[chrisandchris]

That's exactly the issue mentioned in the post. Then show something like "not yet picked up" or "tracking number created" (a matching context for the user) instead of saying "we don't know this number" (technical context)

[concerned_user]

Here in europe that is exactly what I see, a store will show me tracking number and if I click on it carrier website says - "Label printed" so you know it is not picked up yet. DPD carrier does it like that.