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I'd be interested in trying "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas". I assume this only happens with hand-sorted mail as well. I'd be interested in breaking it d

I'd be interested in trying "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas". I assume this only happens with hand-sorted mail as well. I'd be interested in breaking it down by zip code too. I have a related anecdote. I live in Chicago, which has the slowest mail delivery in the country. I've lived in a number of zip codes, and I've never found the mail to get lost, merely delayed. However, I recently moved to a new place, and I've started losing mail. I've generally liked my mail people, but I'm convinced that the mail people at my new place are lazy. I've had issues with mail getting rained on because they never shut the top of the mailbox, I've had mail go missing. They have "signed" for certified mail for me. They'll leave a package on my steps, but they won't close the gate on the way out. They ignore the name printed on the mailbox and deliver mail for old tenants, despite mail regulations forbidding them to do so. Plus, I've tried talking to my mailperson, and she is always on the phone and refuses to talk to me. I know delivering mail isn't the most glamorous job, but have some pride.

acomjean 10y ago
They're generally good and I like to use them to ship since they have keys to my building and can drop boxes in the lobby. However a few weeks ago they marked a package "delivered" when it wasn't (I got a text saying it was delivered which was nice). It came a 2 days later marked 3 minutes after the delivery was due. I figured it was stolen but the shipper indicated that this happens frequently and they wouldn't consider it missing for a couple days. A relative works for the postal service, its a good gig, good benefits etc.. but they have to realize that for packages at least, the competition is formidable.
LeifCarrotson 10y ago
>Plus, I've tried talking to my mailperson, and she is always on the phone and refuses to talk to me. As much as we like to try to fix problems systemically, and place blame or praise on organizations as a whole, an awful lot comes down to the bottom of the pyramid/the top of the tree. I would blame most of those complaints on the one person who actually brings the mail to your house when the giant machine spits it all out. I am fortunate to have a great relationship with our mail carrier. If you're reading this, Patricia, thank you!
- Declanomous 10y ago
  > I am fortunate to have a great relationship with our mail carrier. In all fairness, this is the first time I've had problems with my mail carrier. Normally I've found my mail carriers friendly, helpful and conscientious. I appreciate how hard the job can be, especially in Chicago, where the weather is all over the place, and the traffic is a nightmare.
int_19h 10y ago
Post offices certainly vary widely in terms of quality of service. The recurring problem that we have is that the delivery person won't actually attempt to deliver, even if you're at home and the package requires signature - they don't even knock on the door, just leave a sticker outside saying that you weren't there to sign, so please go pick it up. I don't know if there's a good system in place to deal with it. So far, complaining, either directly to the supervisor over the phone and in person, or filing complaints on the USPS website, have resulted in no improvement. I think it's because they have a shortage of applicants for those jobs, and so are very reluctant to fire anyone; and reprimands just aren't working.
- alasdair_ 10y ago
  I have a camera on my front door with a mobile app to view it. I recently had out mailman do exactly this (while I was home and only a few feet from the door). I had to chase him down and he told me flat out that he had knocked, waited and I wasn't home. I showed him the camera footage and I've never had a problem since (and I'd have weekly problems with this beforehand ).

acomjean 10y ago

They're generally good and I like to use them to ship since they have keys to my building and can drop boxes in the lobby. However a few weeks ago they marked a package "delivered" when it wasn't (I got a text saying it was delivered which was nice). It came a 2 days later marked 3 minutes after the delivery was due. I figured it was stolen but the shipper indicated that this happens frequently and they wouldn't consider it missing for a couple days. A relative works for the postal service, its a good gig, good benefits etc.. but they have to realize that for packages at least, the competition is formidable.

LeifCarrotson 10y ago

>Plus, I've tried talking to my mailperson, and she is always on the phone and refuses to talk to me. As much as we like to try to fix problems systemically, and place blame or praise on organizations as a whole, an awful lot comes down to the bottom of the pyramid/the top of the tree. I would blame most of those complaints on the one person who actually brings the mail to your house when the giant machine spits it all out. I am fortunate to have a great relationship with our mail carrier. If you're reading this, Patricia, thank you!

Declanomous 10y ago
> I am fortunate to have a great relationship with our mail carrier. In all fairness, this is the first time I've had problems with my mail carrier. Normally I've found my mail carriers friendly, helpful and conscientious. I appreciate how hard the job can be, especially in Chicago, where the weather is all over the place, and the traffic is a nightmare.

int_19h 10y ago

Post offices certainly vary widely in terms of quality of service. The recurring problem that we have is that the delivery person won't actually attempt to deliver, even if you're at home and the package requires signature - they don't even knock on the door, just leave a sticker outside saying that you weren't there to sign, so please go pick it up. I don't know if there's a good system in place to deal with it. So far, complaining, either directly to the supervisor over the phone and in person, or filing complaints on the USPS website, have resulted in no improvement. I think it's because they have a shortage of applicants for those jobs, and so are very reluctant to fire anyone; and reprimands just aren't working.

alasdair_ 10y ago
I have a camera on my front door with a mobile app to view it. I recently had out mailman do exactly this (while I was home and only a few feet from the door). I had to chase him down and he told me flat out that he had knocked, waited and I wasn't home. I showed him the camera footage and I've never had a problem since (and I'd have weekly problems with this beforehand ).