Here is an even worse recent case than that cited in the letter Envelope Undelivered, Misplaced Or Simply Lost (April 4). Seven weeks ago I posted a card for the United States. It was returned for additional (double) postage.
Done and reposted that same day. It has yet to reach its destination, and probably never will. Maltapost maintains that only registered post can be traced.
There the matter rests. My experience is that the postal service was much more efficient and reliable as a government entity, e.g. post a letter on Sunday, collected Monday evening and, hopefully, delivered Tuesday.