Pissed with USPS

[edman22]

So I sent my camera in for some warranty work. I mailed it early on Saturday. From the online quotes I saw that if I sent it USPS priority it would get there on Monday whereas with UPS 2-day I was looking at Tuesday. There was maybe a $15 difference, but that wasn't a big deal.

I was told at the office to send it registered mail since I was insuring it for $2500...and the teller informs me it will get there on Monday or in about 2-3 days..normal priority timeline.

Well it's Wednesday and all that the tracking says is the following:

Accepted: 11/5/11 11:00 AM
Dispatched to Sort Facility: 11/4/11 6:00 PM

1st: How does something get dispatched to the sort facility BEFORE I had ever submitted it and it had been accepted? This part really concerned me, I've never seen anything like this before.

2nd: I call Canon and the package has not arrived (this was today.) Then I called the USPS and they tell me that "registered priority mail takes longer, up to 1-2 weeks" and that I should have been told this when I sent it!! (I definitely was not)

I'm so frustrated. Here I am thinking the USPS actually can get the job done better, and that maybe it's good to give them my business. I've never had a problem with them before. I really wanted the camera in asap so that I could have it back for for the week of Thanksgiving, but that probably won't happen now. Sadly this means I will probably never use them again for anything important. Lesson learned on my part. Let's just hope the package is ok.

[rick_reno]

Well it's Wednesday and all that the tracking says is the following:

Accepted: 11/5/11 11:00 AM
Dispatched to Sort Facility: 11/4/11 6:00 PM

1st: How does something get dispatched to the sort facility BEFORE I had ever submitted it and it had been accepted? This part really concerned me, I've never seen anything like this before.



They're that good, they anticipated your shipping the camera before you did, and took the appropriate "pre-shipping action" for you. That's why they're best at what they do - they know what we're doing before we do it.

What they did has the signature of a successful, profitable enterprise written all over it. ;)

[Gizmo1137]

My experience with USPS is they are for the most part unreliable when it comes to delivery dates. It cost a more, but I prefer UPS because unless there is an unforseen problem, packages have arrived as indicated. Also, for important or expensive items, UPS provides tracking #'s.

[edman22]

Yea it's my fault. Everything in me said to go with UPS but USPS claimed it would get there on Monday which was a day before 2-day shipping would take with UPS. Right now I'm just hoping my camera is actually ok and somebody didn't steal it. The whole thing about the dispatch to sort facility taking place before I ever submitted a package is really freaking me out. I've given up any hopes for a timely delivery.

[Nodin]

I never had any problems using USPS. When ever I mail a priority package, the clerk never tell me it would take 2-3 days to get there, they always tell me 3-5 days not guarantee. Almost all the times the package gets there in a couple of days depending on where it is going. The arrival time of the package shouldn't change on which service you use (register, insured, signature confirmations, etc.) with USPS, it is still a priority package and it is handle the same way.
One thing that USPS is slow to do, is update the package information. UPS on the other hand uses some sort of satellite system where the information gets updated once the package is scanned.
Also, there are times that the package is sitting at its intended designation already and USPS still haven't updated the information.

[Cubdriver]

UPS and FedEx are orders of magnitude better than USPS at package tracking. The first two are practically real time, whereas the post office seems to be more along the lines of 'yeah, we delivered it two days ago'. I'm sure it'll get there, but don't expect timely updates on its progress...

Depending on how far it's going, UPS may get even a ground shipment there overnight. USPS can sometimes do that as well, but I think UPS or FedEx are better options when shipping a package - it's what they do, after all. Hopefully your camera gets to its destination soon!

-Pat

[IShootThings]

the usps web site is almost useless at tracking a package. on multiple occasions, it has said the package is on the other side of the country on the day i get the delivery.

[karobinson]

Well, last month I ordered one of those manequin (sp) heads off ebay....and of course the tracking number showed it never leaving the original post office. So, Monday I called and placed a "trouble ticket". Next day a gal from my local office calls and says she had it downtown and just "hasn't remembered" to bring it on her route. Sure enough, I got it the next day. Checked just 5 mins ago and the tracking number which includes stating I would have to sign for the item, still shows it sitting in that same damn post office. And nope, I didn't sign anything.

[roosterslayer]

USPS has actually always been on time with my deliveries. I sent something to canon and USPS said it should get to them in 3 days.. lo and behold 3 days later i get an email from canon saying my repair would be free..

same thing when i ship and get tracking.. it's always accurate.

maybe workers in SF pay more attention? sorry to hear that you have had problems.

I've actually had more issues with UPS being late.

[edman22]

Yea I'd never had problems with USPS before, but I'd never done registered mail either. The guy on the phone specifically said registered mail can take a long time since it's kept in a locked box and signed for at every exchange.

Still no changes. No word from Canon or updates on the USPS site. It's hard not to keep checking....

[meglet]

Last time I sent something to Canon (via UPS, thankyouverymuch) they told me it can take up to 7 days after something is delivered before they actually check it in as received.

As for USPS, I avoid them whenever possible. Not only is their tracking pretty much useless, you never quite know where stuff will end up, and good luck getting any resolution if your item gets lost.

Witness my USPS delivery today (shipper's choice, unfortunately) - the tracking info says it was delivered, but the notice the postal person put in my mailbox says it was not delivered and has to be picked up at my local PO - which of course is M-F 9-5 only. It's not at my door or in my mailbox, but might possibly have been delivered to the apartment office, but more likely ended up back at the local office. Where it may or may not go out for redelivery on Monday, meaning I have to bug the apartment people before walking all the way downtown to the post office if I can get off work early enough.

[edman22]

Well for me they gave me two choices for service centers. They said the Irvine facility has a backlog and won't look at it for at least 7 days after delivery, but that the Virginia center will have it in the system after 3 days at most. That's why I sent it there.

Btw, no update. It has been a week and there has been no change to the online "tracking" of USPS. The rep on the phone said I should only worry and file something if it isn't delivered by Tuesday. Two more mail days to go. I'm such an idiot for not using UPS!!

[edman22]

Just an update in case anyone cares.

The camera was delivered to the facility today at 12:00 PM, by 4:00PM (their time) canon has already checked it into the system and authorized the work!

So all in all it took 7 days for the package to get there. Just glad it wasn't lost. Hopefully if they can send it out quickly I can have it before Thanksgiving.