USPS vs. other carriers - comments

[lilninja]

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What method did you all use to send your apps? I was originally using USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation (to clarify, that is not a tracking service, just a confirmation of delivery). But then one of my secondaries appeared to have been lost in the mail. I sent it out on the 24th of September, and By the first week of October they still hadn't gotten it yet. I called the wonderful people at the post office and they said "Oh, it should have gotten there alerady (no duh)" I checked the status online and it kept telling me it was en route. Finally, I sent another copy via Airborne Express overnight ($13 vs. $5). And then, I just got an email from the school saying the first one was received today and that they would send it back to me with the fee! Grrr. 9/24 to 10/17 for priority mail. Needless to say, I have just spent the extra dollars to send the apps via Airborne since then.

 

[cali79]

I also used USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation and had the same problem 3 times. When I checked status online, it said the package was still on its way a few weeks later. I went to the Post Office and asked them about it. The woman said that sometimes they forget to scan in the package when it is delivered. Eventually, my secondaries and fees did get to the schools, but not in 2-3 days.

I think using a different carrier is probably a good idea, especially if there is a deadline.

 

[SMW]

I've been using USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation as well. I've also had a couple that seemed to be stuck "en route" but luckily those schools cashed my checks within a reasonable amount of time, so I didn't have to re-send anything.

 

[Ronaldinho]

FedEx ground for <600 miles or FedEx 2 business day for others...

 

[jargon124]

I have been using simple US Priority Mail (no delivery confirmation). I have not had any problems. I will stick with the USPS.