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THE United States Postal Service has been slammed by customers for “ignoring” their mail problems amid thousands of missing packages.
Indiana lawmakers have now demanded answers over how the issues have continued to build up and worsen over recent weeks.
One angry Indianapolis resident has even said he has watched his package bounce around from various USPS facilities through tracking data.
The local claims their delivery first arrived in the city on January 8 before it was shipped across to Fort Wayne days later.
It suddenly then went back to its original warehouse without explanation 10 days later and reportedly hasn’t moved since.
Many others have spent days and even weeks waiting for their packages to finally arrive, according to 13News.
The local news site first reported on the USPS issues in December as issues started to plague Christmas deliveries.
This has not only left locals frustrated over not being able to receive or send their parcels but also business owners who are having to deal with an influx of confused shoppers.
In February, 13News spoke to the co-owner of “SingerHobbies” in Martinsville.
Tiffany Singer said: “As a small business, we are getting our butts kicked. We really are.
“We are getting 30 to 40 phone calls and emails a day of, ‘Where’s my package? I want my money back.
“I have never had this many complaints. Never.”
She says the majority of packages are all stuck at the distribution hub with no sign of much movement.
Graham Brown, co-owner of United State of Indiana, echoed these thoughts: “If we could drive to the facility, pick all those packages up and do something with them, we would.
“But that is obviously not possible.”
Online clothing company owner Seth Murray believes he has lost around $600 from the delays as he had to offer customers a refund.
The reason for the issues has been placed on “bad planning, lack of management and understaffing”, according to Steve Vaughn, the chief trustee with the union.
“They don’t have the people they need to move the mail,” he added.
“If you were inside the facility, you would be amazed by the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of packages that are sitting in there, just waiting to be worked.”
Indiana lawmakers have reportedly launched an investigation into the claims and serious delays at the US Postal Service hub in the state.
Every member of the congressional delegation – both Democratic and Republican – have signed a letter on the issues and filed it to the US Postmaster General, reports WTHR.
It is demanding an explanation into the cause of the backlog and what steps the postal service is taking to address them.
USPS have already given a statement to local media in recent weeks over the complaints.
It read: “The local management team is committed to ensuring ongoing processing of mail and packages at the Indianapolis Regional Processing Center and is constantly monitoring all processing operations.
“The Postal Service understands the importance of every single package and letter mailed by our customers.”
KENTUCKY MAIL WOES
Similar issues with USPS deliveries have impeded on businesses in Kentucky.
Some customers say they are still waiting for Christmas packages to arrive and they want answers about the lengthy mail delays.
Brandon Newsome, a business owner in Louisville, Kentucky, makes a living by selling vintage sneakers online.
Although his business has taken off, Newsome is struggling to complete online orders with the constant USPS delays, he told local Fox affiliate WDRB.
The issues started in January and he hasn’t been able to track some of his packages at all.
Others have been shipped to the wrong location — or even the wrong state, he said.
He’s among locals who are tired of finding their mailboxes empty, especially those who have been waiting for packages since Xmas.
It’s important to note that the US Postal Service handles mass amounts of mail every day.
Nearly 45% of the world’s mail is processed and delivered by the USPS.
According to the USPS website, the total mail volume was roughly 116 billion in 2023.
That same year, the Postal Service delivered mail and packages to 166.6 million delivery points nationwide.
Avoiding mail theft
To prevent mail theft, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) recommends residents take several precautions.
- First, avoid letting mail sit in your mailbox—inspect it daily and remove it promptly.
- For package deliveries, track shipments on the USPS website and sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed.
- If you’re not home when your mail is scheduled to arrive, consider asking a trusted neighbor to pick it up for you.
- For longer absences, you can have your mail held at the Post Office by requesting this service online.
- If valuable mail such as checks doesn’t arrive, immediately reach out to the issuing agency.
- It’s also crucial to update your address with the Post Office and any businesses you regularly correspond with to avoid potential issues.
- Lastly, for outgoing mail, it’s safer to hand it directly to your letter carrier or deposit it inside your local Post Office for added security.
Source: U.S. Postal Inspector
