8mm Forum: Is postage taking longer?

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Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 27, 2011, 09:02 PM:

Dan Lail's recent topic reminded me of something that has been on my mind as of late ...

Is post taking longer than it used to and if so, why?

I recently sent off to Patrick McGrath an ebay auction my wife did. Now, we live in Idaho and Patrick lives in sunny California (well, I hope it's sunny today).

Now, i did send it by media mail, but it was only going down two states to California, a short route with few stops on the way, and the danged thing still took almost a full three weeks.

What gives on that? Now, I know that any number of things can slow down overseas packages. I have two packages coming from South Africa by thier slow form of mail, and that can take (whew) a good two months, not too mention if customs wants to be a pain in the arse ...

but three weeks for three states distance?

I wonder if they have cut down on employees so much that there simply not as many as are needed to adequetely move the post in an adequete way?

comments, ladies and gentlemen?

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on March 28, 2011, 06:49 PM:

When media mail is used it is the last to be put on the truck if there is and room at all. In fact, it would be put on the next truck if the other is full. Media mail was originated for heavier item such as 16mm film etc. Media mail can take up 5 weeks but seldom does. And the fact that postal employees have been cut through out the US and you have a delivery problen with the lower class mail. It will get there but not as fast as we may like. I have had media mail in the same state take more than a week to get here. So you figure it out.

Posted by Joerg Polzfusz (Member # 602) on March 30, 2011, 04:35 AM:

... and don't forget that all your shipments are x-rayed, disinfected, tested, read, examined, ... to prevent you from shipping Anthrax, bombs or terroristic manuals. This all takes time! [Big Grin]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 30, 2011, 10:36 AM:

I've often thought that as well. My two packages coming from South Africa might be the "red flag" type of packages.

Two packages from South Africa and to the same guy, Egad, what mischief is this person up to?

What makes matters worse is that they are old super 8 catridge films, in the catridge, and most postal workers these days may not have even grown up with super 8, and super 8 in cartridges? Could that be an explosive device?

Hmmmm, could there be secret government papers on that film?

All joking aside, it is a very paranoid world we live in today, and in some ways, it's necessary, as we have seen from some folks who like to send bombs and such material in the mail.

Though there's the funny side of me, thinking of being hauled into some national security meeting over my packages ...

What is this citizen?
It's super 8 film.
... and just what is this super 8 film?
It's film that is super 8, sir.
You trying to be funny citizen?
No, the guage is super 8.
What is this "guage" citizen?
Huh?
What are you en-guaged in here citizen?
Ummm, celluloid madness? (chuckle)
Your not chuckling?
Is there anything funny in guage, citizen?
Look, it's just film ...
Film of what citizen?
(sigh) old films from years ago. Stories.
Stories ...
Yes.
Stories on film?
You got it.
Not on DVD? Why not on DVD sir?
You got me.

Yes we do, your under arrest!

... or someting like that!

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 30, 2011, 11:53 AM:

Nothing to do with the time it may or may not be taking with postage but UK fees are due to rise next week.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 30, 2011, 12:36 PM:

Yeesh, Lee!

One of the reasons why I rarely buy from Derann or overseas in general is the cost of shipping the item which is often almost as much as the thing I want to buy, and now it's going to go up again? Erg!

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on March 30, 2011, 03:38 PM:

I did a whole raft of eBay sales late last year and had no shipping problems at all, including a few Media Mail packages. All of them arrived at reasonable times, so I'd say the 3 weeks is an anomaly.

A few years ago I bought something shipped Media Mail with tracking. It arrived at a local distribution center and got put on the wrong truck. Then, several days later, it got scanned in Minneapolis! Well, eventually I got it in good shape, but it was mildly amusing to watch my pachage's national tour.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 30, 2011, 09:18 PM:

Just recieved a film today from Derann which was posted nine days ago, all I can add is, thats brilliant service you cant ask for better from a business thats over 12000 miles away [Big Grin]

Graham.

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