USPS Tracking

[bcla]

Think of PB as kind of like UPS Mail Innovations. They get the package from retailers/vendors and then does the sorting and shipping to your local/regional USPS. But, unlike UPS, they are extremely slow and inept. My packages last scanned sitting at their Stockton location almost 2 weeks ago.

So they have some sort of logistics service similar to "Fulfilled by Amazon"?

 

[godisney14]

So they have some sort of logistics service similar to "Fulfilled by Amazon"?

Fulfillment by Amazon for 3rd party sellers work a little differently. Sellers leave their products with Amazon. Pitney Bowes works just like UPS Mail Innovations as I described.

My packages got picked up by PB from the retailers, and it went through their logistics chain. But, it’s showing as being stuck at one of their regional PB locations before it’s supposed to be handed over to USPS at some point.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Pitney Bowes lost my November package...and Kohls never knew or refunded me til yesterday. It was the only package I couldn't easily replace (the Xmas PJs), so we are changing Xmas traditions thanks to their shipping this year...

 

[bcla]

Fulfillment by Amazon for 3rd party sellers work a little differently. Sellers leave their products with Amazon. Pitney Bowes works just like UPS Mail Innovations as I described.

My packages got picked up by PB from the retailers, and it went through their logistics chain. But, it’s showing as being stuck at one of their regional PB locations before it’s supposed to be handed over to USPS at some point.

OK. I've dealt with UPS Mail Innovations once for a product return. It was weird too as the only address I had on the label was not the final destination. Doesn't Pitney Bowes just work with the major shipping companies? Kind of a mix and match with USPS, UPS, and FedEx?

 

[godisney14]

Maybe PB works with other carriers. But, I’ve only experienced PB with USPS as the last mile delivery service. The reason for PB to partner with USPS is because of lower costs. So, for them to use FedEx or USPS seems like it would defeat that objective.

 

[bcla]

Maybe PB works with other carriers. But, I’ve only experienced PB with USPS as the last mile delivery service. The reason for PB to partner with USPS is because of lower costs. So, for them to use FedEx or USPS seems like it would defeat that objective.

It doesn't sound like they do any delivery using their own equipment. They might have their own package handling facilities to sort and get out to different couriers. Their model seems to be to find the cheapest, most efficient means to transport a package using different carriers.

 

[TLSnell1981]

That is crazy. Part of me is beginning to wonder if the recent hacks into the various federal systems have also affected the USPS. I can see some hackers getting their jollies by screwing around with our delivery system by routing packages in this totally ridiculous manner.

p.s. I’m just kidding. But I do love a good conspiracy theory.

Not buying into any conspiracy theory. The USPS has been inefficient for a very long time.

 

[bcla]

My wife wanted to send a package to her brother. We had a few options including FexEx Ground or USPS (Prioirity Mail or Retail Ground). Both said expected delivery time if sent today was Dec 24 when I checked online. It still says that even though it's past the 6 PM FedEx Ground daily pickup time. The price wasn't quite the same, but I couldn't quite weight the box since it was more than the scale's limit. I guess I could have weighed pieces separately.

When we got there, she was told that it would be about $80 to get there by Christmas. But about $20 for regular ground where they estimated it would get there next week. We figure it wasn't worth it and just went for the cheapest. I guess they won't care if it's a little bit late. We're sending them goodies that are kind of hard to find (and/or very expensive) near where they live.

The other thing was that FedEx Office location had a 3-person limit other than employees. So everyone else waited outside. It was taking a lot of time too.

Not sure if USPS would have been any better. They have flat rate boxes, but we didn't go grab them in advance to see if all the stuff would fit. My wife reused an old box and everything barely fit. I guess the other nice thing about FedEx Office was that they had no problem taping up the top. They also covered up a hazardous materials label - as she had ordered something with flammable perfume shipped in the same box.

My wife just got a notice that the package arrived via FedEx Ground in two days. I guess that's a nice Christmas surprise.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

My wife just got a notice that the package arrived via FedEx Ground in two days. I guess that's a nice Christmas surprise.

Limited data (2 packages) but I've had good luck with FedEx this week so I'm diverting packages over 1 pound to that carrier for a bit.

 

[bcla]

Limited data (2 packages) but I've had good luck with FedEx this week so I'm diverting packages over 1 pound to that carrier for a bit.

It gets to a point where the prices for FedEx Ground are cheaper than for USPS - especially when getting to the 10-15 lbs range. However, FedEx Ground prices vary a lot depending on where they're sent, while something like USPS Priority Mail seems to have less variation.

It's kind of odd who gets priority these days. I heard that UPS wasn't accepting packages from some bulk customers because they were swamped, but they were accepting from retail customers who pay more.

 

[nw6675]

BIL works for USPS. Some POs in my area are not getting ANY mail to deliver from their distribution center due to the backlogs. I have only had one day with no delivery, but still have four packages in limbo since first week of December. Thankfully, my prescription shipped Friday by DHL and USPS delivered today!

 

[Jennasis]

No mail delivery at all today in my mailbox. I'm pretty sure the USPS knows I'm talking crap about them and they are retaliating.

 

[Lynne G]

Don’t know what to say, vendor says processing, but got two of the items the other day, and the last one today.

On the other hand, my package ordered on Dec 8th has been sitting in a place in the state next to mine for weeks, with no delivery date stated now. In transit is what I am told. Well, yeah.

 

[Jennasis]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/23/business/usps-delays-chrismas-trnd/index.html

 

[izzy]

Not buying into any conspiracy theory. The USPS has been inefficient for a very long time.

I certainly can’t argue with you there! I truly as kidding about it being a conspiracy theory. I think COVID-19 has screwed them on so many fronts that it’s just made a bad thing worse.

edited to add - the article Jennasis posted above was exactly what I was thinking.

 

[bcla]

I certainly can’t argue with you there! I truly as kidding about it being a conspiracy theory. I think COVID-19 has screwed them on so many fronts that it’s just made a bad thing worse.

I know a few people who are into weird COVID-19 conspiracy theories. One person fairly close to me said something about neighbors ratting on us leaving the house too often on errands, and thus leading to the countywide COVID-19 notice sent to all our cell phones. That's just a little bizarre.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I certainly can’t argue with you there! I truly as kidding about it being a conspiracy theory. I think COVID-19 has screwed them on so many fronts that it’s just made a bad thing worse.

edited to add - the article Jennasis posted above was exactly what I was thinking.

Now I have 3 packages at the same sorting facility

 

[jrsharp21]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/23/business/usps-delays-chrismas-trnd/index.html

What gets me, is that they had to see this coming. It's not like it was a huge shock that people would be shipping more gifts then ever before. You tell people to stay home, they have to ship stuff to give presents. To me ,that is a lack of planning. And you knew there would be potential for COVID issues. Why wouldn't you staff up and have "on call" staff that you could have trained up before hand and then had them as a reserve team when the current team had to quarantine. Just seems like the whole situation could not be as bad if there was some proper preparation done.

For work we send out Fed Ex packages every day. So far we have not had any delays in the packages we send out. My BIL works for UPS in California and he said they are working around the clock to get packages out and they have even went and rented any trucks, vans, wagons, etc they could find. But they are getting it done with few delays.

 

[bcla]

What gets me, is that they had to see this coming. It's not like it was a huge shock that people would be shipping more gifts then ever before. You tell people to stay home, they have to ship stuff to give presents. To me ,that is a lack of planning. And you knew there would be potential for COVID issues. Why wouldn't you staff up and have "on call" staff that you could have trained up before hand and then had them as a reserve team when the current team had to quarantine. Just seems like the whole situation could not be as bad if there was some proper preparation done.

For work we send out Fed Ex packages every day. So far we have not had any delays in the packages we send out. My BIL works for UPS in California and he said they are working around the clock to get packages out and they have even went and rented any trucks, vans, wagons, etc they could find. But they are getting it done with few delays.

I don't know how much seasonal staff USPS can hire. I'm sure if can get to the point where they just can't handle any additional volume.

We were still told that FedEx Ground was heavily delayed, but I guess we got lucky. There might be some randomness to when deliveries go out.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My son order something in November.....

2 weeks later, it disappeared off the tracking info page. He submitted a claim. He was told "There are delays" and they closed the ticket.

Here it is 5 weeks later and he still hasn't received it.