USPS keeps forgetting to pick up my packages.

[usgamecollector]

I schedule a pickup and about 25% of the time USPS won't pick up the packages. I will get an email that they were picked up, but they will still be at my front door. I have talked with the manager and they assured me that it wouldn't happen again, and then it happened again today. I wasn't home until after the post office closed so I didn't know they didn't pick them up until it was too late. Everytime I call the local post office they never pick up the phone.

Is there anything I can do to fix this or do I just have to live with the incompetence of USPS?

[packratville]

I've never tried to schedule because I don't trust the service, particularly if a substitute is on the route. I'm nearly the last stop of the day so if they were to miss a pick-up, I wouldn't have time to get a package to the post office.

Can you put a note in your mailbox to tell the carrier there's a package (or packages) to pick up at your door?

Depending on how big your packages are or how many, would a bigger mailbox help you? I have the largest USPS-approved box currently available so I can fit quite a few packages in it or a fairly large one.

You might try calling or visiting your postmaster again, or sending a snail mail or email. My postmaster is good about responding. There might be better contact information for your local postmaster under your USPS account.

[lja440]

I agree, a large mailbox helps a lot. I have a Jumbo Mailbox that will hold a LFRB with room to spare. 

My family member has a oil testing lab. He made his own package delivery box that sits along side his standard mailbox. It has a couple shelves in it for canisters containing samples. It is about 2'x2' and 1' deep on a post raising it up to a level that the carrier can load packages without getting out of his LLV.

[mg152]

Me too. I have the jumbo mailbox. It will fit several small packages or 1 lg flat rate box and a couple bubble mailers

[lindyslucky]

Never has worked for us.

We have an old house, several steps up, a mail slot.

Often , the Mail we recieve has a rubber band around it and is thrown toward the front door. Pickups Arent seen. 

we go to the post office, or drop in a mailbox. 

Mailbox has given us our only not scanned in late defect.

we stand in line at post office & get a reciept almost always.

Only sure thing that works. A hassle, but....

[lex-talon]

This used to happen quite a lot with a particular mail carrier.

I reported it and still this carrier would either forget or refuse to pick up my packages. Haven't seen him since. 

[stuff-from-jewel-and-the-gang]

I remember when carrier pickup was just starting .. our postmaster would never check the system to give the sheets to the carriers .. since I was a seller and actually lived on my carrier route I would "use the system" and always had to remind him to actually check for pick-up requests ...

luckily I knew who the sellers were on my route so ALWAYS checked for packages .. many also would leave a little note in their box for any larger packages they had ready to be picked up ..

[freeshipusa1]

you are not alone.

the local post office is just a local office,they dont have dedicated customer service sitting by the phone to service us,take your pot luck,whoever picks up the phone and then took off to find you whatever you asked,and never come back.

as for leaving package by the door,I never do that,when you schedule pick up online,there is an option like front door/knock or ring door bell,I would choose that.

If I leave it in my mail box,my regular postman will pick it up,the others do not as they think it is incoming mail.

if there is a mail station nearby,you may want to drop by and give them your package,smile and better,buy somthing from them.

[gkyn29]

Go to your local PO and demand to speak with the postmaster.

[freeshipusa1]

It is not an easy job,for older worker,he/she may not have the stamina,for the younger ones,they dont consider this as a career.

they also do not read,if it is pickup at door or in mail box,if it gets too dark,too cold,too tired,they just skip the pickup.

many trainees do not make it,just not their dream job

[pburn]

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@freeshipusa1 wrote:

If I leave it in my mail box,my regular postman will pick it up,the others do not as they think it is incoming mail.

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Well, tofu107, I learned a long time ago to put a note on my outgoing mail that says "Outgoing." Surprising how well that works.

[chamitc_13]

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@pburn wrote:

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@freeshipusa1 wrote:

If I leave it in my mail box,my regular postman will pick it up,the others do not as they think it is incoming mail.

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Well, tofu107, I learned a long time ago to put a note on my outgoing mail that says "Outgoing." Surprising how well that works.

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Up here we have little flags on our mailbox that we raise if we have out going mail.

[freeshipusa1]

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@pburn wrote:

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@freeshipusa1 wrote:

If I leave it in my mail box,my regular postman will pick it up,the others do not as they think it is incoming mail.

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Well, tofu107, I learned a long time ago to put a note on my outgoing mail that says "Outgoing." Surprising how well that works.

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with a mail station,one master key opens all the mail boxes of that station and the mailman starts throwing mail into each box,they dont read any paper lying flat in individual box.

the regular post man knows you,but the substitute or newly hired does not,they dont feel right removing mail from your mail box unless you have made an official request like using USPS.Com .

[tapi-szem]

Try filing a complaint online at usps.com. Service not provided for scheduled free pickup should be under the "where is my mail" tab (IIRC). You will need your confirmation number and a brief description of what happened. USPS will refer the issue to your local post office, which may compell them to make sure pickups are not missed in the future (especially if you complain about missed pickups multiple times).

[pburn]

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@freeshipusa1 wrote:

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with a mail station,one master key opens all the mail boxes of that station and the mailman starts throwing mail into each box,they dont read any paper lying flat in individual box.

the regular post man knows you,but the substitute or newly hired does not,they dont feel right removing mail from your mail box unless you have made an official request like using USPS.Com 

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So don't put it "lying flat on an individual box." Put it on the side facing the mail carrier when s/he opens the box.

I get the distinct impression that whatever alternative someone posts in this thread, you're going to come up with a reason why it won't work.