USPS Issues / USPS.com Issues

Selling on Amazon FBM
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We wonder if this was a specific region or group of distribution centers that initiated this. We only had 1 item get delayed and pretty sure it was weather related (high wind delays). The person who referred to the piece count as part of the issue can be dismissed. USPS has had piece counts for years and uses them to monitor and qualify the volume going through all post offices. When we did them, it had no effect on the movement of the mail. Just an added headache during the time we had to do them.

Our post office received no such notice to pull Amazon labels … so … it does seem to be a possible regional(s) issue.

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22

I think I was lied to-or perhaps the branch manager had taken a vow of silence or he isn’t isn’t in Dejoy’s confidence…

USPS announces major changes to delivery times and here’s what to know

Service standards will be modified for first-class mail, periodicals, marketing mail, and package services

It comes as the service looks to cut costs

  • 05:00 ET, MAR 21 2025
  • Updated10:03 ET, MAR 21 2025

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is set to introduce new delivery standards in the coming weeks, in a move it says [will save at least $36 billion. USPS said the changes will be rolled out in a phased approach starting from April. They will include faster delivery times for some mail, while others will experience slower standards.

From April 1, service standards will be modified for first-class mail, periodicals, marketing mail, and package services. [More changes will be introduced during a second phase in July.

The Postal Service said while 75 percent of First-Class Mail will be delivered at the current 1-5 day range, 14 percent will be experiencing fast times. Around 11 percent will see slower delivery times.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said USPS had been “burdened by service standard regulations and onerous business rules” which he said led to “costly and ineffective operations.”

“For decades - and most specifically during the last three years - Congress has actively resisted operational solutions and meaningful change. By implementing the new standards…we will be better able to achieve the goals of our modernization plans and create a high-performing, financially sustainable organization.”

It comes after DeJoy sent a letter to Congress last week saying he’d work with Elon Musk ’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on plans to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the USPS budget.

USPS in the letter highlighted issues including regulatory requirements that “restricted normal business practice.”

“This is an effort aligned with our efforts, as while we have accomplished a great deal, there is much more to be done,” DeJoy wrote.

USPS currently employs about 640,000 workers.

The service plans to cut 10,000 staff members in the next month through a voluntary early retirement program.

The service, which has operated as an independent entity since 1970, has faced calls from President Donald Trump and others that it be privatized. Last month, Trump said he may put USPS under the control of the Commerce Department in what would be an executive branch takeover..

This is from Mirror US

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23

I wonder which will be “Faster” and which will be “slower”

From USPS

Screen Shot 2025-03-22 at 5.02.42 PM
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It will be interesting to see how Amazon’s SSA will adjust to this and how the shipping templates 2-4 days and 3-5 days will be effected.

Expect more On Time Delivery issues as Amazon will need to adjust (which is normally behind the actual USPS change dates).

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25

Woke up to an email for a postage adjustment of $18. Like what the heck usps. I have zero access to the information on Etsy because this was one of my “missing orders” from over a month ago and so I canceled and refunded the buyer. Which strips all the order information and tracking information from the listing and nothing shows up for the adjustment. Usually my “adjustments” change from a 3oz to a priority mail and the issue is a like $5. I can’t figure out how the amount would even be $18 unless they overnight it? Luckily I at least had the tracking number in my email and it was stuck in pre transit for over a month before bouncing thru 8 different states distribution centers!

So is this what I have to look forward to with the other 11 orders I shipped that disappeared ? Ugh.

I never seem to get anywhere with these disputes with Etsy or usps :frowning:

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USPS recycling very recent tracking numbers?
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There was a time when a Zone 3 meant delivery in one or two days.

Today, we have a Zone 3 (about 350 miles) with a USPS estimated delivery 6 days out. We also have one going to Zone 5 (about 1200 miles) with a USPS estimated delivery 3 days out.

Our average use to be 3 to 4 days for delivery. It fast becoming an average of 5 to 6 days.

So if you ship from a rural area, this will most likely be your norm

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27

So sorry. I too got a postage adjustment the other day from Etsy (my first ever from E). A one ounce item in a padded mailer that I declared 4 ounces and USPS adjusted it to 2 lbs - 2.56 ozs. Shipped hundreds of these in the past! I filed the dispute at https://apvdisputes.usps.com 10 days ago but been crickets so far. Even after a refund (at least I can on a refunded order) you can still see the label ID# which is the same as the “Revenue Assurance ID” needed to file the dispute

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28

I just noticed all the postage rates seem to be higher today. Did they recently increase the rates?

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29

All of our USPS postage through Amazon Buy Shipping was normal. Didn’t see anything abnormal.

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30

The new service standards start tomorrow.

DeJoy is not around to see them.

This is a piece of a post from the Ebay forum. The links are useful.

“any post office that is 50 miles or more from a Regional Processing and Distribution Center will no longer have afternoon mail pickup,” it explained."

So if you outside the 50 mile mark, the mail you put in the box or drop off won’t go out on a truck until the next day. If you live in Wyoming, the whole state does not have a sorting center. I’m adding E commerce link,

and the link showing the sorting centers provided by the “save the post office” with interactive map showing PO within the 50 miles:

https://www.savethepostoffice.com/understanding-the-new-usps-service-standards-and-how-they-apply-to…

More than half of the country will see an increase in delivery time because the evening transfer to the regional distribution centers is being discontinued.

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31

I’ve been getting more of these lately. I is displeased.

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32

All the more important to make sure our packages are scanned in front of us as they won’t make it to the regional distribution center until 24 to 30 hours later.

OTDR issues are going to go through the roof.

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33

That’s so impractical, though.

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34

I rejected the concept of daily trips to the PO before this change and it was a contributing factor to why I do not currently sell on Amazon.

My handling time on Ebay is 5 days, I usually ship same or next day and when it gets scanned it gets scanned.

If a buyer objects to my handling time, they can try to find someone else with the same item. But my item selection criteria reduces the likelihood they will.

I have a strategy that works for me, and do not advocate it for use by anyone else. My COGS is irrelevant because it approaches zero due to my fast payback criteria for large lots.

I do not list any item with more offers than a fixed number which has gotten smaller as the years go by.

I price at what I think a willing buyer who wants the item will pay and meets a minimum profit goal. Nothing that makes less than $5 gets listed and since I can assume a zero COGS that translates to $8 plus shipping on Ebay or Amazon. I make a little more on Ebay than I would on Amazon at the same price.

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35

Another strange event occurred.

I filed a missing package claim on USPS. They closed the claim immediately. No explanation. Later that day scans resumed and the package was delivered the next day.

Today I received a check for the item from USPS. Not sure what to do. Do I deposit it and forget about it? Do I contact USPS? Do I tear it up?

Amount is $29.50

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You can view the case on USPS.com under claims history. It will probably show that the claim was granted.

Since USPS granted the claim, you might as well deposit it as it will still show in your claim’s history whether you deposit it or not. Next time you have an issue, maybe let it slide to off set this one.

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We were a little tired when we first responded.

To file a claim with USPS, the claim must be filed at least 15 days after the mailing AND you must have incurred a loss such as refunding the customer AND the package has not been delivered AND the package was insured. If all of these conditions are true, then USPS will grant the claim and issue a check.

If you refunded the customer and the item wasn’t delivered (at the time of the claim) and filed a claim that was granted, then why wouldn’t you cash the check?

Did you not refund the customer before filing the claim?

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I did not refund because recent problems in Florida have had no response to where’s my package and appeared when I filed a claim, so no payment had been sent.

There appears to be a human intelligence or lack of motivation problem with the postal employees in some POs who answer the missing package enquiries.

I guess I am guilty of a false claim

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39

2 more INR claims over delayed packages because of this delayed for postage assessment.

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40

I spoke with my postmaster today and while my post office is more than 50 miles away from Seattle Distribution center, outgoing mail will still leave the island daily around 3pm (phew!)

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