I get packages all the time. I buy a lot of stuff on the internet. I always ship USPS because I live in a building where UPS, FedEx and DHL can’t get access to the lobby without you personally being there to buzz them in. The Postal Service, though, does have access to the lobby because that’s where they deliver our day-to-day mail. FedEx/etc. will either leave a notice that they stopped by, leave the package outside the door (on the street) or if you’re lucky, show up just as someone is entering or exiting the building, and they’ll pop it inside. A notice is a tough one, because good luck getting them to reschedule the delivery when you’re actually home. It’s a better bet to go get the package, which entails a bike ride somewhere and negotiations to get your package from the distribution center.
But the non-USPS carriers at least have package tracking figured out. The package tracking number tells you where your package is (or last was scanned) at all times, and is updated in real time. The UPS driver drops off your box to you and as he’s driving away you run upstairs and refresh the tracking page, and it says “Delivered.” The USPS does not work that way, or rather, sometimes they do. There are two different tracking-related products they sell: Tracking and Delivery Confirmation. Tracking is only available on more expensive shipping options (Express), Delivery Confirmation is generally available.
The above screenshot is from the delivery confirmation page for something I was expecting to arrive today. The package wasn’t there when I left the house after 7:15am, and it wasn’t there when I went home on my lunch break just now to go get it. Where is it? Well, as I discovered, “Unit” doesn’t mean your house. I’m not the first one to think it does. It turns out “Arrival at Unit” actually usually means arrival at the distribution point for the delivery zip code. For me, that means my box got to the 47th Street Post Office on Cottage Grove at 7:15am this morning, and is now roaming the greater north Hyde Park, south Kenwood area. It may show up today. It may show up tomorrow. This is the price you pay for Free Super Saver Shipping. (I think the confusion is probably still worth the ~$14 I save, especially now that I know what to expect.) More information on the USPS and their tracking and confirmation options is available in an eBay Guide here.