Please stop using USPS...

[michael_kelly]

...they are no longer a  reliable means to ship.  If they haven't screwed you yet, they will. These are only the last two. 8 of my last 10 did not arrive on time and most were DAYS late. ANY other business, this would not be tolerated (except for the Weather).

[klhmdg]

I think I will continue to use USPS.

I have had zero issues with shipments not getting where they are to go.

There is no guaranteed delivery date unless the buyer wants to pay for overnight shipping.

UPS and FedEx are much more expensive, have many extra fees that sellers get stuck with and have more issues than USPS.

You as a buyer can chose to buy from sellers that offer your preferred shipping carrier.

[thinkcollectible]

Agreed. USPS has hurt my seller ratings numerous times. I kept using it due to the cost savings to my buyers. Still, with the latest holiday surcharge and the fact that my mail carrier screams obscenities on my front porch if I leave 4 small packages for a scheduled pickup (which happened last week), I looked again at UPS and just noticed that the UPS Ground Saver option is almost the same price as the USPS Ground Advantage. UPS has always been reliable, and I love that I can drop my packages off at UPS access points. They always scan them right in front of me (they are required to), and one of the access points is a CVS store a couple of blocks away. They are open early till late each day, so I can avoid dealing with the post office's limited hours. In addition, the closest USPS branch to me has been understaffed and randomly closing. I grew tired of driving there only to find out they were closed during regular hours and then had to drive 10-15 minutes to a different post office. 

I changed all my shipping policies to UPS Ground Saver today and am thrilled! And, my UPS delivery folks are always super personable and friendly, and they don't mind if I hand them my packages when they deliver to my door. What a refreshing change from the USPS folks.

[12345jamesstamps]

I haven't had anything lost in a few years as far back as I can remember.

Telling sellers to not use USPS means my items will arrive quicker.

It's usually 4-5 days cross country for my items to arrive.

[janet9988]

Sellers are more than capable of choosing who they personally wish to use for their shipping carriers.

 You can not demand that other sellers quit using something just because you don't like that service.

it is a free country.

And, since you do not like that service, you are in control for your own selling and buying needs as the shipping option is shown to buyers on each listing.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

I am having few problems with USPS, but it is not perfect.

Using UPS Ground Saver means that the final delivery leg may be by USPS. If you are not happy with USPS you might not be any happier with this service.

My recent incoming UPS shipments have had long periods between scans and arrived at the long end of the delivery estimate.

USPS is now using UPS for long distance shipping having shown FEDEX the gate, USPS delays might also be due to UPS,

It has become impossible to figure out who to blame and find a work around for many problems.

[yuzuha]

No problems with USPS here, either sending or receiving. I'm finding that most of my shipments are actually arriving a day or two BEFORE the estimated delivery date these days.

[gator08041971]

@michael_kelly 

I hate to bust your bubble here, but few sellers that do visit the community forums are going to take your advice.

As many others have pointed out, you have the choice to buy from those that use a shipping method you prefer.

The biggest potential problems to cause shipment issues, are the labeling and condition of the package. If its not using a standardized label, either a regular adhesive 4x6 or printed cut label that is taped securely to the package, and either choice without any wrinkles in the label, or other labels visible on the box, or things of that nature, as they can cause delays.

There are often hubs in the country that get backed up occasionally.  I have ran into this myself on two occasions.  My solution as a seller was to stay on top of my sold item shipment progress.  I would reach out to the buyer and let them know I was aware of the delay, and that was often enough to keep them from getting upset over it.

Point is, if you despise USPS shipping, then don't buy from sellers that use them.

[bonanza125]

On occasions I have had packages not arrive on time or issues with delivery but overall I haven't had much of a problem with them. Fact is they are the most reasonable priced service carrier. If I or any other seller would move on from USPS to say UPS or Fed Ex some comes would double in which prices to ship items would go up. That would mean lack of sales if no says at all. Right now some items cost say $10 + $5 shipping total $15. UPS or Fed Ex cost would be $10. So that $5 difference would make the sale cause of USPS pricing. Buyers want deals and pay less not increases and pay more. If you personally are not happy with USPS then move onto another carrier. I will not.

[jbbowers12012]

Hi,  Here in New Jersey we also have been having issues with U.S.P.S. - Items arriving days late & tracking not being updated regularly are our two main issues  It seems that things started to go slowly downhill back when U.S.P.S. changed from First Class Package to Ground Advantage.  Our problem is that we charge our buyers for shipping & the U.S.P.S. rates are attractive.  If we were to charge our buyers the U.P.S. rate or the Fed. Ex. rate I am quite sure that our sales would suffer.  Thanks - 4 - Listening.   (j.b.)

[jbbowers12012]

Hi - klhmdg - Possibly OP is refering to the estimated delivery date tacked on to your listing by eBay.  Many buyers expect their items then & will consider their purchase late if not delivered within that time frame.  IMHO.

[thinkcollectible]

An update from my earlier post about switching my shipping options from USPS to UPS Ground Saver. Since I've been having severe issues with USPS (the latest is a package I shipped from Maryland to Washington state first going to Puerto Rico then back to the mainland, which added FIVE days to delivery and caused a late delivery mark on my ebay account), I found that ebay offers the UPS Ground Saver option. This means UPS handles all the package transit until the final delivery made by the buyer's local USPS. The cost difference between USPS Ground Advantage and UPS Ground Saver is negligible (less than 50 cents more), and for larger-sized packages, it is much less than USPS Ground Advantage or Priority! And, most importantly,  my sales have not suffered at all! Selling at the same rate as usual!

So, for anyone who isn't happy with USPS Ground Advantage, the UPS Ground Saver option may be worth a look. 

[lesegouts]

Zero complaints here, from me or the buyer.

[ahfox12ga]

Totally agree! The USPS is pathetic on every level! Late packages (from being bounced around from facility to facility - even bypassing destinations!) lost packages, mediocre non-disclosing tracking that tells you nothing of where packages currently are!

I purchased an eBay item from a seller literally only 2 hrs from me, and the item is now nearly 2 weeks in, drifting around somewhere in USPS waters, and THAT (according to pathetic tracking) after being as close as the neighboring city’s USPS distribution center just 30 minutes from me - a WEEK AGO!

It possibly could be overlooked - IF it were an isolated incident, but this happens nearly every single time anymore! This is absolutely ridiculous!

[pum2159]

I shipped 3 different orders on Nov 26 and none of the packages have arrived yet. I checked them and it doesn't even give info, it just says sent to next facility? So how do I find out where these are?