If you are thinking of shipping a flute in the US you can expect problems with the US Post Office. Priority Mail which normally takes 2 to 3 days has been taking anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks. The tracking system is only giving occasional updates so you can go a week or so without knowing where the package is. We've switched to UPS for essential shipments and will wait until after the holidays wherever possible.

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Dave Copley
Loveland, Ohio
www.copleyflutes.com

I've had a package sent UPS "Mail Innovations" recently. UPS transferred it to a Post Office facility less than half an hour from me, and it's been in "pre-shipment" for five days! Good to know that you've switched to UPS for essential shipments; they're much more reliable than USPS these days.

Yes, there are statements on the USPS site that they are overwhelmed (too many packages, not enough staff (Covid)) and one can expect a two or three day delay. I just received a package from them and it arrived three days late. They are game (I've talked to them) but short-tempered.

I was just talking to someone who'd shipped a valuable item via overnight mail on Dec. 3. It was delivered yesterday. USPS had never guaranteed two or three day delivery for Priority, but they've always guaranteed one day shipping. Now overnight is "1-2 days", and it doesn't appear to be guaranteed. My buddy's case was chalked up to Covid difficulties.

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Charlie
Whorfin Woods
One cat short of crazy.

I thought Dave was going to offer to drive them to your door

Well, since I retired from the USPS, I have some thoughts on this. . .or maybe just ventilation. This fine old government service is mandated by the US Constitution. Write to your political representatives, either party, and tell them a.) that you vote, and b.) the PO is an essential service (again as referenced in the US Constitution) and should be run as such.
End of Rant
Bob

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Not everything you can count, counts. And not everything that counts, can be counted

The Expert's Mind has few possibilities.
The Beginner's mind has endless possibilities.
Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi

Hmmm, I don't think I can match that level of service.....

I guess this is not surprising - the combination of higher volumes of particularly parcel mail and the increasing risk of danger to postal employees who are often from among higher-risk populations. Plus Christmas.

We saw some pretty weird aberrations to postal service during our worst times, and we got off a lot lighter than most other countries, due to the dogged perseverance of our State leaders, often against sustained attack from our Federal Government and parts of the press! Can't remember the exact times but it was something like 6 weeks from here to Northern Ireland, while I had paid for 3-5 business days service.

But people's lives are on the line, we can but grin and bear it. OK, the grin isn't mandatory....

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"Only connect!"

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