Shipping issues...USPS coming and going

[Constabulary]

Deutsche Post on my side of the pond no longer ships small packages to the USA - I can use DHL but have to ad "Premium Service" to all packages. So at the moment I ship with UPS. Just recently I shipped a package to a LW member and it arrived within 2 days - remember I live in Germany. Have to admit that I shipped UPS Express but still - 2 days over the pond door to door. Advantage of UPS is that they have their own airplane fleet. I think DHL / Deutsche Post outsources a lot though DHL owns airplanes as well but I guess they are blocked for "Premium customers".

https://www.deutschepost.de/en/c/coronavirus.html#usa

EDIT:

BTW - have you guys ever tried a shipping comparison  like:   https://shipgooder.com

Edited August 22, 2020 by Constabulary

[LumpenDoodle2]

Over the last couple of months, the majority of my customers have been from America (at its peak, hitting  20 orders for rigs in 4 days, so I know of what I speak), and the delivery rates have varied from 5 to 20 days.   Again, keep in mind that this is from Scotland to most US States, so my parcels are moving through a lot of hands to get to their destination.

With the longest delays, I can see via tracking, that parcels can sit at Heathrow Airport in England for up to 7 days before any further tracking movement.    Some can then sit for another 7 days at the main sorting hubs, before going out to local sorting offices.    I have to say that this is usually the worst case scenario,  and changes from week to week, but is still frustrating for everyone.   Throw in a US Customs check, and your beard grows grey waiting for delivery.

Having spoken to a couple of neighbours who work with Royal Mail, I very much appreciate that everyone is working hard to keep on top of backlogs, caused by stuff outside of their control.      Doesn’t stop some customers from doing the equivalent of “are we there yet.....are we there yet......are we there yet...?”

[Rhale]

I have had some problems also but my theory is that if you mix a government job and then install the union on top of that we’ll guess what!

[Handstitched]

Here in Australia, while some items have taken a bit longer to arrive  by 'Australia Post' , I do try to take into account the time it takes for materials to arrive when I order.  I  also make that clear when customers place orders and I don't always have the materials or hardware . 

However, recently , I  needed  reliable heating for my workshop,  I placed the order,   and my heater came by courier,   not ' Oz Post' , it was dropped off at the front gate ( instead of me driving into town to check my mail , no mail box this far out)  , and so much quicker than I expected, around 9 days instead of  the usual 14-21 days     , but it came by air, same as Oz post....go figure? 

HS

[chuck123wapati]

Anyone remember The little " Please allow 4 to 6 weeks"  at the bottom of the mail in  order forms we used to use before the net. We are a spoiled lot now days lol. 

[billybopp]

We've always had problems with USPS packages arriving here in Philly.  I'd estimate that I only get 90 to 95% of what is shipped, and far far less on time.   And of course, they NEVER find missing packages.   I expect that will get much worse.

- Bill

[Arturomex]

I haven't been sending anything out but I've been receiving a lot of things in Canada over the last three months. Everything from overseas came via courier and came quickly. Some things ordered in late June came USPS and it was slow but not terrible. One package from the US was sent to Canada with a courier who then sent it on via Canada Post. What the...? But it worked.

At the moment I've been waiting longer than six weeks (yeah, I remember that disclaimer, Chuck LOL) for a package that was sent USPS. When I ordered I asked the vendor if there was any other option than USPS but they were adamant that that's how they shipped and that it would be here in less than two weeks. When it became apparent that my order wasn't going to be here in two weeks I found exactly the same things in the Orient, ordered from them and it actually cost less money. Lower price on the product, lower price on the shipping and it was here in eleven days.

I have a bunch of stuff going out on Monday and it'll be going courier. I've given up on Canada Post and USPS.

Regards,

Arturo