USPS has NEVER tracked it when QVC's 3rd party shipper has picked the items up. Now, if your local USPO has always done the shipping, then yes, that IS different. But for those of us who have USPO that the 3rd party shipper has been in place for years, we've never been able to track their package. Getting a receipt is CRUCIAL as proof you dropped it off.
Any company that uses a USPS for their returns uses, IME, a 3rd party shipper. At least where I've lived for the past 10 years and including where I am now. It's a nightmare because depending on the place you're returning it, they may make you wait a month plus before issuing you a credit (ShopHQ is one of those places). Others will credit your card after 14 days from shipment OR if you give them the info off your receipt, they'll do it within a few days.
3rd party shippers are, IMHO, useless. They do not offer tracking in any way and can take as long as they wish. People blame the USPS but it is NOT their fault, it's the 3rd party (Logistics is the one used by most) and they simply don't care because they don't need to.
"Coming to ya from Florida"