posted on January 19, 2004 12:38:01 PM new
The pizza scenario has nothing to do with the problem. Pizza company is still responsible because they were also the same entity delivering the pizza.
The seller, buyer and post office makes this a 3rd party issue. Not two, as the pizza story makes it. The post office is obligated to deliver the goods. The problem with the post office is that their DC program is faulty. The main problem lies in where the item was delivered, and who took possession of it. All a DC # gives you is proof that you mailed something to someone, and after it has been scanned at the post office, or entered online, it is in the possession of the post office for delivery. There is about a 5-10% margin of error because some shippers don't ever ship the item, or the post office clerk doesn't scan it into their system at the time it was given to the post office. So, on it goes, to the buyer. If it makes it to a physical address, it gets scanned into the system as delivered. There are two problems with this system. One, is if it is delivered to the right place, its a matter of it getting to the right person. Either a family member, or co-worker may get ahold of it, or even worse, it could be stolen from the buyers home while they are at work. The second problem lies in whether it was delivered to the correct address. We've all received mail for the wrong address. It can easily happen with DC as well. It gets scanned by the Post Office as delivered, but it was actually mis-delivered. The third scenario is that the buyer received the item, knows that all of those other possibilities are out there, and they are just trying to screw you over. She mentioned having this happen before, I would check her feedback to see what others say, and consider the fact that perhaps someone is stealing her items. It is rare for something to be truly lost, but it does happen every once in awhile.
It is the responsibility of the Post Office to deliver the item, however, without the buyer paying for Signature Confirmation or Insurance, they end up screwing over their assurance it gets delivered to them.
I would recommend she call the post office to have them investigate the problem and see if there are others in her area who have had mail stolen.
posted on January 19, 2004 09:27:28 PM new
Packages do end up in the wrong PO boxes too. I ordered an item, had it mailed to my PO Box and one night my neighbor knocks on my door and said this package is to you and was in my box. Her young son picks up her mail after school for her and never looked at the name and brought it home. She was kind enough to bring it to me.
That could have been a very bad transaction for both of us due to the post office. Fortunately my neighborhood is a nice one.
posted on January 19, 2004 09:52:35 PM new
I send a lot of Post Office Delivery Confirmation Packages.
I have had several people write and tell me their "delivered" according to Delivery Confirmation, package never arrived.
I send this reply back to them, and so far they have always ended up finding their packages.
My Reply:
RE: Lost xxxx
The tracking # xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx shows this was delivered at x:xx A.M. on xx/xx/xx.
to address:
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
The good news is, in all other cases where I have sent packages and the tracking shows delivered, and the recipient has not gotten it, it has always been found by the recipient.
I want to share where the other people found their packages, so it may help you find yours.
In some instances, the Post office has held the package at the post office for recipients to pick up. I think they are supposed to leave a note if they do this, but notes can get lost or not placed at residence properly.
I suggest you get in touch with the Post Office that services your neighborhood, since they are claiming delivery and find out what they did with it, since you have not found it. It may be on a shelf waiting for your pick up.
Other times things have appeared not to show up, another family member has taken package and not told the intended recipient about its receipt.
I suppose if you live in an apartment complex, they could have left the package with the Apartment Office, but I do not know what protocols the Post Office uses for delivery in your area, so do not know if that is a possibility.
Let me know when you find it, or if I can be of any more assistance.
