USPS Flat-Rate Medium Box Delivery Time

[Patrick Butler]

I would like to know if any other members have experienced delays in the delivery of heavy (read two 25 pound bags of lead shot) median-sized flat rate first class USPS boxes?

Living in N. CA, there are very few retailers who sell reloading supplies, so I decided to order some lead shot from a CA metals wholesaler. The first box came to my door in two days, but the next (with tracking) has been in limbo. I spoke to some USPS employees and got the word that they dislike handling those 52 pound small boxes that are first class and cost about $12.50. Just for the record this did not come from my local delivery guy, and he is the best.

I Googled the problem and found a HP rifle-loaders site where they had the same problems with large metal shipments in the medium size flat rate boxes.

Does this delay sound familiar? For what it is worth, I ship all long guns by USPS registered mail with great results and low insurance rates.

Patrick

[John Campbell]

Patrick:
I feel your pain. Sort of. While I don't order shot through USPS, they recently lost a bubble pack envelop I shipped with parts to a micro welder. It went "First Class," just like all bills I've received without fail during my entire life.

But this envelop disappeared. Although the tracking number "said" it was delivered to the recipient. Not. The worst part was that it had irreplaceable parts in it!

On the other hand, like you, I've had flawless service from USPS in delivery of guns. Go figure.

[Jeff Davison]

Patrick,
Feeling your pain as well. Recently purchased a gun from the east coast. UPS won't pick it up because it's going to be routed through Baltimore. FedEx and USPS said the same thing: At this time we can't guarantee the safety of any packages routed through the Baltimore terminal. Jeff

[Eric Eis]

Patrick,
Feeling your pain as well. Recently purchased a gun from the east coast. UPS won't pick it up because it's going to be routed through Baltimore. FedEx and USPS said the same thing: At this time we can't guarantee the safety of any packages routed through the Baltimore terminal. Jeff

What's going on with the Baltimore terminal?

[Jeff Davison]

Riots in Baltimore.

[William Davis]

I buy from Roto Metals in California and have never had a problem with USPO flat rate box delivery.

William

[Patrick Butler]

I buy from Roto Metals in California and have never had a problem with USPO flat rate box delivery.

William

First, the flat-rate package showed up at my front door today.

Roto Metals was the seller and they did and have always shipped very, very quickly. They were at no fault.

The problem was that my "first class" package got stuck for several days at a USPS local sorting center. Oh well, if this is the worst thing that happens to me regarding shipping packages, I will consider myself very lucky.

Thanks to all,
Patrick

[Chris Travinski]

I don't know what is going on with them mail in Massachusetts, but the service has been off since about Christmas. The post office was talking about shutting down a distribution center in/near Boston and there was some speculation that the service was intentionally poor in an effort to highlight the need for that center. But....it's still open and the service is still bad, we get almost no mail for days, then get a mountain of it. I feel bad for the guy in accounts receivable!!

[Rich Anderson]

I bought a rifle that was shipped USPS with a guaranteed delivery date or shipping was free. The seller gets his money back as it was a day late getting here. It came from New York state.

[Richard Flanders]

Gold miners up here fill the small flat rate boxes with loose placer gold to send to the refiners. Imagine how much that seems overweight for the box size!

[edgarspencer]

A suburban friend of mine said his mailman complains every time he gets a package. He lives in one of those neighborhoods where the mailman parks and walks to a bunch of houses, then drives to a bunch more houses. He took a large Flat Rate box, set it on his bathroom scale, lined it with a dry cleaners bag, and poured it full of concrete, then mailed it to himself.

[Scott Janowski]

And he will wonder the next time he gets a damaged package why that happened.

[edgarspencer]

And he will wonder the next time he gets a damaged package why that happened.

You're not suggesting a valued Postal Service Employee would do anything nefarious?
Honestly, I've never had anything damaged by the post office, but I'm only 67 so I guess there's still time. Now, UPS, That's a different story

[Allen Peterson]

I bought an antique carving set at Christmas. USPS said it was delivered and I was home all day of the so called delivery. it never got here. I was lucky eBay made good on the charge.

[Rick Losey]

last week - had something sent from an antique shop 70 miles away- when it was not here by Saturday - the owner called the postmaster (small town) found out it had been sitting in the nearby city's sorting station since last Tuesday - it arrived today

i also ordered a large item from a store half way (literally) across the country on Friday night

that also arrive today

what a system

[Matt Valinsky]

Ordered a rear rest bag, it was mailed 2-3 day priority and got here in 11 days. Weighted about 8 pounds.

[Brian Dudley]

Postal service HAS been sucking lately. There are major issues with too much volume at the local Huh here. From what I am told, all the mail both incoming and outgoing from Buffalo to Suracuse goes through the rochester facility!

On top of that I just got notification of a denial of a final appeal on a claim for a rifle that I sold that showed up broken right in half! They claim there was no damage to the outside of the box. When I have photos showing evidence that the box was crushed. I am going to end up loosing my ass on that deal.

[John Powers]

I will only ship firearms in a case from now on since the same thing happen during a shipment with UPS. You can clearly see a foot print on the box where one of the fine workers stepped on the box and broke the stock into. Sure, no damage, just a 300# idiot crushing the contents. I buy the $20 hard cases and the customer will always welcome the added cost.

[Rich Anderson]

It's amazing to me that more things aren't damaged in transit. I just received a Pre 64 M70 that was wrapped in bubble wrap and put into a large box stuffed with paper:eek: Granted it was a box in a box but still not much in the way of protection.