A Houston entrepreneur is grappling with another setback due to delays in the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery system, mere weeks after resolving a previous incident. Zephra Bell, who owns a small business in the city, finds herself in an all-too-familiar situation as she awaits the arrival of a crucial check.
This latest delay comes on the heels of a prior issue where Bell had to wait over two months for a $10,000 check to arrive. Now, she’s facing a similar predicament with a payment from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), which was mailed from Austin on August 19th.
“I’m really kind of in shock that, you know, it hasn’t even been 30 days later, and I’m just right back in the same situation, just waiting on the post office,” Bell expressed to KPRC 2 reporter Rechelle Turner.
The timing of this delay is particularly challenging for Bell, as she had intended to use the funds to assist family members in Asheville, North Carolina, who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. With loved ones still unaccounted for in the aftermath of the storm, Bell is struggling to balance the needs of her business with her desire to help her family.
“I originally didn’t intend to use it. However, I’m from Asheville, North Carolina, which has been heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. Just the stress of dealing with search and rescue to find my mom, my younger sister, my godparents that we’re still searching for… I want to be able to help them back home, but I still have to try to run a business as well,” Bell explained.
For over 50 days, Bell has been actively seeking answers from both the TRS and USPS. She has reached out to local and state officials, sharing emails that highlight her growing frustration. This week, she received a call from USPS customer relations, but it provided little comfort or resolution.
“She did say that they were sorry. They always say that they’re sorry, but nothing really changes,” Bell recounted.
Despite her efforts, Bell has been informed that picking up the check in person is not an option. The postal service has yet to provide a clear explanation for the extended delay.
“We’re short-staffed. We’re underfunded. The new facilities we’re setting up, they’re just not working. So there’s no clear answer as to why it’s taking two-plus months for something that’s going from Texas to Texas to get here. So I’m just really frustrated at this point,” she said.
In an attempt to resolve the issue, the TRS has offered an alternative solution. Bell can send an envelope through FedEx, and the check will be re-issued and overnighted. However, this process could still take an additional 7 to 10 business days, further prolonging the wait.
KPRC has reached out to USPS for comment on the situation but had not received a response at the time of reporting. As Bell continues to wait for a resolution, both her business operations and her ability to support her family in their time of need hang in the balance.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the efficiency and reliability of the USPS, particularly in handling time-sensitive deliveries. It also underscores the ripple effects that postal delays can have on individuals and small businesses, impacting not only financial stability but also the ability to respond to personal emergencies.
As Bell’s story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the critical role that timely mail delivery plays in the lives of many Americans, and the pressing need for improvements in the postal system to better serve its customers.