Mail Delivery

[QTCut5]

I’ve found 3 things that will help increase the speed and accuracy of parcels shipped USPS:

1. An app generated mailing label with both QR codes and barcodes with nine digit zip codes. There’s so much high-speed automation in play today so having a machine readable mailing label is essential to avoid manual intervention.

2. Signup for Informed Delivery and endure your outbound and inbound parcels are added to the list. Sometimes the parcels get automatically added based on the return or shipping address but it’s best to double check.

3. On the parcel tracking status page, signup for text or email messages and each time a parcel is scanned you’ll get a notification. It’s especially nice on delivery day because the moment it hits your mailbox, you get notified.

Give it a try, it might improve your relationship with USPS & its action you can take for free. Report back on your experiences with my suggestions. Peace

I bought a knife on eBay from a seller in Florida six weeks ago.

Received Informed Delivery text and email updates of the package's two week journey all the way to Kailua-Kona (86740) where it was "Delivered"

Unfortunately, my PO Box is one post office away in Captain Cook (86704).

Postmaster says it appears to have been "Delivered" to a box at the wrong post office (despite having the correct zip code on the label), i.e., Human Error. Said he would contact the boxholder with the same number as mine to see if they got a package with my name on it in their box, which seems like the most probable explanation.

Three weeks later, not a word.

Someone (a dishonest someone) kept a package that was not addressed to them and got a free knife.

I am waiting to hear the result of my insurance claim for a "Lost" package that was filed one week ago.

[bestgear]

i.e., Human Error

tough problem to solve in any industry.

[PringleTree]

I'm awaiting a knife that was picked up from the seller by USPS in New Hampshire on the morning of June 9. It then went to Massachusetts for a few hours, then back to the original facility in NH on June 10. It then arrived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, later on June 10. This was great because the Harrisburg Distribution Center is the feeder for our local post office. There is a truck that leaves the Harrisburg Center every night about 1-2 am and brings mail to our post office, about a 2 hour trip. But instead of being put on the truck, the package sat at the Harrisburg Center for days and was then sent to Richmond, VA., where it arrived June 18. As of now, tracking only states "In transit to next facility, arriving late." Hopefully, it's on its way back to Harrisburg.

Chris J.

[bestgear]

2005
Strong Financial Position: The USPS experienced a $1.4 billion surplus in 2005. This was attributed to record revenues and mail volume.

Minimal Debt: The agency had no debt in 2005.
Standard Service Standards: 3-5 day mail averaged around 91% on-time delivery from 2009-2014. While information specifically for 2005 is not detailed, this suggests a relatively consistent level of performance in the preceding years.

2025
Financial Struggles: The USPS has faced significant financial challenges, including substantial losses in recent years ($9.5 billion in 2024).

Increased Debt: The USPS reached its $15 billion debt cap by 2012. Even without fully funding its retiree health benefits, the debt continued to grow.

Lowered Delivery Targets: In 2025, USPS is revising its on-time delivery targets, reducing goals for 2-day First-Class mail (from 93% to 87%) and 3-5 day mail (from 90% to 80%). This is partly linked to efforts to modernize operations and reduce costs.

Impact of Network Reforms: Recent network reforms have been cited as a reason for delivery performance hitting a 3-year low, with First-Class mail reaching 83% on-time delivery in early 2024.

"Delivering for America" Plan: The USPS has implemented a 10-year plan aimed at improving service reliability and financial sustainability. This involves streamlining operations, converting employees to full-time status, and investing in new equipment like high-speed package processing machines.

Continued Financial Challenges: The USPS continues to face challenges like inflationary pressures and non-cash workers' compensation adjustments.

STOP THE BLEEDING

[PringleTree]

I'm awaiting a knife that was picked up from the seller by USPS in New Hampshire on the morning of June 9. It then went to Massachusetts for a few hours, then back to the original facility in NH on June 10. It then arrived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, later on June 10. This was great because the Harrisburg Distribution Center is the feeder for our local post office. There is a truck that leaves the Harrisburg Center every night about 1-2 am and brings mail to our post office, about a 2 hour trip. But instead of being put on the truck, the package sat at the Harrisburg Center for days and was then sent to Richmond, VA., where it arrived June 18. As of now, tracking only states "In transit to next facility, arriving late." Hopefully, it's on its way back to Harrisburg.

Chris J.

Just checked USPS tracking. Sad to say that my hope that the package would be returned to Harrisburg wasn't realized. In its wisdom, the USPS has decided the package should take a tour of Wisconsin, arriving in Oshkosh yesterday and a place called Oak Creek this morning.

Chris J.

[bestgear]

Anybody see anything wrong with this picture?

[Railsplitter]

Anybody see anything wrong with this picture?

Arriving in the past!

I had the same experience with a recent package. It was expected to be delivered on July 2nd. They finally updated it yesterday to “Arriving Late” as if I hadn’t already figured that out. It’s still not here.

I only live 85 miles from the place where it shipped from on June 30th. I should have just driven there and bought it.

[bestgear]

Arriving in the past!

you got it Rick! This was an Express Parcel with guaranteed delivery by 7/2 and it sat in Memphis for 3-days. Come on USPS, you can do better than this, you just need to care a little bit more.

[Railsplitter]

Arriving in the past!

you got it Rick! This was an Express Parcel with guaranteed delivery by 7/2 and it sat in Memphis for 3-days. Come on USPS, you can do better than this, you just need to care a little bit more.

That is unacceptable! If the Raleigh facility is anything like my local post office, 7:54 am is too late for it to be Out for Delivery today but I hope that is not the case.

[bestgear]

Out for Delivery today

negative Keemosahbee, Monday MAYBE! Our 1st tropical storm is hitting this weekend (only 2-3 of rain) but that will be termed “a weather delay”. Come on USPS, strive for excellence!

[sgteldridge]

Showed up today

[New_Windsor_NY]

Showed.....

This "Mail Delivery" topic or thread is more or less
for complaints about mail delivery.

You want this topic or thread:
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... hp?t=18774

[bighomer]

I recently had a bottle of medicine shipped from Charleston S.C. to Nashville, instead off leaving there and coming Goodlettsville and then my mailbox it went Fairview Tn. That's where it really gets traveling, left there went to Austin Texas back to Dallas ,back to Nasville then to Goodlettsville and on to my box. Shipped on May the 13th and I received it on the 24th, another shipped a day later went to Birmingham, Montgomery to Memphis, Nashville, Goodlettsville to my box.
Whew!!! Seems my meds are better traveled me.

[bestgear]

My 2-day USPS express package that left Mississippi on 6/30 arrived yesterday 7/7, the shipper received a full refund.

[PringleTree]

Just to give credit where it's due, I bought a knife on eBay in the early-morning hours of July 1. The seller, in Mesa, AZ, mailed it small Priority Mail box later that day (July 1). I received it July 3. Unfortunately, the knife sent was not the one in the auction, so I returned it. I mailed it small Priority Mail box on July 7, and it arrived back to the seller on July 9. So, two days each way between here and the Phoenix area is very good.

Now that I've jinxed myself for further USPS deliveries, I'll say good day.

Chris J.

[Railsplitter]

My package that I mentioned above that shipped from 85 miles away on June 30th finally arrived on July 7th.

That’s .5 miles per hour. I literally could have walked there faster than that.

[QTCut5]

I bought a knife on eBay from a seller in Florida six weeks ago. Update: It has now been nine weeks

Received Informed Delivery text and email updates of the package's two week journey all the way to Kailua-Kona (86740) where it was "Delivered"

Unfortunately, my PO Box is one post office away in Captain Cook (86704).

Postmaster says it appears to have been "Delivered" to a box at the wrong post office (despite having the correct zip code on the label), i.e., Human Error. Said he would contact the boxholder with the same number as mine to see if they got a package with my name on it in their box, which seems like the most probable explanation.

Three weeks later, not a word.

I am waiting to hear the result of my insurance claim for a "Lost" package that was filed one week ago. Update: It has now been four weeks since claim was filed

You know that free $100 insurance that is automatically applied to every First Class/Ground Advantage package? I probably shouldn't be surprised but the USPS is not especially eager to pay out on a claim even when they are clearly responsible for losing a package.

Following up on my lost package insurance claim that I filed FOUR WEEKS ago....and for which I submitted the following screenshots from the USPS' very own Informed Delivery tracking page to support and prove my claim that the package was delivered to the WRONG POST OFFICE in the WRONG TOWN:

This is what I get when a package has been delivered successfully to my PO Box at my post office in Captain Cook, 96704

This is my package that was delivered to the wrong post office in the wrong town with the wrong zip code

After waiting four weeks to hear back regarding my lost package insurance request (despite USPS claiming that they always respond within 5-10 days ), I received the following reply:

USPS reply to my insurance claim

I have now submitted an appeal. Apparently, you are allowed up to two appeals to include additional "evidence". If my first appeal is denied, I guess the only other evidence I can possibly submit would be written, signed and notarized testimony from the postmasters of the two post offices involved stating the same thing I have already stated, that my package with my name and address on it was delivered to the wrong address at the wrong post office in the wrong town. But, I really don't have much hope of ever getting reimbursed. Fortunately, it was not a particularly expensive knife ($70).

[bestgear]

….,,but the USPS is not especially eager to pay out on a claim even when they are clearly responsible for losing a package

Q - I have my knives covered by a collectibles insurance policy that also covers my knives in transit either from my home or to my home up to $5,000. The policy is less than $1/day but the peace of mind is priceless. I’ve never tested their claim process but I’m impressed with other facets of their operation.

https://collectinsure.com/?gad_source=1 ... gL4xPD_BwE

[Railsplitter]

I have my knives covered by a collectibles insurance policy that also covers my knives in transit either from my home or to my home up to $5,000. The policy is less than $1/day but the peace of mind is priceless. I’ve never tested their claim process but I’m impressed with other facets of their operation.

https://collectinsure.com/?gad_source=1 ... gL4xPD_BwE

That’s the same company that I have used for 15+ years. Premiums are very reasonable but like you, I have never had to file a claim.

My annual premium is 1.2% of my coverage amount which I find very reasonable but of course, it probably depends on the amount of coverage. I recommend them too.

[bestgear]

…,I find very reasonable but of course, it probably depends on the amount of coverage.

when I lived 20 miles outside of Baltimore my premiums were double what they are today living on a barrier island in NC. Guess robbers are riskier than hurricanes!

[SwedgeHead]

Counterpoint. 99% of deliveries are really pretty great.

[bestgear]

…..99% of deliveries are really pretty great.

On-Time Delivery Percentages (Q2 2025):
First-Class Mail: 82.7%
Marketing Mail: 92.2%
Periodicals: 80.2%
Package Services 92.0%

USPS claims that less than 1% of mail is lost or misdelivered so you would be correct

[Railsplitter]

…..99% of deliveries are really pretty great.

On-Time Delivery Percentages (Q2 2025):
First-Class Mail: 82.7%
Marketing Mail: 92.2%
Periodicals: 80.2%
Package Services 92.0%

USPS claims that less than 1% of mail is lost or misdelivered so you would be correct

Excellent post, Tom. My experiences in the last 2-3 years pretty much mimic those statistics. When I order something online, I either accept the possibility that it will be delayed or I buy it locally when possible.

Scheduled Delivery dates don’t mean diddly squat anymore. They would be more reliable if they stated “Sorry but we can’t accurately predict the date of delivery. But hang in there.You’ll get it eventually”.

“Oh yeah, and thanks for paying for Guaranteed 2 Day Delivery. You won’t get it that fast but thanks just the same”,

[QTCut5]

…..99% of deliveries are really pretty great.

USPS claims that less than 1% of mail is lost or misdelivered

I’ll never say the USPS isn’t a great service for the money. In all the years I’ve received U.S. mail, they’ve only lost two of my packages (that I’m aware of). Despite my recent misfortune, I will continue to send and receive packages via USPS; although, I now have more anxiety when ordering online than I used to

However, a close examination of the stats reveals a surprising and somewhat disturbing picture.

"Less than 1% of mail is lost or misdelivered" might seem pretty great until you consider how that breaks down into actual numbers.

On their website, USPS claims they process and deliver an average of 371.3 million mailpieces per day. A 1% failure rate would mean that a whopping 3.713 million pieces of mail are lost or misdelivered EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! That’s nearly 43 pieces of mail lost or misdelivered EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!! That’s an awful lot of lost or misdelivered mail.

It’s no wonder that they don’t want to pay out lost mail claims, they simply can’t afford to. Which means that the free $100 insurance is really nothing more than a marketing ploy designed to instill false confidence much like the TSA’s (former) shoe removal policy.

[bestgear]

…..a whopping 3.713 million pieces of mail are lost or misdelivered EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

If they asked my opinion I’d say drop Marketing Mail and Periodicals, change all First-Class delivery to every other day and outsource Package Services under a performance based service contract to the best value vendor.