WTF is up with the Postal Service

[blassoff]

The US Postal Service is killing me.

1) Around Christmas time I sent two package to Florida for der kinder. Shipped the same day from the same location and going to the same place. Priority Mail. Tracking says they both arrived (a day apart) and my kid never got the second package.

2) I'm currently waiting for two shipments, one from down south, one for the left coast. Both packages list tracking as "In Transit to Destination". One is 7 days in transit, one is 10 days, and I don't know where the shipment are or when I should expect receipt.

3) I received two parcels that were sent in #10 business envelopes. One motorcycle key, one small electrical part. Both times the envelopes were ripped and the contents missing.

WTF is happening at the Postal Service. A, they've never been this slow. B, they've never lost a package before and C, I've never had envelopes arrive ripped with their contents missing.

I'm pissed and saddened and I don't understand the problem.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I thought you might be pissed because they increased the rates again this week. I swear we are footing the bill for amazon Sunday delivery's. What's up with that.

Dave

 

[Uncle Hud]

You sent the packages to Florida? Ask 101stpathfinder what happened to them, then step back.

 

[blassoff]

You sent the packages to Florida? Ask 101stpathfinder what happened to them, then step back.

Naw...Tony is in the warehouse, no reason to break his stones. Besides, I already spoke with the postmaster in Delray Beach, he says "hey, we delivered it, just look at the tracking". Sorry, charlie..

 

[CraigRegs]

 

[Knifemaker]

^That

This is why I only use UPS.

I will add here that around Christmas people will steal packages left at your door.....

 

[deagle]

I sent out a bunch of electrical clips a couple of weeks ago (two to the original poster). I took them to the post office to find out what I needed to do to get them there safely. They said the packaging was fine, told me how much extra postage to purchase, and said they would hand stamp them to keep them away from the machines so nothing gets damaged.

Two envelopes arrived with rips and the connectors missing. One envelope was returned to me and it looked like it had been trampled at a circus. The back was black from dirt, their were small rips all over it, and they wanted an additional $2.51 to send. What? I mailed it in person at the post office and they put the postage on it! The connectors were still inside somehow, so I took it them out and put them in a sturdier yellow envelope and took it back to the post office. Got a different person at the counter and they said the person that handled it before handled it incorrectly. They were friendly, but it was kind of frustrating. That package made it through, and I hear at least a few of the original envelopes made it as well.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I've experienced far more sketchiness with USPS than with UPS or FedEx. But they still have a pretty good record. I had something "delivered" a while back, and I got notified. But nothing had shown up. I spent an hour on the 800 number getting through to an operator. Explained 5 times that it had not been stolen- I had been home the whole time. 10 (ten) minutes after I got off the phone with HQ, I got a call from the head guy at my main post office. Gave me his first name and cellphone number, told me he'd figure it out and call me back. 5 minutes later he called and asked about the sequencing of house numbers on my street. I confirmed. Using GPS he figured out that contract or temp delivery person had delivered it to the house next door.

 

[Geezer]

Four or five years ago you couldn't trust UPS or FEDEX to deliver a box unmolested. They have both gotten their act together and now the USPS is apparently having quality issues. I have not had a lost or severely damaged package from them in recent years, but it probably depends on which USPS facilities the package passes through. I would guess that they are hiring contractors rather than full time regular employees.

 

[steveoreno]

Four or five years ago you couldn't trust UPS or FEDEX to deliver a box unmolested. They have both gotten their act together and now the USPS is apparently having quality issues. I have not had a lost or severely damaged package from them in recent years, but it probably depends on which USPS facilities the package passes through. I would guess that they are hiring contractors rather than full time regular employees.

The contractor thing will continue for a long time with the freeze on hiring new federal employees.

 

[101stpathfinder]

The US Postal Service is killing me.
1) Around Christmas time I sent two package to Florida for der kinder. Shipped the same day from the same location and going to the same place. Priority Mail. Tracking says they both arrived (a day apart) and my kid never got the second package.

2) I'm currently waiting for two shipments, one from down south, one for the left coast. Both packages list tracking as "In Transit to Destination". One is 7 days in transit, one is 10 days, and I don't know where the shipment are or when I should expect receipt.

3) I received two parcels that were sent in #10 business envelopes. One motorcycle key, one small electrical part. Both times the envelopes were ripped and the contents missing.

WTF is happening at the Postal Service. A, they've never been this slow. B, they've never lost a package before and C, I've never had envelopes arrive ripped with their contents missing.

I'm pissed and saddened and I don't understand the problem.

BTW My plant processes Delray beach…

1) Carrier would have made the delivery scan. Talk to them.

2) Class of mail? Sounds like it was miss sent by one of the delivery units. Could be a number of issues.

3) NEVER send any items in a flat envelope. The automation (Flat sorters) will jam and the clerk will have to pull the envelope

from the thrust rollers and chances are high that it will tear the envelope. Plus you are risking damage to multi million dollar

machinery, at which time the Post Office will send a special carrier to your address with a "Love letter" (Usually preceded by

a dead fish.

The Post office where I work has gone through 6 plant managers in the last 6 years. The last one made it 60 days before they yanked

him. My plant is ranked worst in the nation, its all about the numbers now, the mail can be piled to the ceiling, but if the numbers look good…

well then you are doing fine. The plants that fudge the numbers are the "Best"

Any one hear how the feds took $50 Billion from us about 2 years ago? It was for future retirees. The Post Master General gave a talk

how he was going to get it back. He later retired with a HUGE bonus (For being the worst PMG ever) On his way out he shot the comment

"Postal workers don't need pensions." His bonus alone was over what I would make in 90 years with over time.

I could go on about the new hires and whatnot… but I won't.

Oh… I have a year and 4 months and I am out of here (Florida and the PO)

 

[s.ga.rider]

I ordered a coffee container a few weeks ago from coffee gator. It was lost in shipment. I had to get a refund. That was a first but still pissed me off waiting weeks then had to order another. Maybe it will show up.....

 

[101stpathfinder]

^That
This is why I only use UPS.

I will add here that around Christmas people will steal packages left at your door.....

I hate to tell you that they suck !

It is the "Millennials" in the work force now. We have them pulling up to dumpsters and "Delivering" the mail.

 

[MrZappo]

Ups and FedEx are for profit businesses with profit sharing.

The USPS is a government entity with government employees that are unfireable and have an entitlement mentality. Not all but most.

What more do you need to know.

 

[blassoff]

BTW My plant processes Delray beach…

1) Carrier would have made the delivery scan. Talk to them.

2) Class of mail? Sounds like it was miss sent by one of the delivery units. Could be a number of issues.

3) NEVER send any items in a flat envelope. The automation (Flat sorters) will jam and the clerk will have to pull the envelope

from the thrust rollers and chances are high that it will tear the envelope. Plus you are risking damage to multi million dollar

machinery, at which time the Post Office will send a special carrier to your address with a "Love letter" (Usually preceded by

a dead fish.

The Post office where I work has gone through 6 plant managers in the last 6 years. The last one made it 60 days before they yanked

him. My plant is ranked worst in the nation, its all about the numbers now, the mail can be piled to the ceiling, but if the numbers look good…

w

I could go on about the new hires and whatnot… but I won't.

Oh… I have a year and 4 months and I am out of here (Florida and the PO)

Congrats on retiring, but you're leaving Florida? I know the roads are boring, but you can't really beat the weather. Where are you planning to go?

I told the missus I'm retiring to Mexico. I love it up in the mountains, going to little towns on "market days". And it's still pretty damn cheap to live there.

Gimme a chance to work on my spanglish some mo. The wife said she's not going. I'm gonna miss her.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Congrats on retiring, but you're leaving Florida? I know the roads are boring, but you can't really beat the weather. Where are you planning to go?

I told the missus I'm retiring to Mexico. I love it up in the mountains, going to little towns on "market days". And it's still pretty damn cheap to live there.

Gimme a chance to work on my spanglish some mo. The wife said she's not going. I'm gonna miss her.

Texas !!!

Florida (as you have found out) is terrible for service of any kind. No matter what you need done, it is better to do yourself.

In that respect, I miss the midwest. I figure Texas is a nice compromise.

 

[gggGary]

Yes if flat envelopes are not CLEARLY marked as non machinable and have enough postage on them they will get sent into the automatic shredders sorters and destroyed, the time and damage to the equipment is HUGE. I''m sending one out tomorrow when a sub will pick it up, Saturday, I will put a sticky on it for him to to place with parcels NOT in his first class tub because that just gets dumped into the stream going to the sorters. My regular knows this and puts it where it belongs. All the services have problems, post office is pretty good but there are some bad areas, plants etc. The UPS Chicago plant is a parcel destroyer extraordinaire. Got a big kitchen sink back with forklift tire tracks over the box. Was told several times there's a conveyor that dumps boxes 4 foot to a concrete floor. I worked as a rural carrier sub for 7 years the nightmares have mostly stopped but just after Thanksgiving I get a couple. (Christmas rush)

 

[HotRodZilla]

Ups and FedEx are for profit businesses with profit sharing. The USPS is a government entity with government employees that are unfireable and have an entitlement mentality. Not all but most.

What more do you need to know.

Ha! You're apparently not familiar with UPS's union. I have a co-worker who worked for UPS's security/investigations/loss prevention, whatever they are, group. They used bait packages with dye markers to catch thieves.

Turns out, even if a guy was walking around with colored dye all over his face, his job was usually safe. They wear shirts that say, "Fired man working." None of these entities is immune from workers who will steal or "lose" packages.

I do have to say, I've been very lucky with all 3 of them, so no complaints from me yet!

 

[Bounce]

Had a package that I ordered well in advance of Xmas that was supposed to arrive no later than the 12/19. It still wasn't here by 1/9 and no movement beyond arrival at the carrier showed in tracking (USPS). I contacted the seller and he claimed it was delivered (it wasn't and I am here more every day). A week later he re-shipped. It arrived and I caught it on my [redacted] video doorbell as the USPS carrier bent over and dropped it to the concrete from about 6+ inches. I had video of it along with the liquid contents leaking out onto the porch to support my discussions but I also caught the carrier before he got too far down the road. He reshipped and I got this without it being broken.

Again, the shipper didn't properly protect the top and bottom of the bottle in the packaging and didn't mark the bottle "fragile" so there's a combination of issues at play but a "thunk" I can here inside the house from across the room is at least one factor.

https://www.fjr-tips.org/misc/Delivery.mp4