USPS not improving with technology

[rphillips]

Kind'f funny, luckily I'm in no hurry "this time". Item from Roseville CA. to Norene TN. Roseville CA. shipment received Feb. 12 @ 12:42PM, processed through Sacramento CA. Feb. 12 @ 4:08 PM. Processed through Nashville TN. (30 mi. from my home)Feb. 16 @ 12:56 AM, processed through Providence RI. Feb. 18 @ 4;36 PM, Departed Providence RI Feb 18 @ 11:42 PM, Arrived Springfield MA. Feb 19 @ 2:04 AM...Will be interesting to see where it goes next. I know stuff happens but, for me, USPS keeps getting worse while things from UPS or Fed Ex. just seem to keep showing up as usual.

[Nessism]

Yeah, USPS seems to have more F'ups than UPS and Fedex, but overall they are still excellent. I use them for light and small things, those that will fit into a Flat Rate box. For really light things they are the go to as well. UPS is better for heavier packages, such as for shipping carbs; they are literally half the cost for items like this going across the country. We are lucky to have so many options to choose from.

[Vmass]

I had a couple packages sit in Providence for weeks, early in the pandemic. Six weeks ago I sent a package to Australia via Fedex with a cost of just under $200, it arrived in 4 days.

I recently sent another package to same address vis USPS International Express 3-5 Days for $152.00. I t's been 11 days and has not arrived at it's final destination.

If you have not already done so, sign up online and you will receive an email every day with a picture of the mail items you should be receiving ( link below ), frequently the items arrive later than they should.

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

[rphillips]

Ha ha, A little too techno. for me, but would be interesting to know if the 3 days it sat in Nashville, if it would have shown the same picture each day.

[wymple]

Maybe your experience is just anecdotal? I've not had any trouble with USPS, and the cost is lower by a good bit. Only UPS & Fedex have ever lost anything of mine.

[Vmass]

Ha ha, A little too techno. for me, but would be interesting to know if the 3 days it sat in Nashville, if it would have shown the same picture each day.

The picture is a one and done thing. So, when you get the picture it may arrive that day or later, but at least you know it existed. If it doesn't arrive, you can request a trace through the same on line portal.....it's easy.

[650Skull]

I bought a lot of motorcycle parts from the US to Australia using USPS and i could guarantee 10 days was the bench make for delivery time.

USPS was cheaper by a mile. Been a while since i bought gear, and the prices have gone through the roof as well as the changes to the flat rate box size. In the last 5 years the service has been gutted from the inside and they are no longer a cheap reliable service.

[Brendan W]

My schoolfriend's Dad was a coastal tanker skipper. He met an Australian backpacker in a spot of bother as he was walking his dog when home on leave. She sent a thank you card from Australia addressed to 'the nice ship's Captain with the small dog, Wexford, Ireland and it got delivered, back in the 70's.
About 1988 I read an article in the Harvard Business Review on the net contribution of technology to American manufacturing since the end of WW2. The conclusion was that is was zero. Skilled manual workers had been replaced with expensive systems that appeared to offer savings but ended up consuming way more than they should.

[Cipher]

My schoolfriend's Dad was a coastal tanker skipper. He met an Australian backpacker in a spot of bother as he was walking his dog when home on leave. She sent a thank you card from Australia addressed to 'the nice ship's Captain with the small dog, Wexford, Ireland and it got delivered, back in the 70's.
About 1988 I read an article in the Harvard Business Review on the net contribution of technology to American manufacturing since the end of WW2. The conclusion was that is was zero. Skilled manual workers had been replaced with expensive systems that appeared to offer savings but ended up consuming way more than they should.

The sweet scene in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning with Albert Finney going full tilt doing piece work machining comes to mind. You can't get a robot to work harder for beer/party money.

[rphillips]

Update, well, my package is now back in Nashville again, hoping it comes here before heading out somewhere else...If they figured my shipping cost by the mile, they owe me a refund.