The USPS issued a press release 3 days before Black Friday to say it was ready for the holiday surge. Postmaster General and CEO Louis DeJoy credited the “Delivering for America plan” (DFA) for the Postal Service’s ability to offer what he called the most affordable way to ship and mail holiday cheer this year.
“The ongoing transformation of the Postal Service includes efficient new facilities and a modernized delivery network to better serve its customers this holiday season, and year-round,” the USPS said.
Specifically, it mentioned DFA strategic investments in preparation for the 2023 peak holiday season, including the following:
- USPS Ground Advantage: Introducing an affordable, reliable, and simple ground shipping solution with expected delivery within the U.S. in about 2-5 business days.
- Hiring 10,000 Seasonal Employees: In addition to the 150,000 employees that have converted to full time career-positions with USPS in the past two years.
- 348 New Package Sorting Machines: Enhancing package processing capabilities with additional machines to be installed.
- Increased Daily Package Processing Capacity to 70 Million: This expanded capacity eliminates the need for the Postal Service to lease temporary annexes.
- More Reliable Ground Transportation: Shifting 95% of volume to more reliable ground transportation, reducing reliance on expensive air transportation.
The USPS also offered holiday shippers some tips, including: send items early; use its online portal to access tools such as Click-N-Ship and to schedule free carrier pick up directly from their home or office; and ship safely.
The USPS announcement also served up a reminder about its Informed Delivery service that lets residents sign up to show them images of incoming mail as well as updates about incoming and outbound packages.
I received a postcard from the USPS this week showing cutoff dates for Christmas shipping:
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.
*** 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.
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)
I do not believe they are ready. The three weeks before Thanksgiving USPS has missed every package delivery date, Advantage & Priority, they claim will be delivered on by 1 – 2 days. Prior to Thanksgiving, USPS beat their delivery dates they suggested by 1 – 2 days in both categories. Same as of today, they have missed all stated delivery dates by 1 – 2 days. Promised Monday, now Tuesday. Promised Tuesday, now Wednesday etc.
I agree @airbrake. My area of service is a hot mess.
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.