USPS Incompetence is UNACCEPTABLE

[jeffb2021]

I'm having the most unbelievable and constant issues with the USPS, and it's making me sick!!!

My first issue surrounded scheduling pick-ups...I would package and schedule pick-ups for the next day, and for WEHATEVER reason the USPS would pick up the packages and not update the tracking numbers for however long they felt like it! Some cases a whole week before any updates, and of course this affected my late shipping rate to 13% which in reality wasn't actually true, but because the USPS does whatever it wants it reflects on me.

So, since I work during the day and CAN NOT get to the post office, I started dropping all items off at the post office lobby drop box. This works for the most part, but I still have to use pick-ups for larger items that won't fit in the lobby drop slot...

This week I dropped off 10 items that are pretty time sensitive off at the post office lobby drop box and for WHATEVER REASON there has not been NO UPDATES to ANY of the 10 tracking numbers in 2 full business days...I call the local number and the guy said he would 'Look into it' and of course there is no updates still, and of course the buyer is already writing me asking me why I haven't mailed the packages yet??? It's like NO MATTER WHAT I DO, the USPS will screw me every time!!!! I dropped the items off late Monday night/Early Tuesday morning, which means that the 4PM time the mail is collected those tracking numbers should have been updated that night...but they weren't or the next night, and  so I go to the USPS website and spend an hour filing missing mail reports. I also wrote a letter in BOLD red letters that I drove to the post office and slid under the door...because they always seem to get away with this incompetence and it is truly hurting people!!!

It's not just one post office, or mail person, there is truly a systemic problem with the USPS, and meanwhile they raise the rates (WEHICH IS A JOKE) and now I pay more for bad service? They have totally lost multiple items that were never found, they don't SCAN when they pickup, they don't collect the mail when they claim they do, and in the meantime I get people who want refunds (That I have to give) because the USPS can't do it's job that they are paid to do!!

I can't even tell you how much I've spent sending items through FedEx or UPS to avoid using the USPS, and honestly I would send smaller items through FedEx/UPS if it wouldn't totally wipe me out financially because continuing using USPS is going to end my ability to sell anymore anyway.

I can't do this...I can't do everything right, only to be undermined by an incompetent USPS. They get hundreds of millions of dollars (This is documented FACT) and they still fail to perform at any acceptable level.

It's disgusting that they can ruin people's lives and not be held accountable! Also, it's unbelievable how much money I've spent  using a service that has failed so many times and is causing me nothing but trouble!!

They don't even accept any accountability!

I'm sure some people have no issues using the USPS, and God bless you, but I know I have gone out of my way to overcome any potential issues only to find other issues that are beyond my ability to understand!

It's lunacy! 

Can we start a petition?? I mean there MUST be others who are having never-ending issues with the USPS that are causing them hardships, and potentially their seller status! I know it's causing my late shipping % to go through the roof! (I already select 3 business days to ship) which isn't even how I operate! I package and ship the same day, and I still have a 13% late shipment rate and I can't stand it!!!

Thank you USPS for charging me so you can also screw me!!! 

[dnasilver]

Sorry to hear you are having so many issues. It seems some folks have constant issues with USPS and others nothing. For us, we have had one issue in the last 5 years. The item was delivered a week late. Maybe talk to your local Post Master.

[inhawaii]

I'm the opposite for you.

In the past 20+ years i've shipped literally thousands and thousands of packages through the USPS.

I can count on one hand the issues/problems i've had.

I commend the USPS for a job well done.

Sorry you are having problems.

[lasantino]

sounds like the main issue you are having is your local office not scanning when they pick up. They are required to do this. You can absolutely call the 800 number and make a complaint,  your post office manager will get a memo from the main office ensuring they immediatly remind their carriers.

If your packages were to get scanned, it looks like that would take care of most of the issues you have.    

 You sound very very frustrated. It used to drive me crazy about the lack of scanning.   I complained to no avail.    I have a standard response i send to any customers who ask me why their package hasn't scanned yet.  

Dear customer, thank you for contacting me.  You package was shipped on  "date shipped" . Unfortunately my local usps carriers do not always scan packages as they are required to do.   I've complained to no avail. Approx 20% of my packages don't get a scan until they are delivered. Its incredibly frustrating. Please rest assured your package has shipped.   I also will initiate a track package search on the usps site. Sometimes this "shakes" a package loose and it will start tracking.   Thank you for your patience" 

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

When I drop my packages in the lobby's drop box, they don't get scanned until they reach the main distribution facility in either West Palm Beach or Miami depending on where they are going. I am located between these two main facilities and the small branch that I drop at doesn't do much but prepare them for the truck that takes them to the main facility. I would experiment with another branch or take them to the main distribution center if that's possible. You could also get in line and make the clerk scan your packages. 

In the back of my post office is a loading dock where people with larger packages take their cars and unload right into the bins at 4-5pm everyday and then the truck takes them to the main facility.

There are also kiosks that at least scan the package and then you drop it in the box which is better than nothing. I use this for tubes because USPS is allergic to tubes and don't scan them because they might have to enter the tracking number manually and that could ruin their whole day.

Just some ideas I thought I would share.

[fashunu4eeuh]

The problem may just be with your local branch. Is the post office you dropped off the packages at the same as your pick-up carriers originated from?

There are good branches and bad ones. I know because i sometimes need to go to other branches than my own, and have had postal employees at the counter refuse to scan in my package(s). They are supposed to do this. It is crazy to encounter that attitude.

I never have issues with my local branch. They are awesome. They go out of their way to service their customers. Even so, long ago i formed a solid working relationship with the Post Master at my local post office. That has proved invaluable over the years. You might reach out to yours with your concerns.

If possible, can you switch post offices where you drop off your packages? Or, can you take your packages in with you to the office to be picked up there? I assume your day job is such you can’t get away on your lunch hour to mail packages.

It is an inconvenience, but i still take my packages to the counter to get the all-important acceptance scan. Often have to wait in line these days due to the fact that some local branches have been shut down and now this location is taking up the slack. 

Wish you much smoother sailing ahead. Good luck.

[toysaver]

Because the PO is staffed by humans so there will always be an opportunity for discord and poor service.   Going Postal....  But that is not the norm.  The employees get along great where I do business.   They always work with a smile.

'I call the local number and the guy said he would 'Look into it' ...  I also wrote a letter in BOLD red letters that I drove to the post office and slid under the door...'

You won't get far in life with that attitude.  If I have a stack of 12 packages on Monday morning or the day after a holiday there is usually a fun size bag of candy on top.

[ohiochina]

That all sounds very sucky and I'm sorry you're dealing with it. If by chance your USPS has a 24/7 lobby with an electronic shipping station you can scan packages before you place them in the drop and print a receipt. Typically, tracking is updated to reflect the package is in the hands of USPS by day's end; sometimes within an hour.

I know it doesn't alleviate the frustration but it might be a small way to get packages into the system. At least ones that fit in the drop. If the p.o. is open, I often drop larger packages on one of the closed counter service windows and dodge the glares of those waiting in line. Ditto is drop is full. Good luck to you.

[aeparts1]

I suggest you contact your senators, congressperson, the president, & the postmaster general with your concerns about the USPS.

They are in a better position to address your issues than those of us on eBay

[readabouthorses]

When you were doing the pickups were you providing the carrier with a scan sheet or expecting them to scan every package?

[gamersbaystore]

I'm having issues with USPS too, mostly around the fact its taking a month or longer for some of my shipments to arrive. No one can operate a business this way.

As for your high late shipping rate, this is why its a bad idea to offer 1 day handling. I haven't done so in years. Changing your handling time to 2 or 3 business days is a very simple fix and could've prevented this headache to begin with.

You're mad at the postal service, yet its ebay who's punishing you. We do not live in a perfect world, yet ebay assumes we do. Any fault in the postal service is always blamed on the seller, ebay doesn't care.

[toysaver]

Media Mail is no longer a viable option for a business transaction.

[1tuna]

I am sorry you are having so much difficulty

I woud never trust another to do what I can do myself

I have never scheduled pickup because I like to drop in the APC chute and go

a sub might have to be sent if the senior letter carrier has 3-4 weeks of personal time and vacation.

my estimates are a sub is used for 6% of deliveries VS the regular letter carrier

thats a real good reason to never ever do the pickup

thats just my own conjecture though.  the post office is busy and I truly understand the no scan thing on dropoff...I get it and do not care

ebay is very generous in descoring the late shipping.

my one record is always at 100 percent and the other rate is maybe 1 percent late as pictured below

Late shipment rate
0.93%
15 of 1,619 transactions

Cases closed without seller resolution
0.00%
0 of 1,630 transactions

Tracking uploaded on time and validated
100.00%
339 of 339 transactions

if you can improve your score by doing something then you need to do it

"if you want something done then do it yourself" applies to shipping

scheduling a  pickup woud give me high anxiety. I am sure it works great for many others but I could just not hack it due to the fact I am a teensy bit of a worry wart.

if looking at tracking is making you uneasy then stop doing it

@jeffb2021 

[mrsbmcv77]

It is alarming that so many of the comments suggested doing extra to encourage the postal service to do their actual job.

I find that if you are angry, letter writing is an absolute waste of time.  I speak to the staff directly AFTER I have put in a complaint at USPS.com.  Something like, this is my case number but can someone here please explain to me why this is happening.  I just don't understand.  Usually, this tactic works the best. 

Be ready to make adjustments.

Like, I do not use pick up any longer.  It turns out my mail service is not totally reliable because I do not have a "regular mail carrier".  Which is why some things were not scanning at pick up.  It does not matter that it is pretty much the same guy running my route for the last 3 years.  He is not assigned to my route.

I will not ship media mail any longer.  I generally just do not sell things in that category.  Or they sit until someone wants to pay up for shipping.

My husband does not use our post office for most shipping.  He uses the ones near his work instead. He works in a city and they tend to just have better handling ability.

We learned where the regional hub changes when the remodelling at the one in St. Louis was causing massive problems.

Just for the record, I was not always this nice about it.  I do not have to deal with my post master directly because I once threatened to jump the counter.  Don't judge me too harshly.  It was the fifth time I had been in there over a single issue.

[dhbookds]

I understand your anger.......but that's not going to get you anywhere........  It's not a systemic problem.....it's a and individual human problem......

Start with your carrier....as said, are you using the scan form for pickups?  If not, start using them.  Try to communicate with the carrier......I understand you work, but try to be home on a Sat....and put a note that you need to talk to him/her.....CALMLY explain that you really need the pickups done when scheduled and the scans performed when the items are picked up.....  If they are "horsey" and try to blow you off, call your LOCAL Postmaster  and explain what's happening.... and then REPORT PROBLEM to him EACH TIME.  I had postmasters send carriers back if they skipped a pickup.   At either level, THANK them for the help they give.   You are trying to establish a good working relationship with the carrier, so little treats/small $ at Xmas can go along way to show your appreciation and ensure their cooperation. 

If none of that works, go to the 800 number and explain what you've done.....and ask for help with the locals. 

To the larger questions of losing packages, etc......how many have been lost?  I've sold for many years from 2 different states (one of which is PA)  and have only had a couple lost.....are you sending some things via a stamp with no tracking? 

just some suggestions............I do know the reach out to the locals can work (tho not always)......I had to do it myself at one point........and have read like experiences here........