CyberNotes: Track Packages

February 12th, 2008

5 Comments Written by Ryan

Time Saving Tuesday

I remember when online stores first started popping up everyone was wondering how in the world such a marketplace would continue to exist. At the time online prices were about the same as they were in the retail stores, but shipping costs killed any savings that you would have received. Now things are not only cheaper online, but a lot of stores offer free shipping on purchases.

Now the problem that I encounter the most is keeping track of all the packages that are supposed to be coming to me. Just a few weeks ago I had a package who’s status said that it was delivered, but I never actually received it. Luckily the company that I ordered it from quickly refunded my money, but if I was not tracking the package a lot of time could have passed before I realized that there was an issue.

You can always track packages through the carrier’s website, but there are alternate methods available that make staying on top of multiple orders extremely simple. Here are my four favorite ways to track packages…

–TrackThePack (Homepage)–

This is one of my favorite package tracking services because it sports a clean interface, and is powered by AJAX. To get started you enter in a tracking number, hit the submit button, and you’ll instantly see the results. If you decide against creating an account the tracking numbers will still be stored in their database using your IP address.

TrackThePack

–TrackMyShipments (Homepage)–

Works with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS.

TrackMyShipments is a unique service that makes package tracking a piece of cake. All you have to do is signup for the free service with the email address that you use when ordering your items. Then just forward any emails containing tracking numbers to track@trackmyshipments.com, and the tracking information will magically start appearing in your account.

One of the reasons that I like this service is that all of your information is available from any computer, thereby making it easy to track your packages even when you’re on-the-go. You’ll also get quick access to the email that you forwarded to the service in case you need to grab additional order information.

TrackMyShipments

[via Lifehacker]

–iSnoop (Homepage)–

Works with UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS.

When you track packages with iSnoop you’re provided with an easily bookmarkable URL so that you can jump back to see your tracking status at anytime. You’ll also see how your package has moved from one point to another via Google Maps.

The most notable feature, in my opinion, is the RSS tracking option. Each item that you track on iSnoop will have an RSS feed available so that you can receive tracking updates right in your feed reader. If you’re always buried in your feed reader I think this is a great way to keep up-to-date on your packages’ progress.

Tip: If you’re running Vista there’s also a sidebar gadget available using the data from iSnoop.

iSnoop

–Track Package Extension (Homepage)–

Firefox users get the pleasure of having this extension available at their fingertips. You can use it to recognize tracking numbers on a website or in an email, and then have it take you to the carrier’s official site to see the progress. The extension will also keep a list of the packages you’ve tracked in the past to provide an efficient way of tracking your existing packages:

Track Package Extension

–Overview–

There are likely dozens if not hundreds of different ways to track your packages, and now we would like to hear what your favorite tools are! Hit us up in the comments below with the different ways you stay on top of your online orders.

This is just one of the hundreds of CyberNotes we have done. You can find more of them by visiting our CyberNotes category, or by subscribing to our CyberNotes feed. We also have a full feed available if you want to receive all of our articles in your reader!

Tags: CyberNotes, Firefox, Freeware, Software, Web Sites, Features, Firefox Extensions, How To, RSS, Tips And Tricks

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February 12th, 2008 at 6:11 am Lon Phillips

I use PackTrack since it has 66 carriers that it is able to track. Most people will probably only use the big 4, FEDEX, DHL, UPS and USPS, but it’s nice to be able to track shipments through any of the others from the same screen!
February 12th, 2008 at 9:52 am introvertsrule

I was about to suggest the same thing, PackTrack. I’ve tried others but I always come back to PackTrack. I’m a purchasing manager for an electronics company and I’m constantly tracking small packages. This has by far been the best site I’ve used. I also have to track LTL shipments occasionaly and this site handles those as well. One of my primary carriers, Central Transport, was not on their list so I suggested it and within a few hours it had been listed. It also helps me bypass the annoying pages that UPS makes me go through just to track a package. PackTrack makes tracking fast.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:57 am Chris Rossini (All-Star)

I like TrackThePack…they also have an RSS feed…nice find!
February 12th, 2008 at 9:06 pm Ryan (Author)

Lon Phillips wrote:

I use PackTrack since it has 66 carriers that it is able to track. Most people will probably only use the big 4, FEDEX, DHL, UPS and USPS, but it’s nice to be able to track shipments through any of the others from the same screen!

I had used that before, but the interface seemed a little clunky to me. It is nice that they track so many of the different carriers though.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:25 am Michael Dobrofsky (All-Star)

Thanks, some nice tips.