So, I had a very important package mailed to me. I didn't get a choice on the 'mailed' part, meaning it was sent via USPS, as that was the sender's choice (and the senders $$$).
It was sent Priority Mail, Insured, with a signature required on delivery. And of course, it was two days late... which is obligatory at this time of year.
And what happened? The mail carrier stuffed it into my mailbox (forcibly, as it didn't really fit to begin with), and then drove off. No effort to even collect a signature, as no one ever left the truck, or even approached my front door.
After putting this all together, I called the Post Office seeking an explanation. I reached the Postmaster, and explained the situation. It was very clear by the tone of his voice and by the content of what he was responding to me with, that he really didn't care and felt that I was wasting his time. When I pointed this out to him, he hung up the phone on me.
Of course, the Postmaster didn't realize that I live just three blocks from the Post Office, and that he's really easy to find. So, I put on a jacket and took a short walk to the Post Office so we could finish the conversation that he rather rudely ended. I walked in, waited in line with the package in hand, and when it was my turn I politely explained to the clerk that I needed to talk to the Postmaster, as we had been speaking on the phone and I had been rudely hung up on. I was now there to finish the conversation, as I was not through.
After a few minutes, the Postmaster met me at a side door, well away from other customers... of course. The first thing that he did was to threaten to call the police on me, and have me removed from the building. That sounds impressive until one realizes that it would take them at least 15 minutes to respond to a call like that. I know, as I've lived here for 25 years. When it was obvious that he was over-reacting and that I was not any sort of threat, we were eventually able to have a conversation like two adults.... or as 'adult' as someone who works for the Post Office and hangs up on people can be.
We discussed the issues, and he agreed that it none of it had been handled well at all. Of course, it was every excuse in the book... COVID, Christmas, midget porn, you name it. I bluntly told him that he really needs to re-think the hanging up the phone on people strategy, as he's actually really easy to find. It took me 10 minutes, and 5 of those minutes I was standing in line. I reminded him that he had hung up on me without me raising my voice, and without cursing or using any derogatory terms towards him OR his staff. His excuse for that was that "usually people call back". I also suggested that when he is going to hang up on someone, to at least announce that's what he's doing... before he does it. I told him that just slamming down the phone is a really a cheap move.
In typical USPS style, I really didn't get an apology for the typical poor service, other than he'd have a conversation with the carrier who delivered the package, and mention it to all of the carriers as a reminder. I wish I had a union that would do such a good job in protecting me, when I intentionally don't do my job. I did get an apology for getting hung up on, however. Unlike the earlier conversation where I was hung up on, we were able to end this conversation with an elbow bump.
So for everyone that might not understand why I must disguise my used oil samples, by sealing them in an Amazon bag before mailing them... this is exactly why. This is the level of thinking, and the lack of service that the USPS provides in my town.
It was sent Priority Mail, Insured, with a signature required on delivery. And of course, it was two days late... which is obligatory at this time of year.
And what happened? The mail carrier stuffed it into my mailbox (forcibly, as it didn't really fit to begin with), and then drove off. No effort to even collect a signature, as no one ever left the truck, or even approached my front door.
After putting this all together, I called the Post Office seeking an explanation. I reached the Postmaster, and explained the situation. It was very clear by the tone of his voice and by the content of what he was responding to me with, that he really didn't care and felt that I was wasting his time. When I pointed this out to him, he hung up the phone on me.
Of course, the Postmaster didn't realize that I live just three blocks from the Post Office, and that he's really easy to find. So, I put on a jacket and took a short walk to the Post Office so we could finish the conversation that he rather rudely ended. I walked in, waited in line with the package in hand, and when it was my turn I politely explained to the clerk that I needed to talk to the Postmaster, as we had been speaking on the phone and I had been rudely hung up on. I was now there to finish the conversation, as I was not through.
After a few minutes, the Postmaster met me at a side door, well away from other customers... of course. The first thing that he did was to threaten to call the police on me, and have me removed from the building. That sounds impressive until one realizes that it would take them at least 15 minutes to respond to a call like that. I know, as I've lived here for 25 years. When it was obvious that he was over-reacting and that I was not any sort of threat, we were eventually able to have a conversation like two adults.... or as 'adult' as someone who works for the Post Office and hangs up on people can be.
We discussed the issues, and he agreed that it none of it had been handled well at all. Of course, it was every excuse in the book... COVID, Christmas, midget porn, you name it. I bluntly told him that he really needs to re-think the hanging up the phone on people strategy, as he's actually really easy to find. It took me 10 minutes, and 5 of those minutes I was standing in line. I reminded him that he had hung up on me without me raising my voice, and without cursing or using any derogatory terms towards him OR his staff. His excuse for that was that "usually people call back". I also suggested that when he is going to hang up on someone, to at least announce that's what he's doing... before he does it. I told him that just slamming down the phone is a really a cheap move.
In typical USPS style, I really didn't get an apology for the typical poor service, other than he'd have a conversation with the carrier who delivered the package, and mention it to all of the carriers as a reminder. I wish I had a union that would do such a good job in protecting me, when I intentionally don't do my job. I did get an apology for getting hung up on, however. Unlike the earlier conversation where I was hung up on, we were able to end this conversation with an elbow bump.
So for everyone that might not understand why I must disguise my used oil samples, by sealing them in an Amazon bag before mailing them... this is exactly why. This is the level of thinking, and the lack of service that the USPS provides in my town.