I've spent 30 days asking where our FR10 and tool connection cable are. The Chinese seller says handed to the freight agent. The agent says awaiting warehouse receipt under a different reference. What can I ask them to match so we can plan the inspection-fixture loading setup?
Put both references in one query to both parties, with the order and package marks, and ask which physical handover each is describing. A booking reference and a warehouse receipt can concern different stages; you need their connection, not a vote on whose wording sounds more definite.
I've sent the joint query. The seller's message doesn't include a signed handover or package marks. The agent can see its reference but still says it has no warehouse receipt for it.
Keep the cable in the contents question as well. It could be packed with the arm or separately; I cannot tell from those updates. Ask for the package list that connects both ordered items to the reference being traced.
Zara's right, and the same list should go to the agent. Otherwise it might locate an arm crate and everyone relax while the cable remains an item in the seller's packing note rather than an identified part of the shipment.
Seller supplied an outer-crate marking and says the cable is packed inside. Agent is checking that marking against its intake records. This is the first shared physical identifier we've had; no location confirmed yet.
That is something the warehouse can search for. Keep the cable statement attributed to the seller until contents are independently checked; finding the outside crate would not by itself verify every item inside it.
Agent now confirms the marked crate is at its warehouse under the other reference. Seller's cable listing remains our only contents evidence. I've updated the location, but not marked the package complete or booked the installer.
Can the agent give you the next movement plan and the reference to follow? You've finally answered where the crate is, but planning still needs to distinguish a warehouse location from an onward dispatch commitment.