PSA: DO NOT SEND YOUR PAPERS WITH USPS

[Mimzy 11]

2 hours ago, skim00 said:

I believe mine was just bad luck. Thank you for the good vibes! Been checking my bank acct; checks have not been cashed yet.

Bad luck cases can happen but gosh I wish someone had given me this advice 2 years ago.

 

I submitted my OPT Application through certified mail as recommended by my school. USPS lost it and got stuck "in transit to destination" for 2 weeks causing me to miss the deadline period and thus being rejected. I had to call USPS multiple times and talk to them through email until a week later they said my package was most likely "stuck on a conveyor belt" or something similar to that. 

 

I fought tooth and nail for a re-appeal and lost ~$1000 in the process but USCIS still denied me and thus losing my status. That happened 2 years ago and I still have a heavy heart whenever I think back to that time.  I agree completely with @Cruise77 this process is expensive and stressful enough, even an extra $100 in shipping is worth it. I know I would have paid anything for that package to arrive on time..

 

@skim00 be proactive with USPS, if the package was insures, file a claim, send them an email, try to talk to them on the phone as well as through email. Good luck!! let's hope they find that package and deliver it asap! 

[Going through 5,671]

I have a hunch it may be delivered early next week...I'm basing this hunch over the other poster I read about having a similar experience shipping to Chicago as well and then the package showing up after being deemed "lost and untraceable".  I really hope the best for you---stay vigilant about checking if payment has been cashed (I know you will be!) and tracking it/contacting USPS over it.

[skimmilk 32]

Thanks for all the encouraging and kind words, everyone!  I'll update here as soon as further developments happen.  I did email an inquiry and received a reply acknowledging the inquiry, so I'm also hoping this will resolve itself early next week.  Fingers crossed!

 

@Mimzy That's crazy!! I'm so sorry it happened that way for you.  Argh it's crazy how timing can either be amazing or terrible.

 

 

Edited August 12, 2017 by skim00

[Going through 5,671]

Just now, skim00 said:

Thanks for all the encouraging and kind words, everyone!  I'll update here as soon as further developments happen.  I did email an inquiry and received a reply acknowledging the inquiry, so I'm also hoping this will resolve itself early next week.  Fingers crossed!

you didn't send any originals in that package, did you?  Just curious...

[skimmilk 32]

1 minute ago, Going through said:

you didn't send any originals in that package, did you?  Just curious...

Nope, no originals.  Except for the passport photos and the sealed medical exam.

[Going through 5,671]

1 minute ago, skim00 said:

Nope, no originals.  Except for the passport photos and the sealed medical exam.

Ok good---those things can be replaced if it does drift off into Neverland somewhere.

[Dutchster 1,107]

Just to give my experience; I send off my AOS package with USPS on Thurday Oct 14 and it was scheduled to be delivered Oct 17. Well guess what? No delivery information on Monday the 17th (I had signature included). It was stuck on "arrived USPS facility Chicago". Three e-mail inquiries and speaking to two supervisors; they could not locate the package but the supervisor did tell me there are a hell lot of packages/envelopes being delivered daiily at the lockbox so the chance that your package missed it's scan is highly likely. 

Edited August 12, 2017 by Dutchster

[Scandi 4,178]

The only "issue" I had with USPS was when my greencard was mailed. According to USCIS my greencard was never assigned a tracking number (which we all know is bs since the tracking number is on the actual shipping label), so they could therefore not see a tracking number in their system and give it to me. It also never showed up in MyUSPS dashboard and they never seemed to scan it at all? I received my greencard without issues otherwise, but since it's such an important thing you kinda want to be able to track it. I checked the tracking number that was on the shipping label once I received my package and there was still no trace of it. I assume it was assigned a tracking number that didn't work? I have no idea.

 

Other than that me and my husband are very happy with USPS, we use them a lot in the business we run, issues are very rare.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

7 hours ago, skim00 said:

So after two months of stressing over the paperwork, my husband and I finally sent our package last Friday.  We are in LA and the post office worker said the package would be delivered by this Monday.  Well, this has NOT happened at all.  The tracking has been stuck "in transit to destination" in Chicago for this entire week.  Even though I've called USPS and made an inquiry email, I haven't received any real help or answers.  I'm simultaneously angry and trying to be patient.  Anyways, this is just a warning to everyone who's about to send their packages out.  I suggest using FedEx or UPS because unfortunately USPS is too unreliable to trust with such important documents.  

I had no trouble sending packages via USPS but I always used USPS Priority Mail Express for in-country mail.  Much more expensive but I guess they really give those envelopes priority handling.  I did send a complete set of our documents to Philippines (for my wife's interview) via USPS Priority Mail Express International mail.  That was a mistake.  The package never got delivered in the Philippines and in fact we got it back 6 months after my wife had already arrived in US.  It was missing for 8 months!  Fortunately, I had made two extra sets and hand carried the spare set with me and accompanied her to the interview. 

[skimmilk 32]

@Dutchster Did you only figure out your papers had been delivered because of cashed checks and/or email/text notification??  I agree that many packages/envelopes being delivered to the lockbox probably never got scanned since it's a high-traffic destination.  I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the other signs.

 

@Scandi It's strange because my parents have sent me important documents for the application from Canada through USPS without any problems whatsoever.  But of course, when I want to send this package domestically, there's an issue.  I can't believe your green card had trouble getting to you!  That would cause me so much anxiety.

[Dutchster 1,107]

13 minutes ago, skim00 said:

@Dutchster Did you only figure out your papers had been delivered because of cashed checks and/or email/text notification??  I agree that many packages/envelopes being delivered to the lockbox probably never got scanned since it's a high-traffic destination.  I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for the other signs.

Yes, I figured it got delivered because my check got cashed three weeks later. It sucks to be in the dark for weeks, not knowing anything but it's highly unlikely your package got lost. I'm sure it missed it's destination scan.

Edited August 12, 2017 by Dutchster

[skimmilk 32]

Just now, Dutchster said:

Yes, I figured it got delivered because my check got cashed three weeks later. It sucks to be in the dark for weeks, not knowing anything but it's highly unlikely your package got lost. I'm sure it missed it's destination scan.

We'll see what happens.  An underlying reason for my anxiety is also due to my I-94 expiring in a little over a month.  I know we'll be fine regardless of what happens but I just don't like the thought of cutting it TOO close.

[anjlc002 2]

Best of Luck! We sent our package on Wednesday August 9th, 2017 via USPS Express, and it was received on Thursday August 10th, 2017 to the California Lockbox. Not all the mail are the same. Also, this is a stressing moment after gathering all the evidence and put the package together. We had been working on our package for over 5 months. I totally understand your frustration. 

[kris&me 572]

when shipping anything, ask where the distribution center is and then check weather

I have seen USPS, Fed ex and UPS trucks stuck in snow, standed by floods and held up with forest fires and making detours

 

Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2017 12:03:49 EDT

Summary: USGS crews continue to respond to flooding in northern Illinois and northeastern Iowa.

 

notice on internet

this holds up all deliveries not just USPS

 

Edited August 12, 2017 by kris&me
word left out

[sparkles_ 456]

Postal workers sometime forget to scan in a package during transit as well, and it just looks held up until it is confirmed delivered. Once one scan is missed, from what I understand, it won't update til it is at the destination.