i'm first to admit that usps tracking is a wonderful thing. but when thing are going wrong, it extremely painful watching your package progressing slowly to completely wrong target location.

i don't remember why, but i wrote down wrong zip code on one of the package. since i wrote down right city and state, i was hoping someone will catcch that. but i was hoping too much. even when there is no such city or state on the zip code i wrote down, the package has been slowly progressing to that nonexisting location. all my fault, but i can't help thinking this is just too funny in a sick sort of way.

Have you tried to have postman intercept redirect the package?

how do you do that?

i have a feeling it will be a moldy mush by the time it gets back to me.

Or you will get a rooted cuttings back ...

Is this as bad as mine last year?
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/from-ca-to-vt-in-14-days-priority-mail-6289818

In that case the address was correct though.

Sorry to hear that, Pete. Good news is that they're probably replaceable ;-)

it is. sending replacement on tues.

Pete, I've shipped around 1,100 packages via USPS in the past year.  Most are shipped using third party software/services (endicia) due to the time savings making it worth the modest fee I pay.  Others are done using Click n Ship through USPS.com and others yet through PayPal or eBay.  All of these online services provide postage rates that are cheaper than if you go to the counter at the Post Office or use stamps and provide Delivery Confirmation for free.  Additionally (and most importantly, in this situation), these services compare the address you've entered for the label against the USPS database (for USPS.com and endicia) or confirmed addresses (PayPal and eBay).  This would have prevented your typo and frustration.  Admittedly, sometimes these verifications steps cause other types of frustrations, mostly because customer/recipient forgets they live on an avenue and not a street, etc.  Using these services also allows you to request a pickup of your package by USPS, if desired.

That said, even properly-addressed Priority Mail has been a little frustrating, lately.  Towards the end of 2013 and until a week ago I was having a high percentage of packages taking over 3 days (some up to 8 days).  My regional rep told me that it appeared airlines with whom USPS has contracts seemed to be playing games with them and turning away packages and saying no space was available.

harvey, i don't send out that many packages, not even close. it's just filling other members wish list and making trades. this winter it's only been about 20 packages. 

one thing i noticed is first class is taking same time as the priority mail, but cost half the price. i've been sending 1st class with tracking of late to save on the shipping. this was completely my mistake, not usps' but still frustrating.. at myself in first place, and as stupid as it is, hoping that usps might notice the mistake. 

First class is not usually as fast as Priority.

Even if you don't ship a lot, buying the postage online will save you money and also verify the accuracy of the address.  That is the point I was trying to make.  On top of that, a printed label is a lot neater than my handwriting. :)

fixed both problem. now i feel much better. 

and i heard from the other member that my "lost" package has gotten to him well. USPS came through :)