This is how stupid my postal carrier is

EagleEyeKid

Okay, for years I've been getting mail to my house with no problems. Registered, certified, express, priority, etc. I'v gotten to know my carrier a bit, and she's quite friendly etc. Small talk here and there when I see the truck pulling up my to mailbox on the street. This is the type of box that has 8 different key slots for 8 different residence on the sidewalk. Anyways, she's usually good about bringing stuff to my door whenever it is insured, certified, registered, etc that needs a signature. If I'm not home, then I get the pink slip telling me to go pick it up. I get little packages here and there that don't fit into my mailbox (that don't require signature ie book club, zit cream box like proactive) and it's left on my door tucked on the side, but you can still see if from the street if you look hard enough and my house is on the corner. Kids walking by all the time from school and cut through my lawn and not using the sidewalk. Okay, so there's the introduction to my story....

Over 2 weeks ago, a board member sent me a shoe box size priority flat box with insurance and cards to split for a bulk submission. This was sent on 10/05/06 which was the reason I posted that other thread to see how long does it take. Anyways, it's been over 2 weeks and we've been tracking it with the insurance #. We get a printout that it was delivered on 10/10/06 at 4PM. The PO has a different system for tracking insurance #. So I've been chasing this package with all the venues they've been giving me and finally went to the station and was given a copy of the printout. It shows that it was delivered, but there was no signature for it (must be signed), and it was not scanned either. It said the recepient was the carrier. So I was told to call the shift manager and I finally tracked him down and explained to him what had happened and he said he will search for it and also talk to my carrier. I get the phone call back from him today and he said that the carrier did leave it on my door at 4PM on 10/10/06. I almost lost it. There are just too many kids playing on my street and now someone out there is enjoying the cards. What also stinks is I've been home the past 3 weeks. I must of stepped out around that time if it was brought to my door.

I waited for my carrier to come today with the mail so I sat in my garage waiting till I saw her truck. I went up to her and she said "I know you want to say something to me, but I was off that day on the 10th" which may or may not be true. I have to give her the benefit of doubt cos all these years, she's been on top of it with these types of packages. So besides telling this poor board member (Drew, I'm sorry) that he has to file a claim; I need to call back and file a complaint and find out who left it on my door. I basically want someone's ass canned. These special services that we have to pay extra for are there for a reason; so due to a carrier's negligence; someone is now out of a lot of money.

What a crappy day. I'm going to put on my Mickey Mouse hat and go postal on their asses. I'm so pissed right now. Would you want someone's butt fired for this?

Bunker

Dude thats sucks big time. I'm glad that it was insured.

EagleEyeKid

In retrospect, I've had a different carrier once come to my door when my regular carrier was off. The sub carrier actually had a registered box from PSA and she asked for my ID when I answered the door. Talk about professional and thorough.
I don't know. Me thinks my carrier is lying. I'll have to call back on Monday to find out who actually did that route on 10/10/06.

Elemenopeo

Was the package sent registered mail, hence the "required" signature? Seems like somebody should get busted for sure, if that's the case.

lawnmowerman

Yeah, I would for sure try to find out who left it on your door. That just shows that either the carrier didnt care or is just plain dumb! Either way they should be canned.

matt

EagleEyeKid

Was the package sent registered mail, hence the "required" signature?

No it was sent priority mail with the blue insurance slip....a signature is "required" for this. If it's under $50 which is the green slip
you fill out and they just stamp it "insured", no signature is required
for that.

jimq112

<< <i>In retrospect, I've had a different carrier once come to my door when my regular carrier was off. The sub carrier actually had a registered box from PSA and she asked for my ID when I answered the door. Talk about professional and thorough.
I don't know. Me thinks my carrier is lying. I'll have to call back on Monday to find out who actually did that route on 10/10/06. >>



Bryan, there is a time sheet that we have to mark when we arrive, leave to deliver the route, return from the route, and leave for the day. If the regular is off then the sub has to sign that sheet, it's how they get paid. Subs don't punch a time card.

They keep the sheets for years.

They will have it on site and the station manager or postmaster has access to it and knowledge of where it is.

In defense of the sub, if it was not the normal sub they are usually running behind and make their best guess as to where and when they can safely leave a package. They don't know you so they don't know where it would normally be left. That said, there's no defense for not having an insured package signed for.

PM me if you need to know more about USPS or your problem in particular. I do that job and my wife works inside, I'm glad to help if I can.

jim

EagleEyeKid

Thanks Jim. I'm going to call back on Monday to talk to the shift manager (he's gone for the day) and will find out exactly who did that route that day. What stinks is that the poor board member who sent these cards to me were getting his cards graded for the very first time with PSA. So this is an unsettling experience for him, and I just feel really bad.

Allen

My mailman is the worst. I do not know where to start on him, he has done so many stupid things. I have gone to the PO and comlained several times and service is usually better for a while, but eventually he goes back to his sloppyness.

earlycalguy

my mail lady is great. she leaves everything for me in the locked package box, i sign for them and leave the card for her to pick up the next day. the only one she doesn't leave for me without signing first is registered mail.

jomer

track down the postie for additional info.........

also
talk to the kids in the neigbourhood...........somebody must know something.

and
if in fact it was stolen in that small window of opportunity....................i'd put the house up for sale.

drewsef

I just had a chance to check my work e-mail account, and read the post here. Well, that really stinks to hear, and this was gonna be my first submission to boot. I'm sure it will be 6 months before I see a dime of the insurance claim or postage back, but thanks to Bryan going way out of his way to try to track this package down, I have the copy of where it shows received by the C. Carrier and obviously left at the door after that only to be left at the door and unsigned for. Any ideas how long it will take to get the insurance claim back and the postage/insurance costs? Again, thanks Bryan and this is my first and hopefully last roller coaster ride with the post office.

Ironmanfan

These reasons are EXACTLY why I started renting a PO Box years ago. Its well worth the $30-40 fee and I have never had an item lost or misdirected. When I'm getting something from UPS & they need to deliver to a physical street address, I simply use my work address.

Griffins

My mail carrier is the best. He leaves any package except registered at my door (it's my business with an interior hallway) so I never have to chase down the slips at the post office. He never brings them on Saturday so I don't have to worry, and makes sure that the subs never bring packages but wait a day so he can do it. He knows it's something important and treats it accordingly, and when there is a check in the mail he rings the door instead of leaving it in the box, so I can get it to the bank. And everything with a smile.
When he was new on the route I introduced myself, learned his name, and make sure there is a thank you everytime I see him and a thank you envelope at the holidays for him and a smaller one for the regular sub. They get so much grief from people but for the most part they do a really good job.

EagleEye, since you're on a corner did you consider putting some plants or something to hide packages between on your porch?

cardfan07

Depending on the value of the box, I'd probably go door to door to talk with whatever adult can be found and explain that someone in the 'hood grabbed a box off your porch and you'd like it back. No questions asked of course. I see posts like this and the T206 collection stolen post and it makes me want to take more drastic measures for protecting not only my collection, but also my other possessions and also my family.

EagleEyeKid

EagleEye, since you're on a corner did you consider putting some plants or something to hide packages between on your porch?

There are a few bushes and small plants, but they're pretty low. There is one pilar on my porch which most packages would lean from and it's hidden from the street if you look directly in front of my door; although it may be visible from the side if you look hard enough. My thought is that everyone knows what a postal carrier looks like when they approach your house. Someone may have seen him/her leave something and that's when it happened.

Griffins

In that case using your business address (where there is always someone to sign for it) or a PO box might help. Doesn't do you any good this time, unfortunately, but I"m sure this isn't the last package you get.