Don't ship Priority by USPS!!

[Beastlover]

So last Tues. I go to the USPS to ship my MIL and FIL pill boxes (4 wks worth) to AZ. from IL. I tell the girl, "I need it there by Thurs." she says "we'll have to ship it Priority" I say "Okay" badda bing, badda boom...done.

Yesterday (Sunday) a call comes from my DH's cousin who lives in Phoenix (2 hr drive from my In-laws) and he is wondering where the pills are??? I am like what??? They are now out of pills. FIL is diabetic, high blood pressure, high cholesterol...basically a walking heart attack. My MIL had a massive stroke and because of it has seizures. Her seizure medication is in her boxes, among others. He is on 9 prescriptions, she is on 6. Their pharmacy bill was $882!!! Now the USPS is telling me, "oh, we are sorry, it will be there tomorrow."

I call them today and no shipment. I call USPS, and same story..."no, it didn't ship today" I am like "no kidding it didn't ship today."

I usually ship UPS, I didn't ship with them because the last time I did, someone opened it and took out a $200 money order. I can't believe this.

Rant, rant, rave, rave.

Beware of who you ship with.

 

[Blondy876]

That's terrible. I always ship priority mail with tracking and have never had a problem. That seems so weird that it's taking so long, did the post office offer any explanation? I hope they get their meds soon. Good luck.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

oh gosh. How scary to have that happen.

No, USPS Priority Mail does not give a guaranteed delivery date. When you need Guaranteed Delivery, you should use Express Mail.

 

[Imzadi]

Sorry about your experience.

Unfortunately many seasoned eBayers know this about USPS Priority when their packages, too, do not arrive in a timely fashion. If you read the advertizing blurb carefully, it says something to the extend of: Packages USUALLY arrive in 2-4 days. There are no guarantees or refunds. Packages can take up to 3 WEEKS (or longer.)

So basically you are paying $$ more for lousy service. Sometimes 1st class mail is faster & cheaper than Priority service.

 

[rasnlms]

Wow - I use it all the time to send packages - but the delivery is not guaranteed. Better to use FedEx or UPS when a certain delivery date is needed.

 

[Caradana]

Oh man ... with something that valuable, I think I would've FedEx'd or Express Mailed. Did the girl at the post office know what was in that package? Yikes. Sounds like you got crappy advice. Sorry.

 

[CajunDixie]

Did the girl at the post office know what was in that package?

If she had they would not have been allowed to mail it without a prescription in hand. They should have had their prescriptions sent to a pharmacy where they are instead of shipping the actual meds.

 

[Beastlover]

If she had they would not have been allowed to mail it without a prescription in hand. They should have had their prescriptions sent to a pharmacy where they are instead of shipping the actual meds.

They knew what was being shipped....and didn't offer any alternatives. I told the girl what was in the box, why I fill them and why they HAD to be there by Thursday. My In Laws have had so many strokes and the such that they can't manage the meds. They couldn't even tell you what they were taking.

I pick them up in WI (they are residents there ) fill them in weekly boxes (4 weeks worth) and ship them off. I usually ship UPS, but last time I did, a money order was stolen from it. (I know, don't ship that...but they also can't manage checkbook, etc. we do it all)

I just came back from FEDEX and dropped a 1 week supply to get them by until the box comes. The guy even gave me the box, bubble wrap and tape for free. He said I have had a tough enough day!!

 

[joshsmom]

I just came back from FEDEX and dropped a 1 week supply to get them by until the box comes. The guy even gave me the box, bubble wrap and tape for free. He said I have had a tough enough day!!

You HAVE had a tough enough day!!! Glad the FEDEX people were nice. Hope the other meds show up soon. How scary!

 

[BuckNaked]

I don't even bother with Priority Mail anymore - if it needs to be there, I ship it Express Mail. And they have the "all you can fit in the box for one price" Express Mail boxes in different sizes, it's much more affordable than you might think.

 

[DisneyVillain]

oh gosh. How scary to have that happen.

No, USPS Priority Mail does not give a guaranteed delivery date. When you need Guaranteed Delivery, you should use Express Mail.

Several years ago when Consumer Reports tested shipping services they found that Express Mail (USPS overnight) would have finished 3rd if rated as a 2 day service!

If you care when it gets there, don't use USPS.

 

[Morganpics]

If I really want it to get there I use UPS or FedEx. DS lived in Alaska for a short time and even though I knew better from already shipping, when I would go to the USPS to ship anything they always said "priority will get there in 2-3 days". NEVER!! It was always 2 weeks or more. Even though I told the postal clerk that, they didn't believe me-"well, the system says 2-3 days". I just don't trust the Postal Service. Sorry for the situation you encountered. Sounds pretty stressful.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

"Priority Mail" really isn't. "Priority Mail" is just a rate class for 1st class mail weighing 13 ounces or more. There is NO special handling or anything. Priority Mail = 1st Class Mail, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Beastlover]

"Priority Mail" really isn't. "Priority Mail" is just a rate class for 1st class mail weighing 13 ounces or more. There is NO special handling or anything. Priority Mail = 1st Class Mail, nothing more, nothing less.

Good to know now...I am just warning as many people as I can!!