USPS Delivery Problems

[classic-collector08]

Has anyone else had problems with USPS ground? I’ve sent five or six packages and within the last 2 to 3 weeks they get routed to the wrong location and then turned around back to the correct location. I’ve had some packages that were designated to go to New Jersey end up in California only to be rerouted back to New Jersey. I’m wondering if anyone else is having a similar problem with the US Postal Service and if they can recommend a better shipping option through eBay. 

[hartungcards]

Did they get delivered to where they were supposed to be delivered?

[mam98031]

Sadly yes.  Likely more than I even know about because I don't follow the tracking on every package I ship out.  I simply don't have time for that.  But if a buyer brings to my attention that there is a problem, I'm all over it ASAP.  USPS will eventually get it to the right address.  Or at least that is my experience.  But sometimes the package does go the scenic route.

For most of what you sell, USPS is your best most economical way to ship.  While they do screw up from time to time, they are very dependable.  I ship with USPS for all my stuff and I don't have more than maybe one package lost a YEAR.  So just hang in there.

Now for your bigger / heavier stuff.  You may want to check out the UPS rates or Fedex rates that Ebay can get for you.  Or check out Pirateship or some other vendor for online shipping.

[bdmh-enterprises]

Nope. Babysitting package tracking is a waste of time. I don't care where they are until a customer cares where they are. They all seem to get where they need to go.

[tealt]

@classic-collector08 

Yes.  I’ve had a problem with USPS ground advantage lately.

On Friday afternoon, I mailed a GA package to a buyer who lives a 4/5 hour drive south of me. The label was printed on eBay.  Both of us live in California.

Since then, the package has been making a circular tour of the larger cities in central California.  

The package was supposed to be delivered yesterday.  If I’m lucky it will be delivered tomorrow.

[classic-collector08]

Yeah, like five or six days later than the expected delivery date, but they did get there. I’m just concerned about using them in the future if they’re gonna be late all the time

[classic-collector08]

Yeah, they have been pretty good for the most part up until this year I hadn’t had any problems before, but they just seem to be an increase in the number of delays. You bring up a good point though I had forgotten you can use pirate ship and then add the tracking number to eBay. So I may try that

[hartungcards]

I asked my local postmaster why this happens now and then, and the answer I got was, "Logistics."   You can't argue with that.

[christworks]

Nothing new. Things have been like this since USPS redid their network and starting picking up packages from local post offices once per day. I've not had one lost yet. Delayed? Yes. Lost? No. This has probably happened to you already, @classic-collector08 , but you were not aware of it. If a buyer messages a complaint, respond that the dates they are shown are estimates, not guarantees. You can do a missing mail search after 72-hours without a scan. If there are recent scans, there isn't much else you can do. It will get where it needs to go. Show compassion to your buyer though, so they know you care and make sure they know you shipped it on-time and this is a carrier issue.  If a buyer still opens up an INR, upload the tracking number and put in the box that tracking shows active movement and you met your handling time.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

All it can take is one postal worker who is hungover, or unhappy for a misroute to happen.

USPS has been eliminating alternative paths between many locations for years. 

For most misroutes the only path to the destination is back to the site of the error and then out the correct route.

I keep my handling time long enough so that my shipments are not late when this happens. Nothing I sell is a necessity and I aim to discourage buyers who need the item yesterday.

[songbirddu7]

" ... ...  seem to be an increase in the number of delays." 

@classic-collector08 

My take on our USPS postal service is hoping that it is NOT its' new normal to their shipping speed.  My postal experience is Priority Mailing NO longer takes 3 business days to reach destination.  It takes at least 7 days or 10 days.  If it is delivered within the 4th - 5th day - that is pure luck - some postal hub is working overtime.

That is my MAIN reason why the shipping in my listings stated Economy Shipping. Economy shipping estimation is 3 - 10 days. My handling is 3 days handling. These two factors buy me some time to get any deliveries to my clients within the system estimation.  My  location is Southern Louisiana. Confirmed orders goes out either same day or next day and via Priority Mailing.  I do not use GA (Ground Advantage).  

Amazingly, none of my clients have yet to complain.  They have been patiently waiting for their purchases  with great understanding. 

I, too make use of pirate ship for all my postage. The site imports transactions from this platform, as well.

- 

songbirddu7

[classic-collector08]

Well, here’s the issue, as a preferred seller I can only have one day handling time, and there is a certain expectation of shipping quickly according to eBay’s policies. I do think federal cuts have probably affected the Postal Service and that’s why things are taking longer. I’m just hoping the longer ship times don’t affect my preferred Seler status.

[mam98031]

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@classic-collector08 wrote:

Yeah, like five or six days later than the expected delivery date, but they did get there. I’m just concerned about using them in the future if they’re gonna be late all the time

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So you think because you had a handful of packages get delivered late that out of the Billions of packages they process regularly, they are all going to arrive late?

USPS is one of the most dependable ways to ship.  Do they have problems sometimes YES as does ALL the other carriers.  

But you have every right to change carriers and pay the high rate you will have to pay with those carriers for most of what you sell.  IDK if your buyers will like that, but you absolutely have the right to give it a try.

[mam98031]

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@classic-collector08 wrote:

Yeah, they have been pretty good for the most part up until this year I hadn’t had any problems before, but they just seem to be an increase in the number of delays. You bring up a good point though I had forgotten you can use pirate ship and then add the tracking number to eBay. So I may try that

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OH no.  the Pandemic was really bad.  Packages eventually arrived, but due to many issues they were having, many were a month late or more.  

What do you think purchasing your labels from Pirate ship is going to do for you?  You see that as giving you what kind of advantage?  I don't understand.

[mam98031]

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@classic-collector08 wrote:

Well, here’s the issue, as a preferred seller I can only have one day handling time, and there is a certain expectation of shipping quickly according to eBay’s policies. I do think federal cuts have probably affected the Postal Service and that’s why things are taking longer. I’m just hoping the longer ship times don’t affect my preferred Seler status.

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Stressing over this certainly is not going to help.  As long as you ship within your stated handling time and there is a scan from the carrier, even if the package is late, you don't get a ding in your stats.

Watching each item you ship is only going to add stress to your life.  I would encourage you to stop doing that.  IF a buyer contacts you with an issue, THEN you work on trying to figure things out and there are things you can do.

If a buyer contacts you with a delivery issue or if the buyer opens an INR, IMHO these are the steps to take.

If an INR was opened, make sure you upload the tracking number to the INR right away.

Go to USPS website and review the detail tracking info.

On this tracking screen there is a place to file for email updates as there is movement on the tracking. Sign up for that so you get informed right away when something gets entered to the tracking.

Go and file for a TRACE, I don't recommend filing for Missing Mail just yet. The two are completely different actions. The Trace usually gets the job done quicker.
https://usps.my.site.com/emailus/s/package-inquiry

Contact your buyer. Keep all contact inside the INR filed so everything is recorded on the claim. Let your buyer know you are working with USPS to get their package delivered. Apologize for the delay. And let them know you filed a trace which takes between 48-72 hours for USPS to respond. As you get any information you will update the buyer right away. Assure your buyer that you are working this problem and will continue to do so until a proper resolution.

If there is movement on the tracking within the last 7 days, Ebay will keep the INR open. Do not voluntarily issue the refund yet. It is highly likely the package is going to get delivered, it is just late. Annoying for the buyer for sure. Just stay in touch with them and assure them you are working on a resolution.