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

[Kensal Rise]

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.

[jsd]

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

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by 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

What's going on with the Baltimore terminal?

[jsd]

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]

Originally Posted by William Davis

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 T.]

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!!

[C.O.B.]

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!