Anyone else experiencing SEVERE delays with USPS?

[titanictarn]

The last 4 packages I mailed priority mail ( over the last 90 days) all took up to 10 days to reach their destination.  Two of them never once had their tracking information updated in the system ( but they were delivered). Am I just unlucky, or are other sellers experiencing problems with USPS? The only reason I don't use FedEx is because its much more expensive, but they're more reliable. I might switch to FedEx.  Today I'm launching yet another search for a package that is very late

[donsdetour]

USPS is a mess: best to use some other system unlit they get it straightened up..

[shawnm410]

I’m having MASSIVE issues with USPS. Some items that I dropped off on Dec 6th still have not shown any scans and have not been delivered one state away. Several packages stopped being scanned on Dec 11 at a main USPS hub here in MD. This is a nightmare.

Most customers have been cool and understanding, but then of course you have the people that blame YOU even tho it’s clearly a USPS issue. 

[titanictarn]

To make matters worse; the USPS has TERRIBLE customer service. Particularly in my area, some of them go out of their way to be rude and unhelpful.  Think DMV workers are rude? They don't hold a candle to USPS workers . I'll think I'll use FEDEX now on for any expensive items I sell

[eaglefeathers]

I shipped a package 2 day priority 9 days ago, and it hasn't gotten there, all the tracking says is " on it's way to the destination". I have a couple of buyers telling me they have not received items. One of those is in a letter envelope.  This is getting crazy, I won't even bother calling them, I don't think that will help, except get me more anxious.. Mike

[eaglefeathers]

I'm also having similar problems.. It's crazy

[jack_bucks_ghost]

EVERYONE is experiencing severe delays with USPS right now...finally had movement on one mailed Dec 3...made it to Dallas on Dec 8...arrived in Coppell, Texas this morning (11 days to travel 22 miles)...the system is overwhelmed--with covid and Christmas rush, it's a perfect shiP storm...

[rose9110_4]

I am on my fifth package that has either stopped tracking or gone missing. I so far have 4 missing cases with USPS. I insure every package that I send because of past learning experience. 

[gypsy175]

I have severe delays on my last 4 packages, even one said delivered, but customer said they did not recieve it, now I do not know what to do

[ethanreedy]

I have over a dozen items that were shipped through post offices in PG County, MD that have not been tracked outside of the MD area. Most of them were shipped on Dec. 8th. Buyers are getting frustrated (understandably) but I don't know what to tell them. Other things that I shipped earlier in December showed up over 10 days late. Some others seem to finally be out for delivery today.

I think most of these packages are not truly lost. They will be delivered sometime after Christmas, yet eBay expects me to refund buyers by Dec. 22nd. I understand the buyers frustration, but if these packages eventually show up, USPS won't pay any insurance claims. I'll just be out thousands of dollars.

eBay needs to make a clear statement to both buyers and sellers that the normal time frames are being extended to address issues that are beyond the control of sellers.

[titanictarn]

Have you written off any of your packages as lost or were they eventually delivered? I had two that were delivered but tracking never updated.  I heard some say to save time they might skip scanning packages

[titanictarn]

If listed delivered there is nothing more they can do search wise of a package is listed delivered. That happened to me this month and the package was misdelivered.  Luckily it was the next house over to the recipient and they made sure my buyer got their mail.  An item listed as having been delivered but if in reality never turned up might have been stolen; mismailed or incorrectly scanned as delivered. Sometimes packages on the route to be mailed are prematurely scanned delivered. USPS tracking is very light on specific details, FedEx and UPS are superior in that regard

[sunnytimesnj]

I dropped two 1st class packages in a blue box (that I always use) on Dec 9th.  Both were scanned picked up that day.  One was delivered on Dec 14 and the other is....in transit to the next destination for the past 8 days.

[Anonymous]

I just placed all my items in a "time away" status until this shipping mess starts clearing up - after I received my 2nd INR this morning. I highly encourage ALL eBay sellers to do the same. Maybe if eBay sees everyone on "time away" they will step up and delay INR's until conditions improve.  While I sympathize with buyers not getting their purchases on time,  it's a shame some buyers are taking advantage of this shipping delay as a golden opportunity to get "free stuff". I will delete my 17+ year eBay seller account if eBay doesn't step up and support the sellers through all this.

[glory271]

Yes, you bring up a valid point. If we all go on "time away",, this will impact e bay's bottom line. I have 20 packages in the system now, not delivered, five of which went out on 11/23. I personally take all my items to the post office and have them scanned in. I have been fortunate in that buyers have been understanding, however, if items are not delivered that creates issues. If forced to issue refunds, due to USPS delays we are in trouble.