USPS does it again

[mdaneke]

How does a package take 3 weeks to get from NJ to philly PA. I practically live 45 minutes away. I shipped with priority shipping and have three orders going to philly and the item was purchased Dec 18. Cmon the Post office has to do better than this. The customer has been staring at a big red dot on his tracking for 3 weeks!

[liawrig.nq8rdwqa3]

Dear OP me too.  My package still haven't arrived and it was mailed December 26.  I get so tired of complaining to the USPS OIG and the Postmaster general.  I feel sorry for the buyers.  Some of them have the patience of god.

[alnor2010]

The Post Service had to cut back on staff because of Covid-19; just like every other business did.

Because the pandemic was getting worse, most people that would have traveled for the holidays did not.  They sent their holidays gifts to the loved ones and their loved ones sent their gifts to them.

That means the post office has 10 times more packages being shipped for the holidays with only half the staff to work it.  They could not even hire seasonal help.

Could you have done better?

Go to USPS.com with the tracking number and open a search request.  Then sit back with a pint and curse china for the pandemic.  That's all you can do.  Your package will come.

[nbob1441]

I have many packages that were mailed in mid December that are still in the USPS system.  Some have been sitting in their Jersey City, NJ or Wilmington, DE distribution centers for weeks.  I'm told the mail is just sitting in trucks until they can get to it.  One postal employee said it may be until the end of January before they are caught up.   Meanwhile, Ebay is dinging sellers for items not delivered, refunding sellers without regard to these issues beyond our control.  Very unfair and frustrating.

[pburn]

I made an Etsy purchase from a seller just under 400 miles away. She shipped it on December 16, and it hit a town 50 miles away on December 17. It sat there until January 6, when they apparently found it and had it driven to my town and delivered the same day.

I filed a package trace, and the seller "made a call." (She wasn't specific, but my guess is she called her local small-town post office.)

Have you filed a package trace? I really think it's the best way to get things moving along. 

Start with a "Help Request Form." (#2 on the linked page.)

Missing Mail and Lost Packages 

[mdaneke]

I do same day shipping or if ordered at night I ship the next morning. How does eBay refund the buyer when it’s not your fault? Does the buyer get to keep the item as well? Will eBay remove any negative feedback if it shows that my item was in the hands of the post office the next day after the sale?

[no_zero369]

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@mdaneke wrote:

I do same day shipping or if ordered at night I ship the next morning. How does eBay refund the buyer when it’s not your fault?

Because the policies that eBay has, that we agreed to follow when we signed up here give the buyer protection under the MBG.  There was a policy adjustment made in an Announcement that may still apply.  Sellers need to know how the MBG works and how to protect them self. 

Alternatively you could watch the tracking of your shipments and keep the buyer informed.  When something stalls a seller could  start the Missing Mail process with the USPS that often gets it jarred loose and moving.  Telling a buyer what you are doing often placates buyers and is a way to avoid an INR case in the first place.

Does the buyer get to keep the item as well?

YES! However, if you are forced to refund before the item is delivered, then you could file a Package Intercept with the USPS.  Costs $14.65 so may not be worth it for small items.  But you could ask the buyer to pay you by using a PP Invoice, but they would only be "required" to do so by their conscience.

Will eBay remove any negative feedback if it shows that my item was in the hands of the post office the next day after the sale?

Yes. Per the detail of that announcement that is linked above.

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@mdaneke 

[mdaneke]

Yesterday I finally got a call back from the Post office. I spent a hour on the phone with her making up 5 reports that are over 3 weeks. She told me each one will be assigned to a manager per report to look for the package. I will update and see what happens Monday to see if it works or not. Hopefully I wont see the big red dot on the tracking number tomorrow.

[witsend14]

Sometimes opening a research case with USPS will shake a package loose. I've had to do that a few times and have only one package go MIA (ordered Dec. 3rd and not found). I've decided that I won't buy from the N.Y, PA, MN, VA and those areas (they seem to be the worst) until USPS straightens out this situation.  I'm currently waiting for a large item ordered from an artist in the UK from Etsy that landed in the black abyss of NY customs at the end of Dec......😫

[no_zero369]

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@witsend14 wrote:

Sometimes opening a research case with USPS will shake a package loose. I've had to do that a few times and have only one package go MIA (ordered Dec. 3rd and not found). I've decided that I won't buy from the N.Y, PA, MN, VA and those areas (they seem to be the worst) until USPS straightens out this situation.  I'm currently waiting for a large item ordered from an artist in the UK from Etsy that landed in the black abyss of NY customs at the end of Dec......😫

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@witsend14 

From what I have seen and experienced, current shipping is pretty much back to normal.  It is the things that were "stuck" over  the holidays that are delayed.  Makes sense to keep new stuff moving, rather than clog up the whole system while the backlog gets worked off.  Why make new shipments late and those users angry when the "old" stuff already has people angry.  Many reports here seem to indicate fairly 'normal' shipping for new stuff, so no need to eliminate any areas.

[nycstylepro3000]

eBay will help you remove defects and feedback if tracking shows that you shipped the item on time. You probably have to call and get it removed as that’s what I had to do. 

if the buyer is refunded and the item is still in transit, you can pay 14.65 for what is called a package intercept and get your item back. For higher value items this may be worth it.

[nycstylepro3000]

I ship out of New York City and I am still having issues. It’s luck of the draw at this point. Some stuff makes it out fast, but other things get stuck in the dreaded jersey distribution center for days. 

[no_zero369]

@nycstylepro3000 

NYC has always been a mess!  If a package hits one of those "local" New Jersey hubs it is sure to be delayed.  Was that way pre-COVID-19.  Must be part of the "East Coast Charm/Experience?"😎

[vintagecraze50]

NOPE—That is not what I am experiencing with orders I have place after Christmas. These items are still taking a HUNDRED years to get to customers. USPS stuff is NOT going to clear up magically. Even Prior to XMAS delays, shipping mistakes, tracking screwed up, EVEN. After the election ballots, SLOW, SCREWED UP and will be for awhile.

[oldwestgold]

Solution - mail UPS or FedEx if you are unsatisfied with the USPS.  Free will. Have you done anything but post here voicing your frustrations? Follow the procedures each company has in place for problems. Posting here won't get your packages to their intended destinations any quicker. Have a good one.