Don't ever use the automated machine to ship your packages.

[Anonemous]

So a few weeks ago I was at the post office mailing back RMAs to newegg. I was waiting in a long line when a mail clerk came out and pulled me out of line to direct me to the automated machine. So I chose the options, delivery confirmation, yada yada, input zip code, weighed first package, and it printed out the shipping label. I repeated with the second package. Little did I know about the flaws in this automated system.

Result: One package arrived a few days later to newegg, the other is somewhere between CA and NJ. USPS can't help me even with tracking conformation. Did not think that delivering a package <100mi away would be such a hassle. What's worse, when you use the automated system it doesn't log in the package and no other information is stored about the origin, type of service, no logging at locations. No information is stored, not even the destination (USPS CSR couldn't even tell me that).

Notecliffs:

Mailed two packages thru USPS to same destination (within the same state as origin).
One gets there, the other is somewhere btwn CA and NJ.
Don't use automated mailing system since important info is not stored.

Update: package got there. THE END

 

[FoBoT]

so USPS are amatuers compared to FedEx/UPS when it comes to "modern" package shipping

 

[Ramma2]

Hmm better check with my buyer in Cali and see if he got his stuff...

 

[randomlinh]

blah, that sucks

 

[Ramma2]

But a side note, in the post office's defense... the other major shippers have been known to do the same and much worse. Looks like you just got unlucky that day.

 

[Anonemous]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
so USPS are amatuers compared to FedEx/UPS when it comes to "modern" package shipping

yes. I normally use fedex/ups for out of state packages, but innerstate I'll be wary of USPS from now on.

 

[Anonemous]

Originally posted by: Ramma2
But a side note, in the post office's defense... the other major shippers have been known to do the same and much worse. Looks like you just got unlucky that day.

I know they're great, I'm not bashing them just their automated system. "Don't use it", is my warning.

 

[Anonemous]

you know what's worse, the USPS CSR on the phone said I would've had those vital information available (origin-post office branch, destination, time it was sent, etc...) if I had mailed at counter for my packages. 🙁

 

[Ramma2]

The machine is so tempting tho, sitting there all empty and unused. And the counter has like 30 people waiting, some people with huge pile of packages, and there's only 2 clerks ....

 

[Anonemous]

Originally posted by: Ramma2
The machine is so tempting tho, sitting there all empty and unused. And the counter has like 30 people waiting, some people with huge pile of packages, and there's only 2 clerks ....

I would've ignored it too if the clerk hadn't pulled me out of line to use it. Then they stood by to assist me as I mailed off my package (instead of returning to the counter to help others) so I felt obliged to use it.

 

[ggavinmoss]

I'm sorry you had a problem but I've used it a dozen times without incident and will continue to use it.

-geoff

 

[Anonemous]

phew, Newegg received it. Don't know why it took so long to go less than 50-100 mi but it's in Newegg's hands is all it matters.

 

[machintos]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss
I'm sorry you had a problem but I've used it a dozen times without incident and will continue to use it.

-geoff

same here, never had a problem with it except for when the machine is down.

 

[Anonemous]

the machine isn't the problem, it's when your package is missing or gets shipped across the country and back to it's destination and there's no way to track it is the problem.