Is this normal routing for a package?

[noelanitoo]

I recently bought an item from a seller in Southern California.  Seller shipped on the 9th and sent me a tracking number stating I would receive it by 8 pm on Monday the 13th.  When I checked the tracking record this morning it shows package was sent from San Diego to a distribution center in Florida.  I happen to live in Montana!  No wonder postage is so high!!

[lintbrush*]

Sometimes packages get misrouted for whatever reason.  At least it didn't go international  

It still might get there on time, but it could be a day or two late.  

[lex-talon]

Occasionally, the usps sends misrouted packages. It's happened to me a few times. The package will arrive a day or 2 late. 

[thetopkitty]

That's crazy but the fires might have messed things up, no doubt they lost power there like we did last Dec during a wildfire. The post office closes if it's too unsafe to send mail carriers out (including smoke problems). I'm guessing that's how it got rerouted, our mail took 3 months to correct. 

[dirk12955]

"Is this normal?"

For USPS? Yes.

For everybody else? No

[mam98031]

No it is not normal, but mistakes happen.  For me, USPS does a tremedous job for me, getting my packages to my customers.  There are the occasional problems, but the vast majority of packages arrive safe, sound and on time.

Try not to hold this against your seller.  Keep in mind that your seller could not control the routing of your package.

[7606dennis]

Actually, it could be quite normal since the USPS doesn't use a direct flight method with their own planes but rather depend upon commercial flights.  A direct flight to Florida that then continues on or connects with one going from Florida to Montana may be the best option at the time.  Since the estimated delivery date hasn't passed, there is no reason to become alarmed.

[kim_y_buran]

It happens every once in a while.  Package sorting at the centers is fully automated, so may be the code was misread, or a package was bumped to a wrong belt by a heavier box.  Who knows?  The point is it will get to you.

[noelanitoo]

I don't have package yet, but should arrive today.  This is the routing according to the tracking record:

8/9 pkg mailed from Oceanside, CA

8/9 arrived in San Diego, CA

8/11 arrived Lake Mary, FL

8/11 arrived Seminole-Orlando FL

8/12 arrived in Billings, MT

8/12 arrived in Missoula, MT

8/13 arrived in Whitefish, MT--where I live!!