Why is mail taking so long?

[Jaffer]

Hello! This has happened twice this year, and it is bothering me. On two occasions now, I have received something from the USA very late. They were both postmarkedin the US late July, yet I got one in late September, and one in November. Can anyone think of a reason for this?

[osiris]

Post usually takes an average of 14-22 days. Sometimes it can take longer. There's no particular "reason" for it. Postal times are never guaranteed. I've had items sent on 1st class (supposed to be 1 day) that came 3-4 days later, and items that were 2nd class (supposed to be 2-3 day) arrive only the day later. Factor in that this is post going to the other side of the world, and you have to realise things could have a delay

[HappinessStan]

Were they sent surface mail instead of airmail?

When I used to send out books they would regularly take three or four months from the UK to Australia/New Zealand if sent surface.

Would explain both the postmarks and the delay?

[morwesong]

I've had the same thing happen to me twice (and I'm in the US). I received a letter the other day that was sent from two states away (which means it should only take a max of 2-4 days), and it was postmarked in early September.

[velvetgold]

Ugh. James. That sucks, BUT at least you are getting your mail ?!

I think the entire postal service has been nuts lately. Several times in recent months, I've sent something via venue one province over, which should not take more than 3 days MAX and have had it RTSed to me over 2 weeks later telling me it didn't get there on time. How is that even possible!?!? My brother did not get his report card on time because something that should have taken one day took 3!! I absolutely cannot stand that some people working at the post just do not take into consideration that some mail may be time sensitive or whatever else. They just sort through and send out what they feel like it when they feel like it, and its not bloody fair! Thanks for reminding me James, that the postal service is a piece of royal shite !!!!

[TheBritishBloke]

These things happen, and if you forget to mark the one in the UK as Airmail, it gets sent as Surface Mail which takes about 2 months.

[johnnylightning]

I have never heard of this before..The more i hear about the us postal system the happier it makes me to be in canada !

[osiris]

These things happen, and if you forget to mark the one in the UK as Airmail, it gets sent as Surface Mail which takes about 2 months.

Possibly yes, but ususally if you have actually paid for Airmail they will notice and send it as such. Only on occasion will they not notice how much you have paid and send it surface.

[Jaffer]

Thanks for the replies guys. I can only presume they failed to notice that the postage was enough for airmail.

[ultimateager]

it could be possible that your items were either misplaced or mis-routed. i shipped an item to hawaii with tracking on it. it went from michigan, to california, to dallas texas, back to california, to hawaii (not the right island) back to california, and then it finally got delivered almost 2 weeks after it should have been.

it cost me paypal disputes which were resolved but it was still a pain.