USPS "Ready For Pick Up"

[raven-labs]

This is a complaint about deteriorating USPS service. In recent years if they don't deliver the package for some reason, they'll scan it "Ready For Pick Up" instead of just redelivering it the next day.

I had FOUR ebay packages out for delivery yesterday, and none of them was delivered. Three of them got scanned "Ready For Pick Up" and the fourth one got scanned "DELIVERY ATTEMPTED"

None of these packages are signature required, none of them are postage due, and there's no excuse for them not to be left on the porch like hundreds of other ebay packages I've had delivered.

First of all, why the inconsistency? Secondly, I paid good money (about 50 bucks in postage) to have these packages delivered TO MY HOUSE. Not to go stand in line at the post office and deal with their hostility and indifference.

I made a forum post a few months ago when I had a similar situation with a comic book I bought on ebay. An update on that situation: I marked as "best answer" a guy who said that probably the package was held for postage due. I really though that was the right answer, but it turned out there wasn't any postage due after all. A few days later the package just randomly showed up, with no further action on my part. It was as I originally thought, the package just didn't get delivered the first day it was out for delivery, no explanation why not, and instead of bringing it the following day they just scanned it "Ready for pick up" and no other scans after that until the package just randomly showed up a few days later.  (I tried to update this on the original forum post, but when I did I just kept getting flaky error messages from the web site, too many to count or bother mentioning)

So now I find myself again in the same situation. It's the following day, and none of these packages are scanned Out For Delivery.

Notably, if I follow the link to USPS tracking (not ebay tracking) there is a button that says "Request Redelivery" where I have to fill out the address again (don't they already have the address?!?!?) and I have to do this for each of my 3 packages. Except the one that said "DELIVERY ATTEMPTED", there is no such button for that one. It's just in limbo with no further scans or information available.

USPS used to follow up on the work they're doing and complete it. If they didn't get around to delivering the package, because there was traffic or it got dark or it was raining, it would show up the next day. Now I have to specifically request for the package to be delivered to my house. THAT'S WHAT THE POSTAGE WAS FOR.

[12345jamesstamps]

In my city USPS puts a sticker on mailbox or door when there is a delivery attempt second and third time.

Your regular delivery person in truck or your mailman could be on vacation or it's his day off.

Have you ever talked to any of them?

A temporary mail person will not be as quick as a regular mail person.

These people do sometimes delivery something the next day even if it says out for delivery.

I talk to my mailman...I know what day he is off and when he went on vacation to Taiwan in the summer.

Sounds more like a local issue in your neighborhood.

Talking to these people instead of the post office will help.

[house*of*paws]

Hi @raven-labs 

This appears to be an issue with your local post office.  Have you spoken to your local Postmaster about it?

I know that the pandemic resulted in a shortage of postal workers ... more in some areas than others.  A number of changes occurred ... such as carriers being told to sign Signature Confirmation deliveries, which many are still doing.

That said, I recall that my local USPS has been leaving 'Attempted delivery' notices ... rather than making repeated deliveries ... for at least a decade.  AND nobody seems to ring doorbells any more.  😖

[bonanza125]

"why the inconsistency?"

You are dealing with the USPS. If you haven't been aware what is happening they have announced packages would be delayed and there will be less employees working. That's the system doing that as far as the scanning.

 "Secondly, I paid good money (about 50 bucks in postage) to have these packages delivered TO MY HOUSE. Not to go stand in line at the post office and deal with their hostility and indifference."

Unfortunately your carrier or local station has decided to leave a notice for you to pick up. Take it up with them. Expect an answer which will result in the same thing happening again. There is nothing anyone can do to change that.

"I made a forum post a few months ago when I had a similar situation with a comic book I bought on ebay. An update on that situation: I marked as "best answer" a guy who said that probably the package was held for postage due. I really though that was the right answer, but it turned out there wasn't any postage due after all."

You are dealing with the USPS. You come in here asking for advice and get answers to your questions. Nobody here can really predict what your local USPS station or mail person will decide to do. 

[mudshark61369]

@raven-labs,

If you received a PS form 3849 stating Ready For Pickup, it was someone at your P.O. who added that info to your carrier's route notes. Carriers do not have that scan available on their scanners. 

 That may be issued if there is postage due, or an adult signature is required and no one was home at the time of attempted delivery.  However, Four packages being held for pickup seems very wrong. Have you called your local P.O. to find out why they are holding 4 packages?  Maybe a new substitute carrier decided to take all packages back, because of 1 hold for pickup item.