USPS Question

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raynchk

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Monday I decided to treat myself and ordered a shiny, new Benchmade 940-1501. That was painless and fun and I've got to say the seller got the order in the mail the same day. I was able to track the order to Shreveport, LA the next day but then everything stopped. No more updates. I've got a recommended delivery date (Priority Mail) of Friday (today), so I'm hoping it will show up. I've ordered lots of stuff online and the only problems I've ever had have been with USPS. Anyone else have these kind of problems? I'm sure there are some horror stories out there on ordering by mail. Note to self: bit the bullet and order UPS or Fedex in the future
 
It's only gonna get worse. No more USPS. I've lost more money and packages in the last month than it's worth. They are downsizing closing main hubs. AND... they are in bed with UPS. SmartPost is like Smart Diplomacy.
 
I have never had any problems with missing shipments via USPS. I have had one or two that took weird routes before finally making it to me, but they always showed up and even those usually resulted in at most a 1-day delay.

I have had some times where the delivery updates on the web page go "dark" usually when the package is being transported by truck, and them boom, it shows up with the very next tracking update being the "delivered" update. I have had it take longer for USPS deliveries to arrive for a package that was shipped in-state when the sender was in a small town, than for packages delivered across the country but when the shipper was in a major city. Like 2-days from LA which is 1,600 miles away, but 4 days for something that is a 2-hour drive from my house.
 
I've never had the USPS loose any of my stuff, (That I know of!:)), but their tracking systen leaves a lot to be desired. I've had items in my mailbox when their tracking still shows it somewhere across the country.
 
I've had good and bad experiences with USPS. One company I get stuff from is great. My orders usually take two days like clockwork. Other times I've had a package sit in the same facility for days at a time. The tracking is horrible.
 
We have had great results with USPS. We have also seen things like this happen. It is not uncommon for a package to go to a wrong sort facility or get stuck in a sort facility. When this happens it is usually corrected within a few days. I would be willing to bet if you do not have it today you will have it Monday or Tuesday.
 
Exact opposite experience here with USPS. Numerous losses and several actual thefts, packages stolen by postal employees. Including one where another knife maker here on BF sent me four knives to make sheaths for. Finished the job took pics and sent em back. Stolen from the hub in TN. One showed up on EBay a year later. Filing a claim with the PO is an exercise in patience and futility. You will have more time in it than the package is worth. If its over a $100 we ship Fed Ex or UPS. Package under $100 it can go USPS.
 
The quality of a carrier's service varies greatly by region due to the quality of local service. There are some places where USPS is great and some places where it's awful. There are similarly regions where UPS and FedEx are crummy. For the record, USPS doesn't just work with UPS of SurePost, but also coordinates with FedEx to use their air fleet for airport-to-airport transport. Regarding the specific problem in question, the package should show up. Chances are it missed a scan point, which breaks the tracking number.
 
The packages have to be manually scanned. It's not terribly uncommon for one to get stuck on occasion somewhere, but it's even more common for it not to get scanned at 2 or 3 stops and go from showing arrived at a usps hub for 5 days straight to "delivered".

USPS does irritate me on occasion, but they are remarkably reliable considering the task at hand. Congrats on the 940. Great knife.
 
I have always had good luck with USPS. I've had someone put one wrong digit in my zip code and it travelled all the way around the country before it got to me. Delays, but knock on wood, no losses. I personally know our mail carriers here at our local PO. I guess the USPS employees vary from location to location.

It's always good to befriend someone that works in the post office!
 
I try to support the USPS whenever I can. It's also easy and close to my place. However, I wish the tracking and delivery ETA were more precise and accurate. That being said, I usually have a better experience with Fed Ex and UPS.
 
Thanks for all the replys! I'm keeping my fingers crossed -- maybe it will show up later on. Funny, I'm like a kid with a new toy over this knife.
 
@Horsewright that's some mighty fine leatherwork! That appears to be an old Spanish spade bit in the headstall illustration. Does it have the roller and copper wire inlaid in the mouthpiece? Nice!!
 
I'll guess it will show up in the next few days. I often have things disappear in say Denver with no other scans then two days later it fast forwards to delivery at mailbox. Service is ok, their tracking just stinks or is not consistent.
 
Well, Friday night and it didn't show up. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those horror stories. I called Knifeworks customer service today and the rep informed me it could be a 'few weeks'. I understand shipping is a big problem for small business, but I would rather they charge a few bucks more and use a shipping provider that is more reliable. Of course I could have chosen UPS 2nd day air... Grrrr.. mutter... mumble... Education is expensive
 
raynchk said:
Well, Friday night and it didn't show up. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those horror stories. I called Knifeworks customer service today and the rep informed me it could be a 'few weeks'. I understand shipping is a big problem for small business, but I would rather they charge a few bucks more and use a shipping provider that is more reliable. Of course I could have chosen UPS 2nd day air... Grrrr.. mutter... mumble... Education is expensive
Click to expand...

But just who would that be? Many here, including myself, have had fewer problems with the USPS than with UPS, FEDEX, and DHL. All three of those commercial shippers have lost packages being sent to me and both UPS and FEDEX have delivered packages that had obviously been stood up, tossed about, and/or had heavy objected dropped on them. FEDEX went so far as to claim I'd signed for something when that was not the case. Like others here, I've had a few packages sent by USPS take the "long way around the horn", but they always arrived. Same with packages I've sent. As for damages and loses, the only thing they ever delivered damaged was poorly packaged by the sender and the only things I've ever lost in the mail were things sent overseas and lost by foreign postal services.
 
I have sent as well as received many knives and such through the USPS. Your story is very common. If sometimes takes a few days for the item to get scanned and the tracking uploaded and updated where it shows
up on the web. It is also common for an item to be a day or two longer than the estimated delivery date. Usually about the time I get worried and complain, the item shows up and I than wished I would have just been a bit more patient. When it shows delivered and you don't have your item is when you can really start worrying.

Glad to hear your knife showed up ok.
 
Never had a problem w/either USPS pr UPS but Fed-X is a different story. Fed-X is a collection of different franchises and the service can vary considerably depending on who is consigned
your package. Tracking is also spotty; Big Brown has been the best for me.
 
I have shipped hundreds of packages with USPS and not a one has gone missing. Lucky I guess

If I want to lose a package or have it left on a door step to get stolen I send it with UPS or Fedex where the drivers leave it at the wrong address or just sign it themselves it was delieverd only to leave it on a door step to be stolen.

USPS is my choice over either one.

I insurance it and get signature confirmation, you can pay more to have a specific person sign for it.
 
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