Finding a lost package on the weekend - USPS

June 22, 2013 10:09 AM

Hi all, this is a far fetched question, but I'm hoping that someone here has an idea of what I can do. I shipped some fish out to Spokane, WA from New Berlin, WI Thursday afternoon, using express mail. The package did not arrive. I've contacted the 1800 number and opened a "research" case on it, but haven't heard anything. Today's latest news was nothing new. I'm hoping to try and chase the package down myself, as I or the receiver are willing to drive where ever it is stuck and get it ourselves.

The 800 number has been less than helpful. I was even hung up on by a supervisor after I pressed him if there was any additional action they could take, like calling the sorting facility directly, or calling the research department. Mind you, there was no yelling, nor was it a heated discussion, he just repeated the same thing to all the questions I had then after the third time, hung up.

Anyway, I'm trying to see what I can do to track down where the hell the package is. The 800 number said that it flew out of Milwaukee, WI at 7am-ish yesterday (though strangely, 3 different people have given me 3 different times). Online tracking only shows it's at the sorting facility. I called my post office directly, and spoke to the postmaster, who has been the most helpful so far. She said only that it was dispatched from the main post office at that time, not that it necessarily made it on to the plane. She called the receiving post office and they haven't got it either.

So, does anyone know a way to navigate my way around this system? If we could find out where they are, either one of us will go and get it. I'm thinking now based on the descriptions that they likely haven't left Milwaukee, WI, but have no idea how to get ahold of the person I need to to confirm it/find it/figure out where the package is. I'm hoping someone familiar with the postal system (maybe a postal employee, former or current), sees this and has an extra tip as to how I might get ahold of the sorting facility here and in Spokane. I'm desperate to find the package because it does contain live animals, and I don't think they'll survive until Monday.

posted by [insert clever name here] to Travel & Transportation (6 answers total)

I guess I'd try the New Berlin office again, see if they have any new information or know who to call in Milwaukee. Visiting in person may be better than calling. I'd have the recipient try the same at their local PO, on the chance that it's already there but isn't in the system.
posted by mgar at 12:00 PM on June 22, 2013

We've both talked to the post offices today, and my post office called the one in WA, indicating they already got their express mail for the day, and the package was not among those that were sent out, nor was it in the back somewhere.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 12:16 PM on June 22, 2013

Your package could have been misdelivered and they don't know what happened to it yet (USPS is kinda terrible when it comes to package tracking compared to the other delivery services, in my experience) or damaged in transit or it could be in a stack in the back somewhere and nobody wants to stop what they're currently doing to root around for it. Whatever the case, you'll have a better chance at getting results if both of you show up to your respective post offices and politely insist on some answers. It's much easier for grumpy, tired employees to brush someone off over the phone than if you're standing a few feet from them and making your "I'm not leaving until this gets resolved" face. Good luck -- I hope your fish are okay.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 1:23 PM on June 22, 2013

Did you end up finding out what happened?
posted by drezdn at 6:46 AM on June 25, 2013

Package arrived that Monday, fish were dead. Between myself and the person receiving the fish, we think it was stuck at my local airport. The 1-800 number for USPS was less than helpful. I talked to the PostMaster at my local post office and she seemed to try to be helpful, but in the end couldn't find anything more out. They should have arrived Saturday if the Friday delivery wasn't met since the receivers destination did get Saturday mail. And that's what we were both told. But of course Saturday rolled around and the package never arrived.

All around turned me off to USPS. I've had surprisingly good experience over the years. but in a matter of a week had a bunch of delays and other problems. And I was given the run around for getting a refund on express postage until after the 30 days to claim were up. The entire thing was very disappointing and disheartening.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 11:12 PM on July 22, 2013

Thanks for the update.
posted by drezdn at 6:56 AM on July 23, 2013