Vape Mail Stuck in Chicago USPS 60701

[AlphaGuitarist]

I have a package, coming to me (hopefully) from a Canadian vendor, that's been stuck in Chicago since March 12. The status was updated to "In Transit" (this is an automatic message generated after 24 hours of no movement) on March 13, with no further updates. The scheduled delivery date is today, but I doubt that'll happen. I know it's probably too soon to get concerned, especially after reading many horror stories about that particular USPS facility, but the lack of movement for the past 4 days is a bit disconcerting. Has anyone else had any similar experiences with packages ending up at Chicago 60701? Was the package eventually received?

March 13, 2017 , 7:25 am In Transit to Destination

March 12, 2017 , 7:25 am Arrived at USPS Facility CHICAGO, IL 60701

March 11, 2017 , 2:08 pm Processed Through Facility ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

March 10, 2017 , 6:50 pm Processed Through Facility TORONTO-A, CANADA Origin Post is Preparing Shipment

 

[Bonskibon]

Things have been pretty messed up thanks to Stella. I'm sure it's safe and on it's way to you. I have two packages I'm trying to track down and pick up because the carrier can't get in my building because of the street snow. Very frustrating.

 

[DaveP]

Snow delays are common this time of year. Flights get cancelled and roads get iced in. Eventually, it all clears once the snow stops and the plows get around to all the roads and the airports clear their backlogs.

 

[Eskie]

No, it's already out of customs. There are delays due to weather. I had a package from Seattle due for delivery today that according to tracking update delayed until tomorrow due to weather. I'm in NYC as well.

Edit: wow, everyone answered that only within a minute of each other. Talk about good service around here.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The main reason why I'm even posting this is because of that specific USPS facility. There are countless stories of missing packages that were routed through that facility (fasttech's forums have a 38 page thread devoted to it), as well as packages that just sat there for weeks, sometimes months, for no apparent reason. I guess I'll start getting worried if the package doesn't arrive by next week.

@DaveP nice goldtop!

 

[Eskie]

Here's my tracking email from this morning

 

[NU_FTW]

I think the weather is just a silly excuse. If you want my opinion it has to do with how gently you clicked that check out button, she can be testy if you're too rough.


I hate weather delays, I am way impatient so I know your pain.

 

[mongo74]

Yeah, I just got more plume juice that was delayed for 3 days thanks to weather. Also, USPS is notorious for missing scans when a package leaves a sorting facility. Don't be surprised if it shows out for delivery tomorrow.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

Here's my tracking email from this morning
View attachment 641749

Ah, the infamous Federal Way facility! Until about a year ago, they had a situation similar to what's going on in Chicago.

I think the weather is just a silly excuse. If you want my opinion it has to do with how gently you clicked that check out button, she can be testy if you're too rough.


I hate weather delays, I am way impatient so I know your pain.

The contents of the package are a hard to get, high end RTA. If the package gets lost, I can always get my money back, but finding another one of those RTAs will require a lot of work I'd rather avoid.

Yeah, I just got more plume juice that was delayed for 3 days thanks to weather. Also, USPS is notorious for missing scans when a package leaves a sorting facility. Don't be surprised if it shows out for delivery tomorrow.

I sold an old phone on Swappa that was supposed to be received by the buyer today. I shipped it on March 13, but it didn't leave the regional UPS depot until this morning. Considering that it's going to Alabama, I don't expect the buyer to receive it until Monday.

 

[mongo74]

NY to Alabama might get there by Saturday first class. The weather being a massive factor, it most likely will be delayed 'til Monday.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

I sent it via UPS Ground, which, unfortunately, doesn't deliver on Saturdays. Gotta love weather delays!

 

[dsheik]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The main reason why I'm even posting this is because of that specific USPS facility. There are countless stories of missing packages that were routed through that facility (Fasttech's forums have a 38 page thread devoted to it), as well as packages that just sat there for weeks, sometimes months, for no apparent reason. I guess I'll start getting worried if the package doesn't arrive by next week.

@DaveP nice goldtop!

I never knew about reported problems at the Chicago sorting facility, but I think your right. I remember having better luck(normal expected waiting period) when my international vape mail arrives in NY or San Francisco. Which made no sense because Chicago is much closer to me, but I always hope for NY or SF when it hits the states cause I know Ill get it sooner.

Good luck I hope yours arrives today.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

I never knew about reported problems at the Chicago sorting facility, but I think your right. I remember having better luck(normal expected waiting period) when my international vape mail arrives in NY or San Francisco. Which made no sense because Chicago is much closer to me, but I always hope for NY or SF when it hits the states cause I know Ill get it sooner.

Good luck I hope yours arrives today.

What I don't understand is how they are getting away with it. It's no secret that the USPS is not known as a competent organization, but this is just ridiculous. It's not just vape mail that's affected by whatever is going on at that facility. There are similar reports on Etsy and eBay.

 

[Eskie]

What I don't understand is how they are getting away with it. It's no secret that the USPS is not known as a competent organization, but this is just ridiculous. It's not just vape mail that's affected by whatever is going on at that facility. There are similar reports on Etsy and eBay.

It's not USPS holding up on arrival in the US. It's customs. USPS can't move anything until customs is done. They'e very fast in NY, probably based on total volumes dealt with, while Chicago is known for a longer inspection prior to release.

Especially vape gear. They're really worried about unsafe vape hardware being shipped through there, so a bunch of customs inspectors take the gear home and make sure it all vapes correctly before releasing it for delivery.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

It's not USPS holding up on arrival in the US. It's customs. USPS can't move anything until customs is done. They'e very fast in NY, probably based on total volumes dealt with, while Chicago is known for a longer inspection prior to release.

Especially vape gear. They're really worried about unsafe vape hardware being shipped through there, so a bunch of customs inspectors take the gear home and make sure it all vapes correctly before releasing it for delivery.

I thought the packages clear customs once they are released from the ISC? I don't order a lot of things from overseas vendors, so I'm clueless when it comes to customs and USPS.

 

[mongo74]

ISC: International Sorting Center. They are not US Customs. I know...I've been to hell and back with them multiple times lol.

 

[Eskie]

Somehow they get shoveled through ISC and passed by customs to then start that "arrived at origin facility" part of their great adventure.

Edit: like mongo just said. Sorted, sent past some inspector, and then out the rear door.

 

[SteveS45]

Since the 1st of the year the USPS has been way behind on updating packages in transit. Had 4 or 5 not show anything since it was accepted by the Post Office at the origin to magically update all at once. Latest was 2 packages from California showing regional weather delays and speaking with the shipper in Ca he told me they only had sunny warm weather. Could have been delayed flights due to Stella. One appeared today even though it said Monday was the scheduled delivery date.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

ISC: International Sorting Center. They are not US Customs. I know...I've been to hell and back with them multiple times lol.

Thanks for the clarification. Learn something new every day!

About a month ago, I placed an order with Crème de Vape, a UK-based vendor, which was in my mailbox 6 days from the day I placed the order. Then again, it went through customs in NYC, which only took a day - I just looked up the tracking info for that order and it received an "Inbound out of customs" tracking status the day after it arrived at the ISC and "Arrived at USPS facility" the following day. Since the package currently MIA in Chicago has already arrived at the USPS facility, I presume it cleared customs. Of course, I could be wrong. I'll see if there's a status update tomorrow!

 

[SteveS45]

USPS and International shipments was not fun to deal with when I had a package go MIA but repeated calls eventually got me to someone who could actually do something. Not saying that is the route you should take but stranger things have happened like all of a sudden it starts updating after making inquires where the heck my vape mail is!