USPS Losing more packages than I have ever seen.

[allsignswarehouse]

For the last few months, more of my packages have been lost than delivered. Tons of them. All misrouted. Some finally arrive but lot's don't. What is up with USPS? Ebay not protecting sellers from feedback for the errors the post office is making either.

[carlmarxx]

The USPS  has  been having  issues   since they started  Ground Advantage  shipping . then  Dejoys  screwing around with  the sorting centers  .     I have  yet  to get  any help  from the  USPS district Consumer services   for  PO's in my neck of the woods here in Southern California   on the bouncing around  of parcels  .

[12345jamesstamps]

I haven't had anything lost in years with USPS or coming from USPS.

'the errors'...why would a seller blame someone else and not look at maybe what they are doing wrong in shipping and responding to buyer's emails?

[houseofblair]

I am experiencing the very same issue except it has been going on longer than a few months.  The answer that I get at the counter when asking about missing packages that have never arrived or show any sort of tracking other than received at the local post office is "we don't know what happened to your item".  My mail seems to be traveling to all parts of the U.S. and maybe, if I'm lucky, it reaches it's destination without two weeks or a month.  Again, when I inquire at the local post office, the usual answer "we don't know what is going on.  We believe it is a problem with the main hub where they process the mail."  Lately, when looking at the tracking on some of my items, I see a new message being posted that reads "delivery is delayed".  No explanation other than that.  

In my opinion, each consumer who has this occurring to them is getting ripped off.  We each pay for a service, a service that they determine and state a certain time period in which a package may be received and it simply is not happening.  My priority mail packages are also seeing extended delivery times.  Average of 10 to 14 days before it is delivered.  Somewhere in the chain of mail being sent and where it is supposed to go there is a hiccup in the system.  I just hope they figure it out soon.  

[dhbookds]

no problems here.........one destined for EIS went around the states, but finally got there.

[allsignswarehouse]

THEY ARE LOSING AND MISROUTING PACKAGES IN MASS AMOUNTS. I have been packing and shipping since 1993. Hundreds a week. Never seen anything like this. 

[allsignswarehouse]

It has definitely been going on all winter and it is not getting better. I had a whole bunch of them go to Ybor city, Fl during the winter storms and that was the end of the trail for them. Poof-gone.

[carlmarxx]

if it went to the Chicago IL.  it may not get out of the building.

[luckythewinner]

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@allsignswarehouse wrote:

For the last few months, more of my packages have been lost than delivered. Tons of them. All misrouted. Some finally arrive but lot's don't. What is up with USPS? Ebay not protecting sellers from feedback for the errors the post office is making either.

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I use USPS exclusively on six selling accounts, and I have not had a package go missing in at least 3 years.

I haven't had an issue as a buyer either. 

[schloopertz]

*This is exactly my experience for the last 5 months or so. At least one lost package a month. No answers. It's unlike anything I have ever experienced in this business. Madness!

[mam98031]

@allsignswarehouse 

This has been the topic of some discussion recently on several threads.  I think it is happening for multiple reasons.  Processing issues as some sorting facilities have been not running as smoothly as they should.  But it also has to do with the back to back to back, weather events we have been happening across the nation.  

I think it is a half dozen of Announcements Ebay has put out this year alone on weather events.  It is an exceptionally hard year for many.

This is what I usually recommend to sellers to help protect themselves and their buyers.

**********************************************************************************

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.

[reallynicestamps]

Start locally.

Does tracking show that the package was accepted and moved to the terminal?

Then the problem is not with your local office -- although the staff response is unprofessional.

If it is with your local office, take the time to change offices.

Time is money, but apparently you are losing money on INR disputes.

Is a 20 minute drive acceptable ? Can it be consolidated with other messages and tasks?

Don't cheap out.

If the next PO that takes packages is an hour away, perhaps it is time to switch from USPS to UPS.

The cost may seem higher, but again, apparently you are losing money on INR disputes.

Don't cheap out.

Slow delivery is a problem, but is USPS delivering within the time eBay is giving your customer?

Have you considered extending your "handling" time?
When our Canada Post went on strike last November/December many Canadian sellers just moved their shipping estimates for same day handling to five (!) day and crossed their fingers.

This may cost a few sales, but if it stops INR disputes, it could be worthwhile. YMMV.

Don't cheap out.

[mam98031]

@reallynicestamps 

"If it is with your local office, take the time to change offices."  Why should someone have to do that?  File a complain with the local Postmaster [person in charge], if that doesn't work, file a complaint on the website www.usps.com they really do process them.

"Time is money, but apparently you are losing money on INR disputes."  That isn't necessarily the outcome of an INR.  At least not ones I've handled.  I don't think USPS has actually lost more than ONE package of mine in the last year.

UPS is SO MUCH more expensive than USPS on small packages.  The pricing isn't even close.  It doesn't "seem" higher, it is higher, but a lot.

[mam98031]

@allsignswarehouse 

I know you are aware, but that is a lot of negatives and neutrals you have.  Some of them could be removed if you tried.  IDK if that is something you are interested into trying.

If you want to try for some of the ones you've gotten in the last 30 days or so, I'd be happy to share some observations with you that may help.

[kalyoth]

This is just the latest of decades of issues in the historically mismanaged USPS. ebay is not an insurance agent. Each seller is a business & is independent of ebay & is responsible for getting product to buyers. Everyone hates the current PM General because they are trying to fix the past. If it was not government funded, it would have gone bankrupt long ago. They try to be everything.

No parcels. Then parcels. Then sell parcel business. Then parcels back. Currently they are so unable to function that Fed Ex let their contract expire to transport parcels for USPS & it's now with UPS. But, why do they need to buy space on a competitors network at all? Because they can't afford to do it & don't know how to do it after 300+ years. Very sad state.