All down hill for the USPS13473
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
Put it in a card and have your cutest kid write their name on it, never fails. | ||
Post 101 IP flag post |
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
To be perfectly clear to the forum... Yes I have been on USPS’s side but it’s mainly because of my mail carrier. All else has gone tits up for me shipping and receiving. It sounds by my posts like I’m biased but it’s strictly because of one hard working lady. The rest SUCKS right now. | ||
Post 102 IP flag post |
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
@HeinzDad I like my mail guy too. Although prolly don't show appreciation as much as you and @EbaySeller. My thanks are generally limited to water and sodas. They work really hard and are not at fault for the current situation. |
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Post 103 IP flag post |
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
Waters and sodas go a long way when it’s hot. | ||
Post 104 IP flag post |
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the420bandito private msg quote post Address this user | |
maybe Amazon should take over the USPS....just a thought. | ||
Post 105 IP flag post |
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HeinzDad private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by the420banditoI think they have already. |
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Post 106 IP flag post |
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by the420bandito Anything is better than the postmaster guy that decommissioned all those machines. |
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Post 107 IP flag post |
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poka private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Bronte All postmasters decommission underutilized machines / dropboxes. Otherwise they would not be doing their job |
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Post 108 IP flag post |
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poka private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by the420bandito I think you should be pretty appreciated of USPS. Everywhere else you have to pay for mailing materials. |
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Post 109 IP flag post |
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
I'm not positive that Amazon would like government oversight to take over the postal system. | ||
Post 110 IP flag post |
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
@poka Maybe I'm mistaken, but the guy I'm referring to in theory has financial ties to USPS Competition. The reasoning for his changes are also suspect. Whether the changes were legitimate or not, True or false, judges from my understanding demanded he put back in place the changes made to go back to the way it was before his changes. |
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Post 111 IP flag post |
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EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
I'm coming to believe that Post Office issues are regional. And I also believe that the two main variables are weather and quality of staffing. Our problems in sunny southern California seems to be nothing compared to some of the midwest and east coast problems. I think if you wanted to really improve it you would have to go hub by hub. I believe you would get significant union and even public opinion resistance against making the necessary changes and firings to improve the worst hubs. | ||
Post 112 IP flag post |
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Towmater private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by EbaySeller I agree with it being a regional issue. For example, I have received 2 packages in the last 15 days that originated in SD. Both arrived in about the same amount of time it used to take a package to arrive before all the "extra time" started happening from other locals in the USA. I have 2 packages coming from NJ at the moment. Both went into the USPS system and then stopped tracking after they went to the hub in Teterboro. |
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Post 113 IP flag post |
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poka private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Bronte https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/082120-just-the-facts-six-things-to-know-about-the-usps.htm |
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Post 114 IP flag post |
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Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by the420bandito ![]() As someone who almost never uses Amazon out of principle, I would be horrified by that. The job is hard enough without a psychopath like Bezos turning it into a gulag-like experience. |
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Post 115 IP flag post |
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
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Post 116 IP flag post |
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poka private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Bronte Mark - seeing who the federal judge is - I am not surprised about the ruling. It follows in line with his previous rulings. If I say anything further - I will get a vacation from this Forum. |
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Post 117 IP flag post |
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Bronte private msg quote post Address this user | |
Agreed. I was just about to delete posts. | ||
Post 118 IP flag post |
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IronMan private msg quote post Address this user | |
I want to comment but not sure where to start. I guess I'll start by pointing out that the USPS suffers from the worst possible combination. The USPS is a quasi governmental agency. Congress expects them to compete with private businesses (UPS/FedEx, etc..) and at least break even. Not cost US taxpayers any money. But Congress retains oversite of the USPS. Tells the USPS how to run their business. Keeps them from making fundamental changes that would greatly reduce their operating costs. FedEx and UPS do not deliver books and media at below the cost just because they are "media". UPS ground delivers to about 100 metro areas on Saturdays. USPS the entire country. FedEx and UPS do not have offices in every tiny little town. USPS does. I worked for a State agency for 35 years. I passed through Grandview Indiana (population 711) weekly traveling between offices. Grandview Indiana has a post office. UPS and FedEx nearest locations - even contracted drop offs - is either Newburgh Indiana or Owensboro Kentucky. 30 minutes away. Most nations view their postal systems as essential government services and subsidize them to some degree. This is why citizens of the UK can send us a package for $10 - but it costs US citizens over 2x that amount minimum to send the same package to the UK. If the package goes over four pounds those of us in the States are looking at $50 minimum. I'm no fan of the current postmaster - his background and financial ties raise eyebrows. But the current gridlock isn't actually his fault. Changes he mandated that were slowing down mail delivery were reversed. The fault lies with decades of mismanagement and interference by Congress. The deal is that if Congress allowed the USPS to make the steps necessary to get closer to break even, individual members of Congress would have constituents screaming at them. The people living in Grandview Indiana do not want their post office closed. Tens of millions of voters do not want mail delivery to stop on Saturday or post offices to have no Saturday hours. Since members of Congress don't want to get screamed at and want to be reelected they keep making the USPS do unprofitable things and offer unprofitable services. I'm not so much defending the USPS as just explaining. The current gridlock has affected me personally. By Dec 12 I realized there was a big problem with all the packages I had sent to customers starting Nov 24. Every other phone call and email was from customers/clients asking where their books were at. On Dec 12 I quit shipping USPS and started using UPS. Far less convenient for me, but at least packages moved along. I printed out tracking on 21 packages stuck - every single one appearing to be stuck at the Evansville, IN Regional Distribution center. As of Dec 23, it's down to 13 packages in limbo. And there is no logic to what moves. One would hope that if behind, it would be first in first out. But not at all. The oldest package - shipped Nov 24 - finally arrived Dec 19. The latest shipment - Dec 11 - arrived yesterday Dec 22. Everything in-between is still stuck. In Evansville - like lots of other distribution centers - package volume is a large part of the problem. But the other part of the problem is the pandemic. For three weeks the Evansville Distribution Center has had a lot of employees out with COVID. Often during this period at 1/2 staff. A lot of packages when they leave Evansville go to Louisville KY. Louisville is so bad it is being covered in the national media. Truckers stuck waiting in line with semi-loads of packages for 15 hours or longer. They can't unload sooner because there is no where to put the packages they want to drop off. At this point I'm telling customers as they call much of the above. Explaining that essentially it might be as long as mid January before their package shows up. Or it might suddenly appear in a couple of days. In mid January anything still missing (and hopefully that is nothing) I'll file the insurance claim(s) and refund money. Why wait so long? Remember my mentioning the shipped Nov 24 arrived Dec 19 package? I filed a lost package insurance claim. USPS paid the insurance claim on Dec 18. Then the package arrives a day later. So then I had to write a letter and return the check. Fortunately, the vast majority of comic book collectors want their books, not their money back. So are agreeing to wait. And as an aside, the packages I've shipped UPS have moved along and been delivered as expected at the expected times. It costs more - sometimes a little and sometimes more than a little - and it's not near as convenient. I just handed USPS packages to my carrier when she delivered mail to my house. UPS is 20 minutes away and there is nearly always a line. But it beats having packages sit for three weeks not moving. |
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Post 119 IP flag post |
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
My brother works at the bulk mail center in Sharonville, OH. He told me last week that it isn't a matter of sorting mail (letters & packages), but a matter of being short truck drivers. He told me that they have trailers loaded and ready to go but because of Covid, and whatever other factors that have since come into play, there are just no drivers to haul the trailers to where they need to go. I've already issued one small refund because the buyer was upset he still hasn't received his books. Whatever, no problem. And the day after I issue the refund and file a missing package report, the magical arrive at destination scan occurs. My issues have stemmed from Dec 11. It appears everything I dropped off that day is what is stuck. Everything before and after has moved normally. I think I dropped off three that day. All took 7 days to get from Dayton to the BMC in Cincinnati (50ish miles). Then nothing, until one was delivered in OR yesterday. I'm going to file another claim and see if something pops up for one that is supposed to go to IN. I could have drove this one to the buyer. I've only used UPS to ship books to MCS, but it worked like a charm. I'm thinking on suspending my listings until after January just because I don't need the headaches. | ||
Post 120 IP flag post |
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00slim private msg quote post Address this user | |
I am awaiting a package from Ohio. It shipped on 12/7 & as of today, tracking shows it still hasn’t left the initial Post Office. It was supposed to arrive on 12/11. I asked the USPS to look into it & got this reply: “As a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Postal ServiceTM Priority Mail® products and First-ClassTM packages may temporarily experience delivery delays due to limited transportation availability. The tracking information for your item shows that the item departed on 12/7 but has not arrived for delivery. Please continue to watch tracking for updated delivery information.” |
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Post 121 IP flag post |
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Towmater private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Studley_Dudley Aren't most of the USPS over the road drivers contractors now? I know they farm a bunch of it out. |
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Post 122 IP flag post |
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Studley_Dudley private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Towmater I couldn't tell you the amount. My brother said that there were contracted transport companies who drive USPS trailers but he didn't know the amount. If the USPS contracts the way the rest of the federal government does, then there is a mix of gov and contractors doing the work. |
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Post 123 IP flag post |
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EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
@IronMan You describe a dinosaur stuck in a tar pit. I think it's quite accurate. Every so often I take a trip on that other quasi-government organization Amtrak. Dinosaur stuck in a tar pit would be pretty much the situation there as well. For Sr. Management it becomes a "Do no harm" situation. There's no value in trying to fix it, they just want to do their time and get out without becoming a scape goat or being accused breaking it. | ||
Post 124 IP flag post |
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EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user | |
I figured it might be kind of clever to ship on Christmas Eve given that it's a bit late to use the Post Office for Christmas Items. Sure enough the parking lot was only about 10% full when I got there. Just as I was patting myself on the back I walked inside to find that the main lobby doors were closed and locked. I guess next year I will have to get there before noon to test my theory. I liked that the parking lot was only 10% full...but who knows how full it will be when the place is actually open. lol. | ||
Post 125 IP flag post |
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Tedsaid private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by xkonk Did you ever get an answer to this? I just got this message on a package. I'm planning to call tomorrow or the next day (Sun or Mon) to find out what I can. This is for a box I sent to a company ... so, they aren't going to "pickup" the package; they'll just wait for it to arrive, if it does. |
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Post 126 IP flag post |
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Tedsaid private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by poka I don't think it is surprising that the PR folks for the USPS decided the head of the USPS is doing a bang-up job. Considering all the reports going the other way, the unprecedented delays, the very public destruction of multi-million dollar custom machinery (who cares if it was only used 30%? If it was used, then it was useful. And it was already paid for, so they save nothing for destroying it) and judges of all political persuasions reversing the decisions to slow down the mail .... well, I'll take that over six cheerful bullet points on the USPS's own website. The USPS employees are doing an amazing job during an unprecedented crisis. I echo others' sentiments that they should be getting all the support they need from Congress, to run effectively in the way they are being told to run: as a vital government service. |
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Post 127 IP flag post |
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poka private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Tedsaid What was referred to in the statement is the facts about # of boxes removed. |
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Post 128 IP flag post |
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xkonk private msg quote post Address this user | |
Quote:Originally Posted by Tedsaid Short answer - yes, it eventually made it to the right place. Long answer - I tried calling, a few times, both the 1-800 number and the number for the post office where it was stuck. The local place never picked up. The 1-800 number was unhelpful because there was no option to talk to someone, although it was kind of funny that in the tracking part of the automated menu it would tell me that it was located in Florida but tell me the address and hours for a post office in Kentucky (where it was supposed to be) where I could pick it up. Obviously all the information was there, it just needed someone to look at it. I think the eBay buyer may have gone to his post office and asked someone about it, but I'm not sure. Eventually the package was marked as 'delivered' in Florida, and at that point I had a new option in the 1-800 menu to talk to someone. So I had a long wait on the hold but got to talk to someone who was very nice and immediately saw that something was wrong. She couldn't do much but she opened a case for me, and later the same day I got a call from my local post office where I had sent it from. They also immediately saw that something was wrong and marked the case for the office in Florida and also noted it for their supervisor (or elevated it somehow). In a day or two the tracking updated to show that it was heading in the right direction and then it made it to the buyer soon after. Calling people was a bust for me until the package was marked as delivered, so if you don't want to wait I guess I would suggest going to your post office and having them look up the tracking. Once someone can see that it's in completely the wrong place, they can flag it for you one way or another. |
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Post 129 IP flag post |
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gotham44 private msg quote post Address this user | |
I work at Fedex Express and my brother is a supervisor at UPS. Both companies around here simply couldn't hire drivers. No one was applying and the ones that did failed drug tests and/or background checks. It wasn't temporary work either, permanent positions. My brother was trying to get me to go to UPS. they pay a hell of a lot more but I wasnt giving up 5 weeks of vacation. I'm sure USPS had the same problems plus way more smaller packages to deliver. I'm glad this Christmas rush is over. Instead of 14 hour days now I can go back to 12 hour days. | ||
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