• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

USPS shipping factor (not a bash)

buldog5151bass

buldog5151bass

Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Oct 22, 2003
26,737
70,256
Connecticut
bulldogbatsonline.com
#1
I do a lot of shipping via USPS, and I like them. However, one thing I learned from speaking with people there. Priority is great, but shipping Ground has a risk, especially for large packages. If you ship priority, it will go out on a truck that day. But with Ground, if the truck is full, and there are just a couple of packages left, it stays until the next day (or possibly the next, when they have room). Large packages, like a bass or cab, are more likely to be left behind. In other words, it probably isn't worth the cost for priority express, but definitely worth it for priority.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SiSoldier
#4
Though it may be the case that priority is the way to go. My main beef with USPS is their absolutely worthless tracking. And this has always been the case, pre-covid too. When you have a package on route with UPS or FedEx you can look up the tracking and know pretty close to the exact spot your package is at. In a truck, in a warehouse in Idaho, making a left turn at Albuquerque, whatever.

But it never fails USPS will say picked up and then there are NO updates until after you have it in your hands, usually a day or two after you get it USPS will say "delivered."

Kind of like the famous Seinfeld car reservation sketch....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spidey2112 and mikewalker
#5
I've never had any serious problems with USPS and i've shipped amps and basses through them. I've shipped a crap ton of small packages with USPS and while I've had a few misdirected and sent the wrong way causing delays in delivery but nothing ever just lost.
UPS OTOH was so bad i quit using them. If i can't ship USPS my second choice is FedEx.
 
#9
WI Short Scaler said:
My main beef with USPS is their absolutely worthless tracking. And this has always been the case, pre-covid too. When you have a package on route with UPS or FedEx you can look up the tracking and know pretty close to the exact spot your package is at. In a truck, in a warehouse in Idaho, making a left turn at Albuquerque, whatever.

But it never fails USPS will say picked up and then there are NO updates until after you have it in your hands, usually a day or two after you get it USPS will say "delivered."
Click to expand...

DAD44700-AB9F-4A54-9DC6-1BC45A6BDA81.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: biguglyman
#10
The original arrival date was supposed to be 02/20 however this is the latest update

February 20, 2021
In Transit, Arriving Late
Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility.
February 16, 2021, 8:27 pm
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility
GRAND RAPIDS MI DISTRIBUTION CENTER ANNEX
February 16, 2021, 7:12 pm
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49684
February 16, 2021, 12:27 pm
Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending
TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49684
February 16, 2021
Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item
 
#11
February 24, 2021
In Transit, Arriving Late
Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility.
February 20, 2021, 9:05 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
DENVER CO DISTRIBUTION CENTER
February 20, 2021, 8:23 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility
DENVER CO DISTRIBUTION CENTER
February 20, 2021, 7:08 am
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920
February 19, 2021, 2:46 pm
Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920
February 18, 2021, 10:27 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920


Yep. This is a set of strings in an envelope, shipped 1st class with a 2-3 business day estimate. It is now February 25th and the mail has already come today.

Not a reliable or competitive service anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WI Short Scaler
#12
With businesses operating to make a profit, timing can be everything.

In this discussion, we're not talking about edging out the competition, or motivation by employees NOT to lose money?

Apparently, there's no accountability, and non existent quick refunds for service thats's slower than molasses. :cool:
 
Last edited:
#13
TroyK said:
Yep. This is a set of strings in an envelope, shipped 1st class with a 2-3 business day estimate. It is now February 25th and the mail has already come today.

Not a reliable or competitive service anymore.
Click to expand...

It seems that anything sent 1st Class is getting delayed...at this point I've got three packages "somewhere" in the USPS system, all of which should've already been here.
 
#14
My status is the same. It hasn't been updated in 2 days. Not sure why they bother having a tracking app.

It was mailed to Seattle from Colorado Springs 8 days ago. As far as their tracking indicated, it took 2 days to make it from Colorado Spring to Denver and it's been "in transit to the next facility" for the last 6 days. Don't know if that next facility is in Seattle or someplace else along the way. There is no updated expected delivery date except for the one that was missed 2 days ago.

USPS used to be good. It's sad that it's been ruined.

TroyK said:
February 24, 2021
In Transit, Arriving Late
Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility.
February 20, 2021, 9:05 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
DENVER CO DISTRIBUTION CENTER
February 20, 2021, 8:23 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility
DENVER CO DISTRIBUTION CENTER
February 20, 2021, 7:08 am
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920
February 19, 2021, 2:46 pm
Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920
February 18, 2021, 10:27 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: ajkula66
#18
By and large USPS Priority has been cost effective and reliable. Also, cheaper than UPS or Fedex Ground. I'm in the middle of a case with them right now. First time but a 2 day delivery package is now i transit for over 2 weeks.

I opened the case this morning after learning that the box hadn't arrived. Was pretty easy to do though it involved registering for a call back. That took place about 2 hours after the initial call. So I'm hopeful...

That said I ordered some connectors and cioks power cables from sweetwater.Selected free freight (first class mail) and just over 2 weeks Fort Wayne, IN to Underwood, WA. That's about 4 days in the car ... as I have made that drive but truckers could do it in 3 tops as I was driving slow.

There was big weather happening around the mid west and the west at the time so maybe that was it.

I just ordered another small thing from Sweetwater and with all those gigs not on my schedule, I took free freight again. That's my test ;-)

No company is perfect. Period. What separates the good ones from the less so is how they react when things don't go as planned. We'll see.
 
Last edited:
#20
Well, the stuff finally arrived including the previously MIA package that I was starting to lose hope I would ever see. So all is well...sort of.

I mean, MI is not next door to PA but Pony Express would've likely made it here over the course of two weeks which is what it took for the longest-delayed-package to arrive...:rollno:

USPS has been my preferred shipper for 20 years now but things are not looking all that bright for them right now IMO. Pretty darn sad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Staccato

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back