ESTROGEN GUY
VET
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2018
- Messages
- 2,540
I’ll post this here. For those who did not see. This is 100% for the delays. Not guessing fact.
Express and Priority Mail are not arriving on time. They state their reason below. But inside information. Tells us. These are the changes made by former Postmaster, DeJoy, who set this up before he left. Those changes are now starting to be felt from state to state.
If you track your mail online. You will notice it’s being routed to Distribution mail Centers. Way passed its arrival town. Sometimes it goes back to the distribution center it was shipped from.
Dejoy, the second change to mail shipping. It was designed to save gas and manpower. After dropping off your mail. Your tracking will show your dropped-off mail sitting for 2-3 days at your drop-off location. To add to this madness cost of mail went up again. The clerk will tell you the price went up due to the holiday. (That’s Another Lie). They raised the price 1-2 times a year on stamps, priority, and Express. See what USPS tells you about the reason for delays. Like our government. More lies
I feel I need to address this.
This post is, by no means, making excuses for businesses shipping from abroad. We ship abroad and guarantee its arrival. It will cost the customer nothing. If we offer abroad, it's up to us to see that you get what you order. If a business is offering abroad and still using pre-Tariff methods. You can pretty much kiss things goodbye. The percentage rate of receiving is less. Abroad, sources must step up their game. Spend the money on security. Blowing off PMs or emails is not the answer.
See Mr. DeJoy's Great 10-year plan below:
Why Is USPS Mail Taking So Long These Days?
1. Implementation of a New 10-Year USPS Plan
One of the biggest factors currently affecting USPS mail delivery is a strategic plan recently put in place by U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. In March 2021, DeJoy announced a 10-year plan aimed at tackling USPS‘s major financial losses, which had reached around $9.2 billion in 2020 alone. As part of this plan, USPS is shifting its service standards for First-Class Mail, increasing the delivery time from the previous 1-3 business days to 1-5 business days.
According to USPS data, this change is estimated to impact around 40% of First-Class Mail. While USPS has stated that 61% of First-Class Mail will still be unaffected, that leaves a substantial portion delivered on a slower timeframe than in the past. Per the Washington Post, some of the most heavily impacted areas include western states like Washington, Nevada, Montana and Arizona, as well as Florida and Southern Texas. You can look up the estimated impact for your specific zip code using the Washington Post‘s interactive map.
This slowdown has proved highly controversial, with many criticizing it for harming USPS‘s most essential services. However, Postmaster General DeJoy has defended the decision as necessary to improve the Postal Service‘s financial sustainability, arguing that USPS should operate more like a business than a public service. The 10-year plan is expected to save USPS around $160 billion long-term.
2. Challenges Delivering to Certain Areas
Another factor behind slower mail is the inherent challenge of delivering to remote, rural, and spread-out areas. For Americans living outside the lower 48 states, such as in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, mail can take significantly longer due to these locations only being accessible by air. With USPS making cuts to its air transportation network to save on costs, these areas will likely see delivery timeframes increase.
Even within the continental U.S., those in rural communities often face slower mail service compared to urban areas. A 2021 report from the USPS Office of Inspector General found that mail delivery has been “consistently worse” in many rural areas, with those serviced by about 10% of USPS‘s rural post offices facing average delivery times of over six days for First-Class Mail.
Geography isn‘t the only challenge – mail can also be delayed due to weather events like blizzards or natural disasters that make roads impassable for mail trucks. While USPS does its best to adapt, these events are often unpredictable and can temporarily derail delivery schedules until it is safe for workers to get back out.
3. Cost-Cutting Measures by USPS
Beyond the changes to First-Class Mail delivery times, USPS has also been implementing various other cost-cutting measures that can contribute to slower mail service. In 2020, DeJoy limited the use of late and extra delivery trips, requiring mail trucks to start routes on time and preventing them from making multiple trips in a day. While intended to improve efficiency and cut down on transportation costs, this change meant that mail arriving late to a facility would be left behind until the next day.
These truck trip limitations also make it harder for USPS to adapt to unexpected increases in mail volume. During the record 2020 holiday season, many Americans experienced major delays on their packages due to this policy combined with insufficient staffing to handle the surge in online shopping. While the restrictions on late and extra trips have since been walked back slightly, they remain an obstacle to USPS‘s flexibility.
Additionally, USPS has reduced staff hours at many post offices, implemented a hiring freeze, and eliminated a substantial amount of mail processing equipment as part of its cost-cutting efforts. According to USPS, these measures are intended to “align our processing network to the decline in mail volume” – however, some have argued that they limit USPS‘s capacity and efficiency.
4. Increased Package Volume and Holiday Delays
In our increasingly digitized world, USPS has actually seen a significant decline in letter mail over the past decade. However, the continual rise in e-commerce and online shopping has led to a huge influx of packages being sent through USPS, particularly during the holiday season. In 2021 alone, USPS delivered around 900 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
During these busy periods, facilities and workers can quickly become overwhelmed, leading to major backups and delays. While USPS does bring in seasonal workers to help manage the increased volume, there‘s a limit to how much these temporary hires can do. To avoid your packages getting stuck in the holiday rush, it‘s best to build in extra time and send items as early as possible.
5. Operational Restructuring
USPS is consolidating smaller post offices and building larger regional Sorting and Delivery Centers (S&DCs). This has led to changes in transit routes and delivery times, especially affecting rural and remote areas.
The shift to larger centers has also caused disruptions as workers are relocated, sometimes far from their original locations, leading to staffing shortages and operational hiccups.
6. Workforce and Management Challenges
Ongoing issues include a shortage of workers due to low pay and difficult working conditions, as well as increased management oversight, which has sometimes led to inefficiencies.
USPS has reduced work hours and closed some facilities to cut costs, which can slow down mail processing and delivery in certain regions.
How to Minimize Mail Delays
Now that we‘ve looked at some of the major reasons behind USPS delays, let‘s go over a few tips to keep in mind to avoid slowdowns when sending mail:
Check the current USPS delivery timeframes for your mail class and plan accordingly. Be aware that First-Class Mail now takes 1-5 business days, while standard Parcel Select can take a week or more.
If sending packages, consider upgrading to Priority Mail (1-3 business days) or Priority Mail Express (1-2 days) to speed up delivery. Just be prepared to pay a bit more than standard rates.
Avoid sending mail at the absolute last minute, especially around busy times like holidays. Give your items some buffer time in case of delays.
Properly address and label your packages, making sure to include the full zip code. Unclear labels can lead to mail being returned or misrouted.
Consider using alternative delivery services like FedEx or UPS if you need guaranteed arrival dates for items – just know they can be pricier than USPS and don‘t service every area.
Sign up for USPS‘s Informed Delivery to preview your incoming mail and track packages automatically.
Small Business Marketing
While USPS delays can be irritating, a bit of proactive planning can help minimize their impact. By understanding the factors affecting USPS delivery times and taking steps to work around them, you can improve the odds of your mail arriving on time. Though USPS faces a challenging landscape, it continues to serve an essential role in keeping individuals and businesses across the country connected.
What if my Priority Mail Express is late?
If your Priority Mail Express is late, you can request a refund for the postage by filing a claim with the USPS within 30 days of the mailing date. You will need your tracking number and proof of purchase to file a claim, which can be done online at USPS.com or in person at a local Post Office.
How to request a refund
Gather information: You will need the tracking number and proof of purchase (like a receipt).
Check the status: Use the tracking number on the USPS Tracking page to confirm the delivery status.
File online:
Log in to your USPS.com account.
Go to the "Help" menu and select "Request a Refund".
Choose "Priority Mail Express" under "Domestic Services Refunds".
Click "Request a PME Refund" and enter the required details.
File in person: Visit your local Post Office and ask to file a claim for a late Priority Mail Express shipment.
Important notes
The refund covers the postage and any extra fees paid for services like Sunday or holiday delivery, as detailed on the USPS website.
You have up to 30 days from the mailing date to file a refund request.
EG
Express and Priority Mail are not arriving on time. They state their reason below. But inside information. Tells us. These are the changes made by former Postmaster, DeJoy, who set this up before he left. Those changes are now starting to be felt from state to state.
If you track your mail online. You will notice it’s being routed to Distribution mail Centers. Way passed its arrival town. Sometimes it goes back to the distribution center it was shipped from.
Dejoy, the second change to mail shipping. It was designed to save gas and manpower. After dropping off your mail. Your tracking will show your dropped-off mail sitting for 2-3 days at your drop-off location. To add to this madness cost of mail went up again. The clerk will tell you the price went up due to the holiday. (That’s Another Lie). They raised the price 1-2 times a year on stamps, priority, and Express. See what USPS tells you about the reason for delays. Like our government. More lies
I feel I need to address this.
This post is, by no means, making excuses for businesses shipping from abroad. We ship abroad and guarantee its arrival. It will cost the customer nothing. If we offer abroad, it's up to us to see that you get what you order. If a business is offering abroad and still using pre-Tariff methods. You can pretty much kiss things goodbye. The percentage rate of receiving is less. Abroad, sources must step up their game. Spend the money on security. Blowing off PMs or emails is not the answer.
See Mr. DeJoy's Great 10-year plan below:
Why Is USPS Mail Taking So Long These Days?
1. Implementation of a New 10-Year USPS Plan
One of the biggest factors currently affecting USPS mail delivery is a strategic plan recently put in place by U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. In March 2021, DeJoy announced a 10-year plan aimed at tackling USPS‘s major financial losses, which had reached around $9.2 billion in 2020 alone. As part of this plan, USPS is shifting its service standards for First-Class Mail, increasing the delivery time from the previous 1-3 business days to 1-5 business days.
According to USPS data, this change is estimated to impact around 40% of First-Class Mail. While USPS has stated that 61% of First-Class Mail will still be unaffected, that leaves a substantial portion delivered on a slower timeframe than in the past. Per the Washington Post, some of the most heavily impacted areas include western states like Washington, Nevada, Montana and Arizona, as well as Florida and Southern Texas. You can look up the estimated impact for your specific zip code using the Washington Post‘s interactive map.
This slowdown has proved highly controversial, with many criticizing it for harming USPS‘s most essential services. However, Postmaster General DeJoy has defended the decision as necessary to improve the Postal Service‘s financial sustainability, arguing that USPS should operate more like a business than a public service. The 10-year plan is expected to save USPS around $160 billion long-term.
2. Challenges Delivering to Certain Areas
Another factor behind slower mail is the inherent challenge of delivering to remote, rural, and spread-out areas. For Americans living outside the lower 48 states, such as in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, mail can take significantly longer due to these locations only being accessible by air. With USPS making cuts to its air transportation network to save on costs, these areas will likely see delivery timeframes increase.
Even within the continental U.S., those in rural communities often face slower mail service compared to urban areas. A 2021 report from the USPS Office of Inspector General found that mail delivery has been “consistently worse” in many rural areas, with those serviced by about 10% of USPS‘s rural post offices facing average delivery times of over six days for First-Class Mail.
Geography isn‘t the only challenge – mail can also be delayed due to weather events like blizzards or natural disasters that make roads impassable for mail trucks. While USPS does its best to adapt, these events are often unpredictable and can temporarily derail delivery schedules until it is safe for workers to get back out.
3. Cost-Cutting Measures by USPS
Beyond the changes to First-Class Mail delivery times, USPS has also been implementing various other cost-cutting measures that can contribute to slower mail service. In 2020, DeJoy limited the use of late and extra delivery trips, requiring mail trucks to start routes on time and preventing them from making multiple trips in a day. While intended to improve efficiency and cut down on transportation costs, this change meant that mail arriving late to a facility would be left behind until the next day.
These truck trip limitations also make it harder for USPS to adapt to unexpected increases in mail volume. During the record 2020 holiday season, many Americans experienced major delays on their packages due to this policy combined with insufficient staffing to handle the surge in online shopping. While the restrictions on late and extra trips have since been walked back slightly, they remain an obstacle to USPS‘s flexibility.
Additionally, USPS has reduced staff hours at many post offices, implemented a hiring freeze, and eliminated a substantial amount of mail processing equipment as part of its cost-cutting efforts. According to USPS, these measures are intended to “align our processing network to the decline in mail volume” – however, some have argued that they limit USPS‘s capacity and efficiency.
4. Increased Package Volume and Holiday Delays
In our increasingly digitized world, USPS has actually seen a significant decline in letter mail over the past decade. However, the continual rise in e-commerce and online shopping has led to a huge influx of packages being sent through USPS, particularly during the holiday season. In 2021 alone, USPS delivered around 900 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
During these busy periods, facilities and workers can quickly become overwhelmed, leading to major backups and delays. While USPS does bring in seasonal workers to help manage the increased volume, there‘s a limit to how much these temporary hires can do. To avoid your packages getting stuck in the holiday rush, it‘s best to build in extra time and send items as early as possible.
5. Operational Restructuring
USPS is consolidating smaller post offices and building larger regional Sorting and Delivery Centers (S&DCs). This has led to changes in transit routes and delivery times, especially affecting rural and remote areas.
The shift to larger centers has also caused disruptions as workers are relocated, sometimes far from their original locations, leading to staffing shortages and operational hiccups.
6. Workforce and Management Challenges
Ongoing issues include a shortage of workers due to low pay and difficult working conditions, as well as increased management oversight, which has sometimes led to inefficiencies.
USPS has reduced work hours and closed some facilities to cut costs, which can slow down mail processing and delivery in certain regions.
How to Minimize Mail Delays
Now that we‘ve looked at some of the major reasons behind USPS delays, let‘s go over a few tips to keep in mind to avoid slowdowns when sending mail:
Check the current USPS delivery timeframes for your mail class and plan accordingly. Be aware that First-Class Mail now takes 1-5 business days, while standard Parcel Select can take a week or more.
If sending packages, consider upgrading to Priority Mail (1-3 business days) or Priority Mail Express (1-2 days) to speed up delivery. Just be prepared to pay a bit more than standard rates.
Avoid sending mail at the absolute last minute, especially around busy times like holidays. Give your items some buffer time in case of delays.
Properly address and label your packages, making sure to include the full zip code. Unclear labels can lead to mail being returned or misrouted.
Consider using alternative delivery services like FedEx or UPS if you need guaranteed arrival dates for items – just know they can be pricier than USPS and don‘t service every area.
Sign up for USPS‘s Informed Delivery to preview your incoming mail and track packages automatically.
Small Business Marketing
While USPS delays can be irritating, a bit of proactive planning can help minimize their impact. By understanding the factors affecting USPS delivery times and taking steps to work around them, you can improve the odds of your mail arriving on time. Though USPS faces a challenging landscape, it continues to serve an essential role in keeping individuals and businesses across the country connected.
What if my Priority Mail Express is late?
If your Priority Mail Express is late, you can request a refund for the postage by filing a claim with the USPS within 30 days of the mailing date. You will need your tracking number and proof of purchase to file a claim, which can be done online at USPS.com or in person at a local Post Office.
How to request a refund
Gather information: You will need the tracking number and proof of purchase (like a receipt).
Check the status: Use the tracking number on the USPS Tracking page to confirm the delivery status.
File online:
Log in to your USPS.com account.
Go to the "Help" menu and select "Request a Refund".
Choose "Priority Mail Express" under "Domestic Services Refunds".
Click "Request a PME Refund" and enter the required details.
File in person: Visit your local Post Office and ask to file a claim for a late Priority Mail Express shipment.
Important notes
The refund covers the postage and any extra fees paid for services like Sunday or holiday delivery, as detailed on the USPS website.
You have up to 30 days from the mailing date to file a refund request.
EG
