How long do you wait?

Discussion in 'Trade Talk' started by BigIronH, Dec 16, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 2
  1. BigIronH

    BigIronH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,762) Oct 31, 2019 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So I sent a box to someone on the 6th through USPS. At this point, tracking hasn’t been updated in 10 days; although it still says it’s in transit, arriving late. How long do you wait before you chalk it up as a loss and send a new box? Well intentioned, fairly new trader here.

    Cheers.
     
    #1 BigIronH, Dec 16, 2021
    Shanex, SFACRKnight, Resistance88 and 2 others like this.
  2. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Pooh-Bah (1,557) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    In normal times?... maybe like 2-3 weeks. Right now, when COVID is ramping up and holidays are causing issues?... I'd personally give it at least double that. Reasonable minds may differ on this.

    I'll also note that in my experience UPS/FedEx have been prompt and normal, while USPS is facing the bulk of the lags.
     
    #2 William_Navidson, Dec 16, 2021
    Shanex, 12ArmedGoon, capnmike and 5 others like this.
  3. William_Navidson

    William_Navidson Pooh-Bah (1,557) May 1, 2015 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Will just briefly add, also, that I think (and others have echoed this) is that you and your partner are on the same page about what you constitute as “reasonable” and that you’re able to maintain communication throughout… I’m not saying you need to check in every few days, but going zero dark thirty for weeks when there’s an outstanding package is a bad look.
     
    #3 William_Navidson, Dec 16, 2021
    Affinity, Beer_Economicus, TurkeysDrinkBeer and 2 others like this.
  4. BigIronH

    BigIronH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,762) Oct 31, 2019 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Completely agreed here. We are in pretty constant communication but neither of us were really sure how long we should wait to consider it a loss. Thanks for your response. Cheers.
     
    #4 BigIronH, Dec 16, 2021
    TurkeysDrinkBeer and William_Navidson like this.
  5. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I know the shipping world is going to hell (again) but 10 days would well exceed my patience level. I'd call today. Good luck!
     
    #5 maximum12, Dec 16, 2021
    Shanex, 4DAloveofSTOUT, Resistance88 and 1 other person like this.
  6. BigIronH

    BigIronH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,762) Oct 31, 2019 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’ve already called. But, it’s still not marked lost or undeliverable. It says in transit/arriving late. Again, I’ve been in constant contact with my trading partner. I was considering the idea I should resend but I didn’t know if I was jumping the gun. And if I do, then there’s the possibility that both packages arrive. What’s the case at that point?
     
    #6 BigIronH, Dec 16, 2021
    Shanex and maximum12 like this.
  7. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    As others have already stated, these aren't ordinary times (pandemic, holidays, etc.). Even so, at this point I'd be concerned. You didn't mention where your trading partner lives, but even if it's out in "Timbuktu," 10 days is long enough that I'd start to be a bit worried. I guess I'd give USPS a couple more days, but if the package hasn't arrived by Monday I'd start calling the help desk for an explanation.

    Don't mean to be overly pessimistic, but obviously the longer your package is "in transit," the more likely something can go wrong.
     
    #7 John_M, Dec 16, 2021
    Shanex, Resistance88 and BigIronH like this.
  8. BigIronH

    BigIronH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,762) Oct 31, 2019 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    No doubt. I’m gonna get on the horn again as soon as I get home and try to get this hammered out. For more clarity, I’m shipping to Los Angeles. But the tracking updates never made it farther than Detroit. Thanks for the insight.
     
    #8 BigIronH, Dec 16, 2021
  9. bret27

    bret27 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,064) Mar 10, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    USPS is so inconsistent.
    I recently had 1 can break. They repackaged all the others and included an apology note.
    A different package they seized it and are asking me to write a formal letter allowing them to dispose, because it’s against policy.
     
    #9 bret27, Dec 16, 2021
    Shanex, Rug, Resistance88 and 2 others like this.
  10. BigIronH

    BigIronH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,762) Oct 31, 2019 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That’s awful to hear. I’ve sent 15~ packages in the last year and all but one through USPS. All have arrived safe and sound, and usually a day or two early. This is the one and only exception. I can’t help but think it’s got something to do with the holidays. Regardless, I know I’ve got to get it figured out. Cheers.
     
    #10 BigIronH, Dec 16, 2021
  11. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Again, that's a bit worrisome as well. I assume Detroit is probably a huge USPS shipping hub, with likely thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of packages processed there each day. I would assume that number likely goes up exponentially during the holiday season.

    Given the time frame you describe, my guess is that your package has probably been mislaid. USPS likely doesn't want to admit that, and is hopeful that at some point someone at the shipping center will happen upon your package and send it on its way. I would surmise that there's probably a very good chance of that happening as well, though it may well be after the holiday crush.

    Really hope everything works out for you, but unfortunately I think there's every reason to be a bit concerned at this point. Good luck!
     
    #11 John_M, Dec 16, 2021
    Shanex, Resistance88 and BigIronH like this.
  12. BlackToothGrin

    BlackToothGrin Devotee (395) Dec 15, 2015 Florida
    Trader

    Ouch, I hope this story ends well and there's no "crush" involved.
     
    #12 BlackToothGrin, Dec 16, 2021
    Rug, Resistance88, BigIronH and 1 other person like this.
  13. BigIronH

    BigIronH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,762) Oct 31, 2019 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Definitely concerned. Which is the reason I posted this thread. I have every intention of fulfilling the trade and ending up in the best possible scenario. With that being said, I’m still relatively inexperienced and wanted to get a consensus. It seems patience levels vary greatly amongst traders. Regardless, I have come to an agreement with my partner on what we will do and a time frame we should go by. Thanks for your response. Cheers.
     
    #13 BigIronH, Dec 17, 2021
    TurkeysDrinkBeer, William_Navidson and John_M like this.
  14. Edms79

    Edms79 Devotee (362) Jun 18, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    If something broke and usps is kind enough to repackage it it will take a few weeks easy. That said, I have 2 packages that have been “in transit” for a few years now so you never know. Good luck
     
    #14 Edms79, Dec 17, 2021
    Resistance88, BigIronH and Lorddevn like this.
  15. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Realistically, resending right now is just throwing another log on the fire. Obviously you and your trade partner need to come to your own conclusion but if it were me I would wait until Christmas has passed to resend anything
     
    #15 unlikelyspiderperson, Dec 17, 2021
    Shanex, capnmike, Resistance88 and 5 others like this.
  16. BigIronH

    BigIronH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,762) Oct 31, 2019 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Funny you should say, because after discussing it; that’s exactly what we can to as well. Cheers
     
    #16 BigIronH, Dec 17, 2021
    Resistance88, Rustytacos, TurkeysDrinkBeer and 1 other person like this.
  17. Montanabeerz

    Montanabeerz Savant (1,073) Oct 31, 2016 Montana
    Trader

    I had a USPS package sent to me that disappeared for a full month and randomly showed up one day, everything intact. This was Xmas time a couple years ago. Just a data point. As others have mentioned, it being the holidays, weather delays, tornados in the south, shortage of truck drivers and workers in general, I would just sit tight on things for a little bit. Hopefully your package reappears, sorry to hear about the trouble with it.
     
    #17 Montanabeerz, Dec 17, 2021
    Shanex, BigIronH and Resistance88 like this.
  18. eawolff99

    eawolff99 Pooh-Bah (2,422) May 10, 2010 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Last year I was doing a trade with a new-ish trader who was sending me the crown jewel of his cellar (CTM’18; and he couldn’t replace it) and it took I think like 3+ weeks, he was on pins and needles but boxes were just stock piled in warehouses and I think they where LIFO and it just was bad timing. Box eventually landed in perfect shape but what we were in super close contact, ended up being a super great guy and we stay in contact to this day. Just be patient is my advice - stay in close contact. Be kind and forgiving and thoughtful and it’s just beer - we’ll all be ok.
     
    #18 eawolff99, Dec 18, 2021
    TurkeysDrinkBeer, Resistance88, Beer_Economicus and 1 other person like this.
  19. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I haven't been on BA in days due to work, and I'm a bit too wiped to read through this, but I wanted to add one key piece of information:

    Did your package go 'missing' in Chicago? Chicago is a black hole for USPS. I haven't had anything ever get lost, and I have sent LOTS of packages to Chicago via USPS...BUT, it seems like there are often delays in/around Chicago.
     
    #19 Beer_Economicus, Dec 18, 2021
    Resistance88, Rug and bret27 like this.
  20. bret27

    bret27 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,064) Mar 10, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I literally made a meme a year or so back addressing this very fact.
    [​IMG]
     
    #20 bret27, Dec 19, 2021
    Shanex, JohnnyHopps, Resistance88 and 6 others like this.
Page 1 of 2
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.