From GPS glitches to wrong-door drop-offs, here’s why your delivery might be “done” when it’s actually still missing.
It’s one of the most frustrating alerts you can get: “Your package has been delivered.” You check the front porch. Nothing. You refresh the tracking. Still says delivered. You even look behind the flowerpot. Still nothing.
This scenario is especially common with local delivery providers like Lasership tracking or OnTrac, which often handle the final handoff for large retailers and marketplaces. These services are fast and cost-efficient, but also prone to mis-scans, GPS misfires, and delivery confirmation errors that leave customers confused and empty-handed.
So, what actually happens when your package is marked as delivered, but clearly isn’t?
Let’s break it down.
First: Wait a few hours (yes, really)
It sounds counterintuitive, but “delivered” doesn’t always mean delivered. In some cases, drivers pre-scan packages as completed at the start of a route. In others, they scan early to hit performance metrics, then drop off the item later. Especially with high-volume carriers, the gap between scan and actual drop-off can stretch up to 8 hours.
So, before launching into panic mode, give it until the evening. Many packages show up by day’s end—even if the system jumped the gun.
Double-check the surroundings
Sometimes “front porch” means “side door.” Or “building entrance.” Or “mailroom.” It’s not uncommon for delivery drivers to leave parcels in places they consider safe, but that isn’t obvious to you.
Before filing a claim, check:
- Behind planters or fences
- Shared lobby or mailroom areas
- With neighbors or roommates (yes, even the forgetful ones)
- Delivery instructions you may have saved months ago on the retailer’s app
Scan the tracking for more clues
Some carriers, including Lasership, provide photo confirmation or location notes when a package is marked delivered. Others may show final scan GPS coordinates, though these aren’t always publicly available.
What can help is plugging your tracking number into a universal tracking tool like Ordertracker, which can pull data from multiple systems, especially if the package changed hands between couriers. Sometimes, a “delivered” status refers to an internal transfer, not your doorstep.
Know when to escalate—and to whom
If it’s been 24 hours and there’s still no sign of your order, it’s time to act:
- Start with the retailer, not the courier. Most brands (Amazon, Target, etc.) prefer to handle lost package claims directly.
- Report to the carrier, especially if there’s proof of misdelivery. Lasership, for example, allows you to submit a form or call support to launch an investigation.
- Document everything: screenshots of the tracking page, photos of your entryway, and delivery confirmation emails. These may be requested during claims.
Pro tip: if the package was worth more than $100, many platforms won’t issue refunds without an official claim. So file early, but with care.
When it’s marked delivered, but you got nothing
Here’s a secret: a lot of “lost” packages aren’t really lost—they’re just misdelivered. Final-mile carriers often rely on contract drivers using personal vehicles and phone GPS. That can lead to wrong-house drop-offs, especially in apartment complexes, duplexes, or suburban streets with similar addresses.
If a neighbor receives your package by mistake, you might not know unless they check, or unless the retailer makes them.
Another culprit? Scanning errors. In high-speed delivery environments, it’s not unusual for a package to be marked delivered when it’s still sitting in a truck. Some systems batch scan multiple parcels at once, meaning your item could show as dropped off when it’s actually just next in line.
As a conclusion
“Delivered” isn’t always the end of the journey. In today’s fast-paced, decentralized delivery world, tracking systems aren’t perfect—and neither are the humans behind them.
If you’re shopping from a retailer that uses regional couriers like Lasership, the best thing you can do is stay calm, stay informed, and stay organized. Use tools like Ontrack’s own tracking portal or Ordertracker to gather full details, and don’t hesitate to escalate when the timeline slips past reason.
Because sometimes the package is around the corner. And sometimes, it’s just not coming back—and you deserve to know the difference.
