USPS Registered Mail - Aarggh!

[psv]

Reg Mail between DC and NYC takes over a week. I'll never do that again.

[newbieincali]

I just sent a package to North Carolina from California through registered mail. Sent on the 5th and arrived on the 10th. The anticipated date was the 8th.

Don't sweat it :-)

[cornerstore]

See how slow USPS is currently, 5 days from Tampa to Miami

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Well, I AM upset. But what can you do? I'm up against a huge government organization and they don't want to help.

At any rate, I just now checked my Registered Mail ID number on their website and FINALLY there is some updated information - It looks like it should be in the buyer's town now:

"Your Item's Status Your item arrived at 7:07 am on January 15, 2013 in SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401. The Postal Service expects to deliver the item on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later."

I like that - "Postal Service expect to deliver the item January 9..." Wow, they must be time travelers.

Isn't priority supposed to get there in three days or less? You could check to see if you can at least get your money back and then offer that to the buyer as a token goodwill gesture?


***EDITED TO ADD

Yeah I know how ridiculous this is, the USPS does not give refunds... I wasn't thinking for a minute or something.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Isn't priority supposed to get there in three days or less? You could check to see if you can at least get your money back and then offer that to the buyer as a token goodwill gesture?


***EDITED TO ADD

Yeah I know how ridiculous this is, the USPS does not give refunds... I wasn't thinking for a minute or something.

Yep... can't you just imagine that blank stare from across the counter?

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I sent a watch to a buyer in California Jan. 9. The clerk said sending Registered Mail is the best option for a valuable item. Item is insured and secure; everyone who handles the package must sign for it along the way. She says the item should arrive by Jan. 11. Sounds great, so I do it.

Fast forward to the present. Make that "slow forward." Buyer has not received the watch. The post office keeps saying not to worry, that Registered Mail is slow but secure. I ask them why they advise customers that RM only takes a couple of days (even the website lists the expected delivery as "Jan. 11") when it has now been more than a week and the watch has still not been delivered? I just get a shrug.

The buyer is rightfully concerned. I'm having a ring-tailed fit. Any words of advice or comfort?

My advice is to drink....heavily....and wait

[77T]

Registered does add time to the Priority Mail interval (which is normally 2-3 days). But the security and ease of mind should make up for a delay.

True, the clerk made an error setting your expectation on delivery date - human error. Once delivered it won't matter anymore.

USPS is the only place you can chuck a package over the counter and get up to $25K registered, insured and secured transit in one swoop. Other carriers have lower insured limits despite their speed. 3rd party insurance like ParcelPro is needed for pricey items. So on balance it's a good deal.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by 77T

Registered does add time to the Priority Mail interval (which is normally 2-3 days). But the security and ease of mind should make up for a delay.

True, the clerk made an error setting your expectation on delivery date - human error. Once delivered it won't matter anymore.

USPS is the only place you can chuck a package over the counter and get up to $25K registered, insured and secured transit in one swoop. Other carriers have lower insured limits despite their speed. 3rd party insurance like ParcelPro is needed for pricey items. So on balance it's a good deal.

She was only reading what she saw on the screen. USPS shouldn't say "two days" when well over a week is the reality.

[joe100]

It takes eons. Continental drift is faster but not as reliable as usps registered. It's really the only thing the usps can do right

[MonBK]

Is it the end of the world if it get's there a couple of days later?

For me it's more important that it really get's there and always shipped registered (not priority) due to insurance value.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Is it the end of the world if it get's there a couple of days later?

For me it's more important that it really get's there and always shipped registered (not priority) due to insurance value.

I know repeating myself here, but I really don't mind the parcel taking more than a week. I mind USPS saying that it would take only two days, and this is what I relayed to the seller. We both expected the parcel to arrive last Wednesday, as this is the information we were given by USPS.

[tudorluv]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

See how slow USPS is currently, 5 days from Tampa to Miami

Wow! I could have walked that distance faster! I hope the parcel makes it all in good order.

[figbo]

It's the "Mailman"s fault!

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by tudorluv

Wow! I could have walked that distance faster! I hope the parcel makes it all in good order.

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by tudorluv

Wow! I could have walked that distance faster! I hope the parcel makes it all in good order.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by figbo

It's the "Mailman"s fault!

You're in a whole heep of trouble now boy.

[steve-o]

I would go to the USPS and at least ask for an explanation.

Although, you really should expect the blank stares. Did they tell you how long you'd have to wait if they did lose it to file a claim?

I'm of the FEDEX opinion for shipping expensive items.

Good luck.

[newbieincali]

I was explained Registered overrides Priority by the PO clerk I go to.

[TheVTCGuy]

I am sure it will get there but I echo Lisa's statement about the service; talk about "I'm getting a government paycheck and pension and even though we lose a billion dollars a year we will still have jobs because the US government subsidizes us and there is nothing you can do about it" atitude! I could go on and on about my particular parcel that must now be with Amelia Erheart and every single sock I ever put in the dryer, but trust me when I say trying to deal with those people was the most frustrating customer "service" experience I have ever had.

[Lgear080]

boycott usps... very simple.

i would never use them ever for anything.

It seems we all agree.

[SUBversive]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I sent a watch to a buyer in California Jan. 9. The clerk said sending Registered Mail is the best option for a valuable item. Item is insured and secure; everyone who handles the package must sign for it along the way. She says the item should arrive by Jan. 11. Sounds great, so I do it.

Fast forward to the present. Make that "slow forward." Buyer has not received the watch. The post office keeps saying not to worry, that Registered Mail is slow but secure. I ask them why they advise customers that RM only takes a couple of days (even the website lists the expected delivery as "Jan. 11") when it has now been more than a week and the watch has still not been delivered? I just get a shrug.

The buyer is rightfully concerned. I'm having a ring-tailed fit. Any words of advice or comfort?

It takes a long time. They usually give you an estimate when you send it.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by SUBversive

It takes a long time. They usually give you an estimate when you send it.

Yes, they said two days. That's why I'm upset that it has taken eight.

At any rate, I have an update. Just now checked, and the USPS website says package was delivered at 12:32 this afternoon. I hope to hear an "all-okay" from the buyer soon.

Thanks for letting me rant and I appreciate you guys for listening.

[Darlinboy]

Originally Posted by Lisa

I sent a watch to a buyer in California Jan. 9. The clerk said sending Registered Mail is the best option for a valuable item. Item is insured and secure; everyone who handles the package must sign for it along the way. She says the item should arrive by Jan. 11. Sounds great, so I do it.

Fast forward to the present. Make that "slow forward." Buyer has not received the watch. The post office keeps saying not to worry, that Registered Mail is slow but secure. I ask them why they advise customers that RM only takes a couple of days (even the website lists the expected delivery as "Jan. 11") when it has now been more than a week and the watch has still not been delivered? I just get a shrug.

The buyer is rightfully concerned. I'm having a ring-tailed fit. Any words of advice or comfort?

I just had the same experience sending one off. It is very very safe and secure - signed for by everyone who touches it and kept under lock and key - but quite slow.

Took nearly a week longer than the "projected date" - and that's what caused my frustration. If they'd told me it would take a week longer, no biggie.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Lgear080

boycott usps... very simple.

i would never use them ever for anything.

It seems we all agree.

Actually we don't all agree so looks like you missed some posts. I use USPS all the time and have never had one problem nor lost one shipment.

[East Bay Rider]

I sent something to California from Rhode Island and the postmaster told me to expect 8 days.
I don't care if it goes by stagecoach, as long as it's delivered safe and sound.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by figbo

It's the "Mailman"s fault!

I'm telling!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by figbo

It's the "Mailman"s fault!

Originally Posted by MonBK

You're in a whole heep of trouble now boy.

Ill put his Rascal Scooter on blocks

[mailman]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

I'm telling!

Thanks for getting my six my friend

[HL65]

Originally Posted by mailman

Thanks for getting my six my friend

Anything for my favorite mailman!

[SUBversive]

I use the USPS all the time and don't think the bad wrap they get is deserved at all.