Mail service

[mendeleev 68]

Well, folks, I got somebody's else's mail in my mailbox today, AGAIN. And that Netflix flick that was supposed to arrive today didn't. last time that happened, it never arrived. I've been to the postmaster a half dozen times about this carrier and even complained to my Congressman, to no avail. And, a couple days ago, my wife got the parcel I sent to her in Russia. (She's back there, visiting son, grandson, & mother for the better part of the summer, and asked for some USA creature comforts.) It was, I don't know, probably the 30th parcel I've sent there and every one arrives intact, and in a reasonable amount of time. I remember never getting somebody's else's mail in my mailbox when I had an apartment near hers.

So, it my experience is that, in spite of its bad rap, the Russian postal service works way better than the USPS here in the good old USA.

I'm wondering if mine is a shared impression, based on shared experience, or what.

[BluesTraveler 0]

Well, folks, I got somebody's else's mail in my mailbox today, AGAIN. And that Netflix flick that was supposed to arrive today didn't. last time that happened, it never arrived.

Maybe this person is your neighbor....

1st Photo --- http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

[mendeleev 68]

Well, folks, I got somebody's else's mail in my mailbox today, AGAIN. And that Netflix flick that was supposed to arrive today didn't. last time that happened, it never arrived.

Maybe this person is your neighbor....

1st Photo --- http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Maybe, but that doesn't account for all the mail delivered to me that isn't mine...tax documents from other people's employers (apparently), insurance documents, all sorts of things that would matter if they weren't properly delivered. And I once got a call from a credit collection agency, calling about a medical bill I never received ... so I know it goes both ways around here.

[Thomas-n-Elena 0]

You are right to complain about the carrier but it can also be an issue with the sortation system USPS uses. Is your address similar? Is it your neighbors mail? I get stuff for the people that used to live in my house all the time and occasionally a piece or two of mail ends up at my neighbors. Our postal system may be bad but its the only one we have.

[Steve S 2]

I have received mail at the wrong address a few times, but have generally found US Post to be reliable, and a bargain. For 44 cents, I can send a letter to just about anyplace in the country for a couple of days or so. They deliver on Saturdays (at least for now). No complaints here. Can't honestly compare to Russian system, but I can say it takes one full month for my parcel to reach my fiance's hometown and most of that delay is on their side of the Atlantic. It once took two months for her parcel to reach me.

[johnj 0]

If you want to complain, do it higher up the line, in writing; but not as high as congress. I would document the problem with copies of the pieces of mail, dates the mail is delivered wrong, etc. Usually, a sub mailman fills in when you regular mailman is on vacation or has a day off. You need the dates to document who delivered the mail; you need to document it is not a one time problem and you need to show it is not just a simple mistake (transposed numbers on the mail-reason for the copies).

[AKguy 1]

but I can say it takes one full month for my parcel to reach my fiance's hometown and most of that delay is on their side of the Atlantic. It once took two months for her parcel to reach me.

Speaking of 2 months, Anna mailed me some muffins last Christmas... that I got in mid January. Nothing like getting some mummified food in the mail!

[Septembergold 0]

when we send something home (Russia) it takes up to a month.... when my parents send us something (to the states) the package gets here in about 10 days.....

[John24689 0]

I mailed a number of pictures last year to a friend of my wife's in Russia. She never received them. :-( Now I just give the pictures to hand carry them when she goes to Russia. Now her friend gets them.

[slim 1,525]

USPS is using flunkies to deliver your mail now. They're going through the same budget cuts that everyone else is going through and unionized letter carriers are expensive. To combat that cost they've hired "casual" letter carriers who get about $12+/hour to deliver your mail. They have no incentive to do a good job.

To make that monthly movie fee worth it and avoid future trips to Blockbuster, either open a PO Box (and pick up the mail yourself - from the post office where an actual union letter carrier will ensure it's placed in the right box) or have them start sending your movies via certified mail.

Or just do like the rest of us poor folks do and buy from the bootleg guy outside the grocery store.

[mendeleev 68]

I'm a little more outraged, Slim, at the medical bill I wasn't expecting and never got until the lab turned the account over to a collection agency!

That was a nice black eye.

[slim 1,525]

I'm a little more outraged, Slim, at the medical bill I wasn't expecting and never got until the lab turned the account over to a collection agency!

That was a nice black eye.

We got one of those too. After telling my wife not to go, not to go, not to go, she insisted on going anyway. When the bill game I told her to pay, told her to pay, told her to pay.

"I not understand why we event have inshooorance but still must be pay $680. This stupid doctor event not find nosing. I make only one scan. Why so expensive, blat?"

Eventually, she got tired of the collection agencies calling and worked out some kind of deal with them on how to pay it off. Nothing like building your credit while simultaneously ruining your credit. Welcome to America!

[mendeleev 68]

I'm a little more outraged, Slim, at the medical bill I wasn't expecting and never got until the lab turned the account over to a collection agency!

That was a nice black eye.

We got one of those too. After telling my wife not to go, not to go, not to go, she insisted on going anyway. When the bill game I told her to pay, told her to pay, told her to pay.

"I not understand why we event have inshooorance but still must be pay $680. This stupid doctor event not find nosing. I make only one scan. Why so expensive, blat?"

Eventually, she got tired of the collection agencies calling and worked out some kind of deal with them on how to pay it off. Nothing like building your credit while simultaneously ruining your credit. Welcome to America!

Our deal is a bit different than yours, Slim. Sounds like your family ignored the bill. We don't ignore ours.

Our mail carrier never delivered the first or second bill and then the lab turned it over to a collection agency. They called me on the phone. The day my wife and I were aware of the obligation, if was paid.

Thank you, reliable USPS! Our experience with the Russian post is orders of magnitude better!

Edited August 8, 2009 by novotul

[slim 1,525]

Our mail carrier never delivered the first or second bill and then the lab turned it over to a collection agency.

How do you know the mail carrier never delivered it?