What's with the U.S.Post office these days?

[peteski]

There is UPS, FedEx, and DHL.  None are perfect, and USPS is likely the least expensive. 

[TECHMAN]

20 minutes ago, Greg Myers said:

At what cost to you, time, fuel, conveyance?

NOT trying to argue Greg, I have relatives that have retired from the Postal Service, and one of my wife's life-long best friends is a retired Post Master {one of the very finest people I have ever known),  I only asked if others had used some other means of shipping with a degree of success.  In just the past few weeks, we have had one parcel "misplaced" for almost SIX weeks,  then my wife sent an envelope to a relative (emergency) overnight for $30 to mail, that took THREE days to get there (and now waiting for 30 days for the refund........  NOT trying to alienate everyone who ever worked for Post Office, had family/friends who worked for them.  Simply asked for any (if they exist) alternatives.   Thanks in advance for any help.

DJ

Edited September 28, 2024 by TECHMAN
spelling

[TECHMAN]

1 hour ago, Muncie said:

Getting to the post office is part way there.  The parcels still need to be sorted and set out for pickup at the post office or delivery to a street address. I believe "arrived at post office" and "available for delivery" are two different statuses on the tracking page. It depends on workload and how many available people are there to get things sorted and set out.  Usually the same day/morning, but sometimes things happen. You did good by being respectful to the USPS workers. They can't control it either and they remember how well they are treated.  Most of them are good humans like the rest of us.  

Thank you STEVE,  I learned something new today, did not notice/know the difference in status, now I will know to look for the difference........  Thank you again

DJ

[1972coronet]

18 minutes ago, peteski said:

There is [...] FedEx[.]

Talk about a crapshoot ! I've not received a package from FedEx in decades that doesn't look like it was used for soccer practise !

[Doug 1061]

It seems to me like they are all about the same.   In my hood here we have those cluster mailboxes,  the mail carrier stuffed a box in there that was exactly the same size as the inside of my mailbox?   I had to grab a couple putty knives and pry it out like a crash test dummy.    Don't know what that guy was thinking.    I worked at a large postal distribution center for Christmas rush.  After seeing first hand what goes on in those places it's a wonder they manage to get one truck out of the yard let alone get a parcel to someone's door step.  The definition of dysfunctional.   It was like each department did what they could to make each other look bad.

[TECHMAN]

Why was this moved?   I  DID NOT step across any political lines.....  Is it now "politically incorrect" to ask a question about an alternative to some government agency?

DJ

[Ace-Garageguy]

36 minutes ago, TECHMAN said:

Why was this moved?   I  DID NOT step across any political lines.....  Is it now "politically incorrect" to ask a question about an alternative to some government agency?

DJ

I suspect it was moved simply to consolidate it into an existing thread on essentially the same subject.

If there was an issue of it crossing any "political" boundaries, that would have been mentioned specifically.

Several of us have been disgruntled with the USPS and other package handlers from time to time, some seem to get excellent service every time, and some just don't care either way.

Bottom line is that they're all unreliable sometimes, and USPS is the lowest cost.

Edited September 28, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy

[TECHMAN]

THANKS BILL,  guess this whole thing has sorta "hit a sore spot"......  Started out only wanting to know what experiences others had with some of the "competitors" of the USPS because we (the wife and I) have had legitimate problems with our local p/o, and having moved from a LARGE town in Texas, to a small (4500 pop) town here in Kentucky, options are not the same......  (and YES, I do love it here in Kentucky, just having to "adjust" to small town life again, as I grew us in a small mountain community.}  THANKS AGAIN

DJ

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, TECHMAN said:

Started out only wanting to know what experiences others had...

For what it's worth (not much) I'm currently watching the tracking on several packages that are models of "logistics" incompetence and inefficiency, traveling back and forth between the same incorrect zips and distribution centers multiple times, at one point one of them even being listed as "out for delivery" at my local PO, only to have it scanned back in and whisked away to another incorrect zip.

At the same time, there are packages that mysteriously manage to avoid all the idiot rigamarole, and get here in pretty much a straight shot from the point of origin.

It doesn't seem to matter what the origin is either, as I've had shipments from the same vendor arrive in two days, and others travel around the country for two weeks.

Very obviously there is NO PROBLEM with how the packages are addressed, because if there was, they wouldn't show up correctly addressed on the USPS tracking site.

The problems are with individual humans putting things in the wrong pile, or on the wrong truck, period.

And there's not a thing any of us can do about it...other than watch for the "DELIVERED" notice and head to the local PO if it's not at your house.

EDIT: UPS used to have a local live tracker running off of GPS transmitters in their trucks. You could see your whateveritwas getting closer and closer all day long, finally a block away, and then see the truck head in another direction, back across town, taking your shipment with it.

The feature seems to be no longer available. I wonder why.

 

Edited September 28, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY

[Ace-Garageguy]

Most recent oopsie: a package showing "DELIVERED" on the USPS website...but it's in Conway, Arkansas. I'm in the outskirts of Atlanta, Ga.

I've already been in touch with the shipper, as there's nothing my local PO is willing (or able??) to do on this end.

Another package has been resting at the local PO since Wednesday, no movement since.

And a shipment yesterday was left ON TOP of the mailbox, where anyone passing could easily grab it.

I'm more impressed every single day.  

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 10/1/2024 at 5:14 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Most recent oopsie: a package showing "DELIVERED" on the USPS website...but it's in Conway, Arkansas. I'm in the outskirts of Atlanta, Ga.

I've already been in touch with the shipper, as there's nothing my local PO is willing (or able??) to do on this end.

Another package has been resting at the local PO since Wednesday, no movement since.

And a shipment yesterday was left ON TOP of the mailbox, where anyone passing could easily grab it.

I'm more impressed every single day.  

UPDATE: The MIA shipment arrived today, though the tracking number still says it was delivered in Arkansas.

Nothing like "not at this address" or "return to sender" on the box either. Zero evidence it took an extended week-long trip.

And this was a shipment from a few counties away from me, in my home state.

 

[Dave Van]

To be fair.........

A resin parts package from Slovenia landed in NYC USPS office Monday and it was in my hands in WV TUE!?!?!?!?!? 

NO LOGIC here!!! Happy but wondering???? 

[TECHMAN]

my "update":

Met our local postmaster during today's visit, absolutely ONE GREAT GUY, H-O-W-E-V-E-R, that STILL did NOT get my package into my possession,,,,,,,   After some time (on his part) he did come back to inform me that it showed my package was scanned at a post office in Louisville (100 miles away) and, theoretically, SHOULD show up tomorrow......   Hoping for the "best".......

In defense of USPS:  I did have 6 different things that I shipped to other people during the time of this "lost" shipment, that all got to where they were supposed to go.

DJ

Edited October 3, 2024 by TECHMAN
additional info

[TECHMAN]

UPDATE:

My MIA showed up today!!!!!   The local postal workers have been GREAT folks to deal with, NOT their fault for my misfortunes, but have been VERY helpful in trying to help resolve the problem.?? to them!!!!

Wonder if these would now be considered "used parts", cause now they have a hundred thousand miles on them!!!!!!??

DJ

[ranma]

According to my informed delivery I should get my Electric Bill Today. Last Month on 3rd Informed delivery showed my Electric bill was coming, Never arrived!!! Still haven't gotten that Bill from last month!

[OldTrucker]

Mailed a package 275 miles south of us to our newest great grandson. Here is the trackins.

Out for Delivery

 

Preparing for Delivery

 

Moving Through Network

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

SAINT LOUIS MO DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 21, 2024, 10:53 am

 

In Transit to Next Facility

October 21, 2024, 7:55 am

Departed USPS Regional Facility

CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 21, 2024, 5:44 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility

CHICAGO IL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 20, 2024, 11:03 pm

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

SAINT LOUIS MO DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 20, 2024, 10:34 am

In Transit to Next Facility

October 20, 2024, 10:10 am

Departed USPS Regional Facility

SAINT LOUIS MO DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 20, 2024, 10:00 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

SAINT LOUIS MO DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 20, 2024, 9:53 am

In Transit to Next Facility

October 20, 2024, 7:50 am

Departed USPS Regional Facility

CHAMPAIGN IL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 20, 2024, 5:53 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

CHAMPAIGN IL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 

October 19, 2024, 9:44 pm

Departed Post Office

HERSCHER, IL 60941 

October 19, 2024, 12:02 pm

USPS in possession of item

HERSCHER, IL 60941 

October 19, 2024, 11:08 am

[Ace-Garageguy]

21 hours ago, OldTrucker said:

Mailed a package 275 miles south of us to our newest great grandson. Here is the trackins...

Now THAT is impressive.

[Tom Geiger]

The post office is behind the eight ball these days.

With the damage done by the recent hurricanes in the southeast, a lot of their facilities are out of service.  And even before that, our local center in West Chester, PA had a bad fire and is out of service.   So that means all the other facilities are working overtime to handle the volumes.  It doesn't matter where that center is, it's only a plane ride away, if it has capacity.  That's why you will see a NJ to CA package suddenly in Maine or Chicago.  

Edited October 23, 2024 by Tom Geiger

[rattle can man]

Fed Ex is just as bad. a package shipped Friday, according to the shipper. FED-Ex said they would have a delivery date once it was received. that was their claim through Monday Morning. Monday Afternoon it was out for delivery. Tuesday morning status was unavailable. last night it was delivery scheduled for today. It was delivered today. Since they scan barcodes with every movement, how could they not have good tracking?

[Ace-Garageguy]

9 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

...That's why you will see a NJ to CA package suddenly in Maine or Chicago.  

Ahh...more of that mystical "logistics" magic that we mere mortals who live in a rational universe are too unsophisticated and just plain dense to grasp.

Somehow, sending a package 500 or 1000 miles in the wrong direction, or back and forth between the same facilities multiple times, compensates for some facilities being out-of-service.

Gee willikers. I wish I was smart enough to understand wizardry like that.

Edited October 24, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy

[TonyK]

A guy sent me 3 models in separate boxes. I got 2 of them yesterday. Where is the 3rd? All sent at the same time. I sure hope I get the other one today but have my doubts.

[peteski]

8 hours ago, TonyK said:

A guy sent me 3 models in separate boxes. I got 2 of them yesterday. Where is the 3rd? All sent at the same time. I sure hope I get the other one today but have my doubts.

Yes, the last package was shipped at the same time but missed the boat.  It will arrive on the next boat.

[Brutalform]

Not trying to jinx myself or anyone else, but the last few packages my wife and I received in the mail, couldn’t have arrived any faster. A kit I ordered yesterday morning, has already arrived in my state. Should be here tomorrow . 

[TECHMAN]

And, so starts the  countdown on this particular order.......   Large resin order that was "supposed" to be here at 9 this morning, quick look at their official tracking site, and don't even see where it's made it into the state yet......    maybe this one will get "reasoned-off" as due to the Halloween Rush  ?

[Dave Van]

Latest Illogical USPS story.....

One once envelope Dayton Ohio to me in WV.....8 days......

Medium size box from upstate NY to me in WV 48 hours..

WHY??????????????

PS: My son now works for USPS and has given me some insight........'Don't try and think about it'.