PHOENIX — With Christmas just two days away, people are tracking their packages just as closely as they are tracking Santa.
Many Arizonans are expressing frustration over weeks-long delays, sometimes, even after their package has already arrived in Phoenix.
This is an unprecedented time due to the pandemic. The USPS says they are faced with a lot of obstacles: reduced airline capacity and a higher than normal package volume, coupled with weather-related impacts.
Sierra Bluitt has been waiting weeks for her subscription packages to arrive, telling ABC15, "It's kind of annoying because I don't know if they're going to make it before Christmas or not."
Since Phoenix is a larger hub, packages constantly come in-and-out of the West Valley Processing Center. Many people say right now, those packages aren't going anywhere.
Gene Sandy sent her granddaughter Erin something from Illinois. Erin says it arrived in Phoenix but has yet to make it to her home in Arcadia.
"She sent it out two-day on December 9. You figure if it runs into a couple of delays because of the holidays, it's fine. But, you know, two weeks later with absolutely no update on it is a bit ridiculous," says Erin Michelle, Arcadia resident.
ABC15 asked USPS to look into her situation. We are told it is due to the overall package volume at the facility but officials stressed that teams are working as rapidly as possible to connect packages to their destinations.
"While transportation may be a short distance away from one facility to the next, geographically, we have a lot of packages going to a variety of different locations. So, while one package might be a destination for one location, other packages are probably on that same route as well or other locations nearby," says Rod Spurgeon, USPS.
People from all over the country have been voicing their anger on social media, saying their package is also stuck in Phoenix. USPS says even with additional staff, they have had many obstacles to face this year, including reduced airline capacity. That means more packages are being transported on the ground which in turn, takes longer.
Postal workers are working around the clock. "We're delivering every day. We're delivering at 5:00 am until those packages are delivered," says Spurgeon.
In Bluitt's case, she finally got the notification she was hoping for. "It finally says it delivered," says Bluitt.
USPS says two-day Priority Express Mail service is guaranteed. If it is taking longer, you are qualified for a refund.
You can contact 1-800-ASK-USPS to make a claim. They can also help you track a package.
