Is USPS having problems?

[justforposting_1960]

Is anyone else noticing problems with the USPS delivering packages as a buyer and/or seller?

I ordered an item on Sunday, 1/7; the seller shipped it Priority on Monday; USPS tracking shows USPS "in possession of item" at 2:32 the same day. It was scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday, the 9th. On the 9th, tracking still showed "In possession", on Thursday morning it still hadn't moved so I requested email updates and received an email stating "Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility." 20 minutes later I received another email stating, "Your item arrived at our USPS facility in PITTSBURGH PA NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER on January 10, 2019 at 8:21 am."

Ever since that, tracking has had no estimated delivery date and shows the item is "in transit to the destination." This morning there were 2 more emails saying the same as above. So it is now 3 hours short of 2 days overdue.

On Wednesday, my letter carrier picked up a package at 11:42 am which tracking verifies. Estimated delivery is by 8 pm today. But since 12 am today, tracking has showed it "in transit to the destination." It never shows it arriving at any USPS facility. Granted, it's  only 2 pm there now, but experience makes me doubt the status is going change in the next 6 hours and so it too will probably be overdue.

The package I sent out is going coast to coast so some extra time is understandable. But the one I am waiting for is only from Pennsylvania to Connecticut. I could have driven there and back in under 9 hours!

Is anyone else seeing this?

[savedbygrace7192]

Well poo! Sorry that your shades didn't show up today. Honestly if I were you, I would call my local P.O. and ask them to check on it to see what they can find out. If you don't know the number to your local, P.O. just a google search for your area will generally find it for you. Whatever you do though, DO NOT CALL THAT 1-800 Number for USPS! It is terrible to get through to anyone and get decent answers about local issues with packages..

[justforposting_1960]

Yeah, I figure if I don't see "Out for Delivery" tomorrow morning, I'll call the PO. I have a bit of history with them as I used to take bulk mailings in. Now that I think of it, my bulk mailed church newsletters were delivered much faster than this!

[justforposting_1960]

This is UNBELIEVABLE! My lamp shades arrived in NEW JERSEY at 10:03 tonight! This is crazy!! ! And they are calling Jersey City the origin facility!

To recap, the lamp shades were to ship Priority Mail approx. 225 miles from Pennsylvania to Connecticut on 1/7 with an estimated delivery date of Wednesday, 1/9.

They:

• were picked up from the seller and in USPS possession in Pennsylvania at 2:30 pm last Monday, 1/7;
• bounced around Pennsylvania for 2 and a half days;
• arrived in Pittsburgh at 8:30 am last Thursday, 1/10, already 1 day overdue;
• bounced around "in transit" from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts for 2 days;
• arrived in Springfield, MA at 10:30 am last Saturday, 1/12;
• sat in Springfield for a day;
• left Springfield at 6 am Sunday morning, 1/13;
• bounced around "in transit" for a day and a half, more than likely driving through Connecticut;
• and arrived in Jersey City, NJ at 10 pm today, 1/14.

I have never seen anything like this before! I know it technically hasn't been 7 days yet, but this is completely ridiculous! I'm calling them tomorrow.

Tune in tomorrow, same bat time, same bat place, for the next episode of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Lamp Shades.

[savedbygrace7192]

Oh wow! That is some serious fumbling of your package. It shouldn't have taken more than 3-4 days tops to reach you via Priority Mail. Yeah this is why I had suggested that you call them. That sucks-What a mess! Staying tuned...

[drusalina]

I called the Main PO Customer Line yesterday.  Item ordered late in the day on January 4th.  I shipped on the 5th.  Priority Mail, FL to California.  As of Yesterday it was still in transit dated on the 9th.  It pays to call the PO, because the tracking now says "PACKAGE RESEARCH CASE CREATED"   It was found and now says it is on its way again.

" Your item departed our XXXXXX  DISTRIBUTION CENTER destination facility on January 14, 2019 at 11:24 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination. "

10 days for Priority is UNACCEPTABLE!  And it still hasn't been delivered.  Will see later today if it gets delivered.  I wish I had called earlier.

I'm sure I will get dinged for this and it won't be my fault!  

[justforposting_1960]

I just spoke with my local PO... my lamp shades are still in Jersey City, but my local guy is going to send an email to them in hopes of getting it moving in the right direction and here by tomorrow. We'll see!

[justforposting_1960]

I sent a message to my seller just to give him a heads up. He replied that he's had 4 packages "go awol" since mid-December. He said he will ask his local Postmaster to do a GPS Track today. Things should be moving soon (I hope!)

[justforposting_1960]

If you shipped withing your handling time window, you shouldn't be dinged. Call ebay if you do. We should not be held responsible for USPS delay issues.

[drusalina]

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@justforposting_1960 wrote:

If you shipped withing your handling time window, you shouldn't be dinged. Call ebay if you do. We should not be held responsible for USPS delay issues.

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The Buyer can still ding my stars for Delivery Time in Feedback.

I sent the buyer an apologetic email.  This is their response.  I believe it was going to be used for a special occasion or possibly a movie or TV show. 

Thanks for following up. It doesn't matter any more because they are too late but I don't hold it against you! When shipping usps I never count on it arriving on time. I prefer fedex. Have a good day.

And eBay wants us to use Guaranteed Delivery!  HA!

[justforposting_1960]

You're right, I didn't think about the stars. I hate those darned things. I have a 4.6 / 5.0 on shipping and handling charges even though I use USPS calculated shipping and never add a handling charge. I have never overcharged anyone, but I am being held responsible for USPS rates!

[muttlymob]

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@justforposting_1960 wrote:

I sent a message to my seller just to give him a heads up. He replied that he's had 4 packages "go awol" since mid-December. He said he will ask his local Postmaster to do a GPS Track today. Things should be moving soon (I hope!)

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If the package has not been delivered, what does your seller (or you) expect from a "GPS Track"?

Packages aren't equipped with chips for GPS tracking.  If the package is scanned as delivered there may be GPS data showing where it was scanned.  Otherwise, not sure what purpose a "GPS Track" would serve?

[princess_phones]

Oh yes. I paid for something on December 27th, he didn’t ship for a week until January 3rd. On the 11th (the 9th was the last expected delivery date) I asked for a refund since I had already bought a replacement because he shipped so late anyway and he did, I honestly never expected to see the packages (he shipped a pair of pajamas, top and pants, separately in two first class packages. Both had exactly the same delivery tracking problems with different tracking numbers which I thought to be very odd but he said it was cheaper) but when they showed up today I sent the payment back to him as I said I would even though I don’t need them, but they are the most awesome pjs so I’ll keep them for future use.

Monday, Jan 14, 2019 5:08 PM
MARICOPA DELIVERED IN/AT MAILBOX

Monday, Jan 14, 2019 7:03 AM MARICOPA ARRIVAL AT UNIT

Sunday, Jan 13, 2019 8:33 PM PHOENIX PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY

Monday, Jan 7, 2019 12:00 AM N/A In Transit to Next Facility

Thursday, Jan 3, 2019 6:14 AM ATLANTA GA DISTRIBUTION CENTER Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility

Thursday, Jan 3, 2019 4:59 AM MARIETTA , GA Accepted at USPS Origin Facility

Pssssttt... Munki Munkis, they are the most awesome, floppy, comfy pjs ever. I think I have every print now, the toaster trailers are the BEST!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NWOT-Nite-Nite-Munki-Munki-RETRO-Camper-Trailer-PJ-Pajama-Lounge-Set-Size-S...

[evry1nositswindy]

Seller here--same issues!

I had a first class package take 9 days to get to its destination, after I opened a search. 

I had a priority package ship out of 1/4 and not delivered  until 1/11.  I had to open a case before it was delivered, as the buyer was getting a bit antsy.  It was less than 600 miles from my house.  Why are we paying for priority if we aren't a priority?

This is just 2 of the 5 packages that had 'issues' this month (so far).  One was a repeat customer and I checked tracking on their previous purchase and it was routed differently, so it sounds like a PO problem.  I keep an eye on my tracking and let the buyer know I am on top of it.  I could have been surprised by a case had I not been watching and communicating with the buyers.  

[justforposting_1960]

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@muttlymob wrote:

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If the package has not been delivered, what does your seller (or you) expect from a "GPS Track"?

Packages aren't equipped with chips for GPS tracking.  If the package is scanned as delivered there may be GPS data showing where it was scanned.  Otherwise, not sure what purpose a "GPS Track" would serve?

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I don't know. I only posted what the seller told me.  I am just happy that 2 different local post offices are now looking for my package. Maybe I'll actually receive it before the rest of my hair turns grey!

[cadbury0007]

I don't see any difference on package delays between now and from years ago.  Sometimes stuff gets on the wrong plane or truck and all a person can do is wait.  I had mailed a 1st Class package a couple of years ago that was going from Oregon to California.  It should have been 3 or 4 days at the most.  At about 5 days I got a message from the buyer asking me if I could explain the tracking information.  I checked the tracking and found that somehow this 1st Class package was now in NJ!  I started a trace on the package with the post office, but it still took about 7 more days for it to get back to the buyer on the west coast.  It moved around NJ & NY for a few days before finally heading to California.  Just checking out the sights, I guess.