Is the USPS particularly slow this year or is it just me?

[tommytreasure]

I don't think I've had a single order arrive at its destination on time this year, and it's becoming dreadful to mail items out. I can't blame buyers for not leaving feedback when it's taking up to 10 days to get their purchases. I mail directly from the post office within one day. Tracking is almost always incomplete; they routinely skip scans, and packages are getting stuck in distribution centers for a week. It's stressful. Are there better options?

[mam98031]

Overall USPS still does and excellent job for me and my customers.  There is the occasional problem, but they all get worked out.  In the past 12-18 months I have had only one lost package.

[tommytreasure]

I've found that Priority Mail can be even slower than ground advantage. The delivery scan is important as long as they manage to deliver it to the correct address. Twice in the past 2 years, my packages have ended up at other addresses. One was kindly returned to me, and the other was lost forever. When they mark it "delivered" it's over. If they mess up the address, you're just out of luck.

[tommytreasure]

I discovered months ago that Priority Mail is no faster than ground advantage, so you may as well save your money.

[tommytreasure]

The problem is, USPS will tell you "3 days" but it rarely gets there within 3 days. It usually takes 2 to 3 times longer than that.

[tommytreasure]

It seems people can't afford non-necessity items these days. Add to that shipping costs and tax. On the other hand, sellers can't afford to price their items too cheaply because Ebay takes out so much. It's a perfect storm.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@toysaver wrote:

"they routinely skip scans"

The only scan that counts is the delivery scan.    The world has seen many changes with wars, politics and Covid.   USPS is not what it used to be.   For faster shipping I recommend Priority for anything over a pound.   It may end up not helping at all but at least there's a glimmer of hope.  I also recommend a 3 day handling time so the buyer's expectations match the current USPS lag time.  

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@toysaver  I heartily disagree with this!  The Acceptance scan is equally as important!  Sure Delivery Scan is important, but getting the Acceptance scan late or not at all can cause huge problems with several of your metrics.  We read about it all the time on here!   

The on the way scans are also important if someone files an INR.  I just had one & b/c it had been recently scanned along the way, mulitple times, eBay extended the deadline for me. 

@tommytreasure   Yes things are slower, I got my first INR for an item I'd shipped the day she bought it.  I also had a personal Xmas card take an entire month to arrive from CO to AL.  HOWEVER, most of my pkgs are arriving on time, no problem.  So, if you're experiencing it with so many of your pkgs, I would look closely at your protocols & choices. 

[homergreg]

Anything that goes into Indianapolis is a complete mess and has been for months.  I'm strictly UPS/FedEx until it gets straightened out.   I don't know how much not offering USPS is impacting my business, but I do know that using USPS in my area was causing me to have many customers who shouldn't have to wait so long since late January.  I still have one floating around out there that I mailed early February that every so often updates that it departed Indy for the upteenth time.

[jasoheat_0]

wish that was true here , i dropped a package Large ( record player )  $80 priority and watched the USPS employee scan the package , my fault for not getting recei[t , took a week for a scan to happen , then it went to the opposite side of the country Chicago , when it was suppose to go to florida , and took a total of almost 3 weeks , priority doesnt help around here , and ebay wonders why we do not offer same day shipping , its crazy , oh i have to do 5 day lag time its so bad here , good luck 

[suncatchersandskeletonkeys]

I sell stickers on Etsy, which all go out first-class mail with Pitney Bowes "tracking" numbers which USPS can scan as in transit, out for delivery, and delivered. It's literally taking up to 5 days for the local distribution center to even start working on them, and up to 10 days to arrive at destinations. Buyers are sending me constant messages, and I'm starting to dread going to the post office. The stress is unreal.

[mam98031]

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@suncatchersandskeletonkeys wrote:

I sell stickers on Etsy, which all go out first-class mail with Pitney Bowes "tracking" numbers which USPS can scan as in transit, out for delivery, and delivered. It's literally taking up to 5 days for the local distribution center to even start working on them, and up to 10 days to arrive at destinations. Buyers are sending me constant messages, and I'm starting to dread going to the post office. The stress is unreal.

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@suncatchersandskeletonkeys 

If a buyer contacts you with a delivery issue or if the buyer opens an INR, IMHO these are the steps to take.

If an INR was opened, make sure you upload the tracking number to the INR right away.

Go to USPS website and review the detail tracking info.

On this tracking screen there is a place to file for email updates as there is movement on the tracking. Sign up for that so you get informed right away when something gets entered to the tracking.

Go and file for a TRACE, I don't recommend filing for Missing Mail just yet. The two are completely different actions. The Trace usually gets the job done quicker.
https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Contact your buyer. Keep all contact inside the INR filed so everything is recorded on the claim. Let your buyer know you are working with USPS to get their package delivered. Apologize for the delay. And let them know you filed a trace which takes between 48-72 hours for USPS to respond. As you get any information you will update the buyer right away. Assure your buyer that you are working this problem and will continue to do so until a proper resolution.

If there is movement on the tracking within the last 7 days, Ebay will keep the INR open. Do not voluntarily issue the refund yet. It is highly likely the package is going to get delivered, it is just late. Annoying for the buyer for sure. Just stay in touch with them and assure them you are working on a resolution.