Stop misrepresenting the shipping method!!

shintan17

Semi-Pro
Ok, I know there was a thread about this in the past, but I will let my frustration out here anyway. The USPS Priority mail should take only 3-4 BUSINESS DAYS TO anywhere in the US. Yes, it is not guaranteed, but 95% of time the package will reach to you within 4 days. It doesn't matter where the package comes from, or where you live, except probably Hawaii, and Alaska. Last two times when I placed an order, I figured the PRIORITY MAIL would be faster since the UPS ground takes 5 business days, and you know what, the first time took about 5-6 days, and the second time, as I am still waiting for the package...5 SOLID business days already, and still no delivery. And last time when I got the package, there was no USPS or Priority Mail signs on the package at all. I figured it was sent by regular Air Percel post because I know the fact THE PRIORITY MAIL SHOULDN'T TAKE NO MORE THAN 3-4 BUSINESS DAYS. I am a powerseller on e.b.a.y, and I've been using the USPS service for more than 6-7 years, and probably only had one or two problems (longer than 4 days). That's in 7 YEARS.

STOP MISREPRESENTING THE SHIPPING METHOD, PLEASE.
 

hjminard

Rookie
LafayetteHitter makes an excellent point, but I will say on shintan's behalf that USPS Priority Mail has worked quite well when I've used it (me shipping, not receiving) ... generally 2-3 days for anywhere in CONUS. Recently shipped a racquet from Michigan to California and it took 2 days. In my small sample, I have never had a Priority Mail package take longer than 3 days.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
For some reason, Priority Mail seems to take longer from TW than from where I live. UPS Ground takes only one day to reach me from TW, but Priority Mail can take up to a full week. Don't know why as I'm not that far from SLO. Perhaps the post office in SLO is just really slow (no pun intended)? ;)
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
Yep, it's not even the legit priority mail. If you check the USPS website, the priority mail is stated that it should take anywere between 3-4 business days. I got a reponse from the TW saying anywhere between 2-14 days. WTH is that? Even the Priority Mail INTERNATIONAL doesn't take more than 14 days to anywhere in the WORLD. You gotta be kidding.
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
I heartily concur. I've never seen anything like it anywhere on any website business ever. An eßay seller would receive negative feedback for doing that.

Yep, I totally agree with you. The reponse from the TW is just useless. They don't give a s**t at all. The real PM is very reliable and quick (even from Maryland to CA, usually takes 3 business days, and sometimes 4). I know it because I have sent over thousands of packages, and only probably two were delayed. That's it..TWO FREAKING TIMES in 7 years.

Instead of putting it as "PRIORITY MAIL", do it as "AIR PERCEL POST" or whatever. When it comes to the PM, 99% of people think the package will get to you within 3-4 business days, and IT IS STATED IN THE USPS WEBSITE FOR A GOD'S SAKE!! NOT FREAKING 2-14 ? FOURTEEN? ARE YOU KIDDING!!??????
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
FWIW, my packages arrived from TW in Priority Mail packaging. They just took longer than I expected them to.
 

nn

Hall of Fame
one thing is for sure priority mail from TW takes longer compare to item sent from New Jersey or NY.. if you send same day it won't take more than 2 days to reach in CA
 

TW Staff

Administrator
The response from the TW is just useless. They don't give a s**t at all.

You make a thread on a Saturday and expect an immediate response? In order to give you a 100% correct answer, I'll need to consult our shipping department....which I can do on Monday.

BTW, we do offer UPS ground for $5.95 and 2nd day Air for $7.95.

Thanks for your patience.

Spencer, TW.
 
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NoBadMojo

G.O.A.T.
You may wish to consider that the day the package leaves TW is what makes the packages take longer to arrive. I dont know what TW's shipping promise is, but pretty sure they dont guarantee same day shipping or even next day shipping?

Priority Mail is consistently solid I have found..pretty much no more than 3 days anywhere in the lower 48 even if going cross country
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
I don't know, but I just think they are not doing good enough job to clarify why the PM is taking so much longer than usual. If at least there was an explanation to it when you choosing the shipping method, that would help MANY MANY unsatified customers. It's so easy to put it up there, but the TW just doesn't do it. I didn't even know that the UPS pick up the PM packages and they have to go through some other shipping routes before actually carrying them over to the USPS (Just found out about this yesterday). Why would they make things more complicated by going through two DIFFERENT shipping carriers. OF COURSE, THAT WOULD DELAY THE SHIPMENTS...ISN'T IT A COMMON SENSE?

I just don't understand it AT ALL.
 

LafayetteHitter

Hall of Fame
I have always been under the impression that TW offers USPS as a last resort for people that just absolutely does not want to use UPS. UPS service provides constant up the minute tracking and a delivery date is posted at all times on the tracking info. It clearly states when ordering that the USPS service is 2 days to 2 weeks. I have shipped a ton of stuff via Priority mail and even though about 95 percent of the time it's there in 2-3 days I have had a package not arrive even after 2 weeks. The one I had that took a couple weeks actually arrived at it's destination post office in 2 days but one of the clerks put it on a shelf and it just sat there until the guy went and threatened to blow the place up if they didn't give him an answer at which time they looked around and said "oh wait it's right here, wow". Moral of the story, stick with brown they won't make you frown.
 

LafayetteHitter

Hall of Fame
As an addendum to my last post, I was just curious so I put up and order for one leather grip,
UPS is 5.95
Priority mail is 6.00
At that rate I would save my self the potential stress of waiting and not knowing and go with UPS, and still have 5 cents left over to go to the country store and get a blowpop.
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
As an addendum to my last post, I was just curious so I put up and order for one leather grip,
UPS is 5.95
Priority mail is 6.00
At that rate I would save my self the potential stress of waiting and not knowing and go with UPS, and still have 5 cents left over to go to the country store and get a blowpop.

Like I previously posted, the most frustrating thing is...this is not a real PM. The TW should state why it would take as long as 14 days which is absolutely abnormal for a normal PM delivery time. This is not a legit PM. It's a piece of JUNK, I don't even know the USPS treats the packages as a PM. There is no way in the World the package should take up to 14 days using the regular PM, of course there are always exceptions, but that is less than 2%. I've always hated the UPS because they always leave the packages in front of door or apartment when you are not home, and they are GONE sometimes. Happens to me before. I have had a lot more bad experience using the UPS than the USPS. However, at the TW, it's completely reversal.
 

LafayetteHitter

Hall of Fame
To avoid that problem with UPS you can request that they must get a signature. Priority mail doesn't actually have to be in a PM box or even have a PM label actually as long as the postage receipt on box is marked Priority mail. Was it marked as such?
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
To avoid that problem with UPS you can request that they must get a signature. Priority mail doesn't actually have to be in a PM box or even have a PM label actually as long as the postage receipt on box is marked Priority mail. Was it marked as such?

Let me check it this time. The package was sent on Monday and still no delivery. It better gets here on Monday.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
You may wish to consider that the day the package leaves TW is what makes the packages take longer to arrive. I dont know what TW's shipping promise is, but pretty sure they dont guarantee same day shipping or even next day shipping?
Actually, they do. For all orders of in stock items, if the order is placed before 11:00am PST, the order is shipped out on the SAME DAY. For orders received after 11:00am PST, the order is shipped out the next day.

This has always been my experience and TW has been very consistent with this and has never failed me in getting orders shipped out. Even when I ordered 2 racquets along with other stuff at exactly 11:00am, they had both racquets strung up to my specs, packaged, and ready to be shipped by 12:30pm the SAME DAY. That's amazingly fast, as if there were no other orders to be processed before I placed my order, which I highly doubt. Simply amazing and very impressive indeed. They must have guys that can string lightening fast. :D
 

Azzurri

Legend
As an addendum to my last post, I was just curious so I put up and order for one leather grip,
UPS is 5.95
Priority mail is 6.00
At that rate I would save my self the potential stress of waiting and not knowing and go with UPS, and still have 5 cents left over to go to the country store and get a blowpop.

wait...you can get a blow pop for a nickel? What State are you in? Its 10 cents for the little one and 25 cents for the big blow pop. I live in PA. Maybe we could work out a trade...string for some blow pops. Lets use Fed Ex though.:p
 

LafayetteHitter

Hall of Fame
Yea there is a little country store gas station on a nearby highway with blow pops for a nickel on the counter. They sell all that candy people from the 60's and 70's grew up with as well. They also sell some really good tasting cajun food for very cheap. 2 hot dogs for $1.00 and Boudin is really good there as well. Although most people probably don't even know what Boudin is...lol
I can't eat any of that stuff though.
 

pmata814

Professional
Ok, I know there was a thread about this in the past, but I will let my frustration out here anyway. The USPS Priority mail should take only 3-4 BUSINESS DAYS TO anywhere in the US. Yes, it is not guaranteed, but 95% of time the package will reach to you within 4 days. It doesn't matter where the package comes from, or where you live, except probably Hawaii, and Alaska. Last two times when I placed an order, I figured the PRIORITY MAIL would be faster since the UPS ground takes 5 business days, and you know what, the first time took about 5-6 days, and the second time, as I am still waiting for the package...5 SOLID business days already, and still no delivery. And last time when I got the package, there was no USPS or Priority Mail signs on the package at all. I figured it was sent by regular Air Percel post because I know the fact THE PRIORITY MAIL SHOULDN'T TAKE NO MORE THAN 3-4 BUSINESS DAYS. I am a powerseller on e.b.a.y, and I've been using the USPS service for more than 6-7 years, and probably only had one or two problems (longer than 4 days). That's in 7 YEARS.

STOP MISREPRESENTING THE SHIPPING METHOD, PLEASE.

I'm glad somebody brought this up. I was left scratching my head the first time I ordered via priority mail. I always used UPS, but after having some very impressive delivery times with racquets I traded/purchased (I sent one from Texas to Florida that got there in 2 days!) I decided to have my strings shipped from TW via Priority Mail. It took 8 business days! Ever since then I just pay the extra $2 for UPS 2-day. Much happier now :D But it's still odd how Priority Mail could take so long.
 

netplay

New User
my local Post Office says that Priority must have more than just the receipt that says priority. They usually put Priority tape or stickers on it if it does not come in a flat rate box.

We'll find out what happens when I order some balls from TW later this week.
 

!Tym

Hall of Fame
It took a week and a half for me to receive a small package from TW via their priority mail method...and this was within the same STATE!

How 'bout them apples, lol. Yes, I totally concur. TW needs to either stop doing this UPS to USPS route or whatever it is they're doing as it totally defies ALL expectations of what is acceptable delivery time.
 

Swissv2

Hall of Fame
Perhaps you would better off be talking to USPS for the mailing issue than TW because if TW sent the item out on time with the appropriate postage amount from their warehouse and the items takes longer in transit to arrive at the destination - how would TW be at fault for the physical transfer?

I have been a client of TW for a long time, and every time I went USPS, my item(s) arrive in 3 days. Every time I have ordered from TW via another method, my item(s) arrive in the same or less time.
 

D-man

Banned
Perhaps you would better off be talking to USPS for the mailing issue than TW because if TW sent the item out on time with the appropriate postage amount from their warehouse and the items takes longer in transit to arrive at the destination - how would TW be at fault for the physical transfer?

I have been a client of TW for a long time, and every time I went USPS, my item(s) arrive in 3 days. Every time I have ordered from TW via another method, my item(s) arrive in the same or less time.
TW has straight up admitted that they do not directly mail the packages Priority.

[URL=http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=814973&postcount=9]TW Staff - Don himself[/URL] said:
I spoke with our shipping analyst, and I'll try to pass on what he explained to me... Recently, we started having UPS pick up our Priority Mail packages. They transport the packages to the destination city/town Post Office, who then delivers to the customer. We chose this for a few reasons; Priority Mail service was unreliable and no tracking is available. We hope to implement tracking (to the destination city Post Office) soon. With this change, it is no longer necessary to package products in Priority Mail labeled envelopes.

We hope this improves the delivery time and reliability of Priority Mail, as a shipping option. If not, we'll probably go back to the old system.

Don

This is annoying for several reasons.

1) Anyone who has used Priority a lot does not care about tracking, because they know how good Priority is. Tracking is not a big deal.

2) Nothing is wrong with Priority. It is not broken or unreliable, and incidents have been more rare for me than UPS (which misdirected my package over three times, all the while "tracking" the misdirection for my convenience).

3) It is mislabeled shipping that TW has already acknowledged and received complaints about and done nothing.

4) Again, Priority is not the complaint. The complaint is, it's not Priority.
 
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Azzurri

Legend
Yea there is a little country store gas station on a nearby highway with blow pops for a nickel on the counter. They sell all that candy people from the 60's and 70's grew up with as well. They also sell some really good tasting cajun food for very cheap. 2 hot dogs for $1.00 and Boudin is really good there as well. Although most people probably don't even know what Boudin is...lol
I can't eat any of that stuff though.

LA...do people love the Mannings?

Have you ever tried a hot dog with peanut butter and banana? Try it..really good (Sabrett hot dog is a must).
 

Azzurri

Legend
TW has straight up admitted that they do not directly mail the packages Priority.



This is annoying for several reasons.

1) Anyone who has used Priority a lot does not care about tracking, because they know how good Priority is. Tracking is not a big deal.

2) Nothing is wrong with Priority. It is not broken or unreliable, and incidents have been more rare for me than UPS (which misdirected my package over three times, all the while "tracking" the misdirection for my convenience).

3) It is mislabeled shipping that TW has already acknowledged and received complaints about and done nothing.

4) Again, Priority is not the complaint. The complaint is, it's not Priority.

I have to agree. I have used PM at leat 150 times (buying/selling)...USPS has never lost a package. I just ask for deliv conf # to make sure it was sent.
 

hjminard

Rookie
This is annoying for several reasons.

1) Anyone who has used Priority a lot does not care about tracking, because they know how good Priority is. Tracking is not a big deal.

2) Nothing is wrong with Priority. It is not broken or unreliable, and incidents have been more rare for me than UPS (which misdirected my package over three times, all the while "tracking" the misdirection for my convenience).

3) It is mislabeled shipping that TW has already acknowledged and received complaints about and done nothing.

4) Again, Priority is not the complaint. The complaint is, it's not Priority.

Well stated - I concur.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
We're really not trying to mis-represent this option of shipping. The USPS is the least used option from our customers, however, we do keep it as an option for the few that do use it. Let me state for the record that it is stated delivery can take up to 14 days. Priority Mail is a USPS term, not a TW term.

Spencer, TW.
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
We're really not trying to mis-represent this option of shipping. The USPS is the least used option from our customers, however, we do keep it as an option for the few that do use it. Let me state for the record that it is stated delivery can take up to 14 days. Priority Mail is a USPS term, not a TW term.

Spencer, TW.

Why don't you guys just let the USPS pick up your packages, so they ACTUALLY go through the LEGIT PRIORITY MAIL mailing process instead of whatever the junk you guys are using, having the UPS picks up the USPS packages? Like EVERYONE on this thread said, the REAL PRIORITY MAIL should NEVER or I should say less than 1% of packages take more than 4 business days.

The USPS term? The USPS CLEARLY states the PM should take only 3-4 BUSINESS DAYS to anywhere in the continental U.S in their web.
 
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hjminard

Rookie
We're really not trying to mis-represent this option of shipping. The USPS is the least used option from our customers, however, we do keep it as an option for the few that do use it. Let me state for the record that it is stated delivery can take up to 14 days. Priority Mail is a USPS term, not a TW term.

Spencer, TW.

Spencer ... thanks for taking the time to address this issue.

The problem folks (not me - I've mostly used your 2nd day air UPS) are having is that you're identifying this service as Priority Mail when it's clearly not (if the previous information attributed to "TW Staff - Don" is accurate).

If it's routed through UPS then it's obviously not handled in the usual USPS Priority Mail system. I seriously doubt that UPS is giving much priority to the handling of a competitor's shipment. Really it sounds like this method is UPS Ground shipping with extra logistics (transfer to Post Office for end delivery).

I assume your intent is to offer USPS service for those who have post office boxes or rural addresses to which UPS does not deliver ... which is a nice alternative.

However, if the package is not labelled Priority Mail ... is not picked up by or delivered to the Postal Service ... and is not handled and shipped by the Postal Service until reaching its final delivery destination ... then it is not "Priority Mail" by any definition and should not be identified as such.
 

seacard

Rookie
Spencer ... thanks for taking the time to address this issue.

The problem folks (not me - I've mostly used your 2nd day air UPS) are having is that you're identifying this service as Priority Mail when it's clearly not (if the previous information attributed to "TW Staff - Don" is accurate).

If it's routed through UPS then it's obviously not handled in the usual USPS Priority Mail system. I seriously doubt that UPS is giving much priority to the handling of a competitor's shipment. Really it sounds like this method is UPS Ground shipping with extra logistics (transfer to Post Office for end delivery).

I assume your intent is to offer USPS service for those who have post office boxes or rural addresses to which UPS does not deliver ... which is a nice alternative.

However, if the package is not labelled Priority Mail ... is not picked up by or delivered to the Postal Service ... and is not handled and shipped by the Postal Service until reaching its final delivery destination ... then it is not "Priority Mail" by any definition and should not be identified as such.

Just wanted to agree with everything that others have sent. Packages sent via Priority Mail almost never take more than 2 days, even across the country, although it does take 3 sometimes from Seattle to New York.

TW is not using Priority Mail, but charges Priority Mail prices.
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
Ok, I just got the package today. It doesn't say "PRIORITY MAIL" on any part of the package including all the labels, so this is not a PRIORITY MAIL. Therefore, the TW is misrepresenting the shipping method. Am I right? Or the package doesn't need to have any kind of the PM signs at all?
 
T

TennisandMusic

Guest
Ok, I just got the package today. It doesn't say "PRIORITY MAIL" on any part of the package including all the labels, so this is not a PRIORITY MAIL. Therefore, the TW is misrepresenting the shipping method. Am I right? Or the package doesn't need to have any kind of the PM signs at all?

Priority mail definitely is labeled as such. TW is not using priority mail, I've tried it and it took a week whereas UPS takes a day. It really is false advertising, or perhaps worse. Bait and switch? It really needs to be changed.
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
I was just thinking...For the UPS to pick all of the packages including the USPS PRIORITY MAIL (which is not), it is more convenient for the TW to have one shipping carrier instead of two.

All the TW has to do is to let the USPS pick up the packages daily (and those will go through the right PM shipping routes which is 3-4 business days), and they can't even do that....unbelivable.
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
You make a thread on a Saturday and expect an immediate response? In order to give you a 100% correct answer, I'll need to consult our shipping department....which I can do on Monday.

BTW, we do offer UPS ground for $5.95 and 2nd day Air for $7.95.

Thanks for your patience.

Spencer, TW.

I wasn't talking about the thread. I already sent you guys an email, and got a response which was completely useless. That's what I meant.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Or the package doesn't need to have any kind of the PM signs at all?
I don't think you need to use Priority Mail packaging nor labels to send a package via Priority Mail. You just need to pay for it and it should be indicated on the postage. You can use a plain brown box and send it using Priority Mail.
 

Pr0DiGy

Rookie
Just sent my Prince t-10s back in the original shoe box via Priority Mail on the 24th. Got the tracking for a little extra. Package missent on the 26th, misrouted. 30th, still missent, Prince hasn't gotten my shoes.

Sent the shoes in their original box. No priority mail labelling on a Prince shoe box as far as I know.
 

shintan17

Semi-Pro
I don't think you need to use Priority Mail packaging nor labels to send a package via Priority Mail. You just need to pay for it and it should be indicated on the postage. You can use a plain brown box and send it using Priority Mail.

The thing is...it doesn't even say anything about the PM on the postage. How weird is it? So, how the heck the USPS would know the package actually needs to go through the PM mailing route. I am assuming it takes 2-3 days for the UPS just to transfer the packages to the USPS because there is no way the legit USPS PM takes more than 4 business days..in most cases in 2-3 business days even from coast to coast, except probably during the christimas time.
 
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shintan17

Semi-Pro
Just sent my Prince t-10s back in the original shoe box via Priority Mail on the 24th. Got the tracking for a little extra. Package missent on the 26th, misrouted. 30th, still missent, Prince hasn't gotten my shoes.

Sent the shoes in their original box. No priority mail labelling on a Prince shoe box as far as I know.

You are very unlucky...from my 7 years of experiences being a powerseller on e.b.a.y....it only happened once. I still remember I sent the large package to the guy in Seattle, but for some reason, it took almost TWO MONTHS to get there from Maryland... LOL...I felt sorry for the guy, but he was happy to get it after all..so everything was good. That was the only bad experience I had with the PM out of..more than 1000 I would say. so the chances are...not even 0.1%...if you do the math.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
The thing is...it doesn't even say anything about the PM on the postage. How weird is it? So, how the heck the USPS would know the package actually needs to go through the PM mailing route. I am assuming it takes 2-3 days for the UPS just to transfer the packages to the USPS because there is no way the legit USPS PM takes more than 4 business days..in most cases in 2-3 business days even from coast to coast, except probably during the christimas time.
Well, the TW case is different because they are bypassing the USPS network and having UPS deliver the package from TW to post office B so there's no need to have Priority Mail indicated on either the packaging nor the postage. Priority Mail just insures that the package is transported efficiently between post office A and post office B. Once it gets to post office B, it's just up to the local postmaster to deliver your package to your house, and he's going to do that on a daily basis anyway regardless of what's on the packaging or postage.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
I was just thinking...For the UPS to pick all of the packages including the USPS PRIORITY MAIL (which is not), it is more convenient for the TW to have one shipping carrier instead of two.

All the TW has to do is to let the USPS pick up the packages daily (and those will go through the right PM shipping routes which is 3-4 business days), and they can't even do that....unbelivable.

It's really not quite as simple as that. However, in light of the overall picture, we are currently in discussion of possible alternatives to save any confusion/misrepresentation when it comes to USPS shipments.

We thank everyone for their constructive input on this and appreciate your patience on the matter.

Spencer, TW.
 

inwoodnyc

Rookie
I don't think you need to use Priority Mail packaging nor labels to send a package via Priority Mail. You just need to pay for it and it should be indicated on the postage. You can use a plain brown box and send it using Priority Mail.

Actually, you have to put Priority Mail stickers on the box if you're not using USPS provided boxes with Priority Mail already printed on it. I know this because I ship out 20+ packages each day for my cousin...he's a power seller on e b @ y. I've shipped items on Saturday and customer had it by Monday on many occasions. I've shipped many items to Europe and they usually receive in 6-7 days, tops. USPS Priority Mail should not take no more than 3-4 days in Continental US, period!
 

sunshineCK

New User
This thread is 2 years old but the problem is still there- ordered some grips and other small stuff from TW and chose Priority Mail because I wouldn't be home when UPS came, and the price was practically the same....

I was expecting 3 days, took a full week instead. There was a priority mail seal on my package (what the post office usually uses to signify a PM package), but it was covered up by another white sticker. Don't use this shipping method from TW if you're expecting the "real" priority mail service from USPS, which takes 2-3 days guaranteed.
 

some6uy008

Semi-Pro
Problem solved, Use UPS or UPS 2nd day for quicker delivery. As for me, being located 3hrs from SLO, almost all my packages, regardless of method, from TW is overnight.
 
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