Express Mail Problem-----Venting!!!

T

The Towcutter

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I was supposed to receive an USPS overnight package today by 3pm. It never arrived. I called the local annex and they have no idea where it is. The tracking number says it was scanned at it's originating PO at 4:22 pm and that's it.

The USPS website mentions that Express mali is delivered on holidays (365 days a year). I asked the annex if it came in tonight, would it be delivered tomorrow (New Years Day). Answer..."NO". One word that's it. Just "No". Ok, I ask..." why does the website say that"? Answer...."Limited delivery area, sir", is there anything else I can do for you"? Nowhere on the website does it say that. I was really blown off by the person on the phone. I just hung up on them.

I already emailed the shipper that they the USPS missed the "guaranteed" delivery date and he should file for a refund.

Out of curiosity, I pulled out an old express mail receipt from a previous tranaction. The section regarding the service guarantee had approx 15 different ways that the USPS could get out of issuing a refund for a late express package. Funny thing is how would they know the package is delayed due to one of those reasons (Airline delays, etc), if they have no clue where it is now?

Seems like they can find out why it's delayed and pinpoint a specific reason to decline a refund for a late package, but if you just want to know when your going to receive your "express" package - they have no clue!!

Seems shady to me.

I'll wait a couple of days and if I don't get it, I'll have the shipper get his insurance stuff ready, fortunately he has receipts and pictures. I can't wait for the red tape on filing an insurance claim!!!
 
Sounds like crap to me. Do you live out in the boonies or something? Even so, I have never heard of the "limited delivery area". If your address was limited or whatever, they should have only guaranteed second day. Have you tried the Express Mail phone number? It is 1-800-222-1811. They may be able to give you more info.

Hope it works out for you. Good luck.

Jeff
 
No, I live in a pretty big city, serviced by 2 airports, (Melbourne and Orlando). I've got approx 5 P.O branches and a couple of dispursemeny annexes (one in my zip code) in my city. The 800 number said USPS will deliver to my zip code on a holiday, but 1. The person just said yes-- never looked anything up, 2. Neither I, or the Post office know where this package is.

I understand things happen that can cause delays, but I think it's time the USPS updated their ability to track packages. This "we have no idea where it is" attitude is pretty unreal.
 
It's a good service when everything works perfectly.When it don't you pretty much are sucking wind just like the other courier services.They all have a way out to not make good on a refund for a late delivery on express shipping.Fed X blew off a refund for over 40.00 for failing to deliver overnight on a Saturday special delivery option.They like to collect the money but don't feel obligated to refund.Sorry,I know how ya feel when you want your package.Good Luck
 
"Next day delivery by noon or by 3:00 pm to many destinations."

Not all, many

"Delivery to most locations 365 days a year, including Sundays and holidays at no extra charge."

Most, not all

Seems pretty clear to me that they don't guarantee next day..

ANd I'd bet that the guy at the post office said this, or would have if asked(ones at my post office always make it clear up front, as it's not hard, computer pops it up for them when they choose express mail)

Might ask sender if he actually paid attention, or was just in a rush to get out of there.
 
When processing an express mail package, the computer the clerk uses will inform them whether or not the package can be delivered to the desired zip code by noon,3pm, or second day. The shipper said the clerk said a 3 pm delivery. That's all I have to go by.

I do not care for the way USPS hypes their services. 365 day delivery to "most" locations. What does that mean? Where don't they deliver? The website has no service locater to determine if you'll get delivery or not.

Their wording is pretty vague and evasive. I guess all "marketing" programs are, however. Especially when it comes to following through on a "hyped" guarnatee.
 
THat's cuz it'd be nigh on impossible to do so, or rather, they could set something up, but would only be valid for right when you olooked at it, not byt ime you made it to post office.

That's why they have that oh so simple method of being able to take it in and ask.

But conside3ring it depends not only on where it's going to, but where it's coming from, what time of day you drop it off at PO, whether or not eac of the trucks necessary to get it to proper airport have gone or left yet for the day, and probalby several other htings they have programmed into their systems, there's no real way they could put the infroomation on their website and have it be useful.
 
I'm not real thrilled with USPS "Next Day" or "Overnight". Every time I've used it I've been told that even thier "guaranteed" service is NOT guaranteed, it's an approximation! UPS messes up more than they actually deliver and then they deny any kind of culpability.

Best service I have used for Overnight is Fed Ex, little to no problems and they have great customer service. I have had good luck with USPS Priority and Global Priority.
 
Guys, I put in a career with USPS. Express Mail has always been more reliable than Priority Mail, which is pretty good in itself. We had no hesitation in New York City paying off on missed delivery times on Express. It just didn't happen that often.

The system is set up with scanners everywhere. Even years ago we used to be able to follow Express across the country better than Registered, but the idea was, it should go so fast that scan it in, scan it at the hub, and scan it at the delivery station was all we'd see.

There are areas out of reach of big city facilities that get two day service. Overnight to rural Alaska is chancey, too :) If the office shipping it said 3:00 PM, they should refund the fee since it didn't make it. Just have the sender put in the claim when the piece arrives and the delivery time is past the scheduled time.

BTW, V.Oller, I can understand you not being pleased that the guarantee is ambiguous, but how about the actual service?
 
Hi Esav. Results when I've used it are about 50/50. One of the main reasons I don't use it anymore unless a customer specifically requests it, not enough consistency in the results. Otherwise USPS is the way to go when shipping out of the country with either Global or EMS, but then again no promises are made as to delivery date with those two services.

When I have to have it there overnight, I still feel Fed Ex is the way to go. This is just from my own personal expierences over the last 5 years of shipping stuff out on an almost daily basis.
 
Finally received the pacakge on Friday. It was shipped Tuesday. Not too shabby for an overnight service!

My intuition regarding the refund may be right. When I asked the mailcarrier what happened, he had this story. Apparently the USPS uses FEDEX planes for express mail. A Fed Ex plane had a problem and overshot the runway, casuing a delay in delivery.

HMMMM How did they know that my package was on that plane when I was hinting about a refund, but when I was simply inquiring about its location they had no idea?

This is coming from the mailman, so I don't know if it is true or not. Will have to wait and see if the shipper can get a refund or not. It will interesting to see what the USPS says...

I guess what's bothering me about this issue is that if the USPS has a refund at stake, they have the capability of finding out exactly what caused the delay and applying their 15 or so reasons to it too deny a refund. But if I call up to find out why my package is late, I get totally blown-off. Very frustrating..
 
Don't agonize unnecessarily over the possiblities. Express Mail is supposed to get there on time, period. The legal niceties are put there in case of outrageous misfortune, but it's still USPS responsibility to deliver it timely. Have the sender tell them it missed, they'll input the number and verify that, and pay him.
 
I sent a small gift package to the 32951 zip code Priority mail on Dec 20, it has yet to arrive.... I didn't expect it to arrive by christmas, but I am shooting for valentines day now.

Maybe the USPS in that area is a tied up fighting the winter tourist traffic?
 
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