If you need to ship important documents or goods you might consider sending it via the United States Postal Service’s Priority Mail.
After all, the word “priority” connotes placing the urgency of this delivery ahead of other, less time sensitive mailings.
Even the USPS.com website indicates a speedy delivery:
Take the guesswork out of shipping with Priority Mail® Flat Rates. Whatever fits in the box or envelope ships for one low rate—anywhere in the United States. There's virtually no weighing or calculating. And your packages reach their destination in 2-3 days. (USPS.com)
This is however, factually not true. The Postal service does NOT guarantee delivery of any mail except Express Mail. Your package could take a week, a month, a year or never be delivered at all, and unless you insure the contents, you have no recourse.
Any complaint about slow delivery times will only result in the recitation of “The only guaranteed service is Express Mail.”
This is despite the fact the Post Office is constitutionally charged under law to provide these necessary services.
So if you need to ship important, time-sensitive materials, I advise you to NOT use Priority Mail.
It’s a very low priority to the Postal Service,
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Richard....I send all important documents via fed ex.....it gets there before noon the next day and I can forget about it.
I had to chuckle at your posting because I always thought that the postal service "priority" mail service was a joke.
Well, it's not called HIGH Priority. Been using FedEx exclusively ever since the UPS strike in the '90s and have never been let down.
No kidding! And now that they are talking about delivering only 5 days a week it will get worse. Re-blogged, thanks so much Richard!
It will get worse. The postal folks will soon be taking our blood pressure and temperature. Need oxygen? We'll make that request a priority.
Hi Richard, 2-3 day delivery is a joke. Most times it does get there in that timeframe but not always. The consumer has no resource if the package gets lost and that is why insurance is a good idea.
Richard - This was to be one of my future posts. Thankfully I can rant on this with you, Priority Mail (which I have sent with confirmation (extra) is like snail mail with a marketing twist. It basically is the same.
I use it for relocation packages. Nothing more. They do not track nor do they have a need to insure this has any expectation other than snail mail.
Express, Fed-ex, or UPS overnight are the only real deals. Priority is a marketing deal. I have fallen for this marketing. Live and learn. I hope your post has legs and reaches those that are duped.
I barely ever use the USPS. If I need something to get there quickly, the UPS Store takes care of it for me. Our neighborhood had mailboxes installed at the end of the street a couple years ago. I thought it would be the worst thing, but I have come to love it! Most of the stuff I get goes in the recycle bin as most of it is junk. I can't remember the last time I mailed an actual bill or letter to a friend. Business only would be ok by me!
Use UPS or FEDEX with tracking numbers and a track record of deliveries.
We are from the government and we're here to help! Not!
I did not know this, Richard, but I have always been wildly satisfied with Priority Mail delivery (and receipt). Never had any delays. I use it frequently because it is so cost effective.
Having lived abroad for many, many years, I think the USPS rocks and costs very little. No Saturday delivery would not bother me at all - didn't have it overseas!
Now, watch. My next Priority will fall into a black hole...
Richard, only a Government-run agency can get away with this. And now they want to take over healthcare. It's time for a mulligan when it comes to the Feds.
Richard, The post office also has no way to track anything you send. All they can tell you is that it is in the system. When I need to send important documents it is Fedex or UPS. I then send the link so my client can check the status of the delivery.
Richard - I use fed-ex for timed deliveries. It has never disappointed me.
Richard,
I just saw the postmaster himself on television talking about how they might discontinue Saturday service. While he was being interviewed he sounded like he was "whining"! I couldn't believe it! I said to myself "too bad that your business model has changed, do what every other business owner has to do when times change- reassess and regroup and come up with a new plan." It was just sad to see.
If you have to have it somewhere at a certain time, you need to pay the extra or otherwise it is just guess work.
Richard - as a former rural route postal delivery carrier, I can attest to priority does not mean commitment. Priority is really only first class mail, for stuff larger/heavier than normal first class. However, as a former heavy user of priority mail, I can attest that well over 90% of packages did arrive in that two to three days. But, you are correct, if you want guarenteed delivery, use FedEx, UPS or pay for Epress Mail. Oh, btw, tracking is kind of worthless also, even though all packages with tracking are scanned at every point, for some reason, the information does not become available for days.
But hey, the same government that controls the supposedly independant post office also wants to manage health care. Yes, your condition is a priority, but we won't promise to provide timely medical service.
I never realized this. I always take the postal service for granted and have never counted on them for overnight. I always use fed ex for that.
You might also note that the delivery time is only to the Post Office... it may not include the delivery time to the actual address... UPS and FedEx actually deliver items as promised.
Richard,
Wow, now I have another excuse for using FedEx...not just the long lines and surly employees.
Rich
I'm with you--it's a total waste of time and money to send priority mail.
Let's hope that our EMS and Fire Dept don't have the same definition of Priority as USPS!
Yeah. Priority is supposedly 2-3 days, but they have another service to guarantee 3-day delivery. Totaly oxymoron in wording. So obviously you can't rely on the timing of the "priority" mail. I just go with first class. It usually gets there in 2-3 days anyway.
Richard, LOL. You hit in on the head in your last sentence. Whose priority are we talking about? Not ours, obviously.
Even express mail is a sham. I sent a package express mail to someone who lives about 45 minutes away because I couldn't arrange to drive it there and it didn't arrive and when I called in a panic because it was a time sensitive issue the people were rude and eventually hung up on me.
Richard: I would never have known that our postal service didn't take their priority mail to be an actual priority. Wish I could say that I was shocked.
I've had this disappointing experience more than once...and they wonder why they're losing $$ by the boatloads....
Debi
Richard,
Many years ago when the USPS first introduced their "guaranteed" 2-day delivery program, they failed with an important document. I recieved an "I'm sorry." :)
Steve
Richard - It's amazing to think that some people think that the postal service does a good job. I never use them for anything important, because I've had too many letters never (yes I said never) arrive.
Thanks for the information. I guess its in the priority mail is not as reassuring as I once thought! You know I have always been so trusting of the post office!