Consumers may be confused by what the Postal Service says about the delivery service they should expect.
As shown on the USPS Website, Priority Mail Express “provides next-day to 2-day delivery service,” Priority Mail offers “delivery in 1-3 business days,” and USPS Ground Advantage advertises “expected delivery in 2-5 business days.”
At the recent House committee hearing, PMG Louis DeJoy claimed that “50% of the mail … will be delivered a day in advance, … 85% on time, and 95% within a day” of standards.
And, also on the USPS website, the agency’s “2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous US” list “recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25” that suggest service may further be less than advertised.
For example, the site recommended that First-Class and USPS Ground Advantage items be mailed by December 18, Priority Mail by December 19, and Priority Mail Express by December 21. Allowing more time might be prudent, but adding days to published delivery expectations doesn’t reflect confidence on the part of the USPS, or reassure customers that it can perform as advertised – especially given that the PMG claims only “85% on-time” service.
Beyond that, according to the agency,
“As it has done for years, the Postal Service will implement a no-refund policy for Priority Mail Express packages shipped from Sunday, Dec. 22, through Wednesday, Dec. 25, under the following two conditions:
• The one-day shipment was mailed between Dec. 22 and Dec. 25 and was delivered, and
• Delivery was attempted or achieved within two business days of the mailing date.
“The policy is a response to the increased package volume and winter weather conditions that can affect the organization’s standard 1-2-day service commitment during these four days and is similar to that of competitors.
“The adjusted refund policy will appear at the bottom of customers’ Priority Mail Express receipts.”
Therefore, the apparent sum of all these statements is that any delivery date is an estimate – could be more, could be less – and the odds are 85%, give or take, except when the weather’s bad or the USPS is busy. Guaranteed … maybe.
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