OT - Postal Service Issues

[84lion]

Anyone else having issues with USPS lately? A few weeks ago, a package I ordered went from Texas to Los Angeles, spent a few days there, then correctly came here to Atlanta, then got shipped back to LA, then got shipped back to Atlanta - I eventually received it in the mailbox a couple days later. That package's saga took 12 days to complete. I had to contact the seller (ebay) who I asked to question the USPS about what was going on. Maybe the threat of a claim got USPS to read the address correctly.

I ordered something earlier this week from Tennessee. It correctly went to Knoxville, then to Atlanta (in only 2 days), but then inexplicably got sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, where it arrived at about 3 AM this morning. The frustrating thing is that it could've been in my hands today if the good folks at USPS would've just done their job properly.

Funny though, how the junk mail seems to get into my mailbox in a timely manner. I guess it's all about priorities...

 

[psuro]

I noticed things seem to be slow. but not what you claim. perhaps the sorting machine in ATL is wonky.

 

[84lion]

I noticed things seem to be slow. but not what you claim. perhaps the sorting machine in ATL is wonky.

Yeah, a sorting facility that opened in Palmetto, GA (ATL suburb) has been having problems for years and received a ton of negative press and even government investigation. The funny thing is that the TX/LA package bounced between LA and ATL "Distribution Centers" (none named Palmetto) and eventually got to me after it got to the Palmetto facility. The original USPS facilities in Austin, TX (sorting and distribution centers) were really to blame for the package detour to LA (which was 180 compass degrees from the correct destination). The more recent package was handled correctly by the Tennessee USPS folks but it was the ATL "distribution center" that for some inexplicable reason sent the thing to Little Rock. Both packages were ebay orders, which typically use printed labels, so "can't read the writing" doesn't seem like much of an excuse.

It's just frustrating to me that USPS wastes the time and resources to send packages hither and yon. And then they complain about constantly running a deficit and needing more resources. Maybe mis-routing packages is their strategy of trying to secure more funding.

 

[SleepyLion]

About 8 months ago I sent a letter Certified Mail, Return Receipt... after about 2 months of not getting the receipt, I contacted USPS. They did not know where the letter was and said they would investigate. Two or three weeks later, I get an email from USPS that the letter is lost and they did not know what happened. I paid an extra $4+ for this service.

 

[step.eng69]

Remember Louis DeJoy? He’s still in charge of the Postal Service, but why?​

Link:
Hiltzik: Why is DeJoy still in charge of the Postal Service? - Los Angeles Times

"It will be remembered that within weeks of taking office in mid-June last year, DeJoy imposed changes on U.S. Postal Service operations that produced plummeting on-time performance rates."

"DeJoy doesn’t serve at the pleasure of the president, but rather at the pleasure of the Postal Service’s board of governors. In other words, President Biden can’t fire him directly."

"By Dec. 26, nationwide on-time delivery of first-class mail had fallen to 63.9% from 91.8% a year earlier. In some parts of the country, performance was even more shockingly dismal. In Baltimore, for example, on-time delivery of first-class mail fell to less than 30% the day after Christmas."

"The Postal Service may not have been able to maintain performance at 2019 levels in the face of these challenges, but it should have been able to do much better than it did. Under normal circumstances, an executive who failed to deal adequately with operational challenges, especially those that telegraphed their onset months in advance, would take the honorable course and quit."

 

[MtNittany]

"By Dec. 26, nationwide on-time delivery of first-class mail had fallen to 63.9% from 91.8% a year earlier. In some parts of the country, performance was even more shockingly dismal. In Baltimore, for example, on-time delivery of first-class mail fell to less than 30% the day after Christmas."

63% success rate for a gubbmint-run agency seems rather high. I think they're fudging their numbers.

 

[Woodpecker]

63% success rate for a gubbmint-run agency seems rather high. I think they're fudging their numbers.

Ah, but what is their efficiency at successfully fudging the numbers?

 

[Metal Mike]

Yes I have had many problems with the mail. We leave our home in the winter and go to our place in Florida. Since we will be gone for months we have our mail forwarded to our Florida address. When we came we found our mailbox stuffed with mail. A friend in Florida suggested we do what he did, put bricks in the mailbox so the postman could not put any mail in the box. We did this and it worked.
Recently I had a package that was held up for days as it went from one holding office to another.

I remember back in the 50's the Post Office offered something Air Mail Special Delivery. It was expensive but it got the mail delivered. Back then the Post Office worked. What happened? I do not know but offer these facts as possible reasons. Back then a job at the Post Office was viewed as a good steady job with many more applicants than opening. You had to take a test and score well. Veterans got points added. You had to score in the 90's to get hired. Then the post office added points for being a minority or a female or handicapped. Air Mail Special Delivery died with the advent of FedEx, Airborne and others. These companies took not only fast mail but also many package delivers and with it income. When the Post Office attempted to compete we had folks going "Postal" Some outside consultants looked at this problem and said the Post Office had hired the wrong folks. Post Office workers were not suited to a fast demanding environment like at FedEx. Others here may offer other reasons.

 

[MtNittany]

Ah, but what is their efficiency at successfully fudging the numbers?

Only 92%. But it adds up.

 

[slwlion01]

Yeah, a sorting facility that opened in Palmetto, GA (ATL suburb) has been having problems for years and received a ton of negative press and even government investigation. The funny thing is that the TX/LA package bounced between LA and ATL "Distribution Centers" (none named Palmetto) and eventually got to me after it got to the Palmetto facility. The original USPS facilities in Austin, TX (sorting and distribution centers) were really to blame for the package detour to LA (which was 180 compass degrees from the correct destination). The more recent package was handled correctly by the Tennessee USPS folks but it was the ATL "distribution center" that for some inexplicable reason sent the thing to Little Rock. Both packages were ebay orders, which typically use printed labels, so "can't read the writing" doesn't seem like much of an excuse.

It's just frustrating to me that USPS wastes the time and resources to send packages hither and yon. And then they complain about constantly running a deficit and needing more resources. Maybe mis-routing packages is their strategy of trying to secure more funding.

Just curious, isn't the usps self funded ?. Don't know if it remains that way.

 

[MtNittany]

Just curious, isn't the usps self funded ?. Don't know if it remains that way.

I think it is. We just pay for the vehicles, gas, and employees. A small portion of their budget.

 

[step.eng69]

LINK:
How is the U.S. Postal Service governed and funded?

"The fundamental problem is that while the USPS generates enough revenue to cover its operating costs, its pension and retiree health care liabilities push its bottom line into the red. The USPS has operated at a loss since 2007. From 2008 to 2018, it reported $69 billion in losses. For the 2019 fiscal year, it lost $8.8 billion on $71.1 billion of operating revenue."

"Beyond operational challenges, the other drag on the finances of the USPS is the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. Like many employers, the Postal Service provides pensions for its retired employees—and it is required, as private companies are, to set aside money from current income to cover its pension promises.

In addition, USPS provides health benefits to its retirees, as other government employers—but not all large private employers—do. Unlike other employers, though, the USPS is required by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) of 2006 to pre-fund retiree health costs out of current income. The unique drag on the Postal Service comes from this congressional requirement.

In 2002, the Office of Personnel Management found that the Postal Service had been significantly over-paying into its pension fund, leaving it with cash beyond what was needed to meet its employee retirement liabilities. Combined with strong performance in the early 2000s, this unexpected windfall positioned USPS to catch up on the pre-funding of its retirement health benefit obligations after years of a “pay-as-you-go” approach before the passage of PAEA. In that law, Congress instructed USPS to contribute approximately $5.6 billion per year from 2007 to 2016 and to stretch any additional obligations over the almost 40 years from 2017 to 2056.

Shortly after the requirements were passed, the economy sank into the Great Recession and digital competition intensified, driving down revenues. As a result, USPS has missed $42.6 billion of required payments on its health benefits since 2010 and $5.6 billion in required contributions to its pension plan since 2014."

​

 

[84lion]

Just curious, isn't the usps self funded ?. Don't know if it remains that way.

Yep, it is (I had to Google it, Wikipedia was less than transparent about it...).

 

[Nittany.Lion]

I think it is. We just pay for the vehicles, gas, and employees. A small portion of their budget.

Nope. The USPS is self-funded, and no tax dollars are used.

 

[MtNittany]

Nope. The USPS is self-funded, and no tax dollars are used.

I'll take their word for it.

 

[Bison13]

Issues all the time.

 

[manatree]

Back in October, I purchased a book on eBay from a guy in Lemont, PA. I live in State College, PA. Here’s the tracking info.

 

[northwoods]

Remember Louis DeJoy? He’s still in charge of the Postal Service, but why?​

Link:
Hiltzik: Why is DeJoy still in charge of the Postal Service? - Los Angeles Times

"It will be remembered that within weeks of taking office in mid-June last year, DeJoy imposed changes on U.S. Postal Service operations that produced plummeting on-time performance rates."

"DeJoy doesn’t serve at the pleasure of the president, but rather at the pleasure of the Postal Service’s board of governors. In other words, President Biden can’t fire him directly."

"By Dec. 26, nationwide on-time delivery of first-class mail had fallen to 63.9% from 91.8% a year earlier. In some parts of the country, performance was even more shockingly dismal. In Baltimore, for example, on-time delivery of first-class mail fell to less than 30% the day after Christmas."

"The Postal Service may not have been able to maintain performance at 2019 levels in the face of these challenges, but it should have been able to do much better than it did. Under normal circumstances, an executive who failed to deal adequately with operational challenges, especially those that telegraphed their onset months in advance, would take the honorable course and quit."

DeJoy was appointed Postmaster General by then President Trump. His qualifications --- he was a huge donor to the 2016 Trump campaign. He is famous (infamous?) for his stated marketing strategy to "raise prices while slowing down service".

 

[Tri-Power65]

Delete

 

[step.eng69]

DeJoy was appointed Postmaster General by then President Trump. His qualifications --- he was a huge donor to the 2016 Trump campaign. He is famous (infamous?) for his stated marketing strategy to "raise prices while slowing down service".

Correct woods,
But he’s still there, …..

 

[1995PSUGrad]

Anyone else having issues with USPS lately? A few weeks ago, a package I ordered went from Texas to Los Angeles, spent a few days there, then correctly came here to Atlanta, then got shipped back to LA, then got shipped back to Atlanta - I eventually received it in the mailbox a couple days later. That package's saga took 12 days to complete. I had to contact the seller (ebay) who I asked to question the USPS about what was going on. Maybe the threat of a claim got USPS to read the address correctly.

I ordered something earlier this week from Tennessee. It correctly went to Knoxville, then to Atlanta (in only 2 days), but then inexplicably got sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, where it arrived at about 3 AM this morning. The frustrating thing is that it could've been in my hands today if the good folks at USPS would've just done their job properly.

Funny though, how the junk mail seems to get into my mailbox in a timely manner. I guess it's all about priorities...

Lately? I have been having trouble with the USPS for years.

Last year I sent my daughter a package. It didn't arrive. I tried tracking it, no luck. I filed a claim. They couldn't find it. Several months after I sent it, it was put in my mailbox. A few weeks later I got an email from the post office stating they were sorry they lost the package and were unable to locate it and that they have closed the case and won't be looking for it anymore.

I haven't mailed anything since. I wish they would close the whole thing down.

 

[step.eng69]

Lately? I have been having trouble with the USPS for years.

Last year I sent my daughter a package. It didn't arrive. I tried tracking it, no luck. I filed a claim. They couldn't find it. Several months after I sent it, it was put in my mailbox. A few weeks later I got an email from the post office stating they were sorry they lost the package and were unable to locate it and that they have closed the case and won't be looking for it anymore.

I haven't mailed anything since. I wish they would close the whole thing down.

M.A.G.A........read my previous posts for the answers to your issues.

 

[kgilbert78]

Well, FedEx can be bad too. At least two friends in the stamp collecting world have had major issues. The first one sent a package from Philly to Columbus. It was last seen in Indianapolis. It took my friend (who owns a business that uses FedEx) a lot of effort to get them to look for it. He had to actually get the overseas FedEx involved. They finally did find it--in a holding are for packages that were to be disposed of. A second friend had one lost that had 8 large pages (17 x 11). It disappeared. Ended up somehow on a shop floor hundreds of miles from where it was sent--and it was only found because someone looked at the cover letter and contacted my friend. One page was missing, fortunately one that could be replaced.

With the post office, one problem is the Postal Rate Commission. They've tried to run the Post Office as a private business for a long time, but the government still gets to stick their noses in it. The PRC gets to decide what the rates should be, not the business, and it's a pain to apply for this. Also, the Postal Service is required by law (and not other federal agency or related agency is) to fully fund their retiree medical system in advance, which is the main thing making the Postal Service untenable financially. Believe it or not, our rates are actually quite low in comparison with Europe. It costs over $7 to send a post card in Denmark, for example. Italy costs 1.30 E domestically for a letter, Estonia is the same. Germany is 0.85E, which is one of the lowest rates in Europe. The Euro is worth slightly more than the dollar.

 

[LB99]

DeJoy was appointed Postmaster General by then President Trump. His qualifications --- he was a huge donor to the 2016 Trump campaign. He is famous (infamous?) for his stated marketing strategy to "raise prices while slowing down service".

Yes, this is what you get when you appoint a guy who is vastly unqualified for political reasons.

 

[LionJim]

My recent UPS story: When I went to Europe in September I locked a particular credit card and left it home. I went to UPS last week and used this card, forgetting to unlock it. The card got approved at the UPS Store but when I got home I got an email from my bank saying that the card was locked and that the transaction had been declined. I check my transactions online, nothing from UPS. So I go back and tell the UPS people about the problem and offer to use another card to make it right. “We have a receipt and there’s nothing we can do to fix this. Take the W.” And the package arrived right on time.

 

[kgilbert78]

Yes, this is what you get when you appoint a guy who is vastly unqualified for political reasons.

Eh, while this appointment--like many/most in government, may have been and likely was for political reasons, the guy did run a logistics company for many, many years. One that had contracts with the Postal Service. So "vastly unqualified" is somewhat of an overstatement. However, I think any further discussion of the political nature of this is probably best left to the Test Board.

 

[manatree]

Here’s another eBay purchase. This one from State College, PA to State College, PA.

 

[LB99]

Eh, while this appointment--like many/most in government, may have been and likely was for political reasons, the guy did run a logistics company for many, many years. One that had contracts with the Postal Service. So "vastly unqualified" is somewhat of an overstatement. However, I think any further discussion of the political nature of this is probably best left to the Test Board.

So, it was a conflict of interest appointment also. Even better.

 

[BornALion]

Anyone else having issues with USPS lately? A few weeks ago, a package I ordered went from Texas to Los Angeles, spent a few days there, then correctly came here to Atlanta, then got shipped back to LA, then got shipped back to Atlanta - I eventually received it in the mailbox a couple days later. That package's saga took 12 days to complete. I had to contact the seller (ebay) who I asked to question the USPS about what was going on. Maybe the threat of a claim got USPS to read the address correctly.

I ordered something earlier this week from Tennessee. It correctly went to Knoxville, then to Atlanta (in only 2 days), but then inexplicably got sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, where it arrived at about 3 AM this morning. The frustrating thing is that it could've been in my hands today if the good folks at USPS would've just done their job properly.

Funny though, how the junk mail seems to get into my mailbox in a timely manner. I guess it's all about priorities...

I work in the mail industry. Since 2000 we have had more issues with USPS than I have time to list.
My professional assessment is lack of accountability for the smaller offices who are understaffed and just don't care.
My personal assessment is this is all part of the larger plan to eliminate USPS as a public service.

 

[MtNittany]

So, it was a conflict of interest appointment also. Even better.

If he's so bad, why didn't Joe Biden fire him? He had 4 years. You need a special prism to blame one side or one President for appointments like this.

 

[LB99]

If he's so bad, why didn't Joe Biden fire him? He had 4 years. You need a special prism to blame one side or one President for appointments like this.

He can’t. He doesn’t have the power to do so.

The Trump donor whom Biden can’t fire is running the U.S. Postal Service directly into the ground—just what everyone warned about when he was confirmed in the depths of the pandemic

Under the leadership of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the USPS has made two price hikes to stamps in just six months.

fortune.com

A Ballot didn't mail out in time? Too bad! Biden can't fire the postmaster. Here's why.

Joe Biden might be the world's most powerful person but he still can't fire a postmaster general. The Civics Project column explains why.

www.palmbeachpost.com

 

[MtNittany]

He can’t. He doesn’t have the power to do so.

The Trump donor whom Biden can’t fire is running the U.S. Postal Service directly into the ground—just what everyone warned about when he was confirmed in the depths of the pandemic

Under the leadership of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the USPS has made two price hikes to stamps in just six months.

fortune.com

A Ballot didn't mail out in time? Too bad! Biden can't fire the postmaster. Here's why.

Joe Biden might be the world's most powerful person but he still can't fire a postmaster general. The Civics Project column explains why.

www.palmbeachpost.com

The problem is that we all know that for the most part we can get along w/out the USPS...for the most part. Very rural areas cannot though.

Obviously messing w/ the USPS is messing with a lot. Something embedded in Article 1 of the US Constitution isn't going away (w/out an amendment).

I guess the solution is keep on sucking. They are low on the sucking list for agencies and departments for me though.

 

[bbrown]

Yes we need more from them...