kritter
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When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,906
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Post by kritter on Aug 15, 2020 22:51:50 GMT
So far we don't seem to be affected down here or it would be all over Nextdoor. Our main issues are porch pirates and Amazon dropping off packages at the wrong house.
My mail has been coming through OK and no lost or delayed packages yet. Maybe we are too far south and out of the main stream package/mail routing systems.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,799
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Post by val2525 on Aug 15, 2020 22:55:08 GMT
I was just refunded by Catherine's for an order that never made it to me. Label was created and then it just dropped of the face of the earth. An eBay order was refunded because after about 3 weeks, it made it from LA to the sort center in Industry, where it's been sitting ever since. Another eBay order was refunded as it made it to somewhere in TX and apparently plans on staying there. Maybe I can pick it up when I move
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Post by pyrexandpearls on Aug 15, 2020 23:33:09 GMT
The blue mailbox drops have been downsized in my neighborhood. My neighborhood, and almost every single one surrounding mine, has the "community style" mailboxes where we receive our mail. The box locks and each person has a key to their respective box instead of a home mailbox. Because of this, we have to put outgoing mail in a blue box. The nearest location to me had 4 blue boxes that were picked up twice a day - and even then they were sometimes full. They took the 4 regular boxes away and replaced it by one, "jumbo" box that doesn't have nearly the capacity of the four previous boxes combined. With small businesses already struggling right now it is disheartening to think of what will happen to those who rely so heavily on the USPS. It makes me wonder - do you think Amazon will ever throw their hat in the ring? They already deliver their own packages in my area a good portion of the time - will they ever start offering delivery of packages that originate outside of Amazon? Something to ponder. The blue mailboxes around here have been getting downsized & disappearing for years due to lack of use (way before COVID). I've had clusters for 25 years now. Many of the blue mailboxes around here, closed years ago, except at the post offices. They just aren't very necessary any more. Don't your cluster boxes have an outgoing mail slot? We have had some problems with cluster break ins, but hey, last year one of the giant blue boxes (not the regular ones, the huge ones) was run into, broken into & all the mail stolen right from the drive through at one of the post offices here, on a weekend. Since then we no longer use the drive-throughs & either go inside on the weekends or use our neighborhood outgoing cluster slot. They do have an outgoing mail slot but it super small, like a regular size envelope is all you can get in there. I generally put my flat rate envelopes in the blue boxes - which I am sure people like me who do that are filling up the boxes quicker.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Aug 15, 2020 23:56:54 GMT
I'm not sure how much of a holiday season we'll have, unfortunately - covid is basically out of control in a lot of places and flu season is coming. Fingers crossed, I guess.
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Post by denise15601 on Aug 16, 2020 0:35:51 GMT
Turns out that the package that I sent to another PA person is delayed since there is no place available to drop it off??? When I google the address, it doesn't exist.
It was only a Bob's box.
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Post by zoesam on Aug 16, 2020 19:42:00 GMT
The blue mailboxes around here have been getting downsized & disappearing for years due to lack of use (way before COVID). I've had clusters for 25 years now. Many of the blue mailboxes around here, closed years ago, except at the post offices. They just aren't very necessary any more. Don't your cluster boxes have an outgoing mail slot? We have had some problems with cluster break ins, but hey, last year one of the giant blue boxes (not the regular ones, the huge ones) was run into, broken into & all the mail stolen right from the drive through at one of the post offices here, on a weekend. Since then we no longer use the drive-throughs & either go inside on the weekends or use our neighborhood outgoing cluster slot. They do have an outgoing mail slot but it super small, like a regular size envelope is all you can get in there. I generally put my flat rate envelopes in the blue boxes - which I am sure people like me who do that are filling up the boxes quicker. Gotcha. That's what ours are like too. I don't drop pkgs in them though b/c I'm not guaranteed a scan. Especially now with so many INRs & delayed pkgs, I want that scan as proof of my shipment & how quickly I shipped.
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Post by somany on Aug 18, 2020 4:04:40 GMT
Just saw that ebay now has a note at the top of the print shipping label page that says "USPS is experiencing significant delays across their delivery network. Please consider using other carrier options that may provide a better buyer experience."
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,799
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Post by val2525 on Aug 18, 2020 4:12:58 GMT
Just saw that ebay now has a note at the top of the print shipping label page that says "USPS is experiencing significant delays across their delivery network. Please consider using other carrier options that may provide a better buyer experience." I find that amusing. Apparently eBay forgets that Fed Ex Smartpost (offered on eBay) and UPS Surepost use the USPS for the final leg. So those products will be slowed down as well. And regular FedEx/UPS is too expensive for lightweight items.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Aug 18, 2020 7:23:41 GMT
Just saw that ebay now has a note at the top of the print shipping label page that says "USPS is experiencing significant delays across their delivery network. Please consider using other carrier options that may provide a better buyer experience."
They need to have a version of this for BUYERS. But they never will because AMAZON!
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Post by jellybeanscloset412 on Aug 18, 2020 19:42:18 GMT
Not sure that it is a Covid issue in my area as mail has been great until this week. My mail carrier was even out due to Covid and everything was ok.
This week is entirely different. And yes Fedex is also very slow. But I can't do anything about it so there's that!
Just read that the USPS is suspending all new changes until after the election!
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,906
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Post by kritter on Aug 18, 2020 22:27:33 GMT
I read an article today that 4 sorting machines were removed from the sort center here in San Antonio so I was expecting a delay in some meds that I ordered over the weekend.
I got an email that the meds had shipped first class yesterday, Monday, from Mission, Kansas. They arrived at 5:15 this afternoon with my regular mail by my regular mail person. My mail delivery is not usually this late in the afternoon so I had kinda written delivery off for today. I ordered another med today so will see how long it takes.
I checked all my sold packages and all appeared to arrive on time at their destinations. Nothing lost or delayed somewhere along the way.
I am sure my luck will come to a halt any time now.
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,906
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Post by kritter on Aug 20, 2020 22:35:46 GMT
Update on ordering supplies from the post office.
I ordered PFRE on 8/10 and they were delivered today so not too much of a lag time between order and delivery.
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Post by pyrexandpearls on Aug 22, 2020 16:47:02 GMT
I ordered some Tupperware from a FB group I am part of. She sent me my order and I received it just a few days later. Well, she had forgotten one item. She shipped that one out on August 14th - it was only traveling from Houston, TX to Omaha and I still don't have it. Tracking just says it was accepted by the PO and is now "in transit and arriving late". We use PP invoices in that group so I am covered if something happens but I just want my containers!
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Post by chapeaunoir on Aug 23, 2020 0:14:11 GMT
The USPS has been doing a stellar job for me - some stuff arriving late but honestly, they're fighting a big battle right now and doing amazing.
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,906
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Post by kritter on Aug 23, 2020 1:04:44 GMT
The USPS has been doing a stellar job for me - some stuff arriving late but honestly, they're fighting a big battle right now and doing amazing. Same here. I have had no delays with 3 separate shipments of meds and all mail looks like it is arriving on time.
I make sure to thank everybody at the post office when I am there and my carrier when I see her/him.
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Post by blissfullymiserable on Aug 27, 2020 16:28:13 GMT
I haven't been having any issues that I'm aware of or at least I haven't received any messages from buyers inquiring or complaining about late delivery. I mailed something to Canada without GSP and the buyer received it in a timely manner. I myself haven't been getting much mail in my box, not sure if it's just a coincidence or not.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,799
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Post by val2525 on Aug 27, 2020 18:34:42 GMT
I ordered padded PM envelopes on 8/10, along with some other PM supplies. USPS shows the order as complete, but the padded mailers were never shipped. So I just ordered them again. The final item from this 8/10 order was delivered yesterday, 8/26.
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Post by pyrexandpearls on Aug 28, 2020 2:48:01 GMT
I ordered some Tupperware from a FB group I am part of. She sent me my order and I received it just a few days later. Well, she had forgotten one item. She shipped that one out on August 14th - it was only traveling from Houston, TX to Omaha and I still don't have it. Tracking just says it was accepted by the PO and is now "in transit and arriving late". We use PP invoices in that group so I am covered if something happens but I just want my containers! Well I have now been waiting on a first class package to go from Texas to Nebraska for 2 entire weeks. Submitted the missing mail form on the USPS website so I sure hope that jiggles it loose.
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Post by RetroMonde on Aug 28, 2020 3:41:40 GMT
I had to purchase a shipping label for DH on the USPS site so while I was there I ordered some shipping supplies. It got to me in near record time this time- and all at once! I guess there's no more excuses for putting off listing my larger stuff that needs those FR boxes now, lol :-)
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Post by chapeaunoir on Aug 28, 2020 3:50:56 GMT
It took 20 days for a package to finally get to a Mercari customer (good thing she was patient), but I've had other items get nearly cross country in about 3 days.
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Post by zoesam on Aug 29, 2020 20:44:05 GMT
Lots of lucky people here. I've been having so many delays & up to 5 INR's now, I think, plus a handful more that contacted me first. It's not every night though, cuz every night is a different sort center & so last week I had some pkgs back to the normal 3 days! Most are taking a week on average & others 2 full weeks.
I also thought I'd grab a handful of PFRE's at a USPS contract station we have here & they are completely out, have ordered twice & can't get any. They are so handy, b/c they carry all the frequently used sizes in stock & b/c they actually have a street addy, that's not a PO (they can place all the orders they want). I have a backup box that I always keep, but I ordered some more b/c going into Fall/Winter, I use them a lot more. We'll see what happens. I ordered several other things too.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,799
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Post by val2525 on Aug 29, 2020 21:55:26 GMT
My package from a seller (supposedly) in Walnut CA finally arrived to me in AZ, only took 6 weeks.
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Post by pyrexandpearls on Sept 3, 2020 18:39:16 GMT
I finally received my first class package. It was mailed from Houston, TX on 8-14 and arrived in NE and was delivered to me yesterday 9-2.
The holidays are going to be a s**tshow if that keeps up.
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Post by labbypaws on Sept 3, 2020 23:05:57 GMT
Geez! Glad you finally got it.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Sept 4, 2020 0:49:26 GMT
I finally received my first class package. It was mailed from Houston, TX on 8-14 and arrived in NE and was delivered to me yesterday 9-2. The holidays are going to be a s**tshow if that keeps up. No kidding - that'll be after the election, too, where there will probably be some dayum free for all there. It's enough to make me just not bother as a seller. I used to shut down on Dec 10 every year, anyway. But it'll be very tough for people wanting to get holiday gifts for the many major observances and holidays that happen this time of year, plus all the usual stuff. Honestly, I don't even want to think about it.
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Post by pyrexandpearls on Sept 4, 2020 14:47:16 GMT
I finally received my first class package. It was mailed from Houston, TX on 8-14 and arrived in NE and was delivered to me yesterday 9-2. The holidays are going to be a s**tshow if that keeps up. No kidding - that'll be after the election, too, where there will probably be some dayum free for all there. It's enough to make me just not bother as a seller. I used to shut down on Dec 10 every year, anyway. But it'll be very tough for people wanting to get holiday gifts for the many major observances and holidays that happen this time of year, plus all the usual stuff. Honestly, I don't even want to think about it. Not to mention that the volume of packages is going to be off the charts. Caovid isn't going anywhere and I am sure more people than ever will turn to internet shopping for the holidays. My grandma, who never used the internet or online shopping etc, has began ordering her groceries online and, with my help, has started ordering clothing online as well. I certainly anticipate she will do her Christmas shopping online for the first time ever this year.
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,906
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Post by kritter on Oct 15, 2020 1:13:23 GMT
HELENA, Mont. – The U.S. Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock during a pandemic that is expected to force many more people to vote by mail.
The lawsuit filed against Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and the U.S. Postal Service on Sept. 9 argued changes implemented in June harmed access to mail services in Montana, resulting in delayed delivery of medical prescriptions, payments, and job applications, and impeding the ability of Montana residents to vote by mail.
The postal service agreed to reverse all changes, which included reduced retail hours, removal of collection boxes and mail sorting machines, closure or consolidation of mail processing facilities, restriction of late or extra trips for timely mail delivery, and banning or restricting overtime.
The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail.
The settlement agreement was reached a day ahead of a hearing in the U.S. District Court in Great Falls. It applies to all states.
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Post by zoesam on Oct 15, 2020 17:22:37 GMT
Has anyone else been having problems with their Informed Delivery not being accurate? Suddenly about 2 weeks ago, I started getting almost no visuals on my Informed Del. Only the big 'mailpiece without a picture' symbol. BUT, I am still getting real mail virtually every day. So, I'm getting no notification on bills, statements, etc, like I used to.
At first I just figured it was a glitch, but we're at 2-3 weeks now, every single day. I wondered if it had to do with pulling resources to work on election stuff, but I thought Informed Deliv was pretty automated.
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kritter
Mod Squad
When we lose sight of how we treat animals, we tend to lose sight of our humanity
Posts: 19,906
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Post by kritter on Oct 15, 2020 17:36:01 GMT
My Informed Delivery is coming through as normal. I am getting so many political flyers every single day that I am impressed that the postal service is keeping up with the mail delivery so far.
Ballots seem to be getting through the mail OK too judging from the amount of ballots that are reported arriving each day at election headquarters plus reports of people on ND who are tracking their ballots.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Oct 15, 2020 20:00:32 GMT
I actually don't think the Pac NW registers much on the national political campaign scene save to get yelled at - we get almost no fliers up here. Our local representatives doorbell and send periodic bulletins and some fliers, but nationally - we hear from Biden/Harris and nobody else. Before the primaries we got stuff from Bloomberg. It's kind of like the retail industry - Amazon may be crapping all over our poor city, but we're still at the tail end of the distribution channel.
OTOH the Pac NW has historically been seen as unruly and annoying, and not infrequently insurrectionist - "we don't need a Weatherman to know which way the wind blows."
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