My US Post Office Rant

This is my opportunity to rant about the US Post Office but also curious if others have had similar situations. After much jumping over hoops, I got GE Appliances to send me a new refrigerator handle for my two year old refrigerator for no fee. The part was being sent via Federal Express and USPS. Yesterday, the door bell rings and my postman is walking away. I address him and he then turns and tells me something is wrong with my package. I look down and the narrow brown carton is wrapped in a plastic wrap and discolored. I state the box is open. I pull the handle out and it and my hand is drenched in a wet substance. I say what is this. I'm told oil. At the USPS distribution center another package leaked oil over mine and others. I ask why did you decide to deliver in this condition? I am told (and later reconfirmed) that they have to deliver it no matter what the condition. To make this rant shorter, after talking to "higher" ups, even though the damage happened on their premises it is not the USPS responsibility to resolve the situation. I or GE should have insured the package. Some of you may say, just wipe it off. Since I don't really know what substance it really was and what effect the chemical could have on the white paint in the days to come, I really don't want this handle. Plus it is for my refrigerator and the thought of this liquid substance all over the handle makes my OCD come in. I was just glad I was home to question the postman, instead of just finding it on my doorstep. If I had brought it into my house, the oil or whatever the liquid was , would have greatly stained my carpet. Of which I was told by USPS, that would have been my fault, since I chose to bring it into my house. I know this is long. It is just sad that we have become a place where no one takes responsibility for their actions. It shouldn't surprise me...but it still does. I am going to hope GE is understanding and replaces the part, but would understand if they chose not to.

I appreciate that Jane. Then, you know from your experiences, were told, it's everybody else fault, but the USPS. That's the attitude I don't like.

I'm so cynical that I think they lose mail on purpose to force us to pay more by using certified mail, insurance, return receipt, etc. And it works for them - I don't send anything important without paying extra for certified mail. Bast**ds.

I freelance in addition to my full time job. In the last two years alone, the post office has lost/failed to deliver a dozen freelance checks -- and as anyone who freelances knows, getting a replacement check for a paycheck already issued is no easy task.

The letter carriers don't seem to lose any of my other mail -- just my checks. I reported it to the USPS and their response was basically tough SH*T. When I suggested that someone might be stealing my checks, they practically laughed in my face.

So yeah, I hate the USPS and their pretty much universally horrible service.

It's possible for some places where I do work, but there are other companies I contract for that aren't located in NYC.

Bring back the Pony Express

With everyone using e mail & e cards, they are hurting for money. Do you keep pouring money into it which will do nothing more than put a band aid on a gaping wound? It makes sense to reduce delivery to reduce costs but try getting people to agree to it is like pulling teeth. The same people will than complain when the cost of a stamp has to go up to pay for redundant services. When the cost of a stamps goes up, less people use the USPS . Once that happens, you know the rest. No Saturday delivery means one less day to get a bill or a pile of junk mail.

Updated On: 6/25/15 at 10:00 AM

I'm waiting for "We lost your package but here's your note.

^This

The USPS struggles because there's been a consistent effort to defund it by folks like Goth who get elected to Congress.

The only person in the universe who would complain about the price of a stamp going up is the one person in this thread who made fun of people who would complain about the price of a stamp going up.

I think we should only have M-F delivery too.

For the record, I'm actually very sensitive to the USPS' struggles. I used them for a long time even after they screwed up and didn't do much to correct the issue several times. I don't want to see anyone laid off.

But at a certain point, when you have no confidence that your bills will get paid on time or time sensitive document will arrive, you just have to stop using them.

My office spends way more on shipping now than say, 5 years ago because we had to start using UPS for even the most basic of correspondences. We don't want to incur the expense but "it got lost in the mail", while true, doesn't mollify clients.