Generally described, under on aspect of the invention, a single unique delivery notice is left at the particular location. However, this notice is "linked" to the parcel(s) that were undeliverable. This can be done by a handheld portable data acquisition device that includes a scanning or reading means, allowing information to be acquired from the delivery notice as well as from the parcels, and stored on the handheld portable data acquisition device. If ten parcels were undeliverable, only one delivery notice is left behind but is "linked" to all ten packages. The intended recipient can then contact the delivery service via the Internet (or other suitable network) or by phone, by using information provided on the delivery notice. By providing the delivery service with unique information from the delivery notice, the intended recipient can get valuable information regarding the undelivered parcels. Such information can include shipper name, how many packages from each shipper, time of attempted delivery, COD status, etc. Arrangements can then be made to have the package(s) redelivered, held at a local operation center, redirected, or returned.