topic Can't figure out how to "track" a return...what am I doing wrong? in Community Chat

Can't figure out how to "track" a return...what am I doing wrong?

august_1 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:50:10 GMT

on Tuesday I dropped off a return at the post office, using the Q return label. I know it won't have been processed yet (and possibly not even received by them yet), but I want to see if I can get some kind of confirmation that the returned item is on its way. Is that possible?

I clicked on the return-tracking link on my order (on the website), but it just keeps showing there's no information. I can't figure out what it means about matching the tracking # with that used on my actual return pkg and click "View Details." When I get to this point, I don't see any clickable button to "view details," or anything else for that matter. I also can't figure out how I'd know the tracking # from my actual return pkg when that's gone to the post office. Maybe it's one of the #'s left on the portion of the form I kept, but I can't tell -- there's so many #'s on this form, and the only one marked "tracking #" is the original UPS Ground shipment to me.

I sent a message to Customer Service to ask about this, and I got a reply that they're "sorry for the wait, but please allow 12 business days from the day you sent it back for the return to be completed. In the meantime, you can check your Order Status."

Arrrghh....that response didn't actually answer the question I had, which was how do I track the return? Is that even possible? I know it's too soon to be completed or even to show up yet, but is there a way to make sure the post office is proceeding with the return shipment...that it's on its way?

I realize this isn't the most pressing problem in the world today, but I'm concerned about having dropped off an expensive pkg with the p.o. and then having no way to prove that it was sent. My DH says, "Don't worry; it was sent." Wish I could be more like him!!

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

nafecar — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:55:36 GMT

You are not alone in this. Lately their tracking packages returns or new purchases are very hard if not at all traceable for me anyway.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

scotttie — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:56:10 GMT

I wonder....was it a UPS label and you used it for the post office? If you use a UPS label the post office can't track it?

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

chickenbutt — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:57:48 GMT

Their return tracking is some kind of weird formula that I have not figured out. I'm pretty knowledgeable on shipping-type stuff and it's a mystery. The tracking number that is on the label doesn't work. The 'track your return' bit on the Q website (on your order) is screwy. There are additional numbers. I just keep a diary on it and look for the email from QVC that my return has been processed.

BTW, if you are using their return labels it takes approximately forever and a day! These are some sort of bulk shipment things. So, don't hold your breath. It will take a while.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

adelle38 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:59:06 GMT

On 1/26/2014 beammeupscottie said:
I wonder....was it a UPS label and you used it for the post office? If you use a UPS label the post office can't track it?

QVC always uses USPS labels for returns.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

august_1 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 20:27:08 GMT

Thanks for the replies! Whew...I've had so many questions about this one stinkin' return, I was starting to think I was missing some brain cells! Glad to see I'm not alone on this puzzler.

Yeah, one of my first confusions was not realizing that this pkg shipped to me via UPS, but the Q's return label is to be used to ship back to the company via USPS. I almost packed up the return and dropped it off at a UPS store. But, yes, the return label seemingly should be trackable through the USPS (post office)...but from what I can tell (everything I've tried), it's not. Disappointed that Customer Service wasn't more helpful than just to tell me to allow 12 business days. If the return isn't as trackable as they make it seem, I'd rather they just tell me that.

I appreciate the responses, and I guess I just have to wait a while. Kind of a bummer...the easy-return label option seemed like a good idea for $6.95 (not to bother with waiting in line and filling out insurance and tracking forms), but now I'm not so sure.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

JustJules — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:30:14 GMT

On 1/26/2014 august said:
Thanks for the replies! Whew...I've had so many questions about this one stinkin' return, I was starting to think I was missing some brain cells! Glad to see I'm not alone on this puzzler.

Yeah, one of my first confusions was not realizing that this pkg shipped to me via UPS, but the Q's return label is to be used to ship back to the company via USPS. I almost packed up the return and dropped it off at a UPS store. But, yes, the return label seemingly should be trackable through the USPS (post office)...but from what I can tell (everything I've tried), it's not. Disappointed that Customer Service wasn't more helpful than just to tell me to allow 12 business days. If the return isn't as trackable as they make it seem, I'd rather they just tell me that.

I appreciate the responses, and I guess I just have to wait a while. Kind of a bummer...the easy-return label option seemed like a good idea for $6.95 (not to bother with waiting in line and filling out insurance and tracking forms), but now I'm not so sure.

Anytime I have returned an item using the Q label, I drop it off in person at my postal office. They scan it and give me a receipt, with the tracking number so that I can follow it's return to the Q. It's not complicated.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

august_1 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:44:55 GMT

Thanks, Jules5280. I wish I had had them give me a receipt like you do, but I didn't. Before I took it to the P.O., I called Q's Customer Service to ask about using the label. I had never used it before and wasn't sure how it worked. The customer service lady said, "Just drop it off at the post office." I asked if I needed to wait for them to scan anything, and she said, "You don't have to. Most people don't even wait in line but just leave it on the counter." In hindsight, I see that that wasn't the best advice, but it's what she told me, anyway.

I've kept plenty of stuff that I wasn't thrilled with because I waited too long, didn't realize it soon enough, or didn't feel it was worth the cost and trouble to return it. In general I truly hate returning things, but that's such a big part of the Q's sales pitch: there's no risk since you can return anything you're not completely happy with...so, I'll take a chance on something but don't think it's right to keep it and waste that money if I don't like the product.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

chickenbutt — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:46:52 GMT

It wouldn't have mattered, August. The receipt they give you with the tracking number is not the same number that QVC tracks. I just did this last week and that is exactly the way it was.

It'll get there. It will just take a couple of weeks.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

JustJules — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:52:53 GMT

On 1/26/2014 august said:
Thanks, Jules5280. I wish I had had them give me a receipt like you do, but I didn't. Before I took it to the P.O., I called Q's Customer Service to ask about using the label. I had never used it before and wasn't sure how it worked. The customer service lady said, "Just drop it off at the post office." I asked if I needed to wait for them to scan anything, and she said, "You don't have to. Most people don't even wait in line but just leave it on the counter." In hindsight, I see that that wasn't the best advice, but it's what she told me, anyway.

I've kept plenty of stuff that I wasn't thrilled with because I waited too long, didn't realize it soon enough, or didn't feel it was worth the cost and trouble to return it. In general I truly hate returning things, but that's such a big part of the Q's sales pitch: there's no risk since you can return anything you're not completely happy with...so, I'll take a chance on something but don't think it's right to keep it and waste that money if I don't like the product.

Always get a receipt. No offense, but don't be naive anymore. If your package gets lost in transit, you have no evidence of sending it back. Always have proof. Why would you keep something you don't want or can't/won't use? That is why they have a 30 day return policy. There is no shame in returning an item, whether it is damaged or in perfect condition. I can assure you the postal cashier doesn't care what you drop off in front of them. Once upon a time I used to pay for my own return S&H, but with the increased costs, usually the $6.95 the Q charges for returns is a bargain. Always get a receipt!

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

Kachina624 — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:53:37 GMT

The USPS tracking is a joke. My packages, coming and going, have no tracking until the day they are delivered.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

JustJazzmom — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:54:59 GMT

The company the Q uses is newgistics and go to their website and type in the Q return label numbers into their search box. It starts with the numbers 725. The Post Office should have given you a receipt for handing that package to them. That number you can search on the USPS website and see where it is. It might sit in some hub for days before the Q's private pick up company takes it on its journey back to them.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

JustJules — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 21:55:04 GMT

On 1/26/2014 chickenbutt said:
It wouldn't have mattered, August. The receipt they give you with the tracking number is not the same number that QVC tracks. I just did this last week and that is exactly the way it was.

It'll get there. It will just take a couple of weeks.

I disagree chickenbutt, it does matter. The USPS tracking number allows you to follow the return. It is not the same as the processing number the Q uses, but at least it lets you know when your return arrives at the Q for processing, then it can be followed up with talking to Q's CS.

Re: Can't figure out how to ""track"" a return...what am I doing wrong?

ShowMe — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 22:06:31 GMT

If you use the Q's return label, believe they are all for USPS service to return them......and I don't believe there is any way you can track them..... You just have to hope and pray they get there. The USPS is in no hurry to get them to the Q......, and sometimes the Q is very slow on giving you credit or sending out the item if it is being exchanged.

I agree with some on here that are complaining about tracking our orders.....they have been very slow in this. I have seen some of my orders sitting in process, and later that day the UPS man knocks on my door with the package. I have talked with CS on this matter a number of times, and get the same answer.....it is UPS that advises the Q where the packages are, but yet believe it is the Q that gives us the info on our status.....don't believe that UPS has a right to be on the Q updating this info to us. Have found that CS doesn't always know what they are talking about......