USPS is not accomplishing their job in The Villages
 

I returned yesterday from a two weeks vacation, I entered a HOLD MAIL with a return date of yesterday. While I was away I sent three USPS Priority Mail boxes to my villages address for delivery yesterday. Sounds simple, but that's where it gets stinky. I spent hours yesterday on the phone trying to fiind out why my mail box center was not opened at 10:30 yesterday so that I could receive my time sensitive parcels. Many phone calls, no luck finding out anything from USPS. Most of the operators or agents were foreign speaking so I had a very hard time making out the excuses or replies. I was given a Case Number, which is absolutely nothing and today still nothing, and the mail center was not open at 10:30 yet this morning.
Have I missed something, has the USPS given up the responsibility of seeing that mail is delivered? Apparently, and the contract operators are elusive or not fulfilling their job requirements. I am reminded of the snow, rain, nor ..... comment from years ago, but apparently has been outdated as well.

In summary, and based on my experience new villagers should be advised, up front, not to expect the USPS to be responsive ti delivering mail and replying to inquiries. I doubt the Villages Management cares two hoots, sad sad era we find ourselves in.

Maybe the USPS Priority parcels, which I urgently needed yesterday, and paid accordingly will arrive eventually, just perhaps. Then I'll start the quagmire of attempting to get my postage refunded, for non-delivery. Followed up by going to the UPS Store in Piedmont to RENT a box so I can have reliable delivery.

Anyone else ever experienced a similar problem? :spoken:

UPS in title should read USPS>>>>>

Yes, My dad sent a 2 day package to my daughter for Christmas. She received it in February. This was two years ago. If you want something to arrive on time, use Fed Ex or UPS. Those are not guaranteed either but I find their tracking website better. The weather can delay their deliveries, too.

I would have gone to the PO in Lady Lake and talked to the Post Master. Real people real results.
village management had nothing to do with the postal service.

Fix the title. And , Why the ad hominem attack on The Villages Management?

Villages management has nothing to do with USPS. The post office is in Lady Lake.

OP, sorry you had a bad experience with the mail (USPS) in general after 3 years we have observed maybe a 1 day delay in getting packages and mail. I believe this due o the mail first going to Lady Lake and being sorted for the specific villages. Also for packages that must remain cold, or do not fit in the secondary mail boxes, the mail person deliver these to the house.

However, I do agree with above to use UPS or FEDEX if delivery time is a concern.

Actually many UPS package are off loaded to USPS for final delivery. We get UPS packages at our neighborhood postal station often.

Almost all my packages from Amazon start out with UPS and get shifted to USPS. Don't know why but it is what it is

I recently had to retrieve an oversize package from the personnel at my USPS mail box station. I didn't know how to contact them so I went to the Lady Lake post office and asked. I was informed that the personnel are at the mail box sites from 11 to 1 and to go to the back door and knock during that time. I did that and retrieved the package without any problems. The personnel at the mail box station were very helpful and pleasant. There are two doors on the stations. One is a maintenance room and the other is to the sorting room. There weren't any signs so if you knock on one and don't get a response, try the other. Hope this helps and good luck getting your package.

I can imagine your frustration yesterday and sympathize. I hope everything works out ok for you.
That said, we have learned a few things over the years that may be helpful for you. When we are ready to leave, we stop to see our local mail delivery clerk in person, fill out the yellow card and leave it in our mailbox. To do that, you need to know approximately when they hit your mail station, and it may take a couple trips to connect. Communication via USPS.com is unreliable - do it in person. Be patient.
We always stop delivery the business day before we leave (so we can check to be sure it has really happened) and restart it the business day before we actually return. That way, the accumulated mail is ready and waiting for us. If there is a delay, they have a day to work it out before we know about it. That seldom fails.
I don't know why USPS can't operate efficiently, but they don't. There are, of course, unexpected mechanical and weather delays, but who knows what else affects the fragile system they have in place. This is not to say that the contracted delivery people are to blame. Ours seem to do a good job and, in our experience, are the only reliable link in the USPS system.
I hope by now that your packages have been delivered and all is well.

In almost 10 years here I never had a problem with the Poat Office. I

I'd say the biggest problem is you were at your mail box too early. As was said, the contractors are usually at the mail stations after 11:00, sometimes much later than that. Before then, they are at the Lady Lake Post Office sorting their mail, loading their cars, etc.

I've found that if I can't be there when they are that a note left at the door or dropped in the "wrong delivery" slot frequently takes care of the problem. They've even called me at my request.

Do remember these people are subcontractors, rarely make even minimum wage and work hard to do the best they can for us. Please treat them with kindness and respect. Most of them deserve at least that. (BTW, I've found that a tip when they go out of their way works wonders for asking for special favors.)

:agree:

Good advice and I've done the same thing with great results.

It's simple enough to know if anyone is there, just look through your mailbox and look to see if the lights are on or even speak through your box and say 'hello.'

On second thought, I suppose some boxes are too high/low for this to be easy to do, but I'm fortunate that mine is about head height.



Exactly.

Ours went above and beyond during an issue along the lines of the OP's and that was before the X-Mas card with Ben Franklin in it.

A bargain at 10 times the amount. :coolsmiley:

We always fill out the yellow card and talk with our mail contractor before going away. So far we have had no problems. The carrier will deliver packages that don't fit in the box. Mail service here is far superior to what we had in Maryland (DC area).

ups and usps
 

my normal mail carrier told me that UPS bought out most of the parcel post business with usps and that is why usps is focusing on the faster, and somewhat smaller white boxes. ups passes most ground local deliver to usps for residential deliveries since usps goes by most residences in the normal day. that is also why you will sometimes get a sunday delivery fro usps passed from amazon and ups.

Just another small percentage incident that is made to sound as thought it was a general condition.

Maybe not intentionally.

But an isolated incident when taking into account the totality of satisfactory performance by USPS for those of us in the over whelming majority.

Our mail lady at the Lake Deaton postal box site is very friendly and has helped us out on many occasions with mail deliveries. She even makes sure all checks are delivered to my box and all bills are placed in my brother’s box. He lives seven houses up the street from me in The Villages. As we are both in Ohio most of the time living in different cities, this service doesn’t work up North.:D

Try to get to know the person behind the box for the best mail service and help.

The usps never fails to fill my post box with junk mail, rain or shine. They have outlived their usefulness. The only reason they survive is because it is against the law to compete with them on 1st class mail delivery. They should have been shut down years ago.

No, no - how would I get my $10 coupons for Harry's Seafood if they didn't come in the mail? :wave:

Send boxes fedex, it comes to your door, not switched over to the post

Priority Mail has no guaranteed delivery time, or for that matter, delivery date. It's simply mail delivered within 2 to 3 days at most locations in the USA, but as someone who once owned and operated a mail order business it may take 4 to 5 days. Priority Mail is simply glorified First Class mail. In my village alone, 1200 homes I would estimate that Priority Mail is delivered to at 30 or more addresses everyday. I had a Priority Mail delivery yesterday from an eBay purchase. It simply comes in your normal mail.

What you wanted, or thought you were getting is Express Mail. That starts at $22.95 and is guaranteed at most locations in the USA by 10:30am the next day. It comes with $100 insurance and for an additional fee you can have Sunday or Holiday delivery. Had you purchased Express Mail, a tracking number would of been issued and tracking via the USPS website would of been available. Also a separate mailman would of delivered the package to your home frontdoor by 10:30 the next day or you have a money back guarantee for up to one year. Had you sent 3 boxes via Express Mail it would of cost $68.85, is this what you paid? If you paid that amount take your 3 receipts to the Lady Lake Post Office and collect your refund.

Here's a link that explains these services.

Priority Mail Express | USPS

All First Class packages have tracking, no extra charge, from USPS these days.

I have had absolutely no problem with mail service. Little slower due to coming from Lady Lake, but saves me trip all the way over there. Besides who's In hurry to get bills:swear::Screen_of_Death:

Sixteen years without an issue

In over 12 years receiving USPS here in TV we have had NO reason to complain. Stuff arrives as scheduled and they've even delivered to our door when a parcel was too large for the lockers.

We had our NJ mail forwarded to a UPS store one town from where we lived they we're going to e-mail me the important mail to me. That was three weeks ago this past Friday. I received a confirmation from the USPS quickly but the mail is MIA and I'm UPSET. Six call's and no luck so Monday I have to go to the superiors of the people who treated us so well for so long. I feel terrible but its necessary. The day I changed to the UPS P.O. box I mailed a letter to myself and never received it. Sad, no wonder they are in trouble. If you are Cliff Clavin I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

We have it made and we still complain! I guess we have to much time on are hands!��

You're correct, it is an extra service but no longer an extra charge. However, the OP was under the impression he was to receive his package on a specified date and by 10:30, Priority or First Class carries neither guarantees. Only Express Mail is guarantee next day by 10:30 and the price is much different. Priority is about $6.80 and Express starts at $22.85.

I actually felt bad for the post office after reading the thread title and having read the OP's rant, when he was himself wrong about what the post office had sold him. As far as first class and Priority, these are extra services, and you are correct that tracking is no longer an extra charge but is still an extra service that has to be requested.

Extra Services offered

Certificate of MailingMore info about Certificate of Mailing
$1.30 Not available
Protection in Transit
InsuranceMore info about Insurance
From $2.65 From $2.65

Insurance Restricted DeliveryMore info about Insurance Restricted Delivery
From $14.00 From $14.00

Registered Mail™More info about Registered Mail™
From $11.70 Not available

Registered Mail™ Restricted DeliveryMore info about Registered Mail™ Restricted Delivery
From $16.65 Not available
Confirmation of Delivery
Adult Signature RequiredMore info about Adult Signature Required
Not available $5.70

Adult Signature Restricted DeliveryMore info about Adult Signature Restricted Delivery
Not available $5.95

Certified Mail®More info about Certified Mail®
$3.30 Not available

Certified Mail® Restricted DeliveryMore info about Certified Mail® Restricted Delivery
$8.25 Not available

Return Receipt for MerchandiseMore info about Return Receipt for Merchandise
$4.20 Not available

Signature Confirmation™More info about Signature Confirmation™
$2.90 $2.35

Signature Confirmation™ Restricted DeliveryMore info about Signature Confirmation™ Restricted Delivery
$7.85 $7.30

USPS Tracking™More info about USPS Tracking™
No charge No charge
Other Extra Services
Collect on DeliveryMore info about Collect on Delivery
From $6.95 Not available

Collect on Delivery Restricted DeliveryMore info about Collect on Delivery Restricted Delivery
From $11.90 Not available

A problem for us occurred twice since we moved to TV. the local contractor confused addresses and stopped our mail. We had to go to Lady Lake and get it worked out when we picked up the delayed mail

Ups has a service called Surepost and is only available to shippers by which UPS will pick up the packages from the shipper and take them to the post office that takes care of that address and then the post office delivers the package. It is a cost benefit to the shipper.

First of all your normal mail carrier does not know what he or she is talking about and told you a big fat lie. Ups did not buy anything regarding the post office.
Secondly, UPS offers complete delivery coverage to every address in the U.S. on a daily basis.

FedEx does switch packages to the post office for delivery. It is called Smartpost and available to their shippers just as Surepost is available to UPS shippers.

I cringe every time USPS ships. Tracking is awful and delivered rarely on time. This problem is not limited to The Villages.

I have had many problems with usps. I.e...Tracking shows i received an important envelope when in fact it was not yet put in my box! Both the main post office and the villages substation could not give me an answer. Two days later I find it in my box, after it caused me incredible headaches.

I also feel it's a violation of my rights that I have to empty my mailbox of junkmail. Why can't we put ourselves on a "No Junk Mail List." Because of lobbies? Because the usps does not want to lose more money? Realistically usps needs to stop junk mail on request, cut back regular mail delivery to mon, wed, friday. AND greatly reduce its workforce through attrition. Usps is a dinosaur.

I have met my carrier and I would love to know competitive civil service exam was passed by this person. I have often also received other people's mail in my box which was clearly marked with another person's address.

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I believe all of the mail postal stops within TV are operated on a contract, they probably never have to take the civil service exam as independent contractors.

The USPS is a mess anywhere. Seems like this parcel of union workers could care less......you can't get them fired, they want to be paid and not do their job. That said, we have one lady up north that is punctual and gets our mail to us. She is a real sweetheart and we DO NOT forget her at Christmas time with a little gift She earns her keep. Her substitute goes literally speeding by house and we have received mail as late as 740PM...I did say PM. What a nightmare we had to hold mail and forward mail from north down here in the past but enough of my rants. I would fire the lot of them, disband them and have them apply all over again to a privatized outfit

What rights are being violated?

I've not had any problems with mail delivery whatsoever. Including the convenience of printing postage at home, along with having Priority mail picked up at my front door for delivery. The few times I've had mail held I made the request online, without a hitch.

My rights to not have my mailbox full of junk mail because of some lobbies! !! I don't need car dealer, or cable / satellite companies bombarding my little mailbox. Donotcall.gov should add donotjunkmailme!

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