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Ask Amy: Can I get my money back for mail that arrives late?

Paying extra for expedited shipping is proving to be a big waste for Houston area mail customers. Now some of you are asking Amy Davis if you can get your money back for packages that arrived way behind schedule or haven’t arrived at all.

USPS Mail behind the scenes (KPRC 2)

We’ve told you about the massive mail delay issues over the past month in the Houston area. In some cases, packages are taking weeks to get where they need to go. So what happens when you pay for expedited shipping but don’t get it delivered when promised?

The short answer: the only guaranteed refundable postage is Priority Express Mail. And it is very expensive.

Last week we showed you how reporter Re’Chelle Turner mailed two packages by Priority Mail from a Southwest Houston post office. The shipping wasn’t cheap.

USPS Priority Mail

  • San Antonio delivery = $21.40
  • Detroit delivery = $52.70

The US Postal Service told us they would arrive in three days. Instead, it took 6 days.

Priority Mail Express that *is* guaranteed delivery in 1 to 3 days or your money back would have cost us 100.10 to San Antonio and $151.70 to Detroit.

But check this out, it would have cost us less to send the packages using FEDEX or UPS.

San Antonio delivery 3-day delivery

Detroit delivery

  • UPS $41.38
  • FedEx $47.40
  • USPS $52.70

The bottom line is if you have a package you need to send right now using FedEx or UPS may be cheaper and faster than the US postal service.

US Postal Service’s instructions for requesting a refund for priority express mail postage that didn’t arrive on time.

Do you have a question you want me to look into? Email me at AskAmy@kprc.com.



About the Authors
Amy Davis headshot

Passionate consumer advocate, mom of 3, addicted to coffee, hairspray and pastries.

Andrea Slaydon headshot

Award-winning TV producer and content creator. My goal as a journalist is to help people. Faith and family motivate me. Running keeps me sane.

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