topic Re: Priority Mail in Community Chat

Priority Mail

ozarkgirl — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:15:50 GMT

I sent a Priority Mail envelope last Thursday and have been checking the tracking. Well I checked this morning and my envelope bound for Georgia is in California. What's up with that. I called my local PO and they said keep your fingers crossed and it will be delivered. I call the PO it was at last and she said it was just a mistake. They have alot of that during this time of year and she was sure they caught it and sent it on. Boy what a way to run a business. Ayone ever had this happen and did the envelope eventually get there?

Re: Priority Mail

GSPgirl — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:22:29 GMT

I was so mad at the post office this year for not delivering my mail EVERY day that I did all my business with UPS. I even had my Christmas cards weighed there and I used my own stamps. We have only two clerks at anytime at our very busy post offices and I live in a busy city.

Re: Priority Mail

Nightowlz — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:32:32 GMT

Yes I have had that happen & it was still received. Hope it gets where it's going.

Re: Priority Mail

Q4u — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:51:30 GMT

I deal with the Post Office almost daily (I sell on eBay).... I'm certainly not one of their cheerleaders but I do have to say that in all the years I've been using them (since 200) I think I've only had one package (Priority Overseas) that seemed to get lost. This was about three years ago and the clerks at my PO and I were on top of it, I even called the Custom's P.O. (last stop) and the package was eventually found.... some hiccup because of how the custom's forms were filled out (learning experience).

Priority seems to be handled quickly and more efficiently than regular mail and there are areas of the country that handle things rougher (East Coast) than the upper mid-west. First Class (anything under 14 oz) are also handled quickly and efficiently.

I've had two fragile packages break (tossed over a fence)....

But all in all I can't even imagine what coordination it takes to do what they do....

One more thing. It's EXTREMELY hard work, the clerks are on their feet all day and if one leaves to just go pee, there is a groan from the line.....there is a Nationwide shortage of Postal Workers at the moment with my PO having a huge banner inside saying to "Apply OnLine". That won't be me though, I worked in a Mail Room once a lifetime ago and never again... I'd rather scrub bathrooms.

Re: Priority Mail

Q4u — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:52:24 GMT

That should read "2001".....

Re: Priority Mail

Krimpette — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:56:10 GMT

Most recently, I sent a card (with some enclosures) to my sister in NE PA. I live just outside of DC. I sent it 1st class mail with plenty of postage. It took 8 days to go about 230 miles.

Re: Priority Mail

Q4u — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:59:35 GMT

I agree that 8 days is too long, they estimate about 5 days for FC.....

Re: Priority Mail

CelticCrafter — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 23:08:01 GMT

I mailed two small bubble envelopes that needed extra postage out from the post office on Friday and both were delivered Saturday.

It was in state but I didn't think they would get to where they were going by the next day.

Re: Priority Mail

september — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 23:21:46 GMT

Not an envelope in my case, but a package. Last Wednesday, I sent one to my son via Priority 2 day shipping. He lives 2 states away, but for some reason, they bumped the delivery date to Saturday. Then it sat around on Sunday (even though we're getting Sunday deliveries in our area). Now it's listed as out for delivery, but it's late afternoon, so I don't know....

2 day shipping = 5 or 6 days?

Re: Priority Mail

Jasmine19 — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 23:34:37 GMT

I mailed a package priority on 12/8 from Philadelphia to Connecticut. So far it has gone to Springfield MA and then on to the destination city in CT. Instead of delivering the package they sent it back to Springfield. It's currently in Chicago. Today is day 7. The address and zip code were correct. It seems that their tracking system has jumped the shark.

Re: Priority Mail

hoosieroriginal — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 01:06:54 GMT

When I've mailed items, sometimes when I mail items regular mail, it get there as quickly as priority mail would have and I've saved money. I swear it all gets there the same time.

Re: Priority Mail

september — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 01:38:37 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
When I've mailed items, sometimes when I mail items regular mail, it get there as quickly as priority mail would have and I've saved money. I swear it all gets there the same time.

I realize that, now. I paid $26 dollars to send the package to my son (part of that was for extra insurance). I could have sent it third class and paid a lot less..and the arrival date would be the same.

Re: Priority Mail

Kachina624 — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 01:53:28 GMT

I sent my sister in Pa., a large fairly heavy package last Thursday. Priority was too expensive so it went regular first class. She called and said she got it today. Hurrah for the post office.

Re: Priority Mail

homedecor1 — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 02:50:35 GMT

Guess I'm lucky this year. We have a new mail carrier and I'm telling you she's wonderful!

I do all my shipping labels online with the USPS.com mail & ship (save a few $$$ too).

On Saturday, I gave her 4 boxes. They were going Tampa to Phila, NJ areas, Phoenix, and CA -- all boxes were delivered TODAY in one piece, no breakage, etc.

Kudos to our regional post office!

Re: Priority Mail

nrm — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:17:34 GMT

I sent a priority package on Dec 3 and it went to Dallas where it sat until Dec 13. It was finally delivered on Dec 15 2,000 miles from Dallas. $11. Plus change is a lot of money for a package to be delayed. Luckily,it was delivered. I'm sure it's because of the holiday season.

Re: Priority Mail

september — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 04:40:24 GMT

I just heard from my son, and he just got his package that took almost 6 days to get to him via "2 day priority" I think they give the retailers priority shipping at this time of year, but the rest of us should expect delays. Even when we pay $26 for a rather small sized box.

Re: Priority Mail

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:02:18 GMT

I shipped two priority mail boxes last week from Los Angeles to Buffalo, NY. One box was delivered early Sunday morning, and the second box has been in Syracuse for two days now. I have no idea why.

Re: Priority Mail

Hayfield — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 13:44:47 GMT

All--Never send anything Priorty Mail, don't waste your money, just send it regular mail. I come from a long line of postal workers and that was the advice they always gave me. Happy Holidays to all!

Re: Priority Mail

Mominohio — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:18:47 GMT

Not that it will fix everything, and certainly crazy shipping routes/wait times occur all year, with all shipping companies to some degree, but I'll never understand why people, during the holidays, wait so long to send cards/packages.

As my mom used to say, "The holiday rolls around the same time every year. They mark it on every calendar. No excuses for not having your (shopping/baking/decorating etc) done ahead of time".

They systems are flooded and jammed, always were. But now add the vast volume of online shopping, and all these companies promising that when you order 10 minutes before 'the big day' your package is 'guaranteed' to arrive on time, and you know the system is going to fail a certain percentage of the time.

That is no consolation for where your package is that you sent in June, and you are still looking for it in July, but it would take some of the holiday stresses off if people just got their holiday shopping/shipping done before mid December.

Re: Priority Mail

CouponQueen — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:05:59 GMT

I had great luck with Priority Mail.

I sent my sister something on Friday 12/18 which was NOT a holiday gift.. I was told it would arrive on 12/22.

I was surprised when she sent me a text last night it arrived yesterday morning!!

I did A LOT of shopping online this holiday season and it has arrived all avenues from USPS to UPS - Fed Express to the one that hands off to USPS. I have to say that one is a mess..It was handed off on 12/7 and arrived on 12/19...I followed the tracking across the various states..towns..etc..

Only one that seems to get it right is whatever source Amazon uses.

I actually ordered a LARGE recliner Monday afternoon with Prime Shipping..there was no way I figured it would ever arrive on time..well imagine my surprise when I received a text that it was delivered Wednesday mid-morning! I don't know how they do it...