What is it?
Whenever you order something online it’s always a good idea to know how to track what you ordered, so you can see when it has left the facility, and what the estimated date of delivery is. This concept of “track and trace” is supported by means of reckoning and reporting of the position of vehicles and containers with the shipped property. Another approach is to report the departure and arrival of the object while recording the time, status, and location where the object was observed. This is usually done by the people at the sorting facility or by the delivery driver.
How to
Before you order anything online, make sure you make an account. While most sites, such as Amazon and eBay, require you to have an account, others may not. While this may make it convenient to order things quickly, if you do not have an account, however, you will not be able to track your order. Sign in to your account and select the “Orders” option (or something along those lines) to find information on your pending orders. Make sure you double check that the mailing and billing addresses are correct. There may be a link that takes you to a tracking page, or you may have to go to the merchant’s website and find it on there using a tracking number. You may also be able to track your order by checking your confirmation email, as there may be a link to a tracking site in the email.
Why do it?
Tracking your order is a great way to check the progress of something you purchased online. In recent years, ordering items online has become a very popular method of shopping, and it is no longer the security risk it used to be. Still, you want to make sure that you get what you paid for, so try to make sure that the shipping company the seller is using has a tracking option. It also very convenient to know exactly when your package will be delivered, so you can make sure you or someone else is home to receive it. While some packages will be placed in the mailbox, others require a person to sign for them, and it can be a hassle to have to drive to the postal office or another place if you miss the delivery.
Risks
There are no real risks to tracking your order. Some tracking websites can be inaccurate, making it difficult to predict when your package may be delivered, which can be frustrating and inconvenient. For the most part, however, tracking your order helps reduce some of the risk associated with online ordering. While sites such as eBay and Amazon have user reviews, which makes it possible to determine how reliable a seller is, you can never be 100% sure that you are getting what you paid for. Tracking your order ensures that the seller actually did mail out your package, and that you will be receiving at some point, which can be a very reassuring feeling.
