Shipping Issues - Orchid Board

Fairorchids · #1 05-10-2021, 10:57 AM

When it comes to plant shipments, I hate paying more for the shipping than the plant is worth. Thus, I normally pay only for Priority Mail, which is also my normal choice when shipping.

Up till now, I have not had significant issues with USPS Priority Mail. However, I right now I have 3 shipments lost in USPS incompetence. The most extreme case being:

May 4: Tracking number issued and package accepted in Sacramento, CA
May 6: Processed through Kearny, NJ
May 6: Shipped from Kearny
May 6: Received back at Kearny
May 7: Shipped from Kearny
May 7: Received at Linden, NJ
May 7: Received at Millburn, NJ
May 7: Returned from Millburn
May 8: Received at Kearny
May 8: Out for delivery in Maplewood (but not delivered at correct address)
May 8: Received at Kearny
May 9: Shipped from Kearny

I guess FEDEX is our only reliable option in the future.

Paphluvr · #2 05-10-2021, 01:59 PM

Totally agree. I used to use USPS Priority 2-Day but will be rethinking that in the future. I put a plant into the system Mon. 5/3/21 at 1:50PM with an expected Thurs 5/6/21 delivery. The package arrived at the Wilminton, DE Regional Distribution Center at 1:45AM Weds. 5/5, so far so good. The afternoon of 5/6 USPS Tracking changed to "Your package will arrive later than expected but is still on its way. It is currently in transit to the next facility. The next update was Sun. 5/9 when variously during the day it left the facility at 12:43AM, 10:45AM or 11:37AM depending on when I looked. The message changed to "Your item is currently in transit to the destination." Supposedly, it was delivered to my customer around 11:30 this morning 5/10. Did I mention the according to Google Earth my customer lives less than 20m from the Distribution Center.