Options
Avoid USPS to/from Northern Alabama
messydesk
Posts: 20,289 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have an inbound registered package "stuck" in the Birmingham, AL, USPS facility for a few weeks. The person that sent it also has a couple packages being sent to him that have disappeared into the Birmingham black hole. Apparently, this has been a systemic problem with Birmingham since a facility in Huntsville was closed in 2010.
It would seem best to use UPS or FedEx to send to northern Alabama (ZIP codes 35xxx, 362xx).
John
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
3
Comments
Thanks for the heads up 👍
I've pretty much quit selling online because of shipping. I don't need the hassle
I quit using USPS too much risk.
If you need something to read, here's the OIG's audit report on the Birmingham Processing and Distribution Center's service performance. The irony is they didn't find any issue with handling registered packages, but that is what has gone missing there.
Linky
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I've had several registered/insureds in the last few weeks, to call them "snail's pace" would be generous. It's as if there is no incentive for them to get them to their destination.
Gerry Fortin posted on his daily blog that he has an Express package missing in Chicago since last Wednesday. There are (or were) 5 PCGS CAC seated dimes in the package. He is sending out a list to dealers.
Have someone from your PO call them. I've had nothing but great service from the USPS lately.
The shipper has had many contacts with Birmingham, which has no interest in investigating, since their job is to distribute mail, not get involved with issues. He's also escalated elsewhere. One escalation had customer service in the Chicago area calling Birmingham. There was no answer, so they closed the case. The only responses he ever got was he just needed to wait. He's having flashbacks to the Lily Tomlin's Ernestine the operator sketch, "We don’t care. We don’t have to. We’re the Phone Company."
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
File a missing mail request (search) - it often triggers things.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
On a similar note, two out of the last four media mail packages that have gone through Indianapolis disappeared.
That was initiated 2 weeks ago. More recently a claim has been filed. I hope the shipper has good records of what was shipped, because denying claims is one thing USPS does quite well.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Update. Good new. The Gerry Fortin Express package was located and delivered in the Chicago area yesterday. Took a lot of phone time to get accomplished.
Since it's Registered Mail they could find out who handled it last. They would know where to look for it (if they really want to find it).
I'll refer you to the Lily Tomlin bit above. According to the shipper, after all his many communications with involved parties, they couldn't care less about it. If it never shows up, this will be the second inbound package to me in a year that has gone missing -- both registered.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution