I’ve been seeing delays since mid November. My packages get picked up and they are held at the local branch for 24 hours or more. Once they reach the city distribution center they sit there 24 – 72 hours.

Incoming packages; I currently have two packages sitting in the distribution center for 5 days now.

Very true. The USPS is facing staff shortages, at least here in Colorado. They have skipped mail delivery for us every now and then, which I attribute to not enough mail personnel. On Monday’s, mail does not get delivered until 5 pm or later. Some times it gets delivered after 7 pm. With all of the rate increases we’ve experienced in recent years, I would hope that DeJoy might raise the rate of pay to attract more staff. Our post office has a sign on its door that touts $18 an hour starting rate. Perhaps a hike to $20 or $22 might find a few more employees in this tight labor market.

On the other hand, as an ebay seller who purchases about $500 of postage per month, I have to say I am very pleased with their performance in getting my goods delivered. The shift to ground advantage in my opinion has worked very well. Most of my packages via ground delivery seem to be delivered in 2-4 days. On packages over one pound, I have stopped for the most part using priority mail and instead ship ground advantage. Ground advantage is now cheaper than UPS on most heavier packages (more than 2 pounds)

*** The limiting factors…***

The limiting factor could be in finding labor. The U.S. has a very low unemployment rate at 3.9%, while my local PO says they have had a hard time in filling job openings.

And as this past weekend saw a record breaking e-commerce Thanksgiving weekend, the week before Christmas is always heavy with last minute shopping.

Wall Street expected consumers to slowdown spending this Fall season, but this is hardly the case.

There is only so much that USPS can do with all of the limiting factors.

December 16 – Ground Advantage
December 18 – Priority Mail
December 20 – Priority Mail Express

Not impressed. Sorry, but with the current cost of shipping, especially Priority, 6 days’ lead time is ridiculous. I would expect that for Ground, but certainly not Priority.