So, I've noticed alot of sellers(e.g gearbest, banggood) seem to send us a tracking link that has no validity. This includes local and international sellers we widely use on ozbargain. The tracking link does however work after a week or so. They usually blame the carrier but the tracking information and time of dispatch etc do not support this theory. I have also first hand worked for a big courier transport company and if the items are not scanned on receipt by driver they are scanned many times after with close succession.
Can anyone especially reps enlighten me?
I always assumed (so have no idea), that they buy the stickers and print the tracking link onto it.
It doesn't show up in the system though until the postal service actually scans it in the first time though, so you'll get the number early by creating your own through the computer system, print it out onto a sticker, and they copy and paste the number that gets generated to the customer.
But the tracking number only works once it's been scanned by the postal company which doesn't happen until after they come in and pick it up and (possibly goes through the initial warehouse).