There have been a number of posts here concerning the U.S. Post Office and quality of service. I have shared before that my experience shipping/receiving bows and equipment with them for years has been quite satisfactory. On Saturday 11/15 at 11:22 A.M. I mailed three tubes and a package Priority Mail/Insured from here in Louisiana and they arrived safe and sound in California yesterday, Monday 11/17. That's hard to beat.

Some prices went down, too. I know it cost more than ten dollars and change to mail a riser priority a couple years ago.

They're the only ones to use!! Cheaper and faster than UPS.

They are the only ones that will take a birthday card from here in remote Montana to Chalreston, S.C. or Austin, Texas, or Jansen, Nebr., or Tucumcari, N.M. for 49 or 50 cents.....

But they still walk across my lawn!

USPS is the only way to go, especially on shipping bows. No carrier is perfect, but I've had far fewer issues with then compared to Fed Ex or UPS.

I ship bows with them all the time. So far no problems and much cheaper the UPS

My orders from 3Rivers were delivered quick. On my rural route they don't leave at mail box on road but bring to my door. Very pleased.

Sorry to tell you guys ,FED -EX hauls the mail, after 911 switched to them as courier ,only the carrier is postal,all others involved contracted out,how do I know ,retired plant manager for USPS,2007.

Tony what are the 18 wheel tractor/trailer rigs marked U.S.P.S. on the side carrying? For many years part of the delivery system has been contracted out, but I was informed it was the airline part of the delivery system. If in fact Fed-Ex "hauls the mail" then their most competent employees must be on the U.S.P.S. payroll as the reason I personally stopped using Fed-Ex as well as UPS were major delivery snafus with both.

Finally some decent reviews on U.S.P.S. service! Thanks a bunch guys! Every large service industry has it's "down side," that's the nature of the beasts. We are human and far from perfect, if the world were perfect we wouldn't need 99% of the stuff we do. Thanks again for the uplifting posts. A long retired postal employee.

Well..I have shipped ( and received) many a valuable item VIA our U.S.P.S and NEVER had a problem..

The folks who work there do a fine job..Jim

Yep only because you will never know how many people I have had to terminate their career for theft.

Tony, they actually did that in the sorting facilities? Wow! I'm an RCA on a AUX route in ND

Tony...Reckon you have worked with the US postal srvice a bit..

Never enjoyable to terminate or prosecute an employee for crimial acts..:)

I managed a huge crew over many years..( NOT USPS) and NEVER had to do that..

But then..I also interviewed them initially, HIRED THEM..monitored them..knew their histories and families..and we liked and respected one another...

Gonna find some bad apples in every hundred tons of apples..but my experiences over many years is that the USPS does a good job..Jim

I've never had a problem with USPS when ordering from the states and having delivery to Canada. Ups, on the other hand, ends up costing as much for shipping as it did for the item and delivery is no faster. Can't complain.

I was a commercial fly tyer for a number of years with accounts all across the United States and parts of Canada. The ONLY source that was dependable day in and day out was the US Postal Service.

I tried all other methods.....none of them were nearly as good.

Now if only the USPS wouldn't place a******s in the position of Station Manager or in the Greenville, SC area the interim Postmaster.

As a retired postal employee its gratifying to hear the great comments .

The reason some packages and mail is contracted to UPS and Fed X [as well as private airlines] is that UPS and Fed x lobbyists have convinced Congress to forbid USPS from buying their own planes. Termed: unfair competition.

I think (although it will probably never happen,) that each and every person that is in any management position should have started at the bottom rung of the employee ladder and should have to had work their way to middle and upper management if that is their goal. But then I also think that I should be a millionaire.

Sounds great, cyrille....but you can't fill 'diversity quotas' that way.

USPS is getting very expensive, but better than the others. I trust them to get my packages out in a timely manner and in good condition. I have gotten packages from UPS that were demolished. I know someone who used to work for UPS who said "Fragile" was like a red flag to a bull in the receiving area. The guys would see how far they could kick the package. From what I have received, this is totally evident to me. Judging by the posts (for years) on here, I would say that is very common for a lot of us. Do a search here and judge for yourself.

I've read numerous complaints about the USPS here on the 'Wall. I can only speak about my own experiences with them. To me, the USPS sets the standard by which all the other carriers are judged. I use to deal with UPS almost exclusively when I was trying to start a business out of my house. There were problems, broken packages, misplaced packages, slow pick ups(in California). After being disgusted with their service, I started using the USPS, and have been very satisfied overall. One complaint; the tracking. You should be able to track anything within 24 hours.

Daniel a nitwit can be encountered anywhere but I can attest to the fact that my local Post Office delivers mail to me addressed Jim, Jimmy, James or James S. Wright and still delivers it to me even if addressed to the old street address which was changed by the city to a new one 4 months ago.

Shucks..My daughter sent a thank you card to her Mom and me last week.. It was addressed:

Mom & Dad Fetrow..with our address and zip..:)

I think..like most outfits..that the USPS has some folks who are more talented and attentive than others..

We are fortunate that where we live..we know and are known by our mail carriers.. Occasionally..I get something in the mail box that is destined for my neighbor..I don't return it to the USPS....

I simply walk down the street and deliver it myself..:)Only takes a few minutes and gives me a chance to see them now and again..:)Jim

Yeah send me a bow from CA USA to Australia via Denmark ,Norway ,Sweden and France.I would have thought that the pacific route would be quicker and probably cheaper too.Hey at least it arrived intact but 1 1/2 weeks late.Don't worry Australia post is just as bad at times too. OSR

Yeah send me a bow from CA USA to Australia via Denmark ,Norway ,Sweden and France.I would have thought that the pacific route would be quicker and probably cheaper too.Hey at least it arrived intact but 1 1/2 weeks late.Don't worry Australia post is just as bad at times too. OSR

you know what used to peeve me... As I stated earlier I'm long retired from the U.S.P.S. Postal patrons that write directly on the piece of mail or parcel if it was delivered to their address by error. With all the "stick-em" note pads available the person(s) that receive a piece of mail by mistake could advise the carrier using a sheet from one instead of writing directly on the piece of mail delivered.... The carrier didn't leave it at the wrong address on purpose!

Cyrille, remember UAA written on a piece of mail?

I shipped a bow a couple of months ago to Australia the guy emailed me 5 days later and said he had the bow !! My friend Lenny Rock from Cleveland Ohio sent a xmas card with the only address as Tim Finley ,Oberon North Dakota and I got it no zip code or address. Very good service, just don't ship bows in tubes....Tim

I have had very good service from USPS for many years. We live out yonder and the delivery people really drive through snow, sleet, hail, rain, heat, floods, fires and anything else thrown at them. I can walk out to the mailbox at 2:00 and my wife's catalogs are there. If it's a package that won't fit in the box, they bring it to the door. They deliver out of a small post office that services a huge area without a lot of people.

We had to evacuate our home 2 years ago because of a serious forest fire and the lady who runs the post office called and offered to take us into her home. Our insuranc company took care of us so we didn't have to accept the offer, but it points out what kind of people they are.

Over the years, my sweet wife has left goodies in the mailbox sometimes as a treat and we make sure to give a Christmas card and a small cash tip.

The UPS service has also been great with service right to the door.

FEDEX? Not bad, but not as good.

I sent a take down recurve to Black Widow for reconditioning.Went to UPS first. They wanted $40.00 to ship it. Went to USPS and had it shipped for $8.00 !!! USPS all the way.Always happy with USPS!!!

you know when i started buying selling bows 35 odd years ago ups was the only way fast reliable . now it the worst way i can think of . i know a guy that works for ups and i asked him why cant ups get my bows shipped without demolishing the box his replay was why cant ups ship anything without demolishing it . also he does not use ups so if an employee does not use them what in the world does that tell you . i have YET to get a bow that does not have the box bent because it is to long some were in there system .but you know we all piss and moan but ups is crazy busy

I get bows via USPS, no problems to here in B.C.

Just the wait at border is all.

Cyrille, remember UAA written on a piece of mail? Cannot remember ever seeing that particular notice written directly on a piece of mail. I don't even know what that means. But do definitely recall "DELIVERED TO WRONG ADDRESS" boldly scrawled on envelopes.

UAA - UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED

I've allowed myself a few USPS grumbles here on LW, but my frustration has never been with the guys walking the street, driving the trucks, or behind the counters at the local P.O.'s. Also, I don't question those who say that USPS is the most affordable-- I use them too, and yes, it's a huge privilege to live someplace where you can send almost anything to almost anyone, anywhere.

However... if you ever have to go through the frustration of having a bow lost or broken, and fighting your way through all the garbage that goes with filing a claim-- I guarantee that you will give them something short of an A+ for customer service. Grumbling is how we let them know there's room for improvement.

Right on crookedstix! I shipped a set of limbs to a gentleman in NY on Sept. 2 and they never arrived, so I put tracer on them and found out they never arrived at the terminal in my state that ship to NY, I did all of the paper work and submitted it to the USPS, and they want proof of the value of the limbs! I only insured them for $250. I set them proof yesterday, now I will see what happens Pretty soon it will be three months since they lost my limbs.

IF you want to insure something you are shipping:

It's important that you have pictures..and some sort of documentation that verifies the value of the item insured..

Something as simple and a bill of sale for what you paid for the item is better than nothing..

IN CASE you need to file a claim if the package is damaged or lost..

Good packageing is most important.. IF you need to file a claim..Go to the USPS locally and be polite but persistent..

I've sent & received many items via USPS over the years.. Never had to file a claim..

When I was about 6 years old, USPS delivered two baby alligators into my mailbox ( from Florida) in good condition..

Ordered them thru an ad in Field & Stream magazine.. Raised those small gators for over 5 years..in Maryland..:) Finally donated them to the Thurmont Reptile Farm above Frederick..:) Jim

Something as simple as a bill of sale. Well wrong Jim still fighting with PO to get paid they said not enough documentation. I sent additional documentation and the guy I sent it to dropped the ball.

They do what they want and theres no governing power. They break things and loose things all the time maybe your numbers haven;t come up yet that they do it to you.

Filed 2 claims in 1 year and non got resolved yet. Difficulty getting through its all done through snail mail it sux their claims department is criminal.

Glenn, sorry for your poor experience.. Like many businesses..there are competent attentive people working there and some who simply don't care.. I've apparently dealt with those who DO care..:)..Jim

Having issues again with usps and a little worried. Bought a bear td green stripe from North Pole Alaska. The bow shipped on the 17th and no tracking updates since it left there. ETA is the 4th. Unfotunately the guy shipped standard post. Have contacted usps to open a investigation. Told them I DO NOT want this bow to end up at a Georgia auction. My local postal worker said that there are 3 cases alone in my town of lost items right now. She has told me service has really gone down hill. I was also telling her about an incident that could have cost me big! An ebay sale of a Grumley to CA. The delivery person didn't do a stop scan of the $1400 insured package. If the buyer was not honest they could have filed a claim and won. The postal worker told me that there is a person in the next town over who does this regularly on ebay. If tracking is not right "she" files an ebay claim. Just be careful people. Click and ship is easier, but I think I am going to go UPS on high dollar items from now on.

Good luck just trying to get a Post Office to answer the phone, let alone them helping with a lost bow.

I bought a PSR takedown from a guy at the WidowWall and he shipped it with USPS. On the 3rd day it arrived at Frankfurt Airport over here in Germany and was forwarded to the Customs Office at the airport the same day. Online tracking worked fine. After that it took 3 weeks to forward the bow to the local customs agency in my hometown - the carrier was German DHL ... So USPS did great job, German DHL messed it up. Can you imagine how pi.... off I was knowing the bow is less than 30miles away and you can't get hold of it!?!

Never had a issue with USPS

Usually don't have a problem. However, I just received my bow from Idaho yesterday. Only took twelve days. Priority 2 day insured. And they do employ sub contractors. Apparently some aren't as reliable as others.

USPS for me. Never had any issues. Ken

they are always one day over their scheduled arrival day , other than that no problems

"Right on crookedstix! I shipped a set of limbs to a gentleman in NY on Sept. 2 and they never arrived, so I put tracer on them and found out they never arrived at the terminal in my state that ships to NY, I did all of the paper work and submitted it to the USPS, and they want proof of the value of the limbs! I only insured them for $250. I sent them proof yesterday, now I will see what happens Pretty soon it will be three months since they lost my limbs."

Just an update, after sending the entire info to USPS,(several times!) they refuse to pay me the insured value! All that they will tell me is that they are declining my claim.

Living in Canada I have had terrible service with UPS when bringing things in from the states. I have had great success with USPS and now when I make a purchase a condition is the seller ship it by USPS.

I still have hope for my bow to come , last reported scan was on the 23rd of nov 2016 . priority mail , what a joke . That bows most likely on ebay by a postal worker .

I dunno.. The local folks are pretty good, we get Pugsley out here subbing on occasion. Think the kid,s heart is in the right place, but it,s kinda like a Christmas gift exchange,head over to the neighbours with their mail, wonder who might show up with your,s...

Federal Way, on the other hand, has pretty much turned into the black hole of the postal system last couple years. The place where things sit. And sit. Kent gives a little run for their money, but not quite there yet.

Had a parcel shipped out November second from a guy that builds wool packs. The destination was Ketchikan, Alaska. It left Montana, made it to Federal Way, then got shipped to New Jersey. Back to Federal Way, and off to New Jersey again. Third landing at Federal Way, it finally made it,s way north.

Everything was pretty clearly labelled. If this was a one time thing, I,d be inclined to keep my mouth shut. It is not.

Pretty much I send anymore, make sure I hang onto the tracking number.

I received a Paper Wasp nest in the mail from Pa. Came through with out an issue! Could have been luck!

I always specify USPS and basically everything I buy comes from the US via USPS. Never lost a package save one book from the Outdoor Life Book Club over 40 years ago. Whatever the reason is though, the price for exports is risin like at least 50% a year. There are probably multiple reasons for it, like the fact that virtually nobody is willing to send anything without tracking these days.

Ironically most of the stuff I order within the US is free shipping in the lower 48.

I got 4 bows recently from various sources including a few from the Classifieds here. Everything went flawlessly. I don't even think about the time it takes, all the email part of a transaction used to be by letter post in the not that distant past.

check out govdeals.com you might win a bid on a bow ! They don't list whts in the bins , seen some guns and guitars

As Kwykstyk said, I have had good luck with USPS as well but.......

The hold up from our customs service can be a little bit trying.

Still waiting for a string from Walla Walla, mailed on Nov 15.

Here lately the USPS has out performed UPS in my area, UPs keeps delivering my stuff to my Dad's house. I know this is not a reflection on the co nation wide, I've had good service in the past. Must be the local terminal drivers that cant read addresses correctly.

The USPS is one of the few government agencies that functions properly overall.

I'm another fan of USPS and use them exclusively for bows.

I received 2 bows in the mail on Friday (one mailed from Buffalo, NY on Tuesday and the other mailed from N.C. on Wednesday). Both traveled to me in Auburn, WA by priority mail insured...and in perfect condition.

If packed properly and sent priority mail insured, your odds of a successful transaction are definitely in your favor.

How much is the USPS in the RED with our tax money?

US Postal Service: Over $47 Billion In Losses In The Past Decade And ...

U.S. Post Office gets an $18 billion gift from taxpayers every year

USPS: great service for years never had a problem the loses have to do with pension funding.

Clear the swamp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Close the Gov. down make them get a better insurance company and make them accountable! Period!!!!

Crooks.gov

They are good with thier service.

The USPS is actually one of the few gov functions that's allowed according to the constitution that our founders drafted. Cant say the same for 90% of the rest of gov involvement in the private sector.

UPS Gold Medal, USPS Silver Medal, FexEx does not even qualify to compete let alone get on the podium.

Awards based on my personal experience. USPS can be a crap shoot. Never a problem with UPS. Don't even wanna talk about the other.

USPS is all I will use these days. But I always us Priority. UPS has just gotten to expensive for my taste.

I have good service from USPS unless the package is switched off from FedX to be delivered by the USPS. Add 2-5 days every time.

Yes good service, and quick too. about $17-$21 for a 64" bow

Old thread...

USPS is the only $$ reasonable means of getting stuff to/from the islands so I am happy to use it. If the service wasn't at least as good as the othee choices (and often half the price!) then I might do otherwise.

A well packaged item with click n ship postage is practically guaranteed to get where it's going.

The volume of mail they handle (still) is mind numbing and if some of our tax $ gets to them yearly then I will certainly capitalize on my hard earned (even if "reappropriated") investment.

In my experience, USPS seems to more carefully handle bow tubes/boxes than than the other two major carriers. That doesn't prove anything, but it's why I prefer to use USPS.

It gets stickier than that Neotrad-

A portion of carrying USPS stuff in some places is done by the other guys- and I'm sure the postal service is charged handsomely by them for that. What portion of that deficit goes to the private sector every year I wonder.

Makes it even more ironic that the private sector often does no better of a job delivering safely and timely then, isn't it? In probably 30 bows the only one that ever got to me damaged was carried by UPS.

Tax money subsidizing the USPS is the least of our problems when it comes to the fed gov.

USPS is easily the better bargain price-wise and I've gotten good service. Having said that any shipper can disappoint. I've had damaged goods, misdelivered goods, lost items, etc from USPS and UPS. We don't live in a pefect world.

Well its official got delivered an empty pvc tube , they took the time to tape it back up though , US Mail . Now a 3 month wait for compensation . Keep your eyes out for Alaska custom Bow works longbow left handed

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