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UPS Mobile App Adds Barcode Scanning For Easier Package Tracking

Just scanned the package that was delivered to me... it told me that my package had been delivered... :eek: The government knows man! They're watching me man!
 
RMo said:
First, this doesn't take away any tracking abilities you had before (e.g., by tracking number).

But second and more importantly, you don't need the parcel to scan--this is also found on InfoNotices (for missed deliveries), or if you're sending a package, you can scan it then (this might also be on the receipt, IDK).

The biggest news to me is that UPS has an app. They're the carrier Amazon (Prime) usually uses for two-day delivery for me, and I've always found UPS's website to be a mess.
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Who ever said that bar code scanning took away any other capabilities of the app?

you can just enter your tracking number into google and it will bring you to the details page on the UPS website.
 
applesith said:
Who ever said that bar code scanning took away any other capabilities of the app?
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I didn't say it did either, but you seemed so shocked that I just had to let you know.

you can just enter your tracking number into google and it will bring you to the details page on the UPS website.
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Then keep doing that. BTW, Google can't scan codes, log you into your UPS account, view your MyChoice, or save your recent tracks--but whatever suits you. I just don't think there's a reason to complain. :)
 
Eddloggg said:
As a UPS driver, of course they track every move, to package placement at the moment we scan for delivery. However, if the customer could understand that they are not alone in wanting their package, it would make our life a bit easier.
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Thats not something you should expect the customer to have to "understand"

Currently, if someone is expecting a package, they have to wait at the location all day for it to be delivered, or risk missing the delivery altogether, especially if its a signature required. There is no simple way to waive delivery, and some drivers will ignore even the old forms that you could print out (wasteful, headache, unnecessary) and sign and leave on the door.

What needs to be implemented is a real-time calculator for ETA. Not GPS data sent to the customer regarding the truck....of COURSE NOT! But instead, the tracking information online should be updated constantly when a package is Out for Delivery, with : "Estimated delivery: 3 hours"....."Estimated Delivery: 45 minutes" etc....

That would allow people flexibility with work and other responsibilities, and not have make their day revolve around receiving a package. It doesn't even have to be more accurate than plus or minus 30 minutes. That would be a thousand times better than "sometime between 10 AM and 5 PM"
 
pmz said:
Thats not something you should expect the customer to have to "understand"

Currently, if someone is expecting a package, they have to wait at the location all day for it to be delivered, or risk missing the delivery altogether, especially if its a signature required. There is no simple way to waive delivery, and some drivers will ignore even the old forms that you could print out (wasteful, headache, unnecessary) and sign and leave on the door.
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Actually, there is a simple way. It's called UPS MyChoice. You can waive the signature requirement on many deliveries (the shipper can always require an in person signature if they want to), specify a two hour window for delivery or simply redirect the package to a place where you can easily get it (like your work address). I probably get upwards of 100-150 UPS packages a year. MyChoice works great.

pmz said:
What needs to be implemented is a real-time calculator for ETA. Not GPS data sent to the customer regarding the truck....of COURSE NOT! But instead, the tracking information online should be updated constantly when a package is Out for Delivery, with : "Estimated delivery: 3 hours"....."Estimated Delivery: 45 minutes" etc....

That would allow people flexibility with work and other responsibilities, and not have make their day revolve around receiving a package. It doesn't even have to be more accurate than plus or minus 30 minutes. That would be a thousand times better than "sometime between 10 AM and 5 PM"
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The only problem with that is I think it could lead to customer dissatisfaction. There's not a reliable way to know how long it will take a driver to reach a particular location. For instance, sometimes drivers cover other drivers runs if they end up overloaded, or they get reassigned to do a same day pickup request, or any number of other things. I can see someone getting very angry if the site said "estimated time of delivery: 1 hour" and the driver shows up two and a half hours later or something.

I think MyChoice is a good balance between what you want and what existed before my choice. UPS gives you an approximate four hour window for free, or you can pay for a tighter commitment time (two hour window) or you can redirect the package to a place that works for you (or I think you can even have it held for pickup, but I haven't ever tried to do that). If you pay for a Premium membership, you can do the redirects and specify the commitment times for free for an unlimited number of packages.

Although I understand why your idea would be helpful, I think UPS would be very hesitant to advertise a time of delivery beyond a two hour window, which is what they offer now. In some ways, MyChoice is better because it allows you to specify when you want the package delivered, rather than making you plan your day around when the package will actually be there.
 
Best thing to do is have things delivered to your place of business if your business allows for that.

I never have anything delivered to my house unless the seller requires you to ship to your billing address
 
rnizlek said:
Actually, there is a simple way. It's called UPS MyChoice. You can waive the signature requirement on many deliveries (the shipper can always require an in person signature if they want to), specify a two hour window for delivery or simply redirect the package to a place where you can easily get it (like your work address). I probably get upwards of 100-150 UPS packages a year. MyChoice works great.



The only problem with that is I think it could lead to customer dissatisfaction. There's not a reliable way to know how long it will take a driver to reach a particular location. For instance, sometimes drivers cover other drivers runs if they end up overloaded, or they get reassigned to do a same day pickup request, or any number of other things. I can see someone getting very angry if the site said "estimated time of delivery: 1 hour" and the driver shows up two and a half hours later or something.

I think MyChoice is a good balance between what you want and what existed before my choice. UPS gives you an approximate four hour window for free, or you can pay for a tighter commitment time (two hour window) or you can redirect the package to a place that works for you (or I think you can even have it held for pickup, but I haven't ever tried to do that). If you pay for a Premium membership, you can do the redirects and specify the commitment times for free for an unlimited number of packages.

Although I understand why your idea would be helpful, I think UPS would be very hesitant to advertise a time of delivery beyond a two hour window, which is what they offer now. In some ways, MyChoice is better because it allows you to specify when you want the package delivered, rather than making you plan your day around when the package will actually be there.
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1.Which is the problem, when the shipper requires the signature, there is no waiving it. So, no matter what, you need to be there and can't just waive the signature and go out.

2. No one is saying schedules can't change throughout the day, at least that info would be communicated to the customer. If done right, during a schedule change it might say "ETA 1 hour." but then change within that window to "ETA 2 hours" or longer, etc.. At least it would be accurate at the moment the customer is checking it and they wouldn't be in the dark. I see what you're saying, but its still worlds better than "sometime today".

3. I've never seen the 2 hour window even offered. Maybe I'm thinking of Fed Ex. Not sure.
 
I use Deliveries (Junecloud). I does the clipboard-snatching thing already, and it tracks tons of shipping companies and online retailers too. You get a nice scrollable list of all your stuff, and if you click any of them you can go right into the full tracking details, view a map of where you are relative to the last known position of your package, or send off a nice email with the details to somebody else who needs to know. This UPS app looks good if you're a business owner and you ship your product through UPS. If you're a consumer getting lots of packages from UPS, FedEX, USPS, DHL, Canada Post, La Poste, Poste Italiane, Royal Mail, Aramex, Sagawa Express, or who he heck knows what else, you might be better off with just one app that tracks everything.
 
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