posted on January 8, 2001 04:31:46 PM
I had a customer that I mailed
a priority package to on 1/3/01 from
Virginia to Florida. She emailed me
today (5 days later) saying she had
not received the package and is concerned
about the delay. Is it unusual for
a priority package to be delayed for
5 days. I didn't insure the package or
require delivery confirmation. Is there
any way to trace the package? Have any
of you ever had a priority package lost?
Thanks for any input!
posted on January 8, 2001 04:38:15 PM
5 days is not enough time to even call it overdue. Did you get delivery confirmation? If so you can do a track search on USPS web site.
I had one show up after almost 4 weeks, but that is rare. USPS won't even try to find it until after 30 days.
posted on January 8, 2001 04:39:59 PM
I have sent out over 2,000 packages with Priority Mail. It is not uncommon for them to take 7 days. I had one take 37 days and have had many take 10 or more days.
In all of those only 2 lost packages so I wouldn't worry yet.
posted on January 8, 2001 04:44:04 PM
Hello kristie!
Priority Mail has a target delivery time of 2 to 3 days. That is not GUARANTEED. It certaily can take longer. Some posters here have reported Priority Mail taking 2 weeks to arrive!
Reassure your buyer that the package WAS mailed and that you will start a Lost Mail trace if it doesn't arrive two weeks from date of mailing. Two weeks is the minimum time that the USPS wants you to wait before it will accept a Lost Mail form.
If it doesn't show by then, go to the PO and file a Lost Mail Form 1510. They will attempt to locate the package and they will ask the recipient to sign that they did not receive the package.
If the buyer signs the form you can be reasonably sure that they did not get the package as lying on the form is a criminal offense. Unfortunately, as you did not insure the package and would have no other proof of delivery, you may have to refund the buyer.
Think positive at this point as it is MORE than likely that the package WILL show up soon!
posted on January 8, 2001 06:14:32 PM
It hasn't been long enough to worry yet. It's not actually 5 days as the USPS crow flies, but more like 3...Although it should be there by now with such a short journey, it will probably show up by Wednesday. It seems like it took them a couple of weeks to get caught up with the holiday mail situation.
posted on January 8, 2001 07:03:36 PM
I have had the same thing happen a few times here lately. 3 different items (2 coming to me, 1 neing sent by me) and all took 7 days or more. I wonder what's up? Up until just recently I have never had it happen.
hmmmmmmmmmm
But they DID finally arrive. I'd give it a few more days before you start to worry. Maybe you could tell your buyer to come and take a look at this thread. Might make her feel a little better.
posted on January 8, 2001 08:47:02 PM
I noticed the new Priority Mail signs at the post office today. They now read... "average 2-3 days" with Starting at $3.50
