US Postal Service

Consumers have a lot of problems with USPS, as the complaints in this section attest.  What's perhaps most unfortunate about this is the hostility displayed by too many postal employees who could care less whether their efforts to serve taxpayers are successful.

USPS • Damaged Mail • Lost Mail • No Mail Delivery • Stolen Mail • Wrong Mail --- • Address Disputes • Change of Address • Dangerous Drivers • Hostility • Prescriptions Mishandled • Privacy Violations • Restricted Substances --- • Priority Mail • Express Mail • Military Mail --- News • Postal Service May Seek Service Cut • Movie Fans Suspect Foul Play at the Post Office

By the way, many consumers routinely leave their outgoing mail in the lobbies of apartment buildings. Not a good idea, as Christopher of Seattle now knows.

Then there's the question of whether the Postal Service is meeting the letter and spirit of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Oh, and some of those postal workers don't drive too well either.

A few of the more recent complaints ...

Paulette of Ann Arbor, MI October 8, 2008

Paulette of Ann Arbor MI (10/08/08)
On 9-29-08 I mailed a letter from Ann Arbor, Michigan to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands by Priority Mail under the representation that it would arrive in 3 to 4 days. On 10-6-08 I learned that the letter had not been delivered to its destination. I tracked the letter only to learn that it had been delivered to the Miami post office on 9-30-8 and was still in that office! I was then told that I needed to call the post office in Miami to complain and inquire as to why the letter had not been seent to the VI. Not having all day to deal with automated machines I complained by e-mail.

I was then informed on 10-7-08 that they had just sent the letter to the VI. There are at least 3 commuter jets/day that go from Miami to San Juan and then St. Thomas and there is no justification as to why a simple letter was held in Miami for 7 days after I had paid Priority Mail Postage for 3 to 4 day delivery.

When I tried to file a complaint by e-mail and hit the Submit button the entire submission was erased because a single required field was not filled in. I have subsequently not been able to even find the site where I tried to complain. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO EVEN COMPLAIN ABOUT THE POST OFFICE TO THE POST OFFICE.

I only lost the cost of the Priority Mail postage but suffered the aggrivation of not getting this important letter to the intended recepient.

Chris of 12 South 38th Street, NJ October 7, 2008

Chris of 12 South 38th Street NJ (10/07/08)
On Sept 22-2008 my confirmation number states that my package was delivered to my house. It definately wasnt delivered. Everyone i called was totally NOT helpful. They said i just have to take a loss. Why do i take a loss? It states its delivered when it wasnt.

Its obviously been stolen. I have lived at this same address for 30 years and never ever had a package stolen from my mailbox. I am out 35.00

Jan of College Grove, TN October 5, 2008

Jan of College Grove TN (10/05/08)
A company that sent me some textbooks in error mailed me a return postage sticker so I could return the books in the original box. The postmaster refused to accept the box, saying it had old postage on it. The book company printed the postage on September 26, 2008, sent it to me by mail, and I took it to the P.O. on October 1, 2008, so the postage was less than a week old! I refused to take it back; she threatened to call the police. I told her I'd call my attorney and the local media while I waited for the cops to arrive. She reconsidered and accepted my box. She said she was protecting the integrity of the post office. Trying to force someone to pay twice Sounds like simple old-fashioned stealing to me!

Minh of San Jose, CA October 4, 2008

Minh of San Jose CA (10/04/08)
I tried to track an overnight delivery package by calling in. I asked to track the package and would like to hold the package at the post office so that the receiver can pick it up. The postal employee gave me answers but none of them were any difference from the tracking website. I told her that I need more help. She told me to hold and then forwarded me to a Spanish speaker staff. This intentional action seemed like she wanted to get rid of me and this will be a method that they will use it over and over again.

I could not get any help of of the employees. Basically, from now on, I will never try any package delivery by using US Postal Office. If there is any company that can deliver regular letters, I will use that service instead of US Postal Service.

Margaret of Chapel Hill, NC October 1, 2008

Margaret of Chapel Hill NC (10/01/08)
I had a mailbox service. Without notice it left the shopping center. I tried to make a change of address to the post office. It said it won't forward mail from those mail services. I tried to individually contact all my people and my bank said the post office would not 'recognize' my address. There are hundreds of people who live in this complex. I have no way to receive mail now.

I don't know what will happen. I have no way to receive my social security checks, I lost the 3 months I paid ahead to the mail service and I have no way to receive mail. Millions of us use these mail services. Why won't the post office take a forward from one of them to a new address? Why doesn't the post office recognize the address of the hundreds who live where I live?

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