5 ms·

Considering how terrible USPS is, why would anyone ever trust them with anything, never mind a live animal.

mjevans 9y ago
Depends entirely on your local area. Hub to hub nearly all services are reliable, it's the 'last mile' service that has such extreme variability from area to area. That's why when I mail a package to someone else I try to ask them about which services are more reliable /in their area/ (since I attempt to drop off at fixed, staffed, locations, USPS offices and the like).
- EADGBE 9y ago
  You're a good man (or woman). I wish more shippers were like you. I'm a frantic wreck when I order a guitar; never knowing what condition it might show up in at the mercy of the shipper.
nxc18 9y ago
In my experience, USPS has been at least as reliable as FedEx and UPS. I've had more issues with those two (late shipments, delivery to wrong address, losing things in the mail) than I've had with USPS. I've also been impressed with their physical locations. The workers are attentive and helpful (I don't mail letters very often; they have the answers to my many questions). This has been contrary to the stereotype of the post office being similar to the DMV.
- hak8or 9y ago
  It depends greatly on your location. Mine is very bad, I've lost maybe 10 packages over the past few years or so. Thankfully Amazon has been kind, but I worry I may eventually raise a flag there, even though I tell them constantly my local usps is trash. The people in my post office are extremely rude and about as "I don't care" or "not my problem" as you can imagine. To be fair, I've also seen some extremely rude customers in the past too. From what I see, they are also very understaffed and probably under paid, but then again they have godly benefits and job security.
  - Spooky23 9y ago
    You have a lot more recourse with USPS, from calling the inspector general to getting your congressman involved. With UPS/Fedex, forget it. They have bad branches too, particularly Fedex ground. The other thing as a smallish shipper you can actually use the insurance. If you make claims with UPS/Fedex, they'll retailiate by raising your negotiated rates.
    - moocowtruck 9y ago
      > You have a lot more recourse with USPS no you don't, most of our workforce is union protected, they can poop in your package and not lose their jobs
- jjeaff 9y ago
  To add a data point, my experience at several post offices has been terrible. Right in par with the DMV. You don't know anger until a post office working starts sliding the security bars closed (at 4:30 pm) cutting the long line in half and telling the people that are on the wrong side that they will have to come back tomorrow. And what the hell kind of service business closes at 4:30. Making it literally impossible for anyone with a day job to EVER pick up their package (that they should have delivered anyway but didn't because the carrier didn't want to look for the box in his truck and just tiptoed up to your door and stuck a note on it). Luckily, most post offices stay open longer now. But I still see nothing but long lines and poor service when I have to go.
- abawany 9y ago
  I agree. I have spent in the low thousands with USPS shipping books and goods and the experience is copasetic along with receiving mail and packages. By comparison, UPS and Fedex are often the source of unpleasant surprises for me as a recipient of packages from various online retailers. I love the USPS and it saddens me to see the vitriol directed towards it.
  - kbutler 9y ago
    Copacetic. Misspelling an uncommon word spoils the effect.
    - abawany 9y ago
      Thank you. Serves me right as I also ignored my browser's warning on the same when typing up my post.
_pmf_ 9y ago
Using corn puffs for both buffering and sustenance, every animal friend should be happy on his journey.

Depends entirely on your local area. Hub to hub nearly all services are reliable, it's the 'last mile' service that has such extreme variability from area to area. That's why when I mail a package to someone else I try to ask them about which services are more reliable /in their area/ (since I attempt to drop off at fixed, staffed, locations, USPS offices and the like).

EADGBE 9y ago
You're a good man (or woman). I wish more shippers were like you. I'm a frantic wreck when I order a guitar; never knowing what condition it might show up in at the mercy of the shipper.

nxc18 9y ago

In my experience, USPS has been at least as reliable as FedEx and UPS. I've had more issues with those two (late shipments, delivery to wrong address, losing things in the mail) than I've had with USPS. I've also been impressed with their physical locations. The workers are attentive and helpful (I don't mail letters very often; they have the answers to my many questions). This has been contrary to the stereotype of the post office being similar to the DMV.

hak8or 9y ago
It depends greatly on your location. Mine is very bad, I've lost maybe 10 packages over the past few years or so. Thankfully Amazon has been kind, but I worry I may eventually raise a flag there, even though I tell them constantly my local usps is trash. The people in my post office are extremely rude and about as "I don't care" or "not my problem" as you can imagine. To be fair, I've also seen some extremely rude customers in the past too. From what I see, they are also very understaffed and probably under paid, but then again they have godly benefits and job security.
- Spooky23 9y ago
  You have a lot more recourse with USPS, from calling the inspector general to getting your congressman involved. With UPS/Fedex, forget it. They have bad branches too, particularly Fedex ground. The other thing as a smallish shipper you can actually use the insurance. If you make claims with UPS/Fedex, they'll retailiate by raising your negotiated rates.
  - moocowtruck 9y ago
    > You have a lot more recourse with USPS no you don't, most of our workforce is union protected, they can poop in your package and not lose their jobs
jjeaff 9y ago
To add a data point, my experience at several post offices has been terrible. Right in par with the DMV. You don't know anger until a post office working starts sliding the security bars closed (at 4:30 pm) cutting the long line in half and telling the people that are on the wrong side that they will have to come back tomorrow. And what the hell kind of service business closes at 4:30. Making it literally impossible for anyone with a day job to EVER pick up their package (that they should have delivered anyway but didn't because the carrier didn't want to look for the box in his truck and just tiptoed up to your door and stuck a note on it). Luckily, most post offices stay open longer now. But I still see nothing but long lines and poor service when I have to go.
abawany 9y ago
I agree. I have spent in the low thousands with USPS shipping books and goods and the experience is copasetic along with receiving mail and packages. By comparison, UPS and Fedex are often the source of unpleasant surprises for me as a recipient of packages from various online retailers. I love the USPS and it saddens me to see the vitriol directed towards it.
- kbutler 9y ago
  Copacetic. Misspelling an uncommon word spoils the effect.
  - abawany 9y ago
    Thank you. Serves me right as I also ignored my browser's warning on the same when typing up my post.

_pmf_ 9y ago

Using corn puffs for both buffering and sustenance, every animal friend should be happy on his journey.