Something doesn't smell right here, and this isn't the first that I've heard of this issue with this vendor. I do a TREMENDOUS amount of business online, including the last 11 months. Like I average 2-3 packages a day, amazon and ebay, mostly, and plenty of international purchasing.
NOT ONE SINGLE TIME have I had ANY packages that didn't scan, nor took more than 10 days to get anywhere other than ordering stuff from China during their New Year shut down or media mail. Being in Virginia Beach, VA, I'm certainly not a regional hub.
Just this week I got stuff from China in 9 days, England in 7, and Latvia in 8....and that includes the walk through customs. Cali never takes more than 7 days, either.
Bellville, IL is right across the river from St. Louis. THAT is a hub, and probably where their stuff routes through. I have a friend that two weeks ago stopped by the Sierra bullet plant in Sedalia, MO. He got some free swag. Mailed it to me from the local post office there, continued on his journey to the west coast. 5 days later, swag in my hand.
Professionally I just mailed 17 pounds of burnt transformers from VA to Ohio for an engineering investigation. Paid lowest rate, got there in 4 days.
Onesies, twosies I would believe......but a preponderance of packages coming from one business taking an inordinate amount of time and getting lost/delayed? No, just does not fit my experience with the USPS.