My iPad 3 shipped, but no tracking. Why?

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Level 1

131 points

My iPad 3 shipped, but no tracking. Why?

Okay, so I got the email saying my iPad 3 shipped. Apple's order status page says it shipped, and gives tracking info. But when I actually go to track the thing, FedEx says it has no information on it. And it's been two days! (Apple says it shipped on March 9th.) Is this normal? What am I supposed to do about it? If the thing shipped two days ago, wouldn't the tracking information show up by now?

These things ship from China, don't they? If it's supposed to get here by the 16th, and it hasn't gone out yet, how can it possibly get here in time?

Posted on Mar 11, 2012 6:19 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 11, 2012 6:23 AM in response to Babaganoosh

"These things ship from China, don't they? If it's supposed to get here by the 16th, and it hasn't gone out yet, how can it possibly get here in time?"

In 5 days it can around the world a couple times.

Stedman

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Answer 2

Babaganoosh Author

Level 1

131 points

Mar 11, 2012 6:40 AM in response to stedman1

But the fact remains, if the product has actually shipped - TWO DAYS AGO - where is the tracking info? And if it hasn't shipped, why would Apple tell me it has?

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Answer 3

Mar 11, 2012 6:43 AM in response to Babaganoosh

Most likely the shipping agent (FedEx) has not updated their information to eliminate calls, or questions asking "where is my iPad"...... It will not be delivered prior to the 16th. My experience with Apple shipping is they are extremely efficient.

Stedman

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Answer 4

Babaganoosh Author

Level 1

131 points

Mar 11, 2012 6:48 AM in response to stedman1

Oh, don't worry, I don't expect it to actually be *delivered* before the 16th. I just want some acknowledgement in FedEx's system that my package EXISTS in the first place.

Like I said, it's been two days since this thing supposedly shipped, and FedEx has NO information on it. I'm worried that there might have been some kind of glitch and my order got lost. Whenever I've ordered a package shipped by FedEx, no matter who it's from, it's never taken this long for *some* kind of tracking info to show up. I don't even care what it says, even a "Shipping label has been created" or "Shipping info sent to FedEx" message would be fine. Just something, anything...

I thought about disputing the credit card charge with my bank, but they will undoubtedly point to Apple's order status page which says it's "shipped" and will probably not let me dispute the charge (even though I supposedly have the right not to pay for something I never got). As for FedEx? I can't talk to them either, since they apparently have no idea that there IS a shipment. So what am I supposed to do?

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Answer 5

Mar 11, 2012 8:07 AM in response to Babaganoosh

It may be shipped from thje source but still waiting FedEx pickup from the shipping dock. When FedEx picks it up and scans it into their system you will be able to track it on FedEx's site. Did you get a FedEx tracking number? If not then FedEx has not picked it up and has not entered it into their system.

You are over reacting. No need to dispute charges and it is not lost. They still have plenty of time to get it to you on the 16th.

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Answer 6

Babaganoosh Author

Level 1

131 points

Mar 11, 2012 8:52 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

Yes, I did get a tracking number. And that's what has me worried - the tracking number *still doesn't work*, almost two days after shipping.

Like I said, I wouldn't particularly care if I tracked it and it just said "Shipment information sent" or "Label has been generated". I don't care WHAT it says, just something. ANYTHING. Anything to let me know that FedEx actually knows about this order.

Now if I'd just placed this order last night, then I wouldn't expect the tracking number to work yet. But it's been TWO DAYS. Two days, and the tracking number still doesn't work. That does not sound normal.

I thought about calling Apple but I doubt they would be of any help - they'd just tell me to talk to FedEx. And I can't do that either, since officially FedEx doesn't know there IS an order (if they did, the tracking number would show something). So what is there left to do?

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Answer 7

PogoPossum

Level 4

2,508 points

Mar 11, 2012 8:56 AM in response to Babaganoosh

Just wait patiently, I'm afraid.

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Answer 8

b j t

Level 4

3,698 points

Mar 11, 2012 9:00 AM in response to Babaganoosh

At least you have recieved your "Shipment Notification" email. I am STILL waiting 😟 😢

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Answer 9

Babaganoosh Author

Level 1

131 points

Mar 11, 2012 9:03 AM in response to PogoPossum

No, I'm sorry, I'm not going to just forget about this. If there's been a mistake, or a glitch, and my order got lost, there's got to be SOMETHING I can do. Especially for something as expensive as the iPad - wouldn't you want some kind of acknowledgment that your shipment exists, after paying all that money?

Or, if the order really has been lost, to make another order and not have to pay again?

I hate to keep repeating myself, but after two whole days, why doesn't the tracking number show anything? FedEx has no information at all on it. None at all. Why shouldn't I be concerned about that, after all this time?

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Answer 10

tonefox

Level 6

9,362 points

Mar 11, 2012 9:22 AM in response to Babaganoosh

I'm so glad my life is not this full of stress.

I have been buying stuff from Apple since 1984, and so far I have never had a delivery date that failed. It doesn't matter about the tracking data. It will arrive.

Try to find a calming hobby while you wait... macramé perhaps...

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Answer 11

Babaganoosh Author

Level 1

131 points

Mar 11, 2012 9:28 AM in response to tonefox

I just called Apple and they basically said that the entire tracking system is down for both FedEx and UPS. No actual shipment delays, just tracking won't work.

So that's something, at least.

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Answer 12

Mar 11, 2012 9:29 AM in response to Babaganoosh

Babaganoosh wrote:

<snip>

I hate to keep repeating myself, but after two whole days, why doesn't the tracking number show anything? FedEx has no information at all on it. None at all. Why shouldn't I be concerned about that, after all this time?

Two whole days is nothing. The tracking number does not say anything because there has been no change in status. Cancel your order, call your credit card company to dispute the charges, or be patient. No need to repeat yourself here. We are just users like you. If it were me, I'd be patient. If you don't receive your pakage in a week or two then dispute the charges.

We have no inside FedEx knowledge or the factory's shipping procedure. I think the factory shows shipped when the pakage is picked up or delivered to a warehouse for eventual FedEx pickup. When FedEx updates the pakage's status the change will be relected on the tracking site.

You were told the delivery date. The tracking site may not show anything until the package is loaded on the plane.

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Answer 13

PogoPossum

Level 4

2,508 points

Mar 11, 2012 4:23 PM in response to Babaganoosh

I didn't say "forget about it". There's nothing you CAN do. Apple has given you a number, FedEx hasn't received it yet. Who else would you like to appeal to? What can anyone in this forum do besides tell you, in so many words, to wait until FedEx confirms it.

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Answer 14

Mar 11, 2012 4:42 PM in response to tonefox

tonefox wrote:

I'm so glad my life is not this full of stress.

I have been buying stuff from Apple since 1984, and so far I have never had a delivery date that failed. It doesn't matter about the tracking data. It will arrive.

Try to find a calming hobby while you wait... macramé perhaps...

Okay, now that's just funny.........and I was thinking the exact same thing 😉

Items get tracking numbers all the time before the shipping company actually has the item in their hot little hands.

Patience is a virtue. I understand being antsy about getting your hands on the iPad. I actually got bummed out because I found out the announcement would come while I was on a cruise and wouldn't be able to order one until I got back.......but the wait did not kill me. And waiting for it to be delivered won't kill any of us, either. The OP needs to keep checking back, as mine showed the "we have no information" on the FedEx site for hours and then all of a sudden, it had been picked up in Nashville and I had an arrival date and time.

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Answer 15

MLadd

Level 3

709 points

Mar 12, 2012 10:56 AM in response to Babaganoosh

As someone who owns an online retailer, that you received a tracking number does not mean it was physically Shipped. Only the shipping label was created. Tracking information will not be included until FedEx scans the label when they are picked up. Think of how many people ordered iPads the first day, and how many administrative and logistic steps need to happen before it is placed on a delivery truck.

Not all of them are from China. Most likely, if it's not personalized, it will be shipped from one of a few "staging" locations in the US the day before. As stated earlier, Apple's shipping is extremely efficient. This isn't their first rodeo.

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