USPS Monitors Facebook and Twitter Posts by Zip Code

by: Jester

I have had only 2 items lost and 3 items damaged since 2008 with thousands shipped through the USPS. However, I have heard from sellers who have had many of their shipments damaged through the USPS but when I question them how they packed those items it is substandard as far as how I package.

Now I have had many scammer buyers over the years trying to get a quick refund by claiming damaged or lost packages. But many of those claims were recanted after my responses and questions to them. I have identified 2 serial scammers that I had shipped to internationally and caused a few to lose their accounts only to open new accounts I am sure. And the way I uncovered them is no longer possible, unfortunately. I am sure if I had to I could find another way. But in the last few years, that has not been a problem.

by: comments

Perhaps they could use internal data from complains to identify where problems are? USPS has done everything possible to put as much friction in the package research options as possible and that is how I know without a doubt that the cited reason is complete nonsense.

USPS carrier steals package. Marks return to sender. "where is my package" request tells you to file a claim for insurance and doesn't allow you to contact them. If you "email a complaint" it goes to your local postoffice and they tell you they don't understand why the case when to them.

USPS is so boldly uninterested in package disappearances I wouldn't be surprised if some postoffices had "look what I stole" bingo cards.

There is 100% zero recourse for "lost", stolen, and miss-scanned that this story, as explained by "Mary Beth Levin"  couldn't possibly be true.

The drop in "where's my package" complains is easily explained by the fact that you are significantly restricted in opening them now versus then. Ina you should reach out to Mrs Levin to ask how many of the "where my package" reductions are for reasons they will no longer accept them for? For example on Return to sender mail they can no longer be requested.......

by: Chicago48

This year and within the past 3 months, the USPS has damaged 2 "breakables".  They were coffee mugs and I packaged them very very good, and put fragile stickers all over and they still tossed them around and broke them.
I prefer sending through UPS/Fedex.

by: Docinmd

I live in a very small town, and I know the local postmaster socially as well as for business. Several years ago she suggested NOT putting fragile stickers on my packages. She had noticed an uptick in "returns because of damage" with packages bearing the fragile warnings. Sure enough, my damage claims dropped to damn near zero once I stopped applying the stickers [only adding them if the buyer insisted on them being present].

by: iheartjacksparrow

My current complaint with the post office is they seem more concerned about processing passport applications than they do about helping counter customers.

I was taking my packages to the post office closest to me (which also handles the delivery of mail to my home) between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. For months now, between those hours they've had one gal handling the counter, and she's always dealing with passports. Since those take a minimum of 30 minutes (longer if the applicant left out stuff or needs photos), the people in line for mailing are stuck waiting. I realize the post office has a shortage of employees, but they must know that around noon is the busiest time for mailing, so why not schedule passports for non-peak times? I finally couldn't take it anymore and now go to another post office which is much farther away, but at least my time isn't been wasted standing in a post office line.

by: Docinmd

My girlfriend's parents live on the Broadneck peninsula in the Annapolis, MD area. 2 years ago they closed the local post office that was located at the back of a retail store. This forced residents to drive to the nearest post office about 10 miles further. The USPS recently announced they will be closing that post office very soon. It appears that the nearest post office will now be a 25 minute drive, almost to Glen Burnie, MD!  

by: Timmo

The USPS and other carriers need to fix the no-scan issue. Employees used to scan labels at every step and location. I've literally had packages scanned at drop- off and delivery only. Nothing or nowhere in between. I've learned packages were delivered but the USPS never updated the tracking info to indicate such.

by: terry55

@Timmo: yep, my mail lady just had a heated debate with our 7th post master in 2 years about scanning all packages not just 5, told her its his business and has to be scanned.  

by: teufelwolf

Although its great they are trying to track stuff on twitter, when you have issues you really should open a case, especially if you are a business mailer. We had an issue with a carrier who was refusing to deliver packages. He would pre fill pickup notices, and drop them off with letter mail because he was "old" and didn't want to carry packages. 2 or 3 complaints and that stopped. He was given an ultimatum that if he can't carry the packages that he needs to retire.
We had pair of really nasty window clerks that would make up crazy rules and they would harass the other window clerks if they didn't enforce their rules. Got those two transferred to different offices, and wow morale improved so much in my PO. The other clerks where so happy to be freed from those two.

by: poetryinpower

Yelp reviews of individual post offices aggregates a lot of local commentary.   I seem to always find that site  when I'm confirming vacation and closing schedules.

The single best move for USPS to help sellers would be to stay open a bit longer....or at least provide late business access to eBay/Amazon sellers who almost universally tender packages in "no drama" fashion with machine printed labels.