It's the least wonderful time of the year...for USPS delivery
 

I get the holiday season is a busy time for the USPS, but I never experienced this when I was in Connecticut. The USPS in the greater Houston area is an abomination. For example (these are all in the last month, a period within which I sold 13 items total):

Example #1: Taking 9 days to get nowhere (Humble is suburb of Northern Houston).

<a href="http://imgbox.com/ina4E7rN" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/5d/58/ina4E7rN_o.png" alt="image host"/></a>

Example #2: Even worse...Taking 12 days to get nowhere.

<a href="http://imgbox.com/8VAjw7Mv" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/a8/f1/8VAjw7Mv_o.png" alt="image host"/></a>

Example #3: This one made it 500 miles in only 9 days. Pony Express is alive and well in Houston, TX.

<a href="http://imgbox.com/2Yfi3tQ9" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/f1/77/2Yfi3tQ9_o.png" alt="image host"/>
</a>

Example #4: 1,600 miles in 12 days. That's an improvement, right?

<a href="http://imgbox.com/nhjMtOT1" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/07/49/nhjMtOT1_o.png" alt="image host"/></a>

Example #5: This one covered the 10 miles from Humble to Houston at relative light speed compared to the others, but alas then disappeared into the Twilight Zone for the next two weeks.

<a href="http://imgbox.com/MZPmeNJH" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/68/6f/MZPmeNJH_o.png" alt="image host"/></a>

Example #6: I think this one sailed right over the edge of the earth. No update since 12/17

<a href="http://imgbox.com/s6qfLKFR" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/e6/fc/s6qfLKFR_o.png" alt="image host"/></a>

Example #7: Just when you think it can't get any worse, no update since 12/16

<a href="http://imgbox.com/xnXsK9uq" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/58/84/xnXsK9uq_o.png" alt="image host"/></a>

Needless to say I've received some amusing messages over the past week or so. I've ruined several Christmases apparently. I've had to open 5 cases with the USPS, not an enjoyable process.

Is anyone experiencing anything similar in other parts of the country?

I shipped a package to Holland from Saratoga Springs NY on December 14, and it made it to Newark Airport on the 25th.

I had a package languish in my town for nine days before it got delivered. I theorized it was the “Media Mail” penalty.

Mine were all first class, which apparently translates to last class.

Cards were finally received on Dec 29th.


Here's one I'm currently waiting on:

(I normally get items from this seller within 3-4 days).

December 26, 2018
In Transit to Next Facility
Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility.

December 23, 2018, 8:55 am
Departed USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

December 23, 2018, 3:57 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
SAN FRANCISCO CA INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

December 18, 2018, 5:13 am
Departed USPS Origin Facility
PORTLAND, OR 97215

December 18, 2018, 5:10 am
Arrived at USPS Origin Facility
PORTLAND, OR 97215

December 18, 2018, 3:55 am
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97035

December 17, 2018, 5:17 pm
Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending
LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97035


What worries me is that it was last seen at the San Francisco "International Distribution Center". The package is going from Oregon to Texas, and according to the emails I got from USPS, it was supposed to be delivered to me on 21 Dec.

Steve

Interesting, I just sent one on a Saturday from Cleveland suburb and it was delivered to a Phoenix suburb on Monday. Must be lucky.

I am currently dealing with two of these situations. One of them mailed to me, and one I mailed to someone else. Both of them have been languishing somewhere out there for more than a week with the same "Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility."

Oooh...I just checked on the one that was sent to me. It was mailed on the 16th from Chicago to Lincoln, NE, but for some reason went to Memphis. It supposedly left Memphis today to the next facility. Should be interesting to see what facility that may be.

December 26, 2018, 5:53 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
MEMPHIS TN NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER
Your item departed our USPS facility in MEMPHIS TN NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER on December 26, 2018 at 5:53 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination.
December 26, 2018
In Transit to Next Facility
December 24, 2018, 11:13 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
MEMPHIS TN NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER
December 21, 2018, 7:35 pm
Departed USPS Regional Origin Facility
CHICAGO IL NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER
December 19, 2018, 5:39 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
CHICAGO IL NETWORK DISTRIBUTION CENTER
December 18, 2018, 9:40 pm
Departed USPS Regional Facility
PALATINE IL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
December 18, 2018, 9:13 am
Arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility
PALATINE IL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
December 17, 2018, 6:19 pm
Departed Post Office
CHICAGO, IL 60601
December 17, 2018, 4:44 pm
USPS in possession of item
CHICAGO, IL 60601
December 16, 2018, 10:14 pm
Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item
CHICAGO, IL 60614

I sent a Priority mail package from Vermont to Charlottesville Virginia to my granddaughter that took 10 days to get there.I also sent a card 1st Class the same day that I sent the Priority Mail Package and it got there in 4 days.

Amazon bump. They get priority from the USPO as their items go on first for planes, trucks etc.

I didn't realize that. Pretty infuriating that regular USPS packages get bumped so far down the priority list...ie 9 to 12 days just to leave town...while still charging the normal rates.

Amazon
 

This is absolutely false. Amazon packages do not travel on USPS planes or USPS transportation, except for the final delivery by the carriers. Amazon has many distribution centers all across the country and they transport their items to their distribution centers. Amazon uses their own trucks to deliver their packages directly to the local Post Offices. That is why the Postal Service gives Amazon large discounts - because the only handling that the Postal Service does it the final delivery.

Trying to get any kind of customer service from the USPS is literally painful. I really wish they'd just outsource their customer service to Manila or India like everyone else so you could at least get someone to answer a phone.

I've opened 5 cases in the hope of being able to get some explanation of what the problem is here in Houston, and I've gotten 3 call backs so far...all from the destination post office who each say...I can't help you because the item hasn't arrived yet. WTF is USPS.com having the destination post office call me when the problem is at the origination post office?

Found this picture of Houston's Postmaster General and staff planning for the holiday rush.

<a href="http://imgbox.com/z59UYZiX" target="_blank"><img src="https://images2.imgbox.com/d1/00/z59UYZiX_o.jpg" alt="image host"/></a>

No defense, but
 

I have had 100% success this month with all my USPS shipping. All parcels arrived on or before the scheduled time. I tend to expect some delays in December when the system is stressed with volume, but this year I was pleasantly surprised.

told to me last week by a postmaster when I bitched about delivery

Ruh roh....I have an ebay item coming to me from the N. Houston vortex. Should I not hold my breath, Rob?

Curious to hear the tracking log on this one. Hopefully now, with the holiday over, they get a grip on things. Good luck Rob.