Anyone seeing MAJOR delays with USPS lately?

[IsItFasst]

So I used to get maybe 1-2 complaints a month for customers not getting their packages in a timely fashion. But over the past few months it seems I am getting 1-2 complaints a day now (no joke)! First Class packages are taking 10+ days to be delivered to some of my customers. It seemed to start around the Christmas rush but never has gotten back on track. It is mainly first class but even some Priority is taking longer than normal. And don't get me started on my experiences with Express Mail.

The solution is that I am going to have to switch carriers because USPS simply sucks now. But it's a hard sell since most customers choose my cheapest shipping option and it's hard to get them to upgrade for a few dollars more to Priority (which is still less than what I will need to charge for UPS or FedEx).

 

[Tony McD]

I don't ship much from here...most customers are local.

On incoming orders there is normally no problem with ups, but I usually tell customers it will be two weeks, when I'm pretty sure it will only be a week or so.
Gives a little extra time before they call wanting to know where their order is, plus it's in my favor when they get them quicker than expected.

I did have an order of business cards show up 4 days late a week or so ago that was coming ups,
but I knew they were stuck in the bad weather between here and Texas.
I forwarded the tracking number to my customer so they could see the problem was due to the weather.

 

[TXFB.INS]

Yes, the USPS transit time has been lagging DRASTICALLY lately. I have been assuming it was the weather, guessing not though.

if the packages are going to a business address (not someone working out of their home) then FedEx is the cheapest even beating USPS on the heavier items.


bottom line, you are not Amazon Prime and and once the package is out of your hands into the carriers hands then you need to have the customer ( they should be provided the tracking info proving as much) direct the anguish to the carrier. in addition you said it "most customers choose my cheapest shipping option and it's hard to get them to upgrade for a few dollars more" they choose the cheap route they get the cheap service.

 

[nate]

I don't ship much from here...most customers are local.

On incoming orders there is normally no problem with ups, but I usually tell customers it will be two weeks, when I'm pretty sure it will only be a week or so.
Gives a little extra time before they call wanting to know where their order is, plus it's in my favor when they get them quicker than expected.

I did have an order of business cards show up 4 days late a week or so ago that was coming ups,
but I knew they were stuck in the bad weather between here and Texas.
I forwarded the tracking number to my customer so they could see the problem was due to the weather.

You do realize the OP is talking about USPS not UPS..?

 

[Tony McD]

no sorry, I did miss that....got my ps's mixed up. lol

 

[IsItFasst]

I had considered the weather but the places these delayed packages are going is no where near (or through) the troubled areas. Just really odd that it has been going on so long as it makes us look bad. 90% of my packages are under a pound and most are only a few ounces so USPS is by far the cheapest alternative for my customers.