USPS is a shame nowadays. I save boxes from the grocery store and try to ship UPS whenever there is no surcharge for remote delivery.

Mantis - After what happened with Julia's package, I think I will have to use UPS in the future. Isn't it a lot more expensive?

Debra

Debra: As far as I can tell from USPS Informed Delivery the package has decided to stay in Denver for vacation. No departure tracking so far. This missing package could just be a one off and not necessarily common place. Hope you get your money and cost of plants back.

mantis: I've heard from a couple of online vendors that they don't use USPS any longer and either use UPS or Fedex. They factor the cost into the sale of the plants and also I'm sure most have an account which they get a reduced priciing.

Julia

Just to add to the discussion......UPS charges a running ton here. I was shipping a daylily to a friend of mine in California a couple of weeks ago. It was a only a couple of fans, but not bare root so it had some soil around it. They wanted $84.00 for 2 day guaranteed (this was a Wednesday) and $64.00 for the Monday after the weekend. After they picked me up off the floor, I went to the post office and the price for 3 day was around $20.00. Also about 3 years ago I found out the hard way that UPS really doesn't want to deliver to people out in the country. If they will even take the job on, they will charge you an arm and a leg. I also understand that some of the UPS stations are franchises, so perhaps other UPS stores have cheaper rates. For me my local UPS store is just too expensive and while the post office may be cheaper, it is as others are finding out not as reliable as before. In our region at least that change from good to not so good took place when the bean counters at the top decided to put a big reorganization scheme into place that changed distribution centers. Typical bureaucracy. If it's working fine for the consumers change it. I doubt if they are saving money considering many have gone to alternative carriers. Fedex anyone?......Maryl

Here's some clues as to why your package went awry. And why the one Kate sent me took the long way around and came crushed [but the plants survived].

I have observations from my two sons working for USPS in the town next to ours, one city & one rural carrier. The problem is that the management isn't particular in who they hire these days [no more testing], they hire along the lines of DEI and bad workers are not fired nor disciplined, even during the easy to fire probationary period. One DEI hire wrecked a truck 3 times in the probation period, hid mail [federal crime] and sits at the side of the road doing who knows what and nothing every happens to him. Two wrecks in the probation period was enough for instant firing. One manager is the wicked witch of the west who only hassles good workers. The post master won't do anything about her as he is a wimp. The union does not help good workers. And I understand that the Lexington PO is worse. Fortunately our little Wilmore PO is great, but they only deliver our mail and have no way to deal with incompetence every where else.

If you print the label using an online site such as Pirate Ship and then drop off the package, it is usually less expensive than USPS (and a lot more reliable). UPS usually has drop-off sites such as CVS or Walmart. I can drop it off just two blocks away at CVS. However, if you just use a UPS retail store and pay for label there, you pay more, just as you do at USPS retail. One drawback: with UPS, you have to provide the box. Also, if your destination is remote, there is a UPS surcharge. But that happens maybe 10% of the time (and you will be informed before buying the label).

Mantis - Thanks for the info!

Brad - USPS seems to have so many problems the past few years.

Maryl - Those are awfully expensive UPS shipping prices for just a double fan! It makes me think I don't want to ship daylilies anymore. I updated my website this year, but after the fiasco with Julia's plant, I told people wanting to buy that I was no longer shipping.

Julia - I can't believe the package is just sitting in Denver now with no movement. How crazy! I've noticed higher shipping rates and higher plant prices for lots of vendors.

Debra

Brad: What you said makes a lot of sense considering the timing of when things went from good to worse here. I was hoping it might rectify itself by now, but from what you said and my own experience it seems to be continuing........ BTW: I got stubborn on one misplaced item and pursued filing a claim. It was a revelation and a waste of my time and temperament. What annoyed me the most is that after going to a district supervisor and receiving no help I had my case marked "resolved". I called him back and asked why it was marked as such (it had been delivered to the wrong address as they acknowledged). He said it was to indicate that someone from the post office had talked to me. That was all. Not solved the situation they created, but simply to check a box that says they talked to me about it. Don't kid yourself on the "tracking" routine..............Maryl

Debra: It is now in Jersey City NJ and moving to the next facility as of today (5/31/26) per USPS Informed Delivery. LOL. Any guesses where it might go next?

Julia

Julia - That poor box just can't catch a break!

Debra

Debra: SURPRISE! The package arrived yesterday afternoon. I unpacked it and yes they had a rough trip so I put them in water to soak overnight to get the roots hydrated. Oddly, To my surprise I see yellowy green leaf from each of the centers of the fans so I cut back the dead foliage and planted it in the garden this morning. Gave it a bit of ferilizer for a boost and will keep it watered to see if it can recover. With the uptick in temps to the 90's coming end of this week I want to give it a good chance for recovery. Thank you so much for sharing with me.

Julia

Julia - I'm glad the middle leaves still had a bit of life in them after 25 days with the postal service. Keep me posted. I hope it can recover for you.

Debra

Wow--25 days. But if the crowns are still okay, it should grow. And wow to the nineties; not ready for that, but not in the forecast here.