Think twice these days about online parts ..

[smead]

if the items will be shipped USPS. First class packages have always arrived for me in 3-4 days anywhere in the US. In the last 2 months, I've had things take up to 3 weeks. Tracking shows package arrives at USPS dist center, then nothing .., for weeks.

As much as this inconveniences me getting my bike parts, imagine what this summer has been like for folks waiting for things that are really important - medicine, checks, etc..

[jamesdak]

IBTL for politics!!!!!!!

[dem]

Non-political, but I've noticed an invasion of Chinese drop shippers on eBay.

The deal is they say: "Item located in California" but the delivery date is 3 to 4 weeks out ("Expected Delivery: September 10 to September 17")

You buy it, they generate the label in CA and it sits there until the item arrives from China.. then they post it.

So you get the item by the delivery date.. but it was never in CA.

I assume they do this to get around everyone (like me) who immediately clicks "US Only" in the eBay search.

[buddybikes]

same thing happened to few of my shipments (receiving) from US parties. Use UPS or Fed Ex

[mdeth1313]

I've had 2 different situations out of this. One is as described previously. The other one appears to have been shipped in a container to a NJ distribution center and then shipped from that distribution center. I pulled off the usps label to find a chinese label underneath it with the purchase info and the ebay number w/ bar code. Interesting setup they're running.

[Velocipede]

I am waiting on a stem to arrive for a PLF Member. It's in the state. Has been for almost a week now. Hell, it was scanned on Sunday 20 minutes from me. Should've been here on Monday. It's Tuesday and not here yet. Doesn't have any update as to the delivery date either. USPS is a nightmare right now.

[GOTHBROOKS]

i mailed out over a hundred packages this weekend and most of them have already made it to their destinations according to my stamps.com account.
i wonder if weights/package sizes have anything to do with delays? im only shipping like hats that barely weigh 3oz in a mylar mailer.

[smead]

I don't think it's just large stuff, I've had 3 week delays on tiny envelope packages - a few ounces.. The China trick has been used for years, but the point of this thread was to point out the significant delays in the USPS this summer. Nothing to do with Chinese sellers.

[jtbadge]

I've been waiting on the brake nut for my Ouzo Pro since the first. Sent out a chainring and seatpost collar to the Bay Area on the 28th and only one of them has been delivered. This is hardly limited to big packages.

The delays are intentional and politically driven. Over 10% of sorting machines have been removed in the last couple of weeks on top of the ludicrous overtime policy.

[Allcarbon]

I've had my first mailed item disappear into the USPS black hole. Last scan said that it was arriving late in transit. Its been 2 months and nothing

[tctyres]

Regular mail seems OK. Small packages are mainly OK, though I just had one destined for Los Angeles (LA!) make it to the distribution center there. It was then redirected to Jonesville, Louisiana (the other LA!). I didn't even know Jonesville was a place.

I had 3 large priority mail 2 day packages take 7-10 days last week. Go figure.

[Red Tornado]

In early May it took 2 weeks for a birthday card to go from Waco, TX to San Antonio, TX. Later that month mail sent the opposite way never arrived. A few items that I've ordered, and were shipped via USPS, went something like this:
L.A. to DFW 2 days
DFW to Waco 2 days
Waco to DFW1 day
Sits in DFW for 3-4 days
DFW to Waco 2 days
Out for delivery in Waco 2 days

[dbnm]

I can't get to www.usps.com right now. It appears to be down.

[jamesdak]

Originally Posted by dbnm

I can't get to www.usps.com right now. It appears to be down.

I just got right in....

[kppolich]

paypal.com/shipnow

No reason to ship anything put priority mail unless you are under 1lb and the buyer is OK with first class.