USPS recycled/duplicate tracking numbers?

[JuicyMocks]

Anyone else experiencing recycled tracking numbers?

By that, I mean purchasing a shipping label, shipping the order, then later realizing USPS has previously used this tracking number back in April, May, or early June? I shipped 30 packages on Friday, and thus far, I discovered 21 are recycled tracking numbers not updating to my current shipment. I can see an update on pirate ship, but not on usps tracking site.  

I buy labels from pirateship. I'm wondering if this is a pirate ship issue and maybe I should switch to another company to buy labels?

[JuicyMocks]

OOPS

Sorry if im not clear. 21 packages are showing they were delivered way back in April, May or early June. And not them were my previous purchased labels.

One tracking number delivered April 18th to NY for example, when I just shipped it last week heading to the west. 

[PinkBirdCottage]

Are you using Etsy labels? I have not experienced this and I use Pirateship.

[JuicyMocks]

I ordered them from pirate ship, and my luck should have too many duplicate tracking numbers. 

[PinkBirdCottage]

Pirateship has stellar support, reach out to them. This is very problematic so maybe they can help.  

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@PinkBirdCottage   The reuse of tracking numbers has nothing to do with it being Etsy labels or Pirateship.  It is in USPS control.

@JuicyMocks   USPS seems to have goofed by reusing Ground Advantage tracking numbers too soon.  They do recycle the tracking numbers but I think that time frame is either 3 or 6 months before they are reused.

[PrairiePrimitives]

I've heard for years that USPS recycles tracking numbers, but I've also heard that it's usually about 6 months before they do that.

[quiltpanelsforyou]

There was another post about this a few days ago. The same issue, all used Pirate Ship.

[KoedThreads]

I dropped 12 packages off Thursday (labels printed Tuesday/Wednesday on pirate ship), and having the same problem! Most have delivered now and updated but have one stuck in awaiting drop off, but I dropped it off with the others.. even scanned the end of day barcode to scan all of the packages in at once. What a mess!

[DaysLongGone]

Yes!! I have had numerous packages with recycled tracking numbers and they all showed they were delivered in MAY!  Not only that but it shows “Missing Tracking” on those orders and somehow the tracking numbers changed and have been delivered with a completely different tracking number!
I dropped a point in Star Seller for those packages.  I added a note to all orders the NEW tracking number that was somehow issued.  I am using Pirate Ship, too.

[JuicyMocks]

@DaysLongGone 

im going to drop them and choose another company to print labels with them. I'm done with pirate ship. 

[cindylouwho2 · Accepted solution]

Yes, it seemed to start on the 18th: https://community.etsy.com/t5/All-About-Shipping/Shipping-issue-with-USPS-ground-advantage-tracking/... and Pirate Ship could not guarantee when it would be fixed. 

There were multiple reports on Reddit & Twitter as well. I posted a summary on my Patreon. 

[JuicyMocks]

Cindy. thank you!!

What is your patreon ?

[JuicyMocks]

I saw your patreon, is this also effecting stamps.com customers? I was going to drop pirate ship and instead go with stamps.com

[cindylouwho2]

@JuicyMocks It's the type of problem that could potentially affect any USPS label, but virtually all of the reports seem to be about Pirate Ship right now. 

[BagmakerSupply]

USPS essentially assigns a block of tracking numbers to each licensed vendor - using a mailer ID (assigned by USPS) - and the vendor is supposed to make sure that the tracking number is not reused for a period of time (six months if memory serves).

It is very possible that it is a glitch exclusive to Pirate Ship.

[AAANativeArts]

USPS recycles tracking numbers after 120 days --roughly every 4 months. It has nothing to do with where you purchased your postage.

[cindylouwho2]

@AAANativeArts these numbers were all recycled too quickly (some less than one month) and this particular incident seems exclusive to Pirate Ship. It's being discussed elsewhere as well (Reddit, Twitter...)

[CountryFamilyHome]

I have been experiencing the same issue. July may be the first month since Star Seller was introduced that I don't receive it. Each of the orders that this has happened to show up as "missing tracking info" even though I shipped them with tracking and they are all showing as "Delivered" within Pirateship. 

[JuicyMocks]

Update,

its now happening with stamps.com today!