Anyone else having recent problems with the United States Postal Service?

[brad.white]

I am just curious as to whether I have an issue, or if this is widespread.  Within the last few weeks, I have had multiple issues with items mailed via the U.S. post office.

I currently have two packages running around out there somewhere with locate requests opened on them.

Last week I had an eBay Standard Envelope opened from the side and the contents stolen during transit.  My customer received the envelope and packing slip, minus the coin that had been taped to the packing slip.

I had another package not received AFTER the tracking information said it was delivered.  My customer tracked that one down, it was still at their local post office where they picked it up.  No explanation was offered as to why the post office was in possession when tracking showed delivered!

This is nuts!  I now worry more about packages going to U.S. addresses than I did when I recently sent a large, framed (with glass) piece of artwork to Germany.  Which, by the way, arrived safely and on time.

So, anyway, is it me or are others experiencing this same level of frustration with the U.S. Postal Service? 

[edtrade99]

I've had shipments sent to wrong distribution center but get to buyer after 4 weeks, or the tracking number shows package still sitting at my local PO when it has been delivered, which my postal clerk says is a failure to scan on their part, and a few similar problems. My local PO has been hiring new people. Might have something to do with it.

[stainlessenginecovers]

Not normal. I ship 50-100 packages a week and have since 2011. Problem with less than 5 a year; and 100% of all of those eventually find their way before we've had to 'refund' a customer. 

[brad.white]

I don't have that volume by any means but I have been shipping things for a few years and have never had all these issues I'm experiencing now.   I have already refunded one purchase because of it and it looks like I'm heading for two more at least.   

Fortunately, that refund was small but I have some pricey items that I can't afford to get "lost" in the mail.   I guess there's not much I can do besides paying even more for insurance on shipments.

I have already made one complaint to the U.S. Postal Service Inspector General's office and I do have a document prepared with all my recent issues which our local post master will get on Monday.  Not that she can do much, but perhaps pass it along to someone who can.

Thanks for your feedback, stay safe, stay healthy,

Brad

[stainlessenginecovers]

Just an FYI- 1st Class is not just 'slower', but they still get there. I see a $1000 lighter that I assume you sent 1st Class? Something that much you may look into Flat Rate Priority Envelopes. But again, know that even 1st Class get found and delivered. If you spend the money on insurance, at the end of the year you would spend more on insurance than what winds up covered. Also know that nothing is 'lost', per USPS, until it is 3 weeks after shipping. 

[itscalledapostingid]

EBay Standard Envelope comes with free insurance for loss or damage.

The coin was probably not stolen...sounds like it got chewed up by a machine.

[brad.white]

I'd like to think it was a machine issue, but no way in this case.  My customer sent me pictures of the envelope and packing slip.  That envelope had been slit open on the end which allowed whomever to reach in and tear the coin off of the packing slip.  The coin had been securely taped to that packing slip and you can see the marks on the packing slip that were left when the tape was pulled off.

It was stolen for sure, but I believe I know why that envelope attracted attention.  The coin itself was in a round plastic coin protector, not just a coin slip.  As far as I know, that did not make the envelope "non-machinable" but it would have made it feel a lot more interesting to anyone checking it out.  I sent it in the protective case because that is how it was pictured in the listing.  I will not be doing that anymore!       

[brad.white]

That lighter is one of the reasons these shipping issues are foremost on my mind at the moment.  So far, the items I've had trouble in the mail with have been inexpensive.  But the last thing I need would be for something like that lighter to even show the slightest glitch in tracking information.  And fortunately (for my heart) it didn't and was delivered without issue.