August 7, 2008
-
Higher Cost, Less Service ...
... I'm thinking of picketing my post office.
I've described my problem before. Anytime someone sends me an Express Mail package, my postal service provider refuses to bring it to my apartment.
I had a package that was scheduled to be delivered to me last Saturday. The carrier is ordinarily here at my apartment complex about 11. At 10:45 I went to the mailbox area in hopes of meeting him and pleading for my package, but apparently he came early that day. I'd missed him.
So instead of my package I got a note in my box saying that "Sorry we missed you" with information that if I would call the post office they would ReDeliver the package.
I called.
I was told, "We don't have time to deliver to people who live in apartments. Either you can come in and pick it up or we will return it to sender."
I asked about their hours, realized that there was no way I could get there because I'm at work during those hours every day and because it was Express Mail I was informed that I had until TODAY to pick it up or it would be sent back.
(Long story short, my boss allowed me to clock out so I could drive over and pick it up so I got my package) but I'm furious.
I've never lived anywhere that the Post Office refused to deliver registered or Express Mail to my door. When I lived out in the middle of nowhere it was was literally a quarter of a mile from my mailbox to my door - they delivered. Here where the guy can drive to within a few feet of my door it's "too much trouble".
When someone pays for Express Delivery - shouldn't they at least TRY to bring it to me?
At my mom's house which is also on a rural route the postal carrier will drive into her driveway, get out of his little vehicle, and walk his shorts clad self through many obstacles, past flower gardens, and up the steps to ring her doorbell.
Here, it's too much trouble.
I called the national customer service line (800- ASK-USPS) and was first told that someone from Consumer Affairs would return my call within 24 hours. That didn't happen. SO I called BACK to the national customer service line and was given the local number for the Albuquerque Consumer Affairs office which I will call tomorrow at some point between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm.
But at the same time I was given the number I was advised, "It's unlikely that Consumer Affairs will be able to do anything about the policies of your local post office."
Then what's the point of having a Consumer Affairs Office, I ask you.
And if they aren't able to do anything, who's the next person I should call? My Congressman?
The US Taxpayer (of which God knows I am one) subsidizes the Postal Service to the tune of about $116,000,000 according to the most recent information I could find. And keep in mind that money is in addition to the amount of revenue generated by the rates we are charged for the services provided.
I'll bet that if we were to give that same amount of money to FedEx or UPS - (both of whom CAN find my door) that we'd get our mail delivered.
And in the meantime, if you want to send me a package, please don't use USPS.
Comments (9)
Holy cow! They should walk that up to your door! It isn't like all of the mail is Express... I am... wow... that just doesn't seem right.
I feel ya.
Here I have that problem with both the USPS and UPS. UPS insists they have NO idea where I live, and can't deliver my package. They leave THAT note ON my gate. WT...???
Or, they call me to tell me that I was 'not home' when I have been right in my yard...and KNOW they were not anywhere near me, yet I have to then go pick up my package if I want it, because they'll do THAT repeatedly, given the chance. Yet they can drive down here to eat lunch in the shade at least once or twice a month...parked right in the dirt road to my house.
USPS insists THEY can't deliver packages to MY house...so they leave them all around the neighborhood, then leave me a slip in MY mailbox...why not just put the BOX there??
I remember when the mailman came into the drive, honked for you, or got out and actually delivered the mail TO you. It was a glorious time, but it's gone.
Wow...that's crazy. Whoever is paying for that Express Delivery is not getting what they paid for. It shouldn't matter WHERE you live...they should deliver it if they took the money saying they would. That's just dishonest. Two thumbs down....USPS. Boo!
Argh, that's infuriating. @moniet - As is your story.
Telling people, writing people and calling people in charge, and voting with your money is the way to fix things.
But with UPS being just as bad, it's gonna be tough. I guess FedEx it is.
At the house I live in....I had nothing but problems with my mail carrier...if it was supposed to be express mail I would get in in a week or so. Paying for fast delivery isn't worth it there. Here in this apartment the carrier leaves anything that doesn't fit in the box with the manager....and the manager puts a note on the door of the apartment....and you get it the same day.
I hope that you will be able to get things in the future!!
that is too bad.
Our other postmaster resigned and the staff was replaced with "Hispanics". Trying to communicate what you want becomes an exercise in frustration. I understand having spanish speaking employees to service the illegals in our community, but we need both.
i am soooooo glad most of my customers are local!!!!! now, if i could just my family to move closer....
i am up to 961 credits.