Where Do They Go?

depglass — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:29:48 GMT

I frequently send Priority packages to DD in another city. Current insurance of $100.00 is included and you can pay for additional coverage. That picture of lost boxes reminded me of a photo I saw of unclaimed luggage at an airline terminal. I couldn't believe it. Since then I try to include name & address inside as wel as outside of luggage.

Re: Where Do They Go?

SilleeMee — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:38:14 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
@SilleeMee I did a google image search, and the pic you posted is of empty boxes from a company that did a smart phone exchange. I don't think the lost packages are there.

@Desert Lily

That pic I posted was just an example of what could happen. It wasn't suppose to be the exact location but just a representation.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Desert Lily — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:41:43 GMT

@SilleeMee I know. My comment about the packages not being there was also humor.

The lost packages must be someplace though. = : 0

Re: Where Do They Go?

SilleeMee — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 20:11:45 GMT

LOL! @Desert Lily

Re: Where Do They Go?

Meowingkitty — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 20:59:21 GMT

I ordered a purse once and it was scanned to UPS and I never receive it. They replaced it and 6 months later I finally received it. I let the company know and they told me to keep it so now I have 2 of the same bag.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Puppy Lips — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 16:15:20 GMT

@RespectLife wrote:
@Puppy Lips wrote:
Our business sent a $100 book to a customer. It never showed up. The tracking just stopped at one of the postal locations. Never found out what happened to it. And of course USPS is not responsible whatsoever.
@Puppy Lips

USPS IS responsible IF it was insured for the full value!!

Uninsured? Tough luck!

For QVC returns, if we use the prepaid label, it is fully insured....pay on our own we must pay extra for insurance.

Our local PO had a guy arrested who dumped a truck load of packages in a ravine not too long ago.

While he obviously lost his job...he got a 'legal' slap on the wrist.

Many of the pkgs had been pilfered by passer-bys....but some did get their merch.

@RespectLife Yes, I understand how it works with the post office. I am there 5 days a week maililng things. Our small business can not possibly afford to insure everything. Thankfully, things don't get lost too often. But when they do, it is likely something on the more expensive side or something we can not replace. I can not imagine someone dumping a bunch of packages. He obviously was not capable of doing the job or was under way too much pressure.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Catstamper — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 03:13:32 GMT

It sometimes feels like our USPS and UPS drivers think everyone in the neighborhood shares everything, because things get delivered to any random address. I got a notification that a package had been delivered, proof of delivery was a photo of the package on…… somebody’s front porch. Not my front porch or any I recognized. The vendor resent the package and the day the replacement was delivered, the original was in my mailbox. Opened box, product opened, 4 days after it was delivered to the wrong address. I guess they didn’t want it after opening it.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Catstamper — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 03:13:45 GMT

Re: Where Do They Go?

Trailrun23 — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 04:04:39 GMT

Our mail delivery from USPS is terrible. We have the misfortune of living where our local post office is also a training location for postal workers. We get all the rookies delivering our mail. Sometimes we get our mail, and sometimes we don't. It may show up at 9pm or 3pm...everyday is an adventure. Packages? On the porch, on the sidewalk in the rain, or maybe crammed into the mailbox with the box broken down so it fits. I think the vast majority of lost packages are taken by workers after they end up in lost or unclaimed status. I wonder how many are returned to the sender....am guessing not very many.

Re: Where Do They Go?

Chessa35 — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 17:50:48 GMT

Great question !!

Re: Where Do They Go?

ALRATIBA — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 17:56:02 GMT

@justashopper

I've been told that lost socks are reincarnated as Tupperware lids that don't fit any Tupperware bowls.

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@justashopper wrote:
they get paired up with a lost sock and go to the future to reappear at a time of their choosing.