# Package delivery service tracking **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 25, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381 "2025-09-25T15:10:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/1 "2025-09-25T15:10:13Z")
Lets say I ordered an item off of eBay. The seller decided to ship it through FedEx. The tracking number showed it was picked up, moved through 1 city and now, for the last 2 weeks, it hasn’t moved from the 2rd city listed (in Utah), nor has it arrived at my house several states away. The only response I get from FedEx is that they see the same information I do. Am I wrong in thinking that in this day and age FedEx would have some sort of tracking system that highlights a tracking number that has not been delivered or shown any movement for 2 weeks, and shouldn’t they be investigating why? If some natural disaster occurred or the truck burned to the ground wouldn’t a list of packages (via tracking numbers) be available to at least contact the buyer/seller that the package was now undeliverable? I placed this in factual questions as I am not looking for other people’s personal experiences, just whether these companies have a system to realize a package isn’t moving or being delivered. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/2 "2025-09-25T15:44:53Z")
Didn’t the response you received from FedEx indicate that, yes, they have a system to recognize that a package isn’t moving or being delivered? ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/3 "2025-09-25T15:55:07Z")
They do know. Your package just isn’t a priority for them. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/4 "2025-09-25T15:56:23Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > They do know. Your package just isn’t a priority for them Which is based on how much the sender paid to have it delivered. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/5 "2025-09-25T15:56:32Z")
Was your estimated delivery date several weeks? They may just be waiting for it to get closer. If it was supposed to arrive sooner, contact the seller and have them deal with it. Packages do get lost or stolen or simply fall through the cracks from time to time. The seller can talk to FedEx about it on your behalf or send you another one. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/6 "2025-09-25T16:01:13Z")
They don’t. I had this problem with Fedex, and I’m not the only one. The tracking information indicates that the package has been lost or stolen. You will never get it, and FedEx has no customer service. They will make you work it out with the shipper, and it they aren’t cooperative you are SOL. I bought a phone from Google, and they shipped it FedEx. The box arrived torn open and the item missing, and Google sent me another one. The tracking information for that one showed it sitting at the distribution center for 3 weeks before Google was willing to replace it again. They shipped that one UPS, and it arrived on time with no problem. As far as FedEx is concerned they tke no responsibility. It’s up to you to work it out with the shipper, and it’s up to the shipper to make any complaints to FedEx. If the shipper doesn’t take action, FedEx won’t either. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/7 "2025-09-25T16:03:22Z")
Unfortunately for the seller they will end up refunding your money and eat the loss. If you make a claim on e-bay as “package not delivered” and enough time has gone by ebay gives you a refund. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/8 "2025-09-25T16:36:59Z")
When I had the same issue with FedEx with one of their trucks parked on the side of the road in Kansas for a week, I found out that you as the receiver pretty much have no power in the relationship since you are not the one that paid FedEx for the service. ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/9 "2025-09-25T16:47:27Z")
Their response was “we see see the same tracking information as you do”. Does that mean they recognize there is a problem? I don’t know because I am sure it is a canned AI response. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/10 "2025-09-25T16:55:35Z")
I don’t think they will recognize there is a problem until someone reports there is a problem. That _may_ need to be the shipper. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/11 "2025-09-25T16:55:53Z")
Knowing FedEx, it meant, “What do you want me to do about it?” ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/12 "2025-09-25T16:57:50Z")
Ordered it on 9/3, shipped on 9/4. eBay said the arrival date would be 9/11 with a notation on the 9/11 saying the delivery was “Running Behind”. The eBay delivery time frame when ordered was 9/9-9/15. FedEx’s site doesn’t give a delivery date, just that one will be provided “after the package starts moving”. It moved twice and stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/13 "2025-09-25T17:00:58Z")
Have you contacted the shipper to report that you didn’t receive the package? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/14 "2025-09-25T17:31:44Z")
> [@a6ka97](#): > > The eBay delivery time frame when ordered was 9/9-9/15. It’s just what everyone else said, then, unfortunately. FedEx won’t deal with you as a recipient. You need to either contact the seller to give them a chance to resolve it, or contact eBay directly and file a dispute. To FedEx, you’re not a customer. Only the shipper, not the recipient, can deal with this situation. Probably the package is lost or stolen. The tracking info is not always accurate. ---
**Author:** ![a6ka97](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/15 "2025-09-25T17:37:54Z")
I have contacted the seller/shipper and they got the same response from FedEx. The seller has offered a refund, which I said I will wait another week and see if it moves before accepting. Now, will the seller get a refund from FedEx if after a certain amount of time the package was never delivered? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/16 "2025-09-25T17:51:12Z")
> [@a6ka97](#): > > Now, will the seller get a refund from FedEx if after a certain amount of time the package was never delivered? It depends on how much insurance they bought. Every package includes some default insurance amount, or they can pay more to insure a higher value. It’s up to the seller to file a claim with FedEx. PS Make sure you will still be within the seller’s dispute window in another week. If enough time passes and you don’t dispute it, and the seller changes their mind about the refund, you might be outta luck… But hopefully it’s really just a lost package, and it sounds like the seller is willing to do right by you. Up to you if you want to wait longer. Chances are the package is gone forever, but sometimes they do get mysteriously found much later… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/17 "2025-09-25T17:54:10Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > > [@a6ka97](#): > > > > Now, will the seller get a refund from FedEx if after a certain amount of time the package was never delivered? > > It depends on how much insurance they bought. Every package includes some default insurance amount, or they can pay more to insure a higher value. It’s up to the seller to file a claim with FedEx. Whatever the value of the lost item, the shipper should certainly get a refund for the amount paid to FedEx. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/18 "2025-09-25T19:32:46Z")
OP, you can also try filing a claim with FedEx yourself and see what happens: > **[File a Claim | FedEx](https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/claims.html)** > > Is your shipment damaged, lost, or missing items? File a single claim, or a batch claim online. Filing is fast and easy, with no login information needed. They say: > Recipients: Contact the merchant to request a replacement, ask them to file a claim for you, or file a claim on your own. I don’t know what happens if you file the claim on your own. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/19 "2025-09-25T20:02:03Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > They will make you work it out with the shipper, and it they aren’t cooperative you are SOL. Most credit cards have ways for you to dispute charges with the shipper if you never receive the item. This would be supported, in a case like the OP’s, by the information provided by FedEx. > [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > It’s up to you to work it out with the shipper, and it’s up to the shipper to make any complaints to FedEx. If the shipper doesn’t take action, FedEx won’t either. As others have said, the shipper is the customer as far as FedEx is concerned\*. FedEx’s risk is that their customers will choose a different carrier, if these incidents happen often enough. That’s why FedEx will pay attention to the shipper rather than to you. \*Even the tracking system delivery map (where they show how far away and how many stops for the truck to get to you) is apparently only available to the shipper, not to the receiver. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381/20 "2025-09-25T20:08:35Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > They do know. Your package just isn’t a priority for them. Right. The buyer aint paying FedEx, the seller does. > [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > I had this problem with Fedex, and I’m not the only one. The tracking information indicates that the package has been lost or stolen. You will never get it, and FedEx has no customer service. They will make you work it out with the shipper, and it they aren’t cooperative you are SOL. Yep. > [@Hampshire](#): > > Unfortunately for the seller they will end up refunding your money and eat the loss. The seller can get their money back from FedEx. > [@a6ka97](#): > > Now, will the seller get a refund from FedEx if after a certain amount of time the package was never delivered? For the postage, yes, but it takes work to get the value of the goods from FedEx. > [@Reply](#): > > I don’t know what happens if you file the claim on your own. Nothing. You are SOL. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/package-delivery-service-tracking/1023381.md?page=2)