USPS Major Delays
Since just before Thanksgiving nearly 1/3 of our shipments are arriving 7-10 days late. The biggest problem is that there are no scans for most package until they arrive in the buyers state. Anyone else experiencing this problem?
53 comments
soh.maryl
·2 years agoUh, not packages per se, but have recently had major problems when two checks I mailed to pay significant amounts did not arrive at their destinations promptly. One took 20 days to clear my bank and the other took more than one month.
coloradospaul
·2 years agoI've had the same issue, with one being particularly late. I sent out on 11/26, and she just got her item on 12/15. The USPS tracker kept saying it was at the post office in her town, but it didn't leave there for two weeks. Luckily, she was very kind, but I was ready to call that post office and get some info. It now shows that the item was delivered and I followed up with her but I haven't heard anything back-I can only hope it was delivered to the correct address!
bettimoor-0
·2 years agoI could not be more delighted than I am right now with USPS.
I mailed out 3 packages on 12/14 from North Carolina and one was delivered in MA on 12/17 one is already in AZ as of 12/17 and the other shows on time to make it by 12/18.
I stand in line for scanning because I don't like to take chances.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!
fewrprfct
·2 years agoRead the USPS Facebook page-major delivery problems ACROSS THE COUNTRY- they are inept and incapable!! Nothing to do with how packages are dropped. I have packages missing right now, things I bought and things I sold. Avoid them.
movieman630
·2 years agoThis is the exact reason why I shut down for the entire month of December. I won't start selling again until Jan. 2nd.
lakefor94
·2 years agoI shutdown for several weeks in 2020 and 2021. Staying open and rolling the dice again this year.
a_happyhoarder
·2 years agoUsually November and December are my best months! BUT NOT THIS YEAR! 😢
movieman630
·2 years agoIt really depends on what you sell if December is going to be good or bad. I don't sell "gift" items so it really doesn't bother me.
carlmarxx
·2 years agoThe USPS track on their website uploads with misinformation where as their internal scan is up to date . I had package where tracking went dead and USPS did the investigation . I paid for priority mail but sellers employee down graded to USPS Ground Advantage and I been wondering if Priority mail would have been better . I had a newbie Ebay rep That closed the INR in my favor based on USPS tracking issues . Which I did not want closed yet . I did pay back the seller when it showed up . The internal scan showed it missed sent to four different locations .It is amazing they didn't get lost . from happened in my case. USPS is going to cause a lot of buyers to win INR's .
dolcetreasures
·2 years agoI sent three Priority packages all went by ground. USPS cannot be trusted, I’m having nothing but trouble this year.
deserdog
·2 years agoGoing from where to where?
dolcetreasures
·2 years agoNJ to NJ, NJ to FL, NJ to Va.
dolcetreasures
·2 years ago 
 
 
Here’s a small example:
a_happyhoarder
·2 years agoI reached out to my buyers whose packages are a week late just to make sure there isn't and error in the tracking system.
I have one buyer whose package should have arrived on NOVEMBER 25th!
I suggested they file an insurance claim.
lakefor94
·2 years ago@a_happyhoarder
I was under the impression that the shipper was the only party that can file an insurance claim.
a_happyhoarder
·2 years agoNo. You can chose sender or recipient and who will receive the refund on form.
lakefor94
·2 years agoIf the buyer files a INR, who files the claim?
a_happyhoarder
·2 years agoThe buyer can file a claim. This is off the USPS online claim form.
finewithfun123
·2 years agoI'd highly suggest considered Fedex Ground until after holiday for the larger boxes. I have a Ground Advantage package that literally has been looping around between Minneapolis, back to Oak Creek, back to Madison, back to St. Paul...it is day twelve and its looping around a three state area. It was just a shipment from Wisconsin subrube to Minnesota suburb. I am kindof thinking it is a massive inefficient system. Fedex ground is just a little bit more than USPS priority by a couple dollars but gets there. Just choose it when setting up your sales and explain it in the template. If a client overrides it to go Ground Advantage, then they likely are not in a rush. It really is a mess for the larger packages. Smaller ones seem to be doing ok. Walgreens takes Fedex packages, but I do prefer to drop them off at a Fedex store nearby.
retro_entertainment_collectibles
·2 years agoIts not any of this, the USPS is inundated with Amazon parcels. Staff have been instructed not even mention the word Amazon. I've known Postal Clerk I see for over 20 years, he told me the deal. He told me if it worries me to have delivery by Xmas, after this Monday, the 11th ship everything Priority. He's a relative at the Main PO here as well, told me they've had the regular Amazon delivery vans you see on the streets dropping van loads of parcels for the carriers to deliver and its got many carriers REALLY upset. Other day I posted a news article about it in Minnesota as I recall.
So there you have it. Might question why? Maybe Amazon doesn't have enough workers for the deliveries but then again months back I THINK (maybe?) I'd read someplace that Amazon was reducing the delivery force. But I also recall seeing ad's where Amazon was seeking delivery people. Or we can walk into conspiracy zones, flood parcels into the USPS Mains overwhelming them so all competitors get a hurtin' put on?
gloryglorygifts
·2 years agoThat's not a new problem. It happens occasionally to my shipments throughout the year. I have a few out there now from December 1 that weren't scanned here but now in the destination state. It's very annoying but unavoidable, especially at this time of year. This year, there seems to be hang ups in the midwest. IL and MO are the worst.
slati_2013
·2 years agoYep. I had a crazy buyer a couple of days ago who sent me over twenty emails complaining about why he was not seeing the scan of the item showing up. It showed up the next night which seems to be happening a lot. It is something that costs several hundred dollars so my gut feeling tells me this is not over. Also Priority Mail is taking anywhere from between 4-7 days on my end.
inhawaii
·2 years ago1 to 10 packages per day.
Mostly Ground Advantage and a few Priority Mail.
All have been arriving on time.
No complaints here.
4pawsup*
·2 years agoI finally received a package that shipped 11/27 i bought from a seller in the same state i live in. The package only had to travel about 150 miles and took 13 days G A. To me that is slow
magnoliamama50
·2 years agoI have 't really had this problem until last week when I had a priority package take over one week to get to destination and wasn't scanned until it got to the destination city. I took 8 packages to the post office about 9:30 a.m. that morning and left them on the counter because the line was way out the door. Learned my lesson and will just stand in the line from now on for all packages to be scanned and get a receipt. The other 7 packages were scanned at almost 2:00 am central time. I also noticed one other day that the post office was doing their scanning late night/early morning perhaps due to the number of packages with the holiday season. I did notice a place on the tracking to leave feedback for eBay and I did so but never heard anything back. Therefore, I was dinged on my rating!
yuzuha
·2 years agoNope. I'm still seeing 2-4 days for Ground Advantage, the only exceptions being things going to the West Coast (I'm on the East Coast) sometimes taking 5 days.
showmecurrency4u
·2 years agoyes. I have and item which says it departed Springfield 4-5 five days ago with no tracking. probably in a truck setting AT the sort center.
tobaccocardyahoo
·2 years agoI am not having widespread problems.
Whenever I use Ebay Standard Envelope, I get erratic scans and delivery, but that is a terrible service.
There are some areas of the country with consistent problems. I assume there are labor and management problems in those areas. Fortunately, few of my shipments are going to those areas, or being routed through them. Detroit is an example, so is New Jersey, Does not seem to be tied to class of mail.
To some destinations, shipments are arriving faster than normal.
One needs to expect problems this time of year, and hopefully your expectations will be exceeded (in a good way).
oaktoncardinal
·2 years agoI made a post in the Shipping thread a couple of days ago about HUGE MAJOR delays out of the Richmond VA processing facility (supposedly the 2nd largest mail processing plant in the US). I have 5 packages (which yes, for the snarks, I got scanned at the counter) that haven't moved since 11/28/23. 4 customers are understanding of the situation.
I'm told workers aren't showing up for their shifts. At this facility they have an all hands on deck to try to get everything processed. They have opened a nearby training facility to get mail processed and they appear to be diverting mail to other processing centers as my last drop-off went to Philly not Richmond. They have/had a 500,000 backlog and my packages are still waiting for a scan... any scan.
Seems USPS knows they have a problem at this facility, local news has been reporting on this and I made my post in the Shipping Thread but eBay is not has not adjusted delivery times for they packages I am mailing. Why not? I really don't think buyers should be able to open INR's so quickly.
sextons-sweet-deals
·2 years agoI going to guess the real issue is that you're dumping your packages at the counter or into the drop box inside USPS and walking away.
Maybe even dropping off a few days after you print shipping / tracking label. (just a guess).???
I print my labels and I stand in line at USPS for a printed label. It provides a time of acceptance and weight of package to help prevent any issues with buyers.
Scans can be missed and skipped especially during the holidays. This is why sellers need to be proactive.
rain*delay1
·2 years agoHi, there - YES, I have also been experiencing this "no scans" problem with the USPS. Occasionally, I will leave a package to be shipped on the post office's drop-off counter. They used to scan packages that had built up on their counter, but when I recently left a package on the counter, I discovered via tracking that it was NEVER scanned off the counter, and was ONLY scanned when it finally reached the buyer!! I asked my friendly USPS counter clerk about this, and this is what he told me: "They (higher ups) have told us to NOT scan the packages, since it's too time consuming. Just move the packages off the counter into their respective bins". HUH?? Then what's the whole point of their scanning system?!? I think the highly controversial US Postmaster LOUIS DEJOY (research him) is at it again, fellow eBayers 😞
dhbookds
·2 years ago@rain*delay1
They (higher ups) have told us to NOT scan the packages, since it's too time consuming. Just move the packages off the counter into their respective bins".
I would NOT accept that answer.......ask to see the Post Master and ask him. If he concurs, I'd contact USPS via their consumer # on the website.
We've seen several times on here that local clerks are mistaken about some of the rules and need to be corrected......
mozartbach1971
·2 years agoI have a priority mail package that is over a week late and it hasn't shown no signs of movement for around a couple days.
houseofblair
·2 years agoHere is my recent experience that has left me worried sick. I sold a huge order that required two boxes. The recipient lives 3 hours away from me. I always take my items to the post office physically. Get a receipt after they are scanned in. Shame on me for not buying insurance. I'm still beating myself up about it. Anyhow, one of the boxes arrived at its destination within 2 days, the second box (going to the same address) is lost. Has the initial scan showing receipt by the post office but hasn't moved since. Been to the local post office, called the USPS number and they are "working" on finding it. It is now Day 12 and no update, nothing. Buyer is understandably upset. I just cannot wrap my head around how two boxes mailed at the same time, going to the same destination, one box makes it there and the other gets lost. This will be a costly mistake on my part for not buying insurance if indeed the box cannot be located or delivered. I'm at wit's end.
fern*wood
·2 years agoWhat method did you use to ship? Most have built in insurance unless it was media mail.
houseofblair
·2 years agoIt was media mail (huges lot of sheet music).
lakefor94
·2 years agoUSPS, the worst I have seen it since this season in 2021. No problem getting pickup scans by the carrier but scans are sketchy after the initial scan and some days late to 7 days late at this time.
UPS is experiencing delays as well on some shipments, but none appear to be off into the abyss as they can get with USPS.
Just received a call from a USPS help request. I was not expecting any help but was just hoping that the help request would have generated an entry into the tracking as I have seen in the past. Nada with this one.
lakefor94
·2 years agoContrary to what I posted above, the USPS Help Request did generate a tracking entry yesterday. FWIW, this was a USPS Priority package and it showed it's face yesterday, finally....
So with that said, wondering if the tracking entry from the USPS Help Request would in any way hold off an INR closure? Or at least buy some more time had the shipment not had any other entries and the buyer filed INR? @wastingtime101 or anyone else?
I remember doing this in 2020 and the USPS Help Request Entry had some effect on getting extensions on the time before the INR would close in the buyer's favor. I think we were still able to contact eBay somehow and get extensions in 2020.
wastingtime101
·2 years agoAnecdotal reports only @lakefor94 that I don't necessarily trust at face value without more details, no first hand experience on that or anything I've read from eBay reps. I suggest tagging one of the eBay reps - they can probably get the answer for you.
erikstuff
·2 years agoWhen I have multiple items to mail (rare these days) I take them to the Post Office (7 miles away) for initial scan. For single item mailing take to my postal station for pickup (9 AM & 2:30 PM). .. where the scanning is erratic. The pickup scan often shows ridiculous "Acceptance" times a day or two later (4:09 AM, 9:54 PM, etc) and sometimes in another state (Fargo ND... I'm in Florida). From the same Monday mailing from Florida I've had Media Mail delivered in California on Wednesday and Priority to Miami take 4 days. But, to their credit, only ONE lost package in 25 years.
12345jamesstamps
·2 years agoI am so lucky not needing tracking... scanning on most of my shipments. USPS is getting my mailings 3-4 days cross country.
Anything I have tracking takes forever lately....Florida the worst...followed by Virginia.
redlinear
·2 years agoYes, please contact @inhawaii for details. 😂🤣😂
theteamsetguy
·2 years ago@mspsports ,
Nope, Nada, Null, Zilch, Nein.
sapphire_studio
·2 years agoI can't imagine life without USPS pickup
714ricki
·2 years agoNo problems so far.....everything is scanned by the mail carrier or at the USPS self scan kiosk, & plenty of scans from the center, to the distrobution centers, & upto delivery. Delivery has been early, on-time, & some a few days tardy. Everything has been normal so far!!!
laststopgeneralstore
·2 years agoI can count on 1 hand the issues I've had with USPS in the past 4 years or so. I think I've just been extremely lucky though considering that I only use the scan sheet and never wait in line as it's a waste of time.
I think it honestly depends on where you are located and/or how long or how many stops it takes before it gets to the distribution center in your area. For me, our distribution center is about an hour or so away and if my packages doesn't get physically scanned when I drop them off, 99.99% of the time they will once they get to our distribution center.
Obviously they're short staffed and dealing with millions of packages but also, unfortunately some workers just don't give a hoot and are just their to collect a check. All the workers at my Post office around the corner that I go to are super nice & extremely helpful. I used to go to a different post office that was about 10 minutes away but they were extremely rude, hated when I'd bring in more than 5-10 packages & didn't let me leave them on the counter(already have labels on them) and leave but would almost force you to get in line, wait & get a receipt which I understand but their is no reason to be rude, mean or talk down to a complete stranger because you hate your job.
fern*wood
·2 years agoI haven't had scanning problems...yet. I always use carrier pickup and even if the subs don't scan my packages, they get scanned pretty quickly at the distribution location which is a couple hours away. Unfortunately, we just heard they are closing this distribution location which is a main one for our whole state. I don't know where they will go now so not sure how this will affect my future scans.ðŸ˜
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoI can count on 1 hand the issues I've had with USPS in the past 4 years or so. I think I've just been extremely lucky though considering that I only use the scan sheet and never wait in line as it's a waste of time.
For me it takes both hands but like you the issues have actually been few: several lost packages (which USPS reimbursed me for), a couple of shipping damage claims (some reimbursed some not), packages I never received (lost but reimbursed through direct claim with USPS).
I still stand in line and the regional distribution center, which is also open on Sunday, is only about 2 miles from me. The line is usually short, if there is one. The benefit I get is the item is directly scanned into the system and weighed for any potential discrepancies. I receive a receipt which shows the weight of the package at the time USPS took possession of it. It bailed me out on a NAD empty box claim a buyer attempted to pull several years ago.
I think it honestly depends on where you are located and/or how long or how many stops it takes before it gets to the distribution center in your area. For me, our distribution center is about an hour or so away and if my packages doesn't get physically scanned when I drop them off, 99.99% of the time they will once they get to our distribution center.
Agree it probably also depends on the logistics capability at the distribution center. How many trucks and aircraft do they have available to handle the volume. This is what caused the problem during the 2020 fiasco they simply didn't have the capability to move the packages.
Obviously they're short staffed and dealing with millions of packages but also, unfortunately some workers just don't give a hoot and are just their to collect a check. All the workers at my Post office around the corner that I go to are super nice & extremely helpful. I used to go to a different post office that was about 10 minutes away but they were extremely rude, hated when I'd bring in more than 5-10 packages & didn't let me leave them on the counter(already have labels on them) and leave but would almost force you to get in line, wait & get a receipt which I understand but their is no reason to be rude, mean or talk down to a complete stranger because you hate your job.
I have a similar issue, my packages are scanned at pickup but no further scans until delivery.
Packages are never more than a couple of days past eBay’s estimated dates of delivery.
dhbookds
·2 years agono real problems, a couple, a day late........ Still seeing scans enroute.
dbfolks166mt
·2 years agoI have also seen the extended delivery times, they have varied depending on the buyers location, and it is not unusual for this time of year but it is NO WHERE near the fiasco of the 2020 holiday season. Like @luckythewinner I stand in line and have USPS scan and weigh the items I am dropping off and obtain a receipt.
The initial scan has always shown up in the tracking but I have noticed the package is not always getting scanned while in transit and like you sometimes I only see the delivery scan once the package has been delivered.
luckythewinner
·2 years agoNot me.
I stand in line to get scans at the counter.
mybigsale
·2 years agoI "Scan prepaid package" using the self-service machines at the USPS (and drop scanned packages in package bin). Usually, no waiting when the counter lines can be out the door. Top-rated 0.00% late shipment rate for years now. Previously, USPS would miss some first scans (most during Christmas season - including USPS drop-offs and carrier pickups).