USPS - Lost Mail

Paula of Hull, MA October 28, 2009

I received a Parcel Search Request form dated 8/19/09, contents found at Denver Bulk Mail Center, to be filled out and mailed to the Atlanta Mail Recovery Unit. I filled out the form, they stated the articles fell out from the package, and mailed the form with the full description of the contents and didn't receive any response.

On 9/17/09, I mail the copy of the form with a 2nd request to search for the articles. To date 10/27/09, I have not had a response. On the search form, the bottom is to be completed by post office as to whether the articles were found and sent on to the addressee, articles are returned to me, or articles not found.

To date I have not received any response. The contents of the package consisted of a Talbot's navy blue silk blend shell and matching sweater. They were in a Talbot's plastic bag and packed in a mailing envelope which I secured each seam with scotch tape. If indeed the sweater set "fell" out of the envelope, the Talbot's bag would be very visable. It doesn't seem to me that anyone pays attention to this form "Parcel Search Request" which they mail to the sender.

And from what I read regarding "Atlanta Mail Recovery Unit", I shouldn't hold my breath for any answer. Unlisted phone, no help - get rid of the whole department and save the money. No economic or physical damage, only disappointment for my sister, who the week before received the slacks to match the sweater set. She was so excited that I found the matching tops. I'm just very disappointed in the system and how they "don't" operate.

Susan of Hobe Sound, FL October 26, 2009

With the holiday season approaching us, I feel compelled to share my recent experience with anyone considering mailing packages or gifts of any value through the USPS. My soon to be son in law mailed a very valuable item by priority mail from our local post office located in Hobe Sound, FL. Unfortunately he did not purchase insurance or opt for registered mail being young and thinking that USPS was safe and responsible.

Being that it was priority mail, he did receive a tracking number. He checked this number via the internet the very next day. It was stamped in Orlando, FL on this date. He then checked the next day, and so on, and so on, for the next 37 days. It was never stamped again. The package, medium sized priority mail box, is no where to be found. After numerous phone calls and needless to say many hours on hold, faxing several items here and there, everyday diligently for 37 days, we are basically told "tough luck, we can't help you."

We gave them our property, entrusting them to do their job and deliver it, and they have failed miserably with no remorse and zero concern. They do not have set routes to track items, no cameras in their mail rooms, they are not even willing to question employees or open an investigation to find out how this package disappeared into thin air. We have exhausted ourselves and all of our few resources they have passed down to us.

Forget about the recovery center in Atlanta, I may as well have been talking to my dog. They were of no help or concern. Their only job and concern is auctioning off other people's property and profiting from it. This is where my long and tiresome search ended. They claim not to have received my 2 separate faxes (confirmed sent) that I had hoped might have saved us from the first auction. I understand an auction is held in Atlanta every 30 days or less, so our hope of recovery has greatly diminished.

We hope others will benefit from our misfortune. The postal service may be cheaper, only if you do not purchase insurance or registered mail. IT IS NOT SAFE. After doing our homework, we will only be using UPS for our mailing services from now on. All of their packages are insured and tracked to their final destination. What's priority? Priority means nothing. I am very sad for this kid's loss, and hard lesson learned in trusting our government. I am greatly disappointed in the USPS for their unwillingness to help and lack of concern in this matter.

What kind of explanation am I left to draw? Where did this package go? What do you think? I gave them a package to deliver and they failed poorly at their only job/responsibly. Loss of EXTREMELY valueable property. Thousands of dollars.

Nishanth of Taylorsville, UT October 26, 2009

I am a graduate student and moved from Ohio to Utah. I mailed my books via media mail in 2 boxes. One of the boxes arrived but the other did not. I mailed in 1st week of June 2009, and have been waiting since. I checked with the Salt Lake city, Utah post office and was told just to wait and see.

The box that did not arrive had some very important books for my research, which are also very expensive. I had saved a lot of my money to buy them, some of them are books that I had bought from India and that are not available here. I did not add tracking/insurance to the books, as I trusted that USPS would deliver books alright, I guess there have been instances where even tracked items were lost.

I cannot afford to raise a case against USPS so, cant do much about it. But would like to warn any one else in future to insure or rather avoid USPS altogether.

Annemarie of Navarre, FL October 25, 2009

I sent a package to my niece in Austria on September 18th 2009 via International Global Express Mail. That package never arrived. I have now been told that the post office is not allowed to investigate because of a Universal Postal Union. Is this true?

Rebecca of Abingdon, MD October 24, 2009

Nearly all of the complaints here or at least many, indicate viewing tracking information that ends with packages seemingly sitting at the appropriate post office and after days have gone by, no other activity appears forthcoming. I can also guarantee that when you call, visit, e-mail, or write your post office to complain and ask their assistance you will feel as though they think you're lying, or a fool to be dismissed and advised "all mail/packages we have received have been delivered", which is most likely true believe it or not. But you know you haven't received it and feel you've been violated, which by the way, you have.

Before you continue on I'd advise that you are more often than not missing a key point: 'all mail/packages we have received have been delivered'; remember this ALSO means, all mail/packages we have NOT received cannot be delivered'. Except that the tracking says your mail has been given to the post office and that's where almost all of us stop considering.

After three packages of my own were lost/stolen (because let's get real, most of these are not simply 'lost') two very expensive ones within the course of three weeks, my husband and I did some very serious cross-referencing after communication with sellers (stores), their post office masters and our own. We started getting conflicting statements that we believe all to be true.

Our search began when our post master looked at what appeared to be USPS tracking since it was in fact coming from USPS tracking online (so how could it NOT be from USPS?). He came back shaking his head in a huff to advise that the information was NOT coming from USPS post officials but rather from private contractors /contracted/hired by USPS (incidentally, this includes most often to be FedEx) to move USPS mail more efficiently. While FedEx is directly involved though, there are others not so clearly identified they are CDS (Contract delivery service).

It appears in our searching and digging that many times tracking information that states a package/mail has been delivered to the post office is actually coming from contracted carriers not USPS even when the sender has given the mail/package directly to the original USPS post office. But sometimes the sender has elected to involved a contractor first such as FedEx SmartPost who then is to deliver that mail/package to the local post office at the receiver's end.

So, who is responsible for that lost mail/package? Well, if USPS doesn't receive ithe mail/package from the contracted shipper, they can't deliver it to the receiver meaning us so they can easily say without guilt that 'oh well, stuff gets lost', or 'you must have gotten it and don't remember', or 'someone must have stolen it from your mailbox'. I bet you can add to that list.

In truth, your mail/package has most likely been stolen alright, but before it ever reached your post office. It's a Federal offense alright too but how do you prove it? Who is liable in the end? Okay, well this is my opinion and some may take issue with it, but I do know that if a company hires subcontractors and a subcontractor does something wrong, the main company is liable.

It does seem that USPS has permitted too many hands in the kitchen though and they don't even know who some of those hands are. I do know I don't trust FedEx and now I have to consider USPS at risk. Perhaps we need to return to the Pony Express? Or, hey, we could just locate that island Tom Hanks was cast onto for several years maybe we'd find all our missing packages there?

Total of 3 lost/stolen packages but I got over the one 3 months ago. This month, actually within a 3-week period two are lost/stolen, I have not been able to recover funds from the stores OR USPS nor replacement merchandise. Just within that 3-week period I have lost about 140.

Brian of Batavia, NY October 24, 2009

In brief overview: The issue I am writing about has been ongoing for over 4 months now-- it involves the USPS's non-delivery of a package, which made it all the way to my local post office, was there on the day that I personally picked up other mail and asked about it and was told that it wasn't there yet, and then it was subsequently marked "unclaimed" and "return to sender".

According to USPS's own admission, and their tracking record, the package then was returned a second time to my local post office, and again it was not delivered, nor was I notified to pick it up [I live less than 1 mile from the post office so I don't think there would be any problem with my getting there], and it was again "returned to sender". The package has never reached the sender and the USPS tells me they have no way of tracking where it is! I have been in contact with the sender {who understandably doesn't feel he needs to be involved since his shipment originally reached it proper destination}, however he also has contacted his shipper and they show they have never received that package back.

I have spent a ridiculous amount of time, and endured much aggravation trying to resolve this matter through various channels of the USPS. I talked with my local postal people 3 or 4 times {Batavia, NY}, 2 emails to Shirley at support@USPS, then 3 times I contacted the USPS Inspector General, 1 phone call to USPS Headquarters in Washington, DC which did nothing more than get me a call from a worker at my local post office [Loretta in Batavia} who was CLUELESS of the entire situation!, 2 emails with Lisa A. S. a Consumer Research Analyst of the Consumer Advocate that accomplished NOTHING!

I have gotten absolutely nothing time and again but, "pass the buck", and "excuses about how this could happen", and "we are truly disappointed that we did not provide you with good service". BUT NO REMEDY FOR MY LOSS! In fact the last attempt I made was a reply to a response email from lisa.a.s. in which I specifically addressed getting a remedy for my situation.

[reply to Lisa A. S.] "I may not understand what you are proposing here. Your reply sounds like you are apologizing for the mess-up, and explaining why the USPS cannot locate the package, but I don't feel that enough (or much of anything really) is being done to "remedy" this problem, such as simply reimbursing me for my loss, or paying the seller to send a replacement item. This matter has been going on for 11 weeks, no one knows where the package has gone, USPS records show that the local post office here in Batavia, NY screwed up which ultimately cause this mess, and still you keep stringing me along. I don't believe it.

"It would be different if the sender had not put the label on the package well, or he addressed it wrong, or didn't insure it properly... or if I was remiss by not going to pick up the item at my post office after it arrived. But none of this happened, rather my post office screwed up [mistakes happen, no one is perfect], but now I'm being mistreated by USPS in making me wait and wait and wait... going on 3 months and no closer to a resolution. You say that "We value your business and wish to keep you as a satisfied customer". Well I am NOT a satisfied customer, and I am becoming less satisfied with each passing week and nothing changes."

Since the above action I have filed a complaint with my NY Senator Gillibrand and after waiting another 3 months her reply was just a repeat of the same "pass the buck", empty apologies", "we're not responsible", "no one's accountable" that has been the case for the entire time [7 months] I have been pursuing a remedy.

My monetary loss is only 50 since the lost item I got at a great buy on eBay. Replacement cost now probably 100+. Damage to my blood pressure and loss of sleep? It's no longer about the money, but rather the principle that USPS abused their responsibility and can walk away simply by saying they are not responsible. Where is accountability?

Randy of Flint, MI October 23, 2009

I cant believe the government made my car get repossed! The USPS has lost my workmans comp check two out of three weeks, what great service. I live week to week and when my check gets lost, my checking account bounces! Two weeks ago it cost me 50.00 this week wil be 75.00. The United States Post Office gets me further in the whole when they lose my mail, and have forced me to not pay my car payment! Once im behind on a bill i cant get caught up, as i live week to week. What great employees at the USPS! It does not take 8 days for a peice of mail to make it two hours away. Thanks again to the government employees for their outstanding service! The bank is ok with taking the car and loseing money they can just make a phone call and get bailed out again.

10-22 Still NO check 50.00 in over draft fees yesterday and there will be another 25.00 today. And if the USPS loses my check that was sent today i will have another 25.00, maybe more because i have to pay the over draft fees from this week, maybe i just wont eat for the week. Im sure they will lose it look at there track record. Also today i spent my last 12.00 on food seeing how i didnt eat for a day and a half. Maybe i should walk away from my employer and work comp and get state aid that way i know i will have money on a bridge card every month and i can sell the food stamp money for cash. I cant help but wonder that maybe a USPS employee stole the check.

Ann of Auburn , GA October 21, 2009

I mailed a very important insurance payment by certified mail on 08-24-09-I paid 2.30 for a return receipt (green Card) I never received. Went to Auburn PO on 10-15-09 and was told by clerk that it was not showing up on computer and they did not know what happened to return receipt or if mail was delivered.

This company would love to have an excuse to cancel my cancer insurance (they have paid out several times). That is why I send payments certified with return receipt. If they are not going to return (green card) I can just save that 2.30 and pay bank for a copy of cleared check if indeed it does not get lost in mail thereby canceling my insurance coverage. I've got to make trip to bank and pay them to track check if cleared beford my insurance cancelation date.

lisa of palm coast, FL October 21, 2009

Package was sent from ProvenBlue.com to my husband Daniel. The post office claims the package was delivered on Friday 10/16 @ 11:30 in the morning. First I never receive my mail before 3 in the afternoon and second I never received ANY mail on that day. I have called the post office twice to no regard. I have also contacted the company and I'm awaiting answers from both.

Brian of Nashua, NH October 20, 2009

This posting will consist of a few complaints. First, our mail is routinely delivered to the wrong address. On more than one occasion my neighbor has opened my bank statements (she has the same bank I do) thinking they were hers. She now has a chunk of my private financial information. If my mail is delivered to somebody shady my identity could easily be stolen.

We do not get our mail if it is raining, snowing, or if it is overcast outside. When complaint was filed with local post office they said mail volume is down. Ok, I still don't think I would go 8 days without mail. On day 9 I got 7 bundles of mail (each with a separate rubber band around them). This would seem to indicate that it was 7 days worth of mail delivered in one day. This is unacceptable. Withholding mail is a federal offense. Only problem is it is impossible to prove.

I went out of town at the beginning of the year and put a hold mail notice. On this notice I selected deliver my held mail on a specific date. Three days after this date I still had not received any mail. I had to go to the post office, where they told me I had selected to have it held until I picked it up. When I showed them the confirmation I had printed (showing that I had selected to have it delivered) they simply shrugged and walked away from me. This was after waiting in line for the customary hour at the local post office.

I recently went out of town again, and filed the necessary hold mail form. This time, however, I chose to pick up the mail. The day I was leaving (noted as the first day to hold the mail) the postal carrier delivered mail as I was leaving the driveway. When I spoke to him he had no idea the mail was to be held. When I returned home I went to the post office to pick up my mail, waiting in line 45 minutes. When I finally got to the counter the supervisor of our route told me I selected to have the mail delivered. I then showed her my confirmation that indicated I had chosen to pick up my mail. It was at this point that she developed the world's biggest attitude. I will admit, after this point I was no longer cordial. I do not look incompetence in the face, have it cop an attitude with me, and let it roll of my back.

These postal workers are illiterate and incompetent. I guess when there are laws preventing any legal action against the post office it just breeds incompetence from the top to the bottom. I can only imagine that an incompetent supervisor will have incompetent staff working for her. At some point we need to privatize the post office and take it out of government hands. Maybe then the taxpayers (we do pay their salaries) will have an actual coarse of action when these people screw up repeatedly. Worst part of the whole thing, the post office has admitted they were incompetent and messed up, but they will not apologize for the mistakes nor the way we were treated.

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