USPS Parcel Select

[discountplace]

Has anyone used Parcel Select recently? In the past Parcel Select was a complete disaster I had shipments take 3 weeks not even to the furthest zones. Once USPS introduced dimensional weight I basically dropped USPS Parcel and found FedEx UPS cheaper on most of my items that I was using Parcel Select. Hence I blacklisted Parcel Select for the last while. I never thought of going back, untill now.... As I've found my USPS Priority packages to be pretty quick these days - and then I noticed since the post holiday shipping cost change, the cost of Parcel Select has come down dramatically compared to Priority rates - in the past it's always been a few cents (power sellers)(more or less) Now, I'm noticing it can be a lot less to use parcel Select. So my question is, if packages are still unreliable taking 2/3 weeks than it's definitely not worth the switch but if people are finding the service has been pretty reliable in the 2-8 day range than I'm all all in to try it out again. So if someone can shed some light with their very recent experience I would greatly appreciate it. 

Thank You

[thehypedretailer]

Never use the Parcel Select option as it's slower than a snail. Even FedEx Smartpost or UPS Surepost is quicker than them which is a very generous compliment for me to make as they are the slowest delivery services ever. 

Just pay that tad bit more for USPS Priority Mail and leave a good impression on the buyer.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Priority Mail is not just a "tad bit more" any more.  

As mentioned in the original post, many of the new Parcel Select rates that went into effect on January 9 are substantially lower than Priority Mail rates, especially for farther zones and higher weights. For instance, shipping 5 pounds to Zone 8 now costs $13.98 via Parcel Select and $24.01 via online Priority mail rates.

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

[discountplace]

I agree Parcel Select has  been terrible in the past. But, I was wondering as I am currently finding my priority pkgs moving pretty quick so I was wondering maybe with all the new USPS upgrades that they always talk about Parcel Select has gotten better.

I just want to point out it's totally unfair to lump together FedEx's smartpost and ups's surepost. They work very differently with UPS Surepost a way better option. I'll explain, UPS surepost goes the same way their ground shipments go if it's 5 days it takes 5 days etc. Just at the last stop, instead of getting delivered to the customer, the package gets dropped off at the local post office so adding a day or 2 to the delivery. (Sometimes UPS ends up delivering it if they are going to the home/address anyway) on the other hand FedEx's Smartpost has an entire different approach than it's ground system. Smartpost packages take their own route. It can easily take a week for a package to go 30 miles as their packages have no timetable. It sits at all kinds of hubs for days, takes slow backward routes and will finally end up at the post office at a random unpredictable time. Granted it may take a day sometimes, but to the same place it may take a week + it's the most unreliable service I have ever seen! FedEx will never investigate any issues as it's supposed to be delivered by the post office so you need to contact them for issues.. even when FedEx decided to skip the POst office and deliver the package themself they refuse to investigate delivery issues saying it's smartpost and we don't investigate smartpost deliveries.. my advice stay very far away from FedEx's smartpost - I actually think I would feel more confident using Parcel Select. 

[kds99]

I have not used parcel select too much lately but the last time got my package there 800 miles away in 4 days, one of those being a weekend. Not too shabby!

[lja440]

You should know that those cheap UPS and FedEx rates are probably UPS Sure Post or Mail Innovations and FedEx Smart Post, all of which get handed off to USPS after being treated as the lowest priority by UPS and FedEx. 

All ground shipping (Sure Post, Mail Innovations,Smart Post, Parcel Select and Retail Ground) are going to be slow, especially during the holidays and winter when roads are bad.

[discountplace]

Just an update - I tried using Parcel Select on about 10 packages and it's been a complete nightmare! It took a minimum 3 days for any of the packages to receive their first scan I still have packages a week later that still have not received any scan - I know I tried it after a Monday holiday but this is a complete disaster - stay far away from this service - it may just be the regional facilities near me - you can try it at your own risk. What is even worse when you tell USPS it was a parcel Select they just nod their head like what do you expect - as if I didn't pay for a delivery service! They treat the package like a charity DO NOT TRY IT!!