In the US, packages are delivered by different companies. Knowing who is coming helps you find a missing package.
USPS (US Postal Service): the government mail service. Delivers letters and many packages, Monday to Saturday and some Sundays.
UPS and FedEx: private delivery companies. Brown trucks (UPS) and purple and orange or white trucks (FedEx).
Amazon: often delivers with its own drivers, sometimes late in the evening.
Others: DHL for some international, and local couriers.
The store emails a tracking number. Type it on the carrier's website or app. You can see where the package is and the photo the driver took at delivery. UPS, FedEx and USPS apps also let you give delivery instructions.
Signatures and missed deliveries
Some packages need a signature. If you are not home, the driver leaves a notice. Reschedule online, or pick up at the post office or carrier store.
USPS never charges a fee to redeliver. A text asking you to pay a redelivery fee is a scam.
People who steal packages from doorsteps are called porch pirates.
Use your complex's package lockers or front office.
Ship to a pickup point: Amazon Locker or Amazon Hub, UPS Access Point, FedEx pickup locations in stores, or hold at the post office.
Ship to your workplace if allowed.
Use delivery instructions: "leave behind the planter", or a gate code.
Pick up quickly. Turn on delivery notifications.
Check the tracking photo and around the building, and ask neighbors and the office.
Wait one day; packages are sometimes scanned before they arrive.
Contact the seller (Amazon, the store), not only the carrier. Sellers often replace or refund.
For a stolen package, you can make a police report online in many cities.
Paying by credit card gives you dispute rights if the seller will not help.
Ordering expensive items to a doorstep in a busy building.
Clicking "your package is waiting" texts. Track only with the number from the store.