Shipping parts to Canada via USPS journey

[Grumpy old man]

Sometimes I just have to shake my head in wonder who picks the route ? Shipped a set of 67 vent windows from Knoxville heading North But for some reason they decided to send the package to Miami for the weekend ? About 900 miles South ? It's no wonder why shipping costs are climbing ? almost doubling the total distance to 3981 miles



International Transit

Departed

FORT LAUDERDALE, UNITED STATES

September 25, 2022, 11:08 am


Departed

MIAMI, UNITED STATES

September 25, 2022, 4:00 am

Arrived

MIAMI, UNITED STATES

September 25, 2022, 2:15 am

Departed USPS Regional Facility

MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

September 24, 2022, 2:54 pm

Processed Through Regional Facility

MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

September 24, 2022, 2:54 pm

Arrived at Regional Facility

MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

September 24, 2022, 2:54 pm

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

MIAMI FL INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

September 24, 2022, 9:33 am

Departed USPS Regional Facility

KNOXVILLE TN DISTRIBUTION CENTER

September 23, 2022, 3:55 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

KNOXVILLE TN DISTRIBUTION CENTER

September 22, 2022, 8:43 pm

Departed Post Office

KNOXVILLE, TN 37938

September 22, 2022, 5:10 pm

USPS in possession of item

KNOXVILLE, TN 37938

September 22, 2022, 2:24 pm

[FleetsidePaul]

Maybe the vent windows wanted a Cuban sandwich and a sun tan? That was mighty nice of USPS to send them there for free. How do I get that deal?

[joedoh]

you might not believe it but people sometimes lie on the customs form about contents and customs value.

[mongocanfly]

I had a package once that made the trip from Nashville to Birmingham to Atlanta back to Nashville..about 5 times.. it was like a tennis game.. sad thing was I live just off the interstate between Nashville and Birmingham..it went by my house 5x before I got it...
They did send me a letter later on apologizing for mis-shipping my package

[Sheepdip]

I actually asked a gal at the post office once as to why all this crazy shipping to everywhere except where its actually going. Her answer was "Distribution Centers"

I live in a small town with a local P.O., if I send my next door neighbor a post card it goes from my local P.O. to Stockton 40 miles north, which is where the nearest distribution center is, then 40 miles back to my local P.O. for delivery to next door.

Makes no sense to me/us, but it does to the government.

[mongocanfly]

when Mom worked at the post office they presorted mail..all the local mail stayed local...times have changed

[FleetsidePaul]

My latest was I had a small package in my mailbox along with a slip to pick up a package at the Post Office. Nothing new. They're afraid of my dog. Which I totally understand but the old guy that used to deliver the mail would walk right up and could care less about Duke's antics. The dog is behind a fence. I think that he retired and the new people won't do it. I have to drive and go get my packages now.

So I go to the Post Office and give them the slip. They tell me the package was delivered. It turns out that it was the small package with the slip on top of it telling me to pick it up. Thanks for wasting my time.

[kwmech]

Out of the Country shipments (since covid) now go to shipping hubs for distribution. If I send anything overseas or for that matter anything out of the states it automatically goes to Los Angeles first. Even if it's going to Canada

[special-K]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Out of the Country shipments (since covid) now go to shipping hubs for distribution. If I send anything overseas or for that matter anything out of the states it automatically goes to Los Angeles first. Even if it's going to Canada

That could be the rational explanation in this case. But how rational is sending a package way south that's going way north when I am certain there would be many hubs to run through to the north.

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by special-K

That could be the rational explanation in this case. But how rational is sending a package way south that's going way north when I am certain there would be many hubs to run through to the north.

There is nothing rational about it. But since when has the government ever been rational? But they got nothing on my ex wife when it come to wasting money and that's really saying something.

Funny thing. My ex works for the government. Perfect match!

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by special-K

That could be the rational explanation in this case. But how rational is sending a package way south that's going way north when I am certain there would be many hubs to run through to the north.

I get it, I ship something out to Canada, it takes a 500 miles journey to the south first, then on a plane back up north to the destination.

[MJN]

Its not just the post office, other shipping companies do the same thing by routing to a major hub or DC. I've always had good luck with the USPS domestically and internationally. I just sent a hood emblem to Australia, filled out the customs paperwork online, took it to our local post office and away it went. No issues and it was delivered two weeks later even though it sat in Chicago for a week going through customs I presume. I've had more issues with FedEx than any of them with delays or missing tracking info.

[72c20customcamper]

Might be that the Miami International hub is the closest hub for international shipping .

[FleetsidePaul]

Well I had another one. I bought a little portable air compressor because my old one decided it had lived long enough after 2 years. Quality Chinese workmanship right there folks.
So I get an undeliverable notice from UPS. Who I usually have no problem with but it seems they gave it to USPS to deliver. And I have a big problem with USPS. They have a problem with my dog. Only this time it's different. My dog isn't even there. He's at my other house. There are no dogs there and the gate is wide open. The Post Office sissy boy didn't even look.

When I was a Meter Reader I had to go in backyards with all kinds of dogs, and jump fences. No excuses. (not with my boss) Some of those dogs were pretty scary. But I did it and lived to tell the tale. I never got bit except that dang pesky Chihuahua that nipped my ankle. These Post Office guys are either wimps or lazy or both.

They aren't going to be happy to see me at the Post Office this time.

[special-K]

I ordered a heater blower motor for my Suburban. It came in two days, just as I was told it would. I was not given an alternative to USPS, but I was ok with that. They are the cheapest anyway. I'm still lucky enough to not have these problems others are having. I hope that continues

[Axle]

There are only three incoming hubs for mail into Canada. Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. So depending on how flying is these days and hub locations, florida may be the most direct way in. DHL, FedEx allhave their international hubs in florida as well, and fedex partners with Canada Post, so theres probably a USPS tie-in as well.

[Grumpy old man]

9 Days and counting ...

International Transit

Processed Through Facility

CANADA

September 30, 2022, 4:51 pm


Customs Clearance

CANADA

September 30, 2022, 4:51 pm

[kwmech]

When you shipped USPS you were given 2 tracking numbers---one of them was to the hub and the other was the international number to the customer

[MJN]

I sent some parts north to Alberta via USPS on Oct 5th, so far it shows they made it to the local post office in Canada today (Oct 12) so seven days so far and it was processed through Chicago before heading across the border. The only tracking number my PO told me to use was on the customs slip/mailing label and started with 'LZ'

[Grumpy old man]

The journey started ,

USPS in possession of item

KNOXVILLE, TN 37938

September 22, 2022, 2:24 pm




Delivered

CANADA

October 11, 2022, 10:30 am

So it took 20 days . and traveled 3981 miles .

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by MJN

I sent some parts north to Alberta via USPS on Oct 5th, so far it shows they made it to the local post office in Canada today (Oct 12) so seven days so far and it was processed through Chicago before heading across the border. The only tracking number my PO told me to use was on the customs slip/mailing label and started with 'LZ'

You guys were both shipping to me! I have one other item being sent from a board member which was originally sent much longer ago: I think it might make it here tomorrow. USPS sent it on a tour of the southern US before just... putting it back in the sender's mailbox. He has re-sent it. USPS has its quirks but at least they haven't lost any of my orders, yet.

I'm used to it. The time, the expense, the exchange rate. It is generally worth it for parts I cannot find in Canada, in good condition. I also really appreciate the extra effort the senders in the US have to take in order to send to me. As a Canadian I am used to being told that it isn't worth the sellers time to ship outside of CONUS.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

The journey started ,

USPS in possession of item

KNOXVILLE, TN 37938

September 22, 2022, 2:24 pm




Delivered

CANADA

October 11, 2022, 10:30 am

So it took 20 days . and traveled 3981 miles .

Reminds me of when Bugs Bunny sends some problem dog overseas in a trunk and it comes back stamped for several countries worth of visits, like a visa would.

[Axle]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

You guys were both shipping to me! I have one other item being sent from a board member which was originally sent much longer ago: I think it might make it here tomorrow. USPS sent it on a tour of the southern US before just... putting it back in the sender's mailbox. He has re-sent it. USPS has its quirks but at least they haven't lost any of my orders, yet.

Same here, using USPS/Canada Post to get items from the US has always been reliable for me. Canada Customs on the other hand, has been the bottle neck.

Years ago I bought a service manual set (4 paper back set). It disappeared into the ether. Seller and I both threw our hands up on that one. Nearly a year later I get a box delivered... turns out it was that service manual set. And the best part, the box top was cut open hinge style, not cut open like you would a box along the taped flaps, and one little short piece of "Canada Customs" tape was holding this stack of books in a box. Seller had done good taping job to make sure this thing stayed together, Canada Customs done the bare minimum that took a hope and a prayer (thanks to whoever said that prayer, and to Canada Post!) to keep all the books in that box during its journey without that little piece of customs tape from deciding to say f-it and let those books spill out. Emailed the seller with a guess what just showed up on my door, along with pictures of the box as it arrived.

[72c20customcamper]

FedEx ain’t much better lately . Shipment received by FedEx on the 14th in Kansas City MO . Scheduled deliver was today when I checked on Sunday , now it’s scheduled to arrive the 24th . They must be using the new EV truck for the shipment . I have a complaint as I paid for 3 day ground since it’s in that zone . I know I’ll get the weather and the truck had a flat or the guy ran out of fuel or some other BS excuse

It’s gone from Kansas City MO to Edgerton KS in 4 days . 36 miles

Edit it’s actually on it way to Edgerton from Olathe which is even worse

[kwmech]

Fed Ex isn't really Fed Ex anymore, it is all sub'd out to whoever bids on the route. It gets delivered when they feel like it. I was supposed to have a package last week, then it changed to Saturday, then Sunday?, now it has changed to pending....we'll see if it shows up today