Nashville, TN. We have had reports of major delays from the Nashville Post office that handles the business packages, the ones that carry all of the presents bought from online sellers. All of the packages that are dropped off at local post offices in the area come to this location for processing. Photos and videos obtained by Newsworthy News show what looks like millions of packages lined up in a bay the size of a football field. Probably many days of packages just sitting out in the open. One business owner we spoke to shared his experiences from the past week.
“I have never seen anything like this in my life, I have been dropping off our packages from online orders here for over 15 years” Ben Cunningham, Owner of Sound Extreme in Nashville says. ” We drop off between 100-300 packages a day here at the business loading dock at the main Nashville branch. The packages are usually cleared off of this dock and processed the same evening and sent out on their way to our customers. We have had hundreds of messages asking where packages are, we have zero answers. Over $15,000 worth of orders, nearly 1000 packages have been dropped off starting Dec 1st through 5th and not even one package has been scanned, our customers are extremely mad and we are left to wonder what we will do if all of those packages are lost. I cannot imagine all those kids who will not have their presents on Christmas day. Not only will it crush our business, but the hearts and dreams of all those kids. I am hopeful they can get this issue resolved.”
We have reached out to the main office for comments and they gave us this generic statement.
“The 640,000 employees of the U.S Postal Service across the nation are proud to provide an essential service to our customers during the pandemic and to meet unprecedented challenges of this extraordinary year.
USPS has faced challenges recently due to COVID-19 at the same time mail volumes have dramatically increased. We have taken steps to address issues caused by the pandemic as we approach our busiest weeks, including hiring seasonal employees and allocating employees to facilities that need additional resources.
There has already been progress at the Nashville Processing and Distribution Center and we are confident that our processing and delivery will return to normal levels quickly.
As we do each year, the Postal Service reminds customers to send mail and packages early to avoid glitches. For additional holiday information and resources, including mailing deadlines and packaging tips, check out the USPS holiday newsroom.
We thank our customers for their continued support, and we are committed to making sure gifts and cards are delivered on time to celebrate the holidays.”
For packages to make it in time for the holidays, the U.S. Postal Service recommends shipping by the following dates:
- Dec. 18: First-class mail
- Dec. 19: Priority mail
- Dec. 23: Priority mail express
Retailers like Amazon recommend making a purchase by December 11 at the latest. Amazon now features a note next to most items, explaining if they will make it in time for Christmas. In cities where they offer two-day or same-day shipping, Amazon says you can still order as late as December 23.
Reporting by Kate Lang for Newsworthy News
The story was also covered on many other news channels here in Nashville since the original report came out on Newsworthy News. Channel 5 Covered it here, and Channel 4 covered it here. An update since reporting we have learned that they were exactly 7 days behind, but since our story broke they have now gotten down to only 3-4 days before processing packages as of the 11th. We will keep you updated with more as we know more.
