No lines at USPS

[1grandmashope_1]

Just got back from the empty local Post Office. 🥳 With that said, there were only 3 visible employees working. 😬

I'm hopeful that others were helping to clear the backlog of packages. 🧑‍🎄

Merry Christmas to Everyone, 

Grandma 

[nobody*s_perfect]

"most every USPS facility must, in everyday circumstances, have 100% throughput each day, meaning that anything coming in the door must  be dealt with that same day. Otherwise there would be an infinitely increasing backlog that would never be cleared. An intake that's, say, 30%-50% higher than normal may not get cleared in a one-day period, but once the excess intake goes away"

That's the question here: How long will it take USPS to clear up the backlog that has been in the news with images of trucks lined up outside of sorting centers waiting for days,  or even longer, to be unloaded. 

[ekmadonna]

"The December Covidmas shipping frenzy is near an end." Hopefully That is True BUT The DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE!

[domin-tomas]

The backlog will not end anytime soon. Just wait for the returns to start kicking in. Massive influx of packages being bought and shipped and you get a massive influx of returns.

[mr_lincoln]

@1grandmashope_1     When I get to the P.O. and there is a line I start the Stopwatch on my phone ... just over 20 minutes is the longest wait so far.  Its a rare occasion to walk in and go right to the counter.   You've heard of Ugly Sweaters this time of year right?  They should start a new one ... Ugly Packages ... do people REALLY think an old shoe box tied with string will make it across the country?  I didn't know Duct tape came in so many colors!?! 

[martin2001]

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@18704d wrote:

Finally, consider that most every USPS facility must, in everyday circumstances, have 100% throughput each day, meaning that anything coming in the door must  be dealt with that same day. Otherwise there would be an infinitely increasing backlog that would never be cleared. An intake that's, say, 30%-50% higher than normal may not get cleared in a one-day period, but once the excess intake goes away, there will be enough flexibility in the facility to catch up within a day or two. I don't expect January to be much more busy than any of the months following.

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Reminds me of a pyramid scheme, you are taking new 'clients' and trying to pay off the old ones. USPS taking more new package than clearing the old ones.

[jayjaspersgarage]

I did order one item from New York during the recent snow storm.  I was scanned on 12/16 and should be delivered tomorrow as scheduled because it arrived to my local post office today.  That's about nine days for something that would normally take three days.  I never even thought about bothering the seller.

[buyselljack2016]

Today started out dreadful.

3 still hanging in the breeze. Could be more, but I put the accounts on "away time"

INR opened for item that the last scan was at regional facility near me over 2 weeks ago.

Item #2 last scan was at regional facility near me over 2 weeks ago.

Item 3 has been in Florida at 3 different facilities for over a week doing the Florida shuffle . Going to a FF in Miami, but with 3 scans at Miami (last time 3 days ago) it can to seem to get delivered.

Responded to the INR, and messaged the buyer with hopes that they understand the delays.

The 2nd item I messaged the buyer assuring them that despite delays they would get the item, or their refund.

Went to get my truck inspected, and buy some cookies.

Came home to find a message from the INR buyer. Buyer intention was just to contact me, not to open a INR.  Just that wonderful non-intuitive eBay process. Buyer is OK with waiting. Gets better.  The tracking updated, and the item is very, very close to the buyer.  Not holding my breath on that one. Had one close 2 times this month, but it went out on a multi-state tour before getting back for the 3rd try.

Item #2 got message from buyer.  No problem. Understands the delays, and trusts me as a seller.  Also gets better.  Tracking updated, and the package is very near the buyer.

Item #3 the buyer has been messaged with apologies for the delay.  No reply there. this one concerned me the most, and still does, as it is the most expensive still refusing to get where it belongs. 

My carrier must think that the Holidays came early this year, as the mailbox flag has not been up in weeks except for the "seasonal carrier bonus" pickup.

[innovatilife]

I too just got back from the USPS office because my carrier failed to pick up our packages TWICE in a row. It was too indeed empty with only one worker on the front.

What surprised me the most was when I asked her if I could get the packages scanned (it was only five packages), she gave me a really annoyed look, said it would be scanned by the end of the day if you just leave it on the counter. I didn't like the idea since the packages were already a few days late, and she finally shrugged with an even more annoyed look on her face, slowly took the packages and scanned them.

Looks like a lot of sour and disgruntled USPS employees now. Can't really blame them due to USPS being really messed up right now.

[buyselljack2016]

Well, guess I jinxed myself.

Package #1 (the INR),  that was so close to the buyer in Bakersfield, has now departed, and arrived at a Post Office 87 miles away 😧

[lja440]

What time were you there? Before 9 or so most if not all will be busy sorting and casing mail. After that carriers will be leaving for the routes. Actually unless it is a huge office you wouldn't see more than a few workers at the windows ever.

[cellguy215]

In my experience in past years there are usually lines out the door on Dec 23 with people picking trying to pick up packages "available for pickup". This year there are normal lines in at the retail window but nobody at all waiting in line to pick up packages. 

One thing we have to be greatful for is that packages are actually getting scanned delivered. If a buyer opens a case "item not received" and it gets delivered 10 days late but never scanned delivered "exception: out for delivery" you give the item away for free unless buyer manually closes case.

We are all in this together. This year customers seem nicer and more patient. 

[threshold.sales.group]

I think looking over how many packages still remain in transit from early December this mess is going to take weeks for USPS to dig out of - 

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@cellguy215 wrote:

In my experience in past years there are usually lines out the door on Dec 23 with people picking trying to pick up packages "available for pickup". This year there are normal lines in at the retail window but nobody at all waiting in line to pick up packages. 

One thing we have to be greatful for is that packages are actually getting scanned delivered. If a buyer opens a case "item not received" and it gets delivered 10 days late but never scanned delivered "exception: out for delivery" you give the item away for free unless buyer manually closes case.

We are all in this together. This year customers seem nicer and more patient. 

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This year, despite the increased number of packages, there were probably fewer pickup slips left because more people were at home, either on lockdown or just working from home instead of at the office.

[1grandmashope_1]

My post office has had 3 to 4 people at the windows during all the crazy, with a line, at times, that wrapped outside of maybe 15 or more people. Plus a separate  window  for drop offs and pick ups that was also inundated. 

I even mentioned what a pleasure it was and she dropped her shoulders and took a deep breath and said, "If you only knew how hard it has been. "  

Grandma 

PS. I was there at about  9:30