USPS Express Mail- NOT overnight. Lesson learned.

[Former_Member]

Sadly, I learned today that USPS Express Mail is NOT an overnight service. Some of you may now this already, others may not. I hope I can save one person from this headache.

Apparently, Express is a 1-2 day service. And that 1-2 day window depends on different factors...
1. Packages are dropped off by a specific time, varying by USPS branch.
2. The sending and receiving zip codes.

I've never had USPS issues (maybe I've been lucky) but this week alone I've had three.

Excuse me while I go cry...then email my customer and explain why her shirt, that I rushed, will not be at her wedding tomorrow.

[Former_Member]

oh no. i have never used that service. was it not an option to overnight it? what was the additional cost?

[Former_Member]

I use the postage option provided by etsy, and it was labeled as next day shipping, cost $18 for a flat rate envelope :(

[Former_Member]

Oh no, that is heart breaking. I am so sorry that happened to you. Thank you for sharing your experience even if it was a bad one. I learned from it.

[SugarSidewalk]

I had the same thing happen - its typically 1 day but I have found if its going to a more rural area - it can take 2 days.

I am so sorry :(

[Former_Member]

Running into same issue with urgent Halloween costume deliveries.. Express Shipping is NOT overnight....despite the huge price. Ugh.

[WhistlingFishPottery]

Yep, out here in the sticks I learned long ago 'express' just means it gets thrown on the bus first instead of last. If we miss the last truck of the day (3pm) it doesn't go out until noon the next business day, then goes 5 hours north up the highway to be sorted, THEN takes 1 to 2 days to get where it needs to go. Really a pain in the neck. IF you get it to the local post office before noon, it MIGHT get to where its going by 5pm the next day, but usually its 2 days. Sometimes its faster for us to run it half an hour down the coast so it ends up going to a different sorting center closer to its final destination.

[KriyaDesign]

This week I had to refund $13 because the birthday gal didn't get her gift on her birth-day. And the birthday gal... lady that is... is the buyer BFF. Imagine the buyer's frustration, her BFF didn't get the gift on her special day.

The thing I learn, before making any next day delivery promise, enter the zip code of ship to address at usps.com Their database is pretty accurate when it comes to delivery time.

As Hope said it. If the address is within the metro area, delivery could possibly be the next day (business that is) by 3 PM. If its not (metro), delivery could be 2 days or more than 24 hour time frame.

I'm so sorry Sylvia. We all learn something new here today. Thanks for sharing. Hugs... big one

[Former_Member]

What Maryjane said: Sometimes its faster for us to run it half an hour down the coast so it ends up going to a different sorting center closer to its final destination.

I do the same....found out by accident that there is a sorting facility in an industrial park that can cut 1/2 day off of delivery time.

[QuirkyUniverse]

I don't think the USPS guarantees next day delivery anymore, even if it's the next town over.

[AmysVinylCreations]

they only guarantee it if its going to a major area. If its going rural they can't BUT it needs to get to the post office early that morning to even have a chance to get there.. When you are at the post office they will put on the envelope/ box etc if it will be guaranteed... had this discussion a few weeks ago at the post office...

[BrooklynStVintage]

Good to know, I just had an express shipment from Wisconsin to Florida, postman picked it up @ 3pm Wednesday and it was delivered before 3pm on Thursday. The Post Office told me they would guarantee delivery by 3 pm, but it was going to a larger city. I guess I won't assume that it works that way every time, thanks for the info!

[Former_Member]

I always put down shipping in 3 business day. FeDex is the only overnight and it costs a lot. Also FeDex does not deliver to PO BOXES. To get it overnight you have to ship before your package or envelope 6 pm . After 6 pm only if you go to the airport where they have a post.
I am sorry that it happens. to you.
Did you charged for speed delivery when this purchase happened?

[ThePartyDeeva]

Yep I found this out the hard way as well some time ago. Now if someone wants express/overnight it goes UPS or FedEx whichever one the buyer chooses.

Sorry this happened to you!

[Former_Member]

Also FeDex does not deliver to PO BOXES.

Just found out recently that Fedex and UPS are not ALLOWED to deliver to PO boxes....they cannot even put something in your mailbox at your house, it is against federal law! NOBODY except the USPS is legally allowed to put anything in your mailbox, not a newspaper service, not a political candidate, not the pizza delivery service distributing menus. Who knew?