Thread: Anyone here work for the Post Office? Is this legal?

Hey guys,

I live in the great state of NC but I have a bone to pick with our local mail carrier. Listen to what she is doing and you tell me if this is legal. Also, let me add that the mail carrier delivers in a car and not on foot.

Heres the deal. About 2 months ago I received a package. No, it wasn't left gingerly at my doorstep, ratherthe mail carrier lifted my return mail flag, affixed a rubber band over the package, and then hooked the package on the mail flag. It was not covered and was left out in the open elements, completely visable to everyone driving through my neighborhood. Luckily I was home today and able to both witness this(a second time) and quickly retrieve my package. Both packages were much larger than the mailbox and would not have fit inside.

Anyone driving through our neighborhood could have driven quickly up to the box and yanked the package into their car. Also, please note that it is summer time here in the US, where thunderstorms can come without warning and create strong winds and downpours. If a storm came today and it rained, my package would have been ruined.

Why would she do this? Is it out of sheer laziness? I know it is hot here in the south but give me a break. When I lived in VA, the mail carrier always left the package at the door unless it was able to fit in the mailbox. My front door is about 10 yards from the street so distnace isn't an issue and I have no front yard fence with a massive hairy snarling dog. What gives? Is this legal?

Kyle

Its typical, if it bothers you call the post office and tell them to hold the packages in the future and you will come and pick them up, or...... get a bigger box.

I live in NC as well but my mail carrier bring my packages up to the house. He will ring the bell and if no ones home puts it on the porch. Of course I always leave him a nice tip at Christmas so maybe this helps.

She's just too lazy to get out of the car and walk the few steps to your door to leave it. File a complaint with your postmaster. I had an issue a couple years ago where if I received a parcel that was registered or needed a signature the guy would just leave a notice to come to the Post office to pick it up because I was not home when he came. After I saw him drive past my house one time and never even tried to deliver it I realized what he was doing. I filed a complaint with the postmaster. He said the guy told him he didn't know he was supposed to attempt delivery.

Maybe you should just talk to the mail carrier. I asked my mail carrier to put my package in the garage if it will not fit in the mailbox and if no one is home. Like Doc, I leave him a nice tip for Christmas.

Hey Kyle,

My dad works as a carrier for the USPS and I have talked to him a bit about it in the past. From what I can tell she is just being lazy; there is a rountine the carriers have to go through every time they get out of their vehicle, i.e.- parking brake, ignition, door, etc... If they cant fit the package in the box, they should be delivering it to the door. Don't quote me on the last part, but that seems the most logical COA.
Again she's just being lazy, file a complaint.

V/R,
Scott

I think it depends on whether the package has to be signed for or not.
IF I get packages that need a sig, they will leave a paper, informing you and telling you you need to collect it in person within n days.
IF they don't need signing, they leave them on the doorstep, on the windowsill, the back of the U-haul on my driveway, or with the neighbors.

with the neighbours being the best option...
I used to live in the centre of the city.
I once came home from work to find a 600$ guitar effect on my doorstep... for everyone to grab. Quite a miracle nobody took it during the entire day. And I don't like our postal service, we have a history of lost packages and misunderstandings.

Originally Posted by Doc

I live in NC as well but my mail carrier bring my packages up to the house. He will ring the bell and if no ones home puts it on the porch. Of course I always leave him a nice tip at Christmas so maybe this helps.

Other than the NC part, my story is the same. He likes to leave mine in the garage if I don't answer the door.

Laziness is possible but it's also likely that management is breathing down the carriers' necks trying to get them to finish their routes as quickly as possible. You may think it doesn't take more than a minute to drop a package at the door but when you have to do a dozen then those minutes add up. And believe you me, her supervisor is back at the office checking his/her watch and tapping his/her foot counting every one of those minutes. I'd suggest talking to the carrier first or leaving a note before dropping a dime. BTW, I've been a postal employee for almost sixteen years now and was a carrier for about eight years .