HOUSTON — Almost two months after first reporting on Houston’s severe mail delays, KHOU 11 tested the city's mail delivery to see how long it takes to send and receive a package.
The test revealed that some packages sent in the Houston area were delivered faster than before -- but there are still numerous issues.
Setting up the test
We started the test in January when we boxed up 11 packages, each with a mug and an Apple AirTag inside.
On Jan. 24, we shipped the packages via USPS Priority Mail to people across the Houston area that KHOU 11 has previously interviewed about their delayed mail. Each package was “expected to arrive” by Jan. 27.
We followed the packages in real time using the Apple AirTag data and USPS tracking data.
The test results
Within 24 hours, all of the packages we shipped went to the same place: the USPS South Houston Local Processing Center in Missouri City.
Tracking data revealed that five packages spent about one day in Missouri City, afterward:
- Two of those packages went to local post offices to be delivered
- Two of those packages went to the USPS North Houston facility, then to local post offices to be delivered
- One of those packages went to a USPS facility in Coppell, TX and "looped" back
Tracking data revealed that another six packages spent about five days in Missouri City, afterward:
- Four of those packages went to local post offices to be delivered
- Two of those packages went to the USPS North Houston facility, then to local post offices to be delivered
Ultimately, only one package was delivered by the “expected” delivery date. In fact, it was early – arriving in just two days. The rest of the packages took up to five days to arrive.
- Jan. 26 ……… one package delivered
- Jan. 30 ……… three packages delivered
- Jan. 31 ……… three packages delivered
- Feb. 1 ………. four packages delivered
Looping and loop mail
As previously indicated, one package left Missouri City and was inexplicably sent to Coppell, TX near Dallas before returning to north Houston to be delivered. While USPS did not respond to our request for comment regarding this package, it appears to be what’s considered “loop mail.”
According to the USPS website, loop mail is defined as mail sent to an incorrect destination as a result of a wrong barcode and/or wrong ZIP code. In this case, we confirmed the address was correct before and after delivery. The status of the USPS bar code is unclear.
Nevertheless, multiple people have previously emailed KHOU 11 about “loop mail.” In January, a local business owner told KHOU 11 that some of her orders meant for Houston customers, had been sent to Dallas and Atlanta, before coming back to Houston.
Continued mail delays
Bre Talley was the first to receive one of our packages on Jan. 26.
She told KHOU 11 that the quick delivery only added to her concern and confusion regarding the USPS Missouri City facility. USPS tracking data shows a Christmas gift she ordered in November is still sitting there.
“I’m glad something in the mail is working, I’m glad it’s not at a full stop,” she said. “I get told my package is delayed … it would be nice to know that they’re really trying to work through this giant backlog they’ve got of other stuff.”
eBay reseller Chuck Konz received another one of our packages on Jan. 31
However, he explained that some of his packages were still getting stuck at Houston’s USPS facilities and it was starting to cost him.
“eBay may require me to force a refund, and the item gets delivered eventually, so I'm out both the item and the money,” he said.