USPS Priority Mail shipping

[slowburning]

I won a box of cigar from CigarBid on Saturday, it was shipped on Monday, October 13 via USPS Priority Mail (I used to use UPS, which I received the package the next day. Recently, a package from CigarBid was left at my front door and went missing. This prompt me to switch to USPS since its carriers do not leave package without signature. I was thinking worse case scenerio, I have to go to the Post Office for pick up).

As of today, tracking info shows "Electronic Shipping Info Received" and nothing else.

My understanding is Priority Mail takes two to three days to be delivered. Am I too optimistic to expect the package in two to three days?

fyi: I had a package from CigarBid and another package from Famous took three weeks to arrived in New York City back in the beginning of this year, both packages were sent by USPS Priority Mail.

[Acesfull]

Priorty mail tracking sucks. I've sent out bombs via USPS, paid for delivery confirmation and had that same message. It is what it is.

[anton]

tracking info for USPS is terrible. It takes forever to update.

[JAX]

I've had this discussion with several postmasters....Priority only means they'll "make every effort" to get the package to it's destination within 2-3 days. Notice there is no guarentee. Of note, I've been EXTREMELY lucky thus far and haven't run into any issues but I know plenty of other folks who have.

Regarding UPS. Well it's alot like Home Depot vs Lowes, to each their own. But IMO UPS absolutely SUCKS. I routinely recieve packages from UPS that looks like the @ssholes played football with it despite the words FRAGILE all over the box. The drivers' response when questioned? "File a complaint, I delivered it so I did my job". WTF is that?

[slowburning]

Thanks for the posts.

Just received the package. It is a box of 5 La Flor Dominicana Mysterio.

I placed an auto-bid with a max of $49, didn't expect to win until I check my email on Sunday.

[JAX]

Glad it got their alright.......

[ark701]

I routinely recieve packages from UPS that looks like the @ssholes played football with it despite the words FRAGILE all over the box. The drivers' response when questioned? "File a complaint, I delivered it so I did my job". WTF is that?

My brother used to work at the UPS in atlanta on the high traffic belt (400-600 packages an hour). He would literally have to throw the boxes into the trucks just so his line wouldn't get backed up. According to him, it's a miracle anything arrives at someone's house in 1 piece especially when you think about how many warehouses these boxes have to go through!

[JAX]

Originally Posted by ark701

My brother used to work at the UPS in atlanta on the high traffic belt (400-600 packages an hour). He would literally have to throw the boxes into the trucks just so his line wouldn't get backed up. According to him, it's a miracle anything arrives at someone's house in 1 piece especially when you think about how many warehouses these boxes have to go through!

I've heard from other sources that UPS believes it's cheaper to settle a claim than slow down their process line. I should note though, this is a unconfirmed statement but I'll buy it for a buck. I'm sure the others (FEDEX, USPS, DHL) have just as much traffic at their hubs.....so it is possible to handle that kind of load without sacrificing quality.

[thehat101]

Originally Posted by JAX

I've had this discussion with several postmasters....Priority only means they'll "make every effort" to get the package to it's destination within 2-3 days. Notice there is no guarentee. Of note, I've been EXTREMELY lucky thus far and haven't run into any issues but I know plenty of other folks who have.

Regarding UPS. Well it's alot like Home Depot vs Lowes, to each their own. But IMO UPS absolutely SUCKS. I routinely recieve packages from UPS that looks like the @ssholes played football with it despite the words FRAGILE all over the box. The drivers' response when questioned? "File a complaint, I delivered it so I did my job". WTF is that?

When I was in college I actually worked for UPS... If you saw what the packages went through before they were even put on a brown delivery truck you would be very concerned if you decided to use them. Its not actually the people who cause the damage(most of the time) it is the belt system that moves throughout the warehousesbefore it is put on a semi type truck for shipment to its destination.. Its just a very rough system

[JAX]

Originally Posted by thehat101

Its not actually the people who cause the damage(most of the time) it is the belt system that moves throughout the warehousesbefore it is put on a semi type truck for shipment to its destination.. Its just a very rough system

Wow that sucks, good to know though! Good thing I never did get around to going to a hub to "make my feelings clearly understood. "

I personally use the good ole' fashion USPS when I mail packages....they may not necessarily be better, but I've had much better luck with them.


Related though, I can't imagine the amount of work that falls on folks who deal with shipments. With that kind of traffic I'm sure it's "balls to the wall" from the start to the end of a shift.

[dartstothesea]

Originally Posted by JAX

Related though, I can't imagine the amount of work that falls on folks who deal with shipments. With that kind of traffic I'm sure it's "balls to the wall" from the start to the end of a shift.

Yup, my mother and father both worked at the post office for a number of years. My mother hated it, due to the constant traffic and stuff. Good for her, she got out while she could.

Now in relation to the topic, USPS is pretty reliable and quick in my experiences. When i used to do Ebay, it seemed to be a tad cheaper as well.

[randomhero1090]

3 weeks to get to NYC? You were better off driving to the Lehigh Valley and picking the stuff up. Famous and the CI/cBid Warehouse are only 20 minutes from each other.

Just go UPS.

[slowburning]

Originally Posted by randomhero1090

3 weeks to get to NYC? You were better off driving to the Lehigh Valley and picking the stuff up. Famous and the CI/cBid Warehouse are only 20 minutes from each other.

Just go UPS.

Yep, three weeks. No lie. After that, I switched back to UPS. It went well until last Tuesday.

UPS left a box of The Griffin's Special Edition 2008 in my front door, no signature required, and someone just help themselves to a box of excellent cigars. Back in June, UPS left a box of CAO The Sopranos Boss at the front door also, lucky my wife came home and got it before anyone else did.

Another thing with UPS is they come in odd hours, including late afternoon, evening, and sometimes 8 pm at night. And sometimes they show up after I just left for work.

Lately, I noticed that USPS Priority Mail is delivered by the regular mail carrier. My regualr mailman shows up at around 12 noon, I have enough time to get rid of all evidences before my wife sees them.

So, I am going to give USPS Priority Mail another try and see what happens.

[Acesfull]

I like USPS better becuase of that, they usually arrive between 1-2 every day and they deliver on Saturday. So if it can go out Saturday it wont spend any more time in a warehouse.

[randomhero1090]

I also have everything shipped to my office. FedEx, UPS, DHL, always put commercial 1st.

I have had UPS drop stuff off at 6pm at my house. Which is great an all because its after work. But usually I get FedEx and UPS at work around 3pm.