[RANT] I Really Hate the United States Postal Service

[Darth K'Trava]

I'm not all that impressed with UPS...

The last 2 times I ordered computer equipment, they left it on my porch.

Let me expand on that.

I ordered more than $10,000 in computer equipment back in the 1990's. I left to take my parents to the airport. When I returned (after dark) there was a pile of equipment on my porch. Under the motion-detector lights, so everyone on the block could see that there was a big pile of computer equipment on the porch.

Furious, I called them- my buddy all the while saying "Tell them it was stolen, I could use a new computer!"

They basically didn't care.

Fast forward to 2004, a different house, and another $10,000 in new computers.

I was home- 10 feet from the door- and they didn't even bother ringing the doorbell. Again, they simply left it on my doorstep under my motion-detector lights.

I didn't know they had been there until a friend came over and rang the doorbell...

Another phone call, another "we don't care" type response.

So, no, my opinion of UPS isn't all that high, and definitely not higher than the USPS.

OTOH, I've had worse experiences with DHL...

DHL sucks. I had a package come thru them. Wouldn't have known I had it if it hadn't been for my sis' bf who went up to Mom's old trailer to get something and it was sitting on the porch there.... Never mind it was up a long driveway that was in a state of disuse since Mom moved here.... I at least get UPS guys to knock on the door. Postman leaves packages on the porch if they don't fit in the mailbox. Only insured packages go to the post office if nobody's home.. I'm gonna hate it when that guy does retire....

 

[jaerdaph]

I bought a Palm WiFi card for my Treo and it arrived UPS. The UPS guy buzzed my buzzer, I told him I would be right down (I live on the 4th floor of a 4th floor walkup) to get the package, and he said "that's alright, sir. I'll come up to you."

Brown for the WIN!

 

[Relique du Madde]

Funny, IME, it's USPS that actually delivers packages and UPS that leaves me a notice saying that I have to drive out to their building and stand in a long line to pick things up.

Heh... UPS often delivers my packages to the school thats across the street.. so you could imagine how annoying it is to pick up packages one week after they were delivered because the driver was too stupid to recognize that the school's adress is different from the one on the package.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

DHL took our money, took our package, sent it across country...delivering it close to...but not actually to the addressee.

When we asked why, they said they didn't deliver to that area, and the addressee would have to drive to their warehouse or whatever to pick it up...a 30 minute drive.

OH YEAH BABY- THAT IS SERVICE!

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

I've had my share of trouble with all of the major shipping companies. My old mail carrier didn't knock, either. Just left me the note that said to go to the post office to pick it up. On Monday, I spent more than 40 minutes in line to get stamps. I frequently if it would just be better to rent a postage machine.

However, most recently, my major annoyance has been with UPS.

Did you know, if you move, there's not way to have your shipments forwarded to your new address? Instead, you need to individually have each of the pieces forwarded to your new address. BUT! You can't have anything forwarded unless you have the InfoSomethingNumber that is on the "We Missed You" post-it they leave on your door when you aren't home to get the package. And this InfoSomethingNumber is DIFFERENT than the tracking number given when the item is shipped.

So, if you no longer have access to your old house/apartment, you cannot have a package forwarded. Talk about a hassle.

 

[Ferret]

My dads had some pretty bad experiences with stuff getting delivered but the RM is pretty good. My dad saw a citylink van one time, went over and asked if he had anything for STONE, he said yes but, in better words, hadn't bothered to try and find it. He hadn't even bothered with the card.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Hate them all you want, but I find it simply amazing that for a few cents, I can send a 1 oz envelope anywhere in the world and have a 99.99+% probability of it arriving in a short period of time, reasonably unmolested. It's simply amazing, did I say that?. Where else can you get that kind of service for next to nothing? Particularly when in a lot of countries you can't get consistent electrical service, or clean water ... but we spend enormous effort to make sure little pieces of paper can travel worldwide for next to nothing.

(And I bought forever stamps, myself ...)

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I try to never use the Post Office if I can help it - i.e. when I am purchasing things to send to my person. I much prefer UPS. Post Office is a second. Fed Ex is dead last for me. :\

QTF.

FedEx is bar none, the worst delivery company I've ever dealt with. I deal with them every day, and their lack of service and convenience astounds me.

 

[Alaric_Prympax]

So, 1st class letter postage rates are going up from 39 cents to 41 cents on May 14th of this year. I'm trying to buy two cent stamps so I can use up my 39 cent stamps.

Heck, I still have 37 cents stamps I haven't used yet. When I run out of 2 cent stamps I have to purchase 4 cent stamps which I asked if they have and was told yes.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Heck, I still have 37 cents stamps I haven't used yet. When I run out of 2 cent stamps I have to purchase 4 cent stamps which I asked if they have and was told yes.

I still have 25 cent stamps.