Delayed First Class Mail Delivery

[brennka]

The US Postal Service website says that mail delivery has been affected by COVID-19, and that some mail is taking longer than the normal time frames. It goes on to say that there may be delays in package delivery, but that First Class mail and Express Mail (overnight) has not been affected.

On Monday, July 27, I mailed a couple of checks for deposit. The envelope was mailed from a rural area in southwest Michigan. The destination was Dublin, Ohio, which is a suburb of Columbus. Columbus is a major metropolitan area.

The bank did not receive the mail until today.

That's more than a week. And it's utterly ridiculous. The Postal Service is experiencing serious problems and delays, and they are not acknowledging that First Class Mail is affected.

Kat

 

[Ken555]

This is all happening on purpose...and it's all over the news, just look for it and you'll find it.

This is causing major disruption in business, as well. The result is that UPS and FedEx are receiving more business, at least from what I can see anecdotally from colleagues (and my own business).

 

[SmithOp]

I mailed a flat rate envelope from CA to Fletcher OH last Tuesday, it got there in 3 days so some of it is moving, maybe just not letters. It was $7.

If you are paying bills now is not the time to be mailing checks, use Billpay online payments.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[lynne]

House Oversight Committee Invites New U.S. Postal Chief to Testify on Nationwide Mail Delays

A Republican fundraiser took over the Postal Service's top job in June and eliminated overtime for hundreds of thousands of workers

time.com

 

[Luanne]

We have problems with deliveries in our area from all carriers. Mostly it's with packages (or mail) being delivered to the wrong address. The house across the arroyo from us gets a lot of our stuff. They don't have a house number, but their lot number is the same as our street number. Very confusing. I don't know why when they set up the addresses they didn't just number the houses the same as the lot numbers. Would have saved a lot of confusion.

 

[Talent312]

On Monday, July 27, I mailed a couple of checks for deposit....

Your bank should be able to accept remote deposits via cell phone,
I did it once, but my bank's close to home...
Where I am, it's often easier to visit a bank or merchant than to mail.
.

 

[pedro47]

We mailed a first class letter on June 28, 2020 from Suffolk,VA to Lynchburg, VA and the letter has not arrived as 8/4/2020 8:51PM.

 

[bbodb1]

This is all happening on purpose...and it's all over the news, just look for it and you'll find it.

I can see where this is heading.....

This is causing major disruption in business, as well. The result is that UPS and FedEx are receiving more business, at least from what I can see anecdotally from colleagues (and my own business).

The fact is mail delivery has been suffering for years - this phenomena did not start in 2016. It is the result of much less mail moving through the USPS (mainly in the form of less advertising and promotional mail - bulk mail) which was the basis for the USPS being able to be within sniffing distance of covering their costs for so many years. Profilts from bulk mail allowed the USPS to keep 1st class mail prices low and still move mail quickly throughout the country. As bulk mailings have decreased (which has been happening for more than a decade), the USPS is feeling pressure to find ways to cover the high costs associated with 1st class mail delivery. In other words, the USPS loses money on 1st class mail and while it previously could recoup those losses from bulk mail profits, that has not been true in many years.

The USPS has been slow to change in light of this fact - restricted in some aspects due to laws and regulations - but (likely) more due to the fact that the larger an organization becomes, it often loses its ability to act quickly in the face of a changing environment.

 

[billymach4]

Stop Whining about the USPS. Like paper checks it's a relic of the past. I try to make all my payments online and use online bill pay. As mentioned in another post.. Yes I still use paper checks only when necessary.

 

[Passepartout]

Yesterday, (Monday) I put a letter in my mailbox for local delivery. Our mailman is always here by 10am. Until today. It is now 8pm and that letter is still in the box waiting to go out. I'll take it to the post office shortly.

Not a big conspiracy fan, but with the snafus on the news, it makes one wonder.

Jim

 

[Ken555]

I can see where this is heading.....

Hiya! Well, my head isn't buried in the sand. I read the news. I understand what's happening. I suspect you do, too, and simply won't comment on it for various reasons.

The fact is mail delivery has been suffering for years - this phenomena did not start in 2016. It is the result of much less mail moving through the USPS (mainly in the form of less advertising and promotional mail - bulk mail) which was the basis for the USPS being able to be within sniffing distance of covering their costs for so many years. Profilts from bulk mail allowed the USPS to keep 1st class mail prices low and still move mail quickly throughout the country. As bulk mailings have decreased (which has been happening for more than a decade), the USPS is feeling pressure to find ways to cover the high costs associated with 1st class mail delivery. In other words, the USPS loses money on 1st class mail and while it previously could recoup those losses from bulk mail profits, that has not been true in many years.

The USPS has been slow to change in light of this fact - restricted in some aspects due to laws and regulations - but (likely) more due to the fact that the larger an organization becomes, it often loses its ability to act quickly in the face of a changing environment.

Yup, I agree. USPS needs to innovate faster, and they aren't doing so...but then, the 2006 law that forces them to prefund retirement (and then having that money "borrowed" for other purposes) just isn't helping. It would be nice if the USPS was treated in this regard like any other business, but it's not.

 

[moonstone]

It isn't just a US Postal Service problem. The Canadian mail is slow too. My next door neighbor just got a package (small bubble padded envelope) yesterday that was mailed in mid-April from Halliburton ON -less than 100 miles from here! Our DD's birthday card from her Grandma (about 75 miles away) took 3 weeks to arrive but her card from her aunt who lives 4 doors away from Grandma, got to DD's in less than a week. The cards were mailed at the exact same time and my SiL addressed both cards identically so the address wasn't the issue.


~Diane

 

[rboesl]

Stop Whining about the USPS. Like paper checks it's a relic of the past. I try to make all my payments online and use online bill pay. As mentioned in another post.. Yes I still use paper checks only when necessary.

Not all online bill payments are executed electronically. I worked for years at a major bank supporting internet banking and installed their online bill payment software. A lot, but not all, vendors accept electronic payments. When that happens your payment becomes a printed check that is sent out in a bulk mailing. For most bill payment systems there's a pecking order for how payments are delivered:

1. To accounts the business recipient has with your bank.
2. Electronic delivery (called ACH or Automated Clearing House) for bulk payments (multiple payments in 1 transaction - yours plus several others bundled together).
3. Bulk payment via check which is printed and mailed.
4. Single payment via check which is printed and mailed.

Basically from the least costly method of delivery to the most costly method of delivery.

 

[klpca]

Our business only received two mail deliveries last week, vs our normal daily delivery. No big deal for me as I do whatever I can electronically, but my boss, who is a bit of a dinosaur and insists on receiving payment in the form of check only (no electronic or credit card payments) as well as mailing bill payments to all vendors, is pretty peeved.

I still can't believe that people complain about slapping a 50 cent sticker on an envelope and expect someone to take it across the country in just a few days. We are so spoiled.

 

[Talent312]

We've noticed the mail carrier coming by much later than usual.
After ~50 years, our nearby P.O. is gonna close. Their jobs are terminated.
They seem be trying to save $$ thru consolidating and reductions in force.
... But Amazon is giving them some deliveries, so maybe that'll help some.

.

 

[travelpager]

Postal Service Tests Changes To Mail Delivery System In 200 Cities

NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks with Lori Cash, a postal worker near Buffalo, N.Y., about how a new rule change by the United States Postal Service affects her work.

www.npr.org

Pending Postal Service Changes Could Delay Mail And Deliveries, Advocates Warn

Critics charge the new postmaster general intends to make the Postal Service more of a business than a service, which opponents say could cause disruptions for customers.

www.npr.org

USPS warns of late mail delivery after significant revenue loss amid coronavirus pandemic

The U.S. Postal Service is bracing for a myriad of changes including slashed overtime for workers, and the potential for delayed mail deliveries for customers due to multibillion-dollar revenue losses during the coronavirus pandemic.

www.foxnews.com

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/

 

[Brett]

Postal Service Tests Changes To Mail Delivery System In 200 Cities

NPR's Sarah McCammon speaks with Lori Cash, a postal worker near Buffalo, N.Y., about how a new rule change by the United States Postal Service affects her work.

www.npr.org

Pending Postal Service Changes Could Delay Mail And Deliveries, Advocates Warn

Critics charge the new postmaster general intends to make the Postal Service more of a business than a service, which opponents say could cause disruptions for customers.

www.npr.org

USPS warns of late mail delivery after significant revenue loss amid coronavirus pandemic

The U.S. Postal Service is bracing for a myriad of changes including slashed overtime for workers, and the potential for delayed mail deliveries for customers due to multibillion-dollar revenue losses during the coronavirus pandemic.

www.foxnews.com

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/

interesting - I was unaware of the changes in USPS

 

[Bucky]

Been all over the news for months now. Like everything else, it all starts at the top. The USPS has a new director with experience in logistics that has went in and made wholesale changes. More power to him if they work. But, that doesnt appear to be the case so far. Our mail person isn’t even getting to our house now until late evening and then half the time items that we saw in informed delivery were in fact not delivered.

From wiki “Upon assuming office as Postmaster General, DeJoy began taking measures to reduce costs. Critics claim these measures may result in slowing of the mail service.[18][19][20] DeJoy agreed to discuss the matter at a hearing before the House Oversight Committee scheduled for September 17, 2020.[21]”

 

[billymach4]

Back in the early 90's there was a PMG Marvin Runyon.
AKA Carving Marvin.

 

[bogey21]

I may be in the minority but I think the PO is doing a decent job under the circumstances. Yes, sometimes things are slow and yes, it seems like some things cost more. One thing I like is tracking where you can have the status of an item in transit emailed to you. Another is something I know nothing about which is something like notification by email of mail delivered to you...

George

 

[billymach4]

Not all online bill payments are executed electronically. I worked for years at a major bank supporting internet banking and installed their online bill payment software. A lot, but not all, vendors accept electronic payments. When that happens your payment becomes a printed check that is sent out in a bulk mailing. For most bill payment systems there's a pecking order for how payments are delivered:

1. To accounts the business recipient has with your bank.
2. Electronic delivery (called ACH or Automated Clearing House) for bulk payments (multiple payments in 1 transaction - yours plus several others bundled together).
3. Bulk payment via check which is printed and mailed.
4. Single payment via check which is printed and mailed.

Basically from the least costly method of delivery to the most costly method of delivery.

Right if i send a payment to your home address. You will get a paper check about 5 days later. The system must have check printing locations deployed around the US. Printed check is mailed in bulk close to the delivery location.

I still don't have to leave my home to mail a check.

On the flip side I receive the check open my backing app. Take a photo and deposit! Viola. Never left my home!

The online bill pay has never missed a delivery deadline when paper checks have been sent!

 

[Country Roads]

Stop Whining about the USPS. Like paper checks it's a relic of the past. I try to make all my payments online and use online bill pay. As mentioned in another post.. Yes I still use paper checks only when necessary.

You need to understand that not all areas have the needed internet access available for on-line bill pay. There are many also, that simply can't afford internet service, for whatever reason. I still have one large company that requires either paper checks or you have an account with a banking institution of their choice.

Sorry, I'll bank with whomever I choose to bank with.

 

[billymach4]

One thing if you can't afford it? Yes I take it for granted since I make a living depending on the net.

If you are in Business or have a checking account and live in an area that lacks internet.... Well what can I say. It is is necessity.

 

[Country Roads]

One thing if you can't afford it? Yes I take it for granted since I make a living depending on the net.

If you are in Business or have a checking account and live in an area that lacks internet.... Well what can I say. It is is necessity.

Affordability, necessity and availability are all different aspects which some have little or no control over.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I have a distinct feeling that the USPS "may be" on the verge of eliminating deliveries on Saturdays. This is something that has been talked about for ten to twenty years, and my belief is that it may happen by the end of the year.

Actually, I think the carriers could really enjoy this so that they can live like normal folks with Saturdays and Sundays off each and every week. Right now they have Sundays off plus a different day off each and every week. Not a really enticing work schedule in my opinion.

If the Post Office moves to a five day a week delivery then the savings will be huge! Those delivery vehicles will sit in the Post Office yards 52 extra days a year without the need for gasoline or wear and tear during those extra days off.

I'm all for keeping the USPS. I'm also all for running it efficiently so that those of us that use it can benefit from it. Remember, there are large rural areas of our Great Country that have little or no internet service. Closing the USPS will seriously affect those who do live in rural areas. And closing the USPS will likely have a higher effect on lower income Americans.



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