Shopping online has made getting what you want easier than ever as you sit comfortably at home and simply wait for your package to be delivered to your door. However, package delivery is not always that simple and can sometimes cause a bit of anxiety. From late and damaged packages to porch pirates and holiday shipping concerns, many aspects of online shopping are out of our control and leave Americans frustrated.
As we approach the holiday season, the team at Bitcoin Postage decided to determine where people feel the most overwhelmed by shipping. To do this, we surveyed residents of each state and asked about their experiences, the precautions they take to keep packages safe, and more. Using these responses, we created a frustration score on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most frustrated. Read on to see how Americans are tackling shipping angst in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Residents in Mississippi, Texas, and California experience the most angst while waiting for packages to ship.
- Residents in Maine, Wisconsin, and Minnesota experience the least angst while waiting for packages to ship.
- Nearly 1 in 5 Americans admit to checking on the status of a pending delivery 6 or more times in one day.
- 1 in 5 Americans are very worried about potential shipping delays this holiday season.
- 1 in 5 Americans plan to shop in person more this holiday season due to shipping concerns.
- On average, Americans feel more anxious when the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx are delivering their package.
Where Americans Experience the Most Anxiety Waiting for Packages
Ordering new clothes, technology or anything else online can be exciting, but the time spent waiting for your delivery can also be anxiety-inducing, especially if you’ve dealt with package theft. Topping the list for those who experience the most shipping angst is Mississippi, with a frustration score of 99.89 out of 100. Residents of the state are the most likely to ask a company for a refund on shipping if their package is delivered late. Additionally, Mississippi residents are the most likely to experience high levels of anxiety while waiting for their packages to be delivered.
Texas comes in second with a score of 97.20, where nearly 1 in 2 residents have installed doorbell cameras to monitor package deliveries. California ranks third with a score of 94.45 as the state’s residents are the most worried about porch pirates in the U.S. Although lower on our list, ranking seventh, Louisiana residents have had more packages stolen from their doorstep than any other state.
With the holidays comes an increase in package shipments as many people turn to online shopping to purchase gifts. This results in even higher levels of shipping angst, with the most worry coming from Mississippi, Texas, and Maryland residents. Concerns of delivery delays and lost or damaged packages are too much for some Americans, leading 1 in 5 to stick to in-person shopping this holiday season.
The Precautions Americans Take to Keep Packages Safe
Once we uncovered where Americans are experiencing the most shipping angst, we turned our attention to the precautions they have taken to keep their deliveries safe. On average, 1 in 2 people receive packages at least once a week, so it’s only natural that they spend time ensuring they receive their shipments.
We found the most common tactic Americans use is tracking their packages to their door and immediately bringing them inside. Following closely behind is signing up for text alerts to track their deliveries, which 3 in 4 people do.
Installing a doorbell camera, installing security cameras, and requiring a signature for deliveries rank third, fourth, and fifth respectively. Additionally, 1 in 4 people rely on help from their neighbors, asking them to keep an eye out for deliveries. We also discovered that 1 in 5 Americans would even go as far as to cancel plans to ensure they are home at the time of delivery.
Americans would even go as far as to cancel plans to ensure they are home at the time of delivery.
The Most and Least Reliable Delivery Services, According to Americans
The U.S. Postal Service is the least trusted delivery method, making more than a third of Americans feel anxious. In second place is FedEx, followed by DHL. Overall, 65% of people say they often choose Amazon for their online shopping to ensure fast, reliable shipping.
In addition to the general views of Americans, we uncovered the delivery services that make each state most anxious. While the USPS makes 25 states the most anxious about package delivery, the government-run postal service doesn’t hold a monopoly on delivering anxiety. It tied for producing the most delivery anxiety in four states with FedEx and tied in West Virginia with DHL. In Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania residents are most concerned when FedEx is delivering their packages, while Minnesota residents noted both FedEx and DHL for increased anxiety. Finally, we found DHL fills residents in Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington with the most shipping angst.
Avoid Shipping Angst with Bitcoin Postage
Waiting for a shipment can be a headache, but shipping packages to loved ones doesn’t have to be. With Bitcoin Postage, you can buy and print postage quickly and pay using Bitcoin. With various carriers to choose from and instant printing of labels from your home, shipping packages to your loved ones is easier than ever.
In addition to helping you ship your packages, you can also track packages to ensure they arrive safely, hopefully relieving some shipping anxiety. Get started by entering your package information to check shipping rates and start printing your labels today.
Methodology
In this study, we set out to learn about the shipping angst Americans have in 2024. To do this, we surveyed residents of each state to ask about how often they track their package delivery, the precautions they’ve taken to keep their packages safe, which delivery companies make them more anxious, and more. Using these responses, we awarded points to answers that represented anxiety and frustration regarding shipping. We calculated the average score by state and adjusted those scores on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most anxiety and frustration.