Is it me or is the USPS getting worse?

[Lilacs212too]

I am so glad it's not just me. I've had a package sitting in NJ since last week. I've ordered from this company umpteen times, and it ALWAYS took TWO days. I called and opened some ticket today, after fighting with the automated teller for twenty minutes (the automated chick was less than thrilled when I yelled my answers ) they said someone will call me back within two days.. blah. My aunt mailed me a card from CT to here (VA) last Monday and it's still not here. My biggest issue is they don't offer anything for crap service. Fed Ex or UPS would at least apologize and give you a credit to your account, but NOOOOO, it's a government job. I think since we're being provided with less than the service we were once provided with, their prices should reflect their crappy service. I understand the layoffs, etc.. but we should be getting what we pay for.

Meanwhile, I placed another order with the same company and I am praying it will get here, as I am now out of cartos! argh! I do hope people see this thread so they are more aware and don't let their supplies run as low as I did

 

[ambientech]

Only issues I have had lately is when I order from GV. It seems to take 5 day's to receive an order from them priority. 1 day before I get a ship notice then 4 day's in transit. I order other products from another company in NY and get it in 3 day's so it must be them or their post office.

 

[RichieRich]

I placed an order on 10/2, officially shipped on 10/3 from NC. Package process already shows it leaving Charlotte, which to me is a good sign. What is odd is I am missing an estimated delivery date. It does not show when I can expect the package.

 

[JackSam]

I haven't had any issues at all with USPS. I'm in a pretty populated area. I could see some areas with less population density suffering due to layoffs.

 

[Dieseler]

Megalodon shipped via priority mail Tuesday 11.1 from Utah and received here at my home in Illinois Thursday 11.3.

 

[Allan.GH]

Just to clear-up a misperception about the USPS.

The USPS market is government protected, but the USPS is an agency independent from government intervention and operational norms. To criticize it's inefficiencies and failings as being indicative of perceived government procedural irregularities is fallacious. The closest analogy to the way the USPS is operated would be a private corporationn which enjoys legislative protection from direct competition.

Adequate demonstration of this is found in the ability of the USPS to hold copyrights on the images produced for postal indicia. A United States Government agency may not exercise copyright protection on anythingit produces, since what it produces belongs to the people of the United States.

The best characterization of the USPS, critical purposes, is as a corporate monopoly; with fair analogies being, pre-break-up AT&T, and the present-day microsoft corporation. In absolute terms, such entities are possessed of antiquated technology, high prices and shoddy products and service offerings; because of a lack of direct competition in their core markets. This is simple stagnation.

THe only solution to this state of affairs is to introduce direct competition; and, since the USPS is protected from such competition by law, I don't see that happening without an act of Congress. I give them ten or twenty years.

 

[zomgname]

It's very random for me. I was suppose to get something on a Friday that didn't arrive until the following Tuesday. Then some things arrived 2 days early. While it's great when it's fast, I would just like it if they were consistent like they were a few years ago :s

 

[mgordon1100]

I'm not sure I can say anything bad about them. I had a package shipped on the 3rd from FL, and it was processed though my sorting center by 2:30am today. That's two days, and it could very possibly be delivered to me today. Two days from FL to Chicago is pretty darn good. Even if it's not, and I get it on Monday, that's technically 3.

 

[RichieRich]

Placed order 11/2 in the evening. Tracking began 11/3 from NC. Current status is out for delivery. Considering I placed the order late Wednesday I'm pretty impressed that this package is moving as fast as it is.

 

[RichieRich]

I'm not sure I can say anything bad about them. I had a package shipped on the 3rd from FL, and it was processed though my sorting center by 2:30am today. That's two days, and it could very possibly be delivered to me today. Two days from FL to Chicago is pretty darn good. Even if it's not, and I get it on Monday, that's technically 3.

and that's another thing nice about USPS. They deliver on Saturdays

 

[Loveridden]

Expected delivery has changed to november 10th for a package I sent out on october 27th. IL to NC. Ridiculous.

 

[Twisty]

No, its just you, they have been doing just fine. And I dont believe they have laid anyone off have they. I know they have offered voluntary retirement and moved people around but I dont think they have actually laid anyone off. And one thing for sure is that they dont just sit around like one other poster said. Thats bunk. They work crazy hard at the post office and the shipping warehouse. And its also important to note that they dont run on tax payer dollars. They have not used any tax payer money since the 80's. They are an independent agency of the US government.

Your just trying to get on THEIR good side so THEY will deliver to you faster. THEY monitor these threads you know.

 

[craigel]

It seems apparent to me, that there are "holes" in the system. My city has/had a "regional sorting facility." With cuts over the past few years, it now operates Monday through Thursday. Items mailed from here Friday or Saturday get sorted in Elk Grove Village, even if it's just going down the street. If that kind of delay happens at both ends of the shipment, it's gonna be another day, or two. In my particular instance, and this has happened every time: I can order from LF (approx. 1,500 miles away) and JC Smoke Juice (approx. 60 miles away), both have a 3 day transit time, Priority mail! If I order from Cignot (close to EGV), using regular ground delivery, I get it the next day!
I'd say efficiency is in the eye of the beholder.
FWIW, I'd prefer to use USPS for reasons of cost and "patriotism," but 60-some miles in 3 days makes me question that a bit.

 

[Str8V8ping]

I own a online business and ship my products through USPS exclusively and only had one package that got dammaged in over 5000+ shipments . Everything i ship gets to the customer in their stated delivery times as well . If we ship first class it will always arrive anywhere in the country in 2-4 days .Priority always 2-4 days as well . I think USPS is doing a awesome job . UPS i cant say the same for since they charge 5x with USPS charges and sometimes arrives 7-10 days later . After the first few months i switched to USPS and never looked back . Im in NYC though so they have plenty of sorting facilities .

 

[erich]

you should play the lottery. I don't recall any damaged ones, but I'd guess 1/20 of my orders disappear in transit. e.g.

USPS - Track & Confirm

As for the sorting facilities, it's all a matter of volume. The distance between the 2 endpoints is often inconsequential. "Efficiency" doesn't mean that you get your packages as fast as possible... it means that the sum of the postage on the packages exceeds the cost of sending it. Just because your package only has 60 miles to travel doesn't mean that someone is going to drive straight from there to your box. It has to sit at a sorting facility while other mail stacks up with it, or else they'd be paying postal employees to sit around and wait for mail. Priority says 2-3 days, and in general, you'll get it in 2-3 days. You can get next-day, but it'll cost a lot more.

I get orders from Volcano in Honolulu (4500 miles) in 3 days, and orders from Smoktek in Tampa (415) miles in 2 days
USPS - Track & Confirm
USPS - Track & Confirm

 

[ec!gg]

USPS has certainly has done a better job than years in the past. We rarely ever have delay shipments or lost/damaged packages.

 

[Str8V8ping]

Occasionally we will get one package that doesnt get to the customer till like 10 days later but its only like 1 out of every 250 or more packages . Those few times are worrisome though expecially when its a 1500 dollar product . On the tracking with them it usually will say arrival at sort facility in the customers area in 2 days then 8 more days just sitting there at the sort facility . I find that its often remote locations as well which it strange since it should be the opposite .

 

[gheebee]

For the most part I find they're good but from time to time, just like with other postal services, they are a bit slow.

 

[Scottinboca]

I think the huge problem with shipping delays is only at certain sorting facilities. The one in Brooklyn, NY being the worst. When I order anything from cities by New York city, I know I'll be waiting at least a week. I'm in Florida and I could order something from California and it only takes 4 days max. My packages usually sit in that Brooklyn sorting facility of 3 days before getting down here.

 

[Scottinboca]

Everyone BEWARE of the upcoming HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm stocking up on juice, so I don't have to wait extra long for the holiday deliveries.