How to Buy Textbooks for a College Student

Posted on July 16th, 2020July 15th, 2020 by Jordan Bruce

With back to school season right around the corner, many parents of college students are finding themselves with long to-do lists and several new things to buy. This can be a stressful and expensive time for many parents and guardians as they prepare to send their students to campus.

Every parent wants to make sure that their student has enough resources to help them succeed. One essential resource to the success of any college student is textbooks. However, if you are new to the textbook buying process, it can seem a little intimidating.

When to Buy College Textbooks

A good rule of thumb to follow when purchasing textbooks is to wait until your student receives their syllabus with all outlined course materials. Unless a student is required to complete an assignment or reading prior to the beginning of a course, it is good to wait until the first day of class to purchase textbooks. This will allow students to confirm which materials are provided and if there are any additional items needed that aren’t on the syllabus. Sometimes professors will provide digital copies of required readings that are listed in the syllabus so that students do not have to purchase the whole book.

While there is no exact right time to purchase textbooks, it’s important to pay attention to assignment dates that might require the use of a textbook. Assignment due dates and course timelines should be listed in the syllabus. This is a good reference to use when buying textbooks to make sure the purchased course materials will arrive in time to complete outstanding assignments.

Do Textbooks Come with Access Codes?

Over the last several years, digital learning and online course materials have gained a lot of popularity among college professors and departments. You may find that some of your student’s course materials require the purchase of an access code or an access code accompanies the physical textbook. An access code is like a password that students use to access course content online. The online content will depend on the course and to what extent the professor utilizes the online resources. The important thing to note is that an access code is not the same thing as a textbook.

If a student needs an access code for their course in addition to a textbook, here are a few thing to keep in mind:

Not all textbooks come with access codes

When it’s time to buy a textbook and access code a student generally has a few options. They can either purchase a textbook that has an access code or they can purchase an access code separately. It is important to make sure that the textbook that is being purchased clearly states that it includes an access code.

Used textbooks do not come with access codes

It is safe to assume that any access code that comes inside of a used textbook has already been used. Unless a student purchases a bundle that includes a used book and a separate access code, they will need to buy an individual access code.

Some access codes can be bought online

In some cases, access codes or access to the course site can be bought directly online from the product or publisher website.

Access codes don’t always last forever

The duration that an access code lasts can vary. Because of this, be sure your access code satisfies the duration that your student will need it. Typically, access codes last between 6-24 months.

Most access codes can’t be returned

The unfortunate truth is that most access codes cannot be returned after they’re purchased. It’s advisable to read the terms and conditions provided by the publisher of the access code to gain an understanding of their return policies. Once again, this gives another reason to ensure that your student requires the access code.

If a student is unsure if they need an access code for their course or not, it is always a good idea to double check with the instructor.

Searching For Textbooks: Do I Use ISBN 10 or 13?

A student’s syllabus typically contains the title of the book that is needed and the ISBN for that book. An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 10-digit or 13-digit number used to give every book its own identification label. You may be unsure of a book’s full title, author, or year published, but if you know its ISBN, you can be sure you’ve got the right book. The ISBN is a 10 or 13 digit number found on the back cover next to the barcode. Sometimes it can also be found near the copyright page by publisher information.

Where to Find Textbooks Online

The campus bookstore might seem like the most convenient place to buy textbooks, but did you know that you could save some serious money by purchasing textbooks online? There are tons of sites, including Amazon, that make it easy for you to purchase course materials online.

When purchasing textbooks online it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the best deal possible. It’s easy for a site to claim they’re giving you the best deal, so you might want to do some research before making a purchase.

Also Consider: Textbook Price Comparison Sites/Services

eCampus.com Marketplace: In addition to offering you great discounts on used, new, and rental items, we make it easy for you to compare prices from 70,000+ marketplace sellers! Just find the book you want and click “See Prices” next to the Marketplace option.
We also conducted thorough research and have come up with a list of our favorite textbook price comparison sites that can help you find the best deals on your textbooks. Simply search for the ISBN you’re looking for and these sites will scour the internet for the best prices available. Here are some of the the options that we found the most helpful:

For more information on buying textbooks online, check out our previous blog post about the best sites to buy college textbooks.

If you’re wondering where to buy cheap textbooks online, eCampus.com is always a great option. With 4.0 stars on Trustpilot, eCampus.com is the most trusted bookseller among the student community. You can save up to 90% on Textbook Rentals, Used & New Textbooks, and eTextbooks. eCampus.com also offers a great rewards program (eWards) that can make it easier for students to save money by earning rewards and exclusive deals.

Whenever it’s time to start buying course materials for your college student, we hope that this has given you more information on the buying process. If you have other questions, our experienced team of customer service agents can help guide you through phone or chat.

Be sure to connect with us @ecampusdotcom on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook for more resources, tips, and some great giveaways! And when it’s time for textbooks, eCampus.com has you covered for all your course material needs at savings up to 90%!

References

How to “Go Green” in College

Posted on July 14th, 2020July 14th, 2020 by Kayla Gowan

One of the biggest challenges that we’re facing today is the environmental danger to our planet. Global warming, climate change, and plastic pollution have become topics we hear about regularly in the news.

By developing sustainable habits early, you can help to reduce greenhouse gases and your carbon footprint to make a less harmful impact on the environment.

What Does Go Green Mean?

“Going green” means to pursue knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles. Going green can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

Ways to Go Green

Adopting a greener approach to life doesn’t have to be difficult. There are small changes you can implement into your daily life that take little to no time or effort and can help create a healthier society that both consumes less and produces less waste.

Here are 7 easy ways you can live sustainably (greener) in college:

Ditch Single-Use Plastic for Eco-Friendly Products

This is one small, but hugely impactful step that you can take to reduce the strain the environment caused by plastics. Single-use utensils, plates, boxes and containers are all around us, especially in college.

Make a point to replace single-use plastic products with their reusable equivalents. For example, purchase a reusable BPA-free water bottle.

According to The Water Project, it’s estimated that up to 80 percent of plastic water bottles in the United States never get recycled. In addition, it takes three times the amount of water that’s in a water bottle to create the bottle in the first place! The Water Project also notes that U.S. landfills are overflowing with 2 million tons of discarded water bottles alone.

The same goes for disposable coffee cups. Though it may be more convenient, those waxed paper cups aren’t recyclable, and will just end up in the landfill after you’re done with them. So carry a second bottle or reusable mug with you for your hot beverages – some places even offer a discount on your order for opting out of the cup.

Similar to the plastic water bottles, plastic bags are non-biodegradable objects. Consider switching to a reusable bag, often made from organic materials such as cotton, wool and hemp.

With some states charging for plastic bags, reusable tote bags have become an excellent substitute, as they are cheaper in the long run. These bags can also be more spacious and stronger than plastic bags! Don’t stop there – eco-friendly products for college students are readily available.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Recycling is the cornerstone of caring for the environment through a daily habit.

Most colleges have recycling bins scattered around the campus, so find the closest one to you and regularly visit the bin and recycle your stacks of paper. If you don’t have access to a recycling bin, contact your administration and find out where the nearest drop-off is – and encourage them to install more blue bins around campus while you’re at it.

You know the old saying, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure? Well, it is often true. Don’t throw away perfectly good things just because you’re sick of them, or no longer have use for them. You can host clothing swaps with friends, or give your unwanted, gently used clothing and furniture another life by donating or selling them instead of throwing them away.

Upcycling is a creative way to make old items into something more valuable. This could be reusing a jam jar as a candle holder, or using old tins as plant pots – the possibilities are endless! If you’re not sure how to start, there are numerous websites, blogs and forums where you can pick up interesting ideas for breathing new life into your old, used objects.

Watch Your Water Usage

Remember that old adage, “save some for the fish?” You can do this in your daily life by turning off water while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.

In addition, cutting down your shower time can save more water and make a bigger impact than you’d think. It’s estimated that, using an average number of 2.5 gallons per minute from the typical shower head, reducing your shower length by 4 minutes per day would save 3,650 gallons per year.

Cut Down on Paper

Think about how much paper you use during the semester – class notes, assignments, tests, and so on.

Cutting paper usage is one of the main areas where college students can save money and the environment. The less you need to restock your paper supplies, the better. A few simple tips to get started:

Always use the front and back of your paper when writing notes
Avoid taking handfuls of paper napkins from the cafeteria
Clean up spills using a dish cloth instead of a paper towel
When printing, save misprints by always double checking the document you’re printing
If you do make a mistake, either recycle the paper or use the back for scrap paper for notes, writing down ideas, etc
For those who write notes on paper, make a point to buy recycled material notebooks

Mind Your Transportation

Transportation is considered to be one of the main contributors to climate change and carbon emissions. That’s why you can choose to use environment-friendly transportation means as a college student – like walking or riding a bike.

Bikeshare programs are becoming more common, both on campuses and off. Find out whether your school has such a program. If not, there may be another local option, or you may want to get involved in setting the wheels in motion for a bikeshare initiative at your campus. Walking or riding a bike helps reduce carbon emissions and keeps you in great shape, too!

Always Power Down

Our chargers and small appliances suck up standby power even when not in use. To cut down on wasted electricity, when you’re not using appliances or you leave the room – be sure to turn off lights and other electronics. An easy way to implement this is by connecting your electronics to a surge protector and flipping the switch when you leave the room. Also, your electric bill will thank you!

Bonus tip: try using energy-efficient light bulbs instead of regular bulbs. They last longer, which will save you a bit of money too.

Meatless Monday

Did you know that raising and preparing meat produces between 10 and 40 times more greenhouse gas emissions than growing and harvesting vegetables and grains? This doesn’t mean you have to go vegan – just cutting back on your consumption of meat and dairy can go a long way in supporting a healthy world.

Eating less meat – even omitting it from your meal one day each week – can positively influence change. When you do eat meat, look for labels that specify free range, organic and hormone and antibiotic free. There are resources to help you find sustainable food locally so you know exactly where your food is coming from – especially since it can not only affect the environment, but your health as well.

In Conclusion

By striving to make small but efficient changes in your routine, you can lower your environmental impact, lower your bills, and incorporate more eco-friendly practices in your life! Earth is our home, so it’s important to protect it, respect it, and celebrate it with our everyday actions and thoughts.

References:

College Social Media Habits That Help (Not Hinder) Your College Experience

Posted on July 9th, 2020July 8th, 2020 by Jacob Strange

How Does Social Media Affect College Students?

The use of social media in the daily life of college students has gained more and more prevalence over the past decade. Not only does social media usage constitute a large portion of a college student’s free time, but they also hold an interesting dynamic within the academic and employment spheres. As a current or prospective college student, it’s important to consider the ways that social media can benefit you in college. But, adversely, you should be mindful of the negative habits, impacts, and consequences social media may have toward your college experience that you want to avoid.

What Social Media Do College Students Use the Most?

According to recent surveys conducted by Business Insider and EAB, it was found that the most popular social media sites among the Gen Z population, based on daily and total usage (in order), were Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok. Here are the percentages of respondents that claimed they check each social media network on a daily basis and the total usage numbers:

Instagram
1. 65% check on a daily basis
2. 82.5% use Instagram (10% increase from 2017 to 2019)
YouTube
1. 62% check on a daily basis
2. 81% use YouTube
Snapchat
1. 51% check on a daily basis
2. 78% use Snapchat
Facebook
1. 34% check on a daily basis
2. 50% use Facebook (17% decrease from 2017 to 2019)
Twitter:
1. 23% check on a daily basis
2. 43% use Twitter
Pinterest:
1. 14% check on a daily basis
2. 36% use Pinterest
TikTok:
1. 11% check on a daily basis

Based on expert insights, an upwards of 98% of college-aged students use some form of social media. Not only this, but an annual nationwide survey of college students by UCLA found that 27.2% of college students spend more than six hours on social media per week. In turn, this has also led to the time spent physically socializing with friends among college students to lower and lower recorded averages over recent years.

Do Colleges Look at Your Social Media Accounts?

The simple answer: yes, many college admissions departments look at prospective students’ social media accounts prior to making a decision on their acceptance into the school. While it is rare that you’ll be denied admission to a college for social media posts, a survey administered by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers found that 11% of respondents said they denied admission based on social media content and another 7% rescinded offers based on social media content. In total, around 25% of admissions professionals admit that they check applicants’ social media profiles. Even though these percentages may vary by school admission rates and criteria, this provides more proof that you should be mindful of what you post on social media accounts in order to ensure that you optimize your likelihood of being admitted into college.

Will Social Media Hurt Your College and Career Goals?

It’s important to consider how your time on social media influences your daily life, but you should also think about how the content that you post will impact your future. According to a 2017 study, 70% of employers use social media to screen job candidates before hiring them. Additionally, 54% of employers reported that they’ve found content on social media that caused them not to hire a candidate. Here are some of the top reasons that employers decided to not hire a candidate due to content on social media:

39% – Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos, or information.
38% – Candidate posted information about them drinking or using drugs.
32% – Candidate made discriminatory comments.
30% – Candidate bad-mouthed their previous company or fellow employee.
27% – Candidate lied about qualifications.

With that being said, we must reiterate the importance of monitoring the types of content that you post on social media. As a general rule-of-thumb, if a post you’re going to make on social media seems to be even slightly questionable upon review, it’s probably best not to post it. Not only can the things that you post influence personal relationships, but they also play a prominent role within the college admissions and hiring processes. You wouldn’t want one frivolous post to determine your future, so be safe and smart when using social media.

Social Media Safety / Admissions Social Media Strategy

The safest way to be present in the world of social media without potentially sabotaging future opportunities is to only make information that you are comfortable with EVERYONE seeing publicly viewable. One easy way to make sure your social media profiles follow these guidelines is to adjust your privacy settings on your accounts. For example, if you’re worried about former Facebook posts that you’ve made in the past, but you don’t want to go through and check each one, you can change your privacy settings to hide their visibility from the public. Here are Instructions for changing your Facebook privacy settings: Facebook Privacy Settings Guide.

Here are privacy settings guides for other popular social media networks as well:

Safe Social Media Sites / Recommended College Social Media Apps

There are many positive effects to social media usage as it pertains to college admissions and future employment opportunities. Social media allows you to connect to people in ways that were never available to older generations and you can use this to your advantage by networking, being involved in constructive communities, and furthering your influence and reputation. Here are some of the social media apps we recommend and how to get the largest benefit out of using them:

LinkedIn – LinkedIn is widely considered the most beneficial social media app to college students and it provides many educational and employment related opportunities.
- Resume Enhancement: LinkedIn allows you to define all your skills and experience, beyond a conventional resume. You can also get referrals from people you know, which will further enhance your credibility.
- Networking: LinkedIn allows you to become connected to students, employers, and other professionals, which can be very helpful in advancing your career. Use connections with these individuals and entities to stay acquainted, in touch, and up to date. You never know what connection could lead to a future opportunity!
- Job/Internship Searching: Not only does LinkedIn provide a plethora of job and internship listings for you to search from, but many companies use LinkedIn to search for qualified job/internship candidates. Display your skills and experience on LinkedIn to attract the attention of potential employers that are using the platform to scout for talent.
- Interview Preparation: You can use LinkedIn to perform research on companies that you may be interested in working for. The more you know about a company, the more prepared you can be for an interview.

YouTube – This platform can mainly be used as a resource for educational content and tutorial videos. Here are some of the most popular YouTube channels for education and learning:
- Khan Academy – Provides tutoring in subjects such as math, science, computing, and economics.
- Crash Course – Teaches a wide range of subjects, like world history, biology, and psychology.
- Ted Ed – General, wide-ranging, educational content.
- freeCodeCamp.org – Provides free programming courses.
- Math and Science – Self explanatory; provides lessons on math and science.
- There are many more great educational channels out there. Simply search for your subject of interest, along with “lessons/tutoring/education/courses” and you’ll likely be able to find helpful content.

Facebook – As long as you follow the guidelines above to safely present yourself on Facebook, it can be a very beneficial platform to use.
- You can use Facebook to connect with classmates to set up study sessions, work on group projects, and/or ask for assistance and guidance on academic related tasks.
- Many professors even use Facebook Groups as a way for all of the students in their class to communicate and connect with each other, share information, and complete assignments.
- There is a fair amount of educational content available on Facebook that can garner you a greater understanding of subjects in your curriculum.
- Facebook also provides opportunities for networking, albeit at a less professional level than LinkedIn.

Twitter – Similar to Facebook, Twitter can be a valuable platform if you’re able to safely and professionally present yourself.
- You can use Twitter to easily stimulate discussions with new individuals and keep up to date on current topics and trends among educators and employers.

Creating a portfolio is another great way to improve your online presence!
- Learn more about creating an online portfolio in a recent blog post: Tips for Creating an Online Portfolio in College

Works Cited

Salm, Lauren. “70% Of Employers Are Snooping Candidates’ Social Media Profiles.” CareerBuilder, 15 June 2017, www.careerbuilder.com/advice/social-media-survey-2017.
Green, Dennis. “The Most Popular Social Media Platforms with Gen Z.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 2 July 2019, www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-loves-snapchat-instagram-and-youtube-social-media-2019-6.
Griffin, Riley. “Social Media Is Changing How College Students Deal With Mental Health, For Better Or Worse.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 22 July 2015, www.huffpost.com/entry/social-media-college-mental-health_n_55ae6649e4b08f57d5d28845.
Jaschik, Scott. “Inside Higher Ed.” Prospective Students’ Social Media Preferences Have Changed in Two Years, 23 Sept. 2019, www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2019/09/23/prospective-students-social-media-preferences-have-changed-two-years.
Moody, Josh. “Why Colleges Look at Students’ Social Media.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 22 Aug. 2019, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2019-08-22/why-colleges-look-at-students-social-media-accounts.
Hochman, Allison. “25 Best Educational YouTube Channels for College Students.” University of the People, 19 Jan. 2020, www.uopeople.edu/blog/best-educational-youtube-channels-for-college-students/

How to Have a Successful Gap Year

Posted on July 7th, 2020July 6th, 2020 by DeJia Marshall

Life after high school can be daunting. The uncertainty and responsibility that comes with newfound adulthood are often trying. After twelve years of school, 2-8 more can be intimidating. Many students need a break from traditional education and want to explore life outside of the classroom. Recently, gap years have become a popular solution to this problem.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is a break students take from their education. Students can take a gap year for financial reasons, as a sabbatical from school, to gain experience, and so on. These breaks can be taken before, after, or during college. Gap years do not have to be an entire calendar year. A gap year can be anywhere from a few months, a semester, a year – any time frame, really.

A productive gap year is really about doing what you want. Pursuing your passion, traveling, gaining work and real-world experience, or just relaxing and recharging; your gap year is yours to do with as you please. Still, it’s also essential to grow during the gap year in preparation for the future.

So, how do you take full advantage of this time?

What To Do During a Gap Year

Make a Gap Year Plan

Decide what you’ll do during your gap year and make plans on how you can complete tasks and accomplish goals. Think about where you want to go, if anywhere, and what you want to do. Consider what will help you in the future. The best part about this time is that it’s primarily dictated by your own goals.

Determine how you’ll pay for your gap year. A gap year doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find affordable options like seeking job opportunities and paid internships, taking part in financial aid programs, or applying for scholarships.

TIP: For more information on financing a gap year check out these links:

Gap Year After High School? Apply for College & Defer

Even though you are taking a gap year, it’s important to still apply for colleges. When you’ve been admitted into a school, the next step is to request a deferral. A student-requested college admission deferral is a request to delay admission to a college until a later date. You’ll need to defer to hold your place at your future school for after your gap year.

It’s better to request your deferral before accepting your place in the incoming class. There are many reasons for this, such as flexibility–or lack thereof–of educational funding, unforeseen circumstances and changes of plans, etc. The extra time gives you more flexibility for your future, in case your deferral is denied or plans change. Committing to a school before they’ve accepted your deferral can cause confusion and may even cancel your gap year, as the college was not aware of your plans and admitted you on the basis that you would begin classes in the upcoming semester.

TIP: Want to know more about deferring college enrollment? Check out this step-by-step instruction on the deferment process: “How to Defer University Acceptance” – WikiHow

How to Request a Deferral

Every college has different protocols for receiving deferral requests. It’s up to you to find out what requirements your college has for deferral. It’s common to require a deferral request letter – a letter describing how you plan to spend your gap year. It’s up to the college to approve a student’s request for a deferral, so you need to complete all of the necessary actions in order to ensure you’re given consideration.

TIP: Want to write a deferral request letter, but don’t know where to start? Check out The Art of Applying’s blog post, “How to Request an Admissions Deferral.”

Gap Year Ideas

Whether you’re traveling or getting to work, use your time to the fullest. Use this opportunity to gain skills and expand your knowledge. This is the perfect time to do things you’ve always wanted to do, like exploring places, hobbies, and career options.

Gap Year Jobs and & Internships

Consider taking advantage of opportunities to gain first-hand job experience. Interning in areas of interest gives you an in-depth look into what your field of interest has to offer. Getting a job can help you acclimate to the working world while making some money.

TIP: Job opportunities and paid internships are everywhere! Websites like The Intern Group, Glassdoor, and Idealist can help you find employers near you!

Gap Year Programs

For those interested in travel, there is much to observe and learn from other cultures. Study abroad programs help you travel, find work in other countries, and volunteer.

TIP: Study abroad programs are always looking for volunteers and participants! For those looking to spend their gap year outside of the U.S., check out organizations like International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), Projects Abroad, and Pacific Discovery.

Deciding to take a gap year can be an opportunity to explore career opportunities, travel abroad, and take time to reflect and prepare for your next chapter. Gap years are an important step in your academic career that can pave the way for future success. Embrace your decision to take some time for yourself and above all, enjoy the journey!

Be sure to connect with us @ecampusdotcom on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook for more resources, tips, and some great giveaways! And when it’s time for textbooks, eCampus.com has you covered for all your course material needs at savings up to 90%!

Works Cited

Alwine, Rebecca. “What is a Gap Year & How Do You Take One?” Go Overseas. Go Overseas, 2020. Web. 04 Oct. 2019.
“How to Take a Gap Year: Financing, Planning and More.” Discover. Discover Bank, Member FDIC, 2020. Web.
Kern, Rebecca. “7 Questions to Ask When Considering a Gap Year.” U.S. News. U.S. News & World Report L.P., 2020. Web. 19 May. 2010.
Flavin, Brianna. “What I Wish Someone Told Me Before Taking a Gap Year.” Rasmussen College. Rasmussen College, LLC., 2020. Web. 06 June. 2016.
Franek, Rob. “Is Taking a Gap Year Before College Right For You?” The Princeton Review. TPR Education IP Holdings, LLC., 2020. Web.
Tank, Alisa. “Is Taking a Year Off College the End of the World?” GoAbroad.com. GoAbroad.com, 1998. Web. 21 Nov. 2017.
“How to Request an Admissions Deferral.” The Art of Applying. The Art of Applying, 2020. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
“Gap Year Financial Aid.” Gap Year Association. Gap Year Association, 2020. Web.
Frot, Mathilde. “Seven Ways to Fund a Gap Year.” Top Universities. QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, 1994-2020. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
Blackman, Stacy. “How to Defer University Acceotance.” WikiHow. WikiHow, 2020. Web. 22 Apr. 2020

Tracking Shows Delivered, But No Package!

Posted on July 2nd, 2020July 1st, 2020 by Ben Reckelhoff

Porch Pirates are Real

When it comes to receiving a much-anticipated package, chances are you are eagerly monitoring its tracking to your doorstep. Then, if your tracking shows your item as “delivered”, but you haven’t received it, you’re going to be frustrated. At first, you may not know if the item is stolen or simply lost. Although it won’t truly help, you may take some comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. A 2019 report showed that 36% of all consumers had a package lost or stolen – and the average consumer orders 45 packages a year. That’s a lot of lost packages.

Right away, here’s a breakdown of how most people handle this situation:

83% of people contact the seller
60% contact the carrier (UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc.)
48% check with their neighbors
13% call the police

You can also take further comfort in the knowledge that, if you report a package as stolen, around 11% of the time the porch pirate is caught. So first, take a deep breath, then proceed below.

Tracking Numbers

It may sound obvious, but first look closely at your tracking number. Packages change hands from one carrier to another all the time, and it is sometimes hard to tell which carrier is tracking the actual delivery. For this reason, it’s best to first identify which type of tracking number you have in order to accurately track the delivery.

How to tell which carrier’s tracking number you actually have:

UPS – begins with “1Z”.
FedEx Ground & Express – 12 digits (no letters).

PRO TIP: Your FedEx tracking number is also the 21st through 34th number of the barcode.

USPS – 22-34 digits (no letters).
- USPS Priority Mail Select –13 characters long, beginning with two letters and ending with “US”.
UPS Mail Innovations Sequence Number – 18 digits assigned internally by UPS Mail Innovations or UPS Worldship.
- What is UPS Mail Innovations? UPS Mail Innovations is simply a service where the carrier is initially UPS, but then final delivery may be made by the postal service. If you were to track this number on the UPS website, it may only tell you when the item was handed off to USPS. You need to run the tracking number on USPS’s website to see accurate delivery data to the final destination.
Amazon Logistics – Amazon uses all of the above carriers for delivery, so you may receive one of the previously mentioned tracking numbers. However, they also deliver themselves via Amazon Logistics, whose tracking numbers start with “TBA”.

Once you know which tracking number you have, visit that specific carrier’s website to check delivery status.

When is a Package Considered Lost?

Each carrier handles lost packages differently, but generally speaking, you are advised to wait between 2-7 days after the expected delivery date before taking action for a lost package (this is especially true during global pandemics). Sometimes things just arrive late, and Amazon even states that in rare cases, items can show as delivered up to 48 hours before the item actually arrives.

Here’s a breakdown of how each carrier handles lost packages.

USPS Missing Mail

The USPS says that this is simply “mail that has not been delivered by the expected delivery date.” You first need to wait 7 days past the delivery date before you should take action. Then you can:

Try and get to the bottom of it yourself at their Missing Mail Page.
File a Missing Mail search request online here. You’ll need to create an account first, but then you’ll receive periodic updates on the search progress.
Visit your local Post Office for assistance, where they will help you fill out a paper version of the Missing Mail request.
Call 1-800-275-8755. You can then ask for the number of your local Consumer Affairs office and they can submit a missing mail request by phone.

Amazon Missing or Stolen Packages

At eCampus.com, we do use Amazon to fulfill some of our orders and yes, even Amazon admits that this sometimes happens. Amazon considers an item “lost” after 48 hours past the expected delivery. After that, they suggest that you take the following steps:

Check to see if your package was left with a neighbor or receptionist.
Verify the Shipping Address
Look for a Sign or Notice of Attempted Delivery
Look Around the Delivery Location (sometimes it’s just hidden out of view).
If you’re expecting a box, then check the mail, and vice versa. Some packages travel through multiple carriers.

UPS Missing or Stolen Packages

For deliveries that don’t require a signature, UPS trains their delivery personnel to leave shipments in “a safe place at the drivers discretion”. This could include the front porch, side door, back porch, or garage area. They also state that drivers may leave items “on back porches, bushes, garages, grills, or other places that might protect your package from theft or weather.”

Then, like the others, UPS requests that you wait 24 hours after the expected delivery date and time before taking action. Unlike USPS and Amazon, UPS does not have any online self-service to help locate packages.

UPS does have a process for senders to file a UPS lost package claim, however, this is only if the package was sent via UPS the entire way. If the package changes hands (which is frequently the case) from one carrier to another (such as UPS to USPS) during transit, this option is not available.

FedEx Missing or Stolen Packages

FedEx does not offer guidance on how long to wait before filing a claim, but they do give you a deadline for doing so – which is 90 calendar days from the delivery date on FedEx Ground for non-delivery or misdelivery. Like UPS, FedEx offers an online claims process for lost packages. Luckily, this process is entirely online and looks fairly simple to complete:

Visit the FedEx lost package page to file a claim.
Fill out the claim form. (You’ll need your tracking number.)
Add supporting documentation for the item’s value.

PRO TIP: You don’t need to provide this documentation if the item is under $100 in value.

Submit.
Track the status of your claim online here.

Some FedEx customers have reported that it’s faster to do this by phone, by calling 1-800-463-3339. You’ll have to say “representative” a few times, and again, you’ll need your tracking number, but then you can speak to a live person who can open a claim for you.

What Does In-Transit Mean?

In-transit means that the item is on its way to you. This can remain the status until your item is successfully delivered. In rare cases, items can get stuck in transit. An item shouldn’t remain in any one sorting facility for more than 5 business days. If this is the case, you can reach out to the carrier and ask them to contact the sorting facility where the package is stuck so they can try to locate it for you.

What Else Can I Do for Stolen Packages?

If you have already tried everything that we’ve mentioned above, here are a few more – let’s say severe – actions you can take. All of these actions are focused towards “stolen” items, since lost packages will be primarily the concern of the carriers themselves.

File a complaint with the Postal Inspection Service. By doing this you are essentially reporting a crime. The only difference between the USPIS and the police (they work together jointly) is that this organization deals exclusively with issues of this sort. Here’s what you can report online through the USPIS:
- Mail Fraud
- Identity Theft
- Mail Theft
- Suspicious Mail
Use Purchase Protection on your Credit Card. If you purchased with a credit card, you may have purchase protections that cover lost or stolen items. However, there’s always the fine print such as:
- May not cover items over $500.
- Claim period is typically 90 days after purchase.
- You’ll need receipts.
- You may need to file a police report also.

Here are a few credit card companies that offer some version of purchase protection:

Visa Infinite
Mastercard
American Express
Citi
Chase

Tips for Preventing Package Theft

If you live in an area with high theft, there are several steps you can take to make it harder for porch pirates to steal your packages.

You can sign up to have items held at the carrier facility rather than have them delivered to your home.
You can ask carriers to not leave items at the door unless the person is home.
You can sign up for alerts with the carriers to know exactly when items are going to be delivered.
Buy a Security System. This will help in a number of ways:
1. Help deter, identify & catch theft.
2. Secure your home from burglars.
3. Lower homeowners insurance costs.

In Conclusion

As you can see, you have lots of options. Hopefully this will help ease the pain of having a lost or stolen package and give you a clear path forward. Many of these methods may not work for your situation, but it only takes one of these solutions to help you get back either your property or your money.

Did any of these solutions work for you? Did we miss one? If so, let us know!