Missing packages? Postal service asks for patience

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHAM) — Just days until Christmas, many are wondering whether their gifts will make it under the tree on time.

The United States Postal Service has warned about delays. A record number of packages and staffing shortages - both worsened by the coronavirus pandemic - are to blame.

Packages can be tracked online, but many tell 13WHAM they have been seeing the same message for days. The tracker claims their packages have made it to the Rochester distribution center or are in transit, with no answer as to when it will arrive to their homes.

Robyn Kraft is waiting on two packages that supposedly arrived in Rochester last week.

"I think my neighbors are like, 'Why is this girl going outside every two hours, looking at her mailbox and looking all around?'" she said. "Some of them arrived on the 16th of December and are still sitting at the Rochester distribution center saying 'in transit', which, I don't see see how they are in transit because they still haven't been here."

The United States Post Service says Rochester's processing and distribution centers have experienced mail challenges due to COVID and those problems have only worsened as mail volume has increased dramatically in recent days.

Kraft is frustrated not knowing if she will be able to give the presents she intended to at Christmas.

"I'm leaving tomorrow and I don't have four gifts that I thought I was bringing," she said. "A lot of us had thought we were prepared this year and just - no matter what you do, it blindsides you."

A spokesperson for the postal service says workers are being moved to facilities that need more resources and that processing and delivery will return to normal levels "quickly."

For Kraft, it likely won't be in time.

"You are at the mercy of the postal service," she said.