It's that time of year again, USPS delays

[RandAlThor]

Originally Posted by jason122883

I have a strange one. Not sure if you guys have seen this year.

A buyer purchased a card on the 21st, so I printed the label on the 22nd(Sunday) and dropped it off on the 23rd.

He reached out to me on the 22nd, concerned that it showed delivered to a state he didn't live in. At the time, I still had the package in my possession. I assumed when I dropped it off, it would update. I ship through Ebay.

Right now it shows that the card delivered on the 20th. He paid on the 21st. I printed the label on the 22nd. So it was delivered before he even decided to buy it?

I had a similar situation the other day, buyer bought an item and the next day messaged me saying that tracking shows the item was delivered. Yet I still had possession of the item and haven't dropped off the item at the post office. I told the seller not to worry about it and hopefully the system will correct itself. What was strange is on my end it still showed a shipping label was created but the post office had not yet received the item.

[jcmel323]

Is anyone else having issues with the Birmingham, Alabama distribution center?
I have five Priority Mail packages with no tracking updates since July 4. I'm getting really worried—

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by jcmel323

Is anyone else having issues with the Birmingham, Alabama distribution center?
I have five Priority Mail packages with no tracking updates since July 4. I'm getting really worried—two of them contain almost everything I purchased in May.

I hope they’ll turn up for you soon. I feel like when I post about USPS stuff I often get the reverse jinx and things clear up after I post.

I will say Alabama tends to have USPS delays and issues..just anecdotal, but stuff often gets delayed going through the Birmingham hub. Also Priority mail seems to get more issues for whatever reason. Many of my delayed packages tend to be Priority. Good news is it’s exceedingly rare for a package to go truly lost with USPS and will likely get delivered. Especially being 5 packages it’s more likely just sitting in a container or truck waiting to be moved…vs a single small package not updating which could suggest lost under a belt or under the seat of a truck or whatever. It would be unusual for 5 packages to go lost.

[DynaEtch]

PSA to sellers:

When shipping $1000+ items, do not just drop it into a USPS package intake box after hours, if there’s any way you can avoid it.

$1000+ card…deal on FB…seller says they dropped it off Friday evening in an intake box. As of Sunday, the tracking says preshipment. I believe the seller, so I do think he shipped it out Friday. Now this package could say preshipment for who knows how long. If insurance was purchased, it does not count as a USPS acceptance and seller won’t get reimbursed.

All of this could have been so easily prevented if the seller would have just taken it to the counter on either Fri or wait to the next day- the tracking would have said accepted right on the spot, and it wouldn’t be in a strange limbo, which the seller and I are now starting to wonder about. This is not the first time either for after-hours dropped off packages- I’ve had some that remained in preshipment for weeks. So in short…take the expensive packages to the counter and get a scan.

[DynaEtch]

^^^
To follow up on that point. The seller went to check with the PO and was told when you drop off a package in their package intake box instead of getting it scanned in…it basically will say preshipment and not update at all the way until it reaches the destination hub, or even delivery. I believe it since I’ve seen that before with dropped off packages. Just strange how USPS would do that. Like why would that make a difference in getting scans along the way.

[DynaEtch]

Have like 4 packages, all unrelated…that basically just decided to stop moving within the system. What the heck is going on with USPS lately.

[Sonnys88]

USPS has been having lots of issues lately.

Seems like any type of shipment is taking a few days longer than expected or predicted by the tracking system. And scans are not updating along the way many times.

And packages are being mis-routed more often. I have one now going from the suburbs of Philadelphia to New Jersey (typically delivered in 1 or 2 days), but the package arrived at the destination sort facility Kearny NJ then was sent to North Carolina for some reason.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Sonnys88

USPS has been having lots of issues lately.

Seems like any type of shipment is taking a few days longer than expected or predicted by the tracking system. And scans are not updating along the way many times.

And packages are being mis-routed more often. I have one now going from the suburbs of Philadelphia to New Jersey (typically delivered in 1 or 2 days), but the package arrived at the destination sort facility Kearny NJ then was sent to North Carolina for some reason.

I feel like the Philly and Jersey hubs are misroute central. Any time I have something going through the Philly especially…I give it like a 25% chance it then goes on to somewhere it shouldn’t.

One issue I’m currently having is a higher end package I sent someone 5 hour drive away in a trade. Ground advantage, sent it last week. Bounced around to a few hubs it’s shouldn’t have, back and forth. Got to his local hub…then routed further away to where it stands now with no update in multiple days. I could have hand delivered this package 5 hours away…

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

PSA to sellers:

When shipping $1000+ items, do not just drop it into a USPS package intake box after hours, if there’s any way you can avoid it.

$1000+ card…deal on FB…seller says they dropped it off Friday evening in an intake box. As of Sunday, the tracking says preshipment. I believe the seller, so I do think he shipped it out Friday. Now this package could say preshipment for who knows how long. If insurance was purchased, it does not count as a USPS acceptance and seller won’t get reimbursed.

All of this could have been so easily prevented if the seller would have just taken it to the counter on either Fri or wait to the next day- the tracking would have said accepted right on the spot, and it wouldn’t be in a strange limbo, which the seller and I are now starting to wonder about. This is not the first time either for after-hours dropped off packages- I’ve had some that remained in preshipment for weeks. So in short…take the expensive packages to the counter and get a scan.

So on this point. Seller says they dropped it off Friday evening at PO. It is now Thurs next week and all it says on tracking is Pre-Shipment. Over $1000 package. Seller very communicative and I believe him about dropping it off (it wouldn’t make much sense to not drop it off then I just get refunded for INR…would be no point of doing that).

We are on other sides of the country. What are people’s experience with this situation, whether it’ll eventually show up. His post office claims something dropped off in the package chute can not get any scans anywhere in transit until the final destination hub or even delivery. My PO is basically saying that’s bunk and should not happen…if his local PO was too lazy to scan the acceptance it should still show up scanned at the first distribution hub near him.

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

So on this point. Seller says they dropped it off Friday evening at PO. It is now Thurs next week and all it says on tracking is Pre-Shipment. Over $1000 package. Seller very communicative and I believe him about dropping it off (it wouldn’t make much sense to not drop it off then I just get refunded for INR…would be no point of doing that).

We are on other sides of the country. What are people’s experience with this situation, whether it’ll eventually show up. His post office claims something dropped off in the package chute can not get any scans anywhere in transit until the final destination hub or even delivery. My PO is basically saying that’s bunk and should not happen…if his local PO was too lazy to scan the acceptance it should still show up scanned at the first distribution hub near him.

Although there's likely an SOP, each PO (local and regional) operates differently.

Many follow their outlined processes but some don't.

Who knows what happened to your package? Maybe it's OTW and hasn't been scanned (I've had multiple packages reach their destination with only 1 scan) or maybe it was lost/stolen.

But you're right, for higher-priced items, it's generally best to wait in line and get it scanned (although I've dropped off mid-end singles/wax in drop boxes but my local USPS office is generally good about scanning them, just not scanning PWEs).

Good luck! As long as you paid with some form of buyer's protection, you're fine (just might not get that card, unfortunately).

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

Although there's likely an SOP, each PO (local and regional) operates differently.

Many follow their outlined processes but some don't.

Who knows what happened to your package? Maybe it's OTW and hasn't been scanned (I've had multiple packages reach their destination with only 1 scan) or maybe it was lost/stolen.

But you're right, for higher-priced items, it's generally best to wait in line and get it scanned (although I've dropped off mid-end singles/wax in drop boxes but my local USPS office is generally good about scanning them, just not scanning PWEs).

Good luck! As long as you paid with some form of buyer's protection, you're fine (just might not get that card, unfortunately).

I think this is what it comes down to- variances in PO operating procedure.

When I drop a package off at my PO in the intake chute….it always gets an acceptance scan before leaving the PO, they’re good with it- sounds like yours is too. The scan won’t be immediate but by the end of the day. If I wait in line at a counter and hand it to a clerk to scan in…the acceptance scan to appear on tracking is near immediate.

The guy I was talking to at my PO said other POs can get lazy and not scan packages from the intake boxes before sending them on. The thing that is confusing is you’d think even with that it’d get a scan somewhere along the way….unless the missed opening scan somehow affects the whole route (don’t know how). But you’re right…it’s not the first time I’ve seen it and have had a package get no scans at all until delivery once.

I paid PP G&S so not concerned about the money…card was the very last card of a large (rare) set I need, so it’s not the money but gonna be disappointing not getting the card. I’d say at a nearly a week out it’s early…just the Pre-Shipment this far out is concerning.

Lesson to sellers- hand your high end card packages to a clerk and get that acceptance scan.

[Blazed]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

So on this point. Seller says they dropped it off Friday evening at PO. It is now Thurs next week and all it says on tracking is Pre-Shipment. Over $1000 package. Seller very communicative and I believe him about dropping it off (it wouldn’t make much sense to not drop it off then I just get refunded for INR…would be no point of doing that).

We are on other sides of the country. What are people’s experience with this situation, whether it’ll eventually show up. His post office claims something dropped off in the package chute can not get any scans anywhere in transit until the final destination hub or even delivery. My PO is basically saying that’s bunk and should not happen…if his local PO was too lazy to scan the acceptance it should still show up scanned at the first distribution hub near him.

If it helps, I had a card mailed from FL to PSA in Cali for AG. It didn't get any scans at all along the way and took about a week and a half to get there

So if the seller really mailed it, which you believe he did, chances are good you'll get it

[newcokeandtaco]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

-snip-
Lesson to sellers- hand your high end card packages to a clerk and get that acceptance scan.

This is very good advice, just remember to also ask for a receipt.

Hope your card shows up soon.

[DynaEtch]

Appreciate the responses- my package did finally update, and got delivered today (hoping for the ol reverse jinx by posting and got it). Here’s a recap:

-Seller dropped off package last Fri night.
-Tracking said preshipment and nothing else until Fri morning of the next week, where it suddenly got a scan on the other side of the country, near me.
-Delivered on Sat, about a week from mailing.

Interesting it got no transit scans in the area of the seller..not even his local distribution hub. This can be some hope for others where a seller drops of a package and it just says preshipment though.

In the small chance this package would have gone lost, seller would have been out of luck trying to get insurance claim paid or anything since it didn’t even have an acceptance scan…so really a lesson for them with higher end packages, to scan it in with a clerk.

[jcmel323]

Originally Posted by jcmel323

Is anyone else having issues with the Birmingham, Alabama distribution center?
I have five Priority Mail packages with no tracking updates since July 4. I'm getting really worried—

After 17 days stuck at the Birmingham, Alabama distribution center, all 5 packages finally moved. Maybe it gets delivered in 3-4 days.

[jamcas997]

Well not a USPS issue but a UPS one. Made purchase from Blowout last Wednesday and had items shipped to my place at Table Rock MO as I am on VACA. So two packages went out Thursday and were scheduled to be here today. Well one will be here today and the other now scheduled for Wednesday. I know this is not Blowouts fault, but when you see one tracking going to MO and the other going to PA on the initial tracking you can't help but wonder as to why they would not be together. Oh well it gives me time to open and sort one while I wait on the other.

[DynaEtch]

Another seller just dropping off a $500 package instead of handing it to a clerk…and on cue…dropped off Monday morning, Wednesday evening, no scan. For whatever reason…when you drop off a package, especially in CA for some reason, no one’s scanning it, not even local distribution hubs.

Sellers: it’s not a bad idea to just hand $500+, or $1k+ packages to a clerk to scan in. I’m amazed how many don’t do this. This was a large package too (uncut sheet).

[rwperu34]

FWIW, anything over $150 I stand in line and get a receipt. I'll do it if I have an unusually large quantity of GA packages as well. My PO is good about scanning packages, even when I leave them in the blue box. I just want to be on the safe side.

[rwperu34]

Here's a fun one. I dropped off two Priority Mail packages at the same time going to the same address. AZ-->NC. One of them went straight through and arrived at the destination in two days. The other took a detour to Chicago.

Via the tracking, both were dropped off at the same time. Both left Tempe at the same time. Both were processced in Phoenix at the same time. Yet somehow they go in two different directions!

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

Here's a fun one. I dropped off two Priority Mail packages at the same time going to the same address. AZ-->NC. One of them went straight through and arrived at the destination in two days. The other took a detour to Chicago.

Via the tracking, both were dropped off at the same time. Both left Tempe at the same time. Both were processced in Phoenix at the same time. Yet somehow they go in two different directions!

That’s curious. One must have just ended up in a different bin or went down the other conveyor belt or something. Looks like jamcas had a similar situation to this just above.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

FWIW, anything over $150 I stand in line and get a receipt. I'll do it if I have an unusually large quantity of GA packages as well. My PO is good about scanning packages, even when I leave them in the blue box. I just want to be on the safe side.

Wish more sellers were like you and did this. My PO is also great about scanning in dropped off packages, but I still take anything $250+ to the counter.

This one is still super, super early….but it got the dreaded “SSK USPS electronic receipt for mailing” tracking update when it got dropped off….which is often bad news and probably the most confusing scan in USPS’s repertoire. Not even a scan really, it means seller used the self service kiosk, and USPS for some reason calls it an Acceptance scan when it’s not and is no proof the package was actually handed over to USPS. USPS needs to stop calling this an acceptance scan.



Anyway, that’s all it shows so far as of Wednesday night, when expected delivery is supposed to be tomorrow. Could have all been avoided by just taking the $500 package to the counter.

[Bosoxfan5990]

When I lived next to my PO, I'd bring any GA packages to the counter to scan.

Now, I'm ~8-10 minutes away and make one trip in the morning when needed and I use the SSK. Luckily, my PO is very good about scanning in SSK packages timely.

If I knew they weren't good at scanning, I'd make it a point to go to the counter during the day at some point.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

When I lived next to my PO, I'd bring any GA packages to the counter to scan.

Now, I'm ~8-10 minutes away and make one trip in the morning when needed and I use the SSK. Luckily, my PO is very good about scanning in SSK packages timely.

If I knew they weren't good at scanning, I'd make it a point to go to the counter during the day at some point.

Can you elaborate more on the SSK (I’ve never used it at my PO)….why exactly people use that? Whenever I see it on tracking it’s often bad news, including the example above.

When I purchase my own postage on eBay, I print it out and bring the package to PO and drop it off (in their chute or to an area on the counter they have). If it’s expensive or has insurance I’ll take it to the clerk to get it scanned it. Why are people using the SSK?

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Can you elaborate more on the SSK (I’ve never used it at my PO)….why exactly people use that? Whenever I see it on tracking it’s often bad news, including the example above.

Like when I purchase my own postage on eBay, I print it out and bring the package to PO and drop it off (in their chute or to an area on the counter they have). If it’s expensive or has insurance I’ll take it to the clerk to get it scanned it. Why are people using the SSK?

My PO doesn't open until 8:30 AM and I'm typically out and about to run my morning errands between 6:00-7:00 AM, including running by the PO.

I don't have time during my day for a 20 minute round trip drive anymore, compared to when the PO was within walking distance.

[Crosby 87]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

When I lived next to my PO, I'd bring any GA packages to the counter to scan.

Now, I'm ~8-10 minutes away and make one trip in the morning when needed and I use the SSK. Luckily, my PO is very good about scanning in SSK packages timely.

If I knew they weren't good at scanning, I'd make it a point to go to the counter during the day at some point.

Also my local PO is pretty busy. I can usually save 30 mins or so of waiting in line by using the kiosk.

So I'm definitely using the kiosk over waiting line. It's the same thing just one saves time. At this point I think this is just a way to humble brag that op is buying $500+ items.