Q Talk

[homedecor1]

Just sharing what the postal clerk told me today.  I waited 25 minutes to mail package - only 1 clerk in our local PO. 

I'm posting this here because there are so many posts about shipping times -- well got some BAD news..seems it's gonna get WORSE😳

We are doing a family project and my son asked me to send some family pics from my childhood, my parents, etc.

 Clerk asked me if I wanted regular first class or priority.  Big deal $3.12 difference.  Then added, box would be there "estimated 5/13" I said why if priority.

Answer: 

1.  Shipping is delayed as a majority of packages (inc. priority) are now being transferred to 3rd party handler.

2.  There are more packages being sent than normal.  Staff can't keep up with it🤔

3.  Two major distribution centers are working with "limited staff" due to COVID.  Did not state where they were.

4.  In the coming months major changes are taking place in the USPS, including rates rising.

This certainly is not good news for any retailer!!!  And rates are rising steadily ... if it's not free shipping it will definitely factor into if I purchase anything online.

[Kachina624]

@homedecor1    I don't use the post office much but you're always talking about mailing things.  Did you know you can get a scale and print out mailing labels at home, then have them picked up?  Have you heard the TV ads that say, "never go to the post office again"?  I imagine all the info is online.

[homedecor1]

@Kachina624 

Yes normally I use click n ship from home, then my mail lady picks up.

The reason I do go to PO or UPS is when I'm not exactly sure about actual postage.  I once mailed something and did not put correct postage based on box size -- box was returned "insufficient funds".

If using priority flat box or small package I do use click n ship.

[Kachina624]

@homedecor1    Since you waited so long, I assumed you didn't know about do-it-yourself.  I'm glad to hear you've been using it.

[homedecor1]

@Kachina624 

Thank you!  I always appreciate you're always good at finding solutions...for most things ...I admire you tackle more than I do😉 (and others here too!)

PS: I even used the "self kiosk" ... look out I'm stepping out of my comfort zone!

[Bhvbum]

My UPS driver told me it is like the week before Christmas all the time now.

[QVCJH]

I guess I'm not surprised but, in my experience, UPS has done very well at Christmas time.

[Puppy Lips]

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@Bhvbum wrote:

My UPS driver told me it is like the week before Christmas all the time now.

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That is exactly what our UPS driver said.  But, we are essentially out of business now, so we have not been sending a darn thing thru UPS.

We did mail something recently.  The customer complained because he did not get it right away.  When we tracked it, we saw it sat in a Chicago facility for a full two weeks before it moved along.

[Pecky]

I was reading somewhere that if USPS doesn't get help from the government they will be going out of business by fall.  I really don't understand why.  People are still mailing things out.  

[Buffalogal47]

@Pecky I heard that too. Apparently big on-line retailers like Amazon, the Q and many others are using the "hand-off" delivery from Fed-Ex and UPS and they are not paying the USPS the full rates. The post office has increased labor costs to meet the increase but the revenue stream isn't enough to cover it. So, look for a big increase in S & H charges later in the year.