Usps: Positive Resolve

Icky Thump

Icky Thump

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I going to try and keep this as short and concise as possible.

I had a knife due for delivery today. USPS tracking confirmed it had arrived at my local post office. I stopped in the PO 8;30am, as I had to ship a parcel and was leaving town for the day. I informed the USPS employee I was dealing w/ that I had a parcel inbound for me as well, and would it be possible to pick that up before it goes out for delivery, ..as I wouldn't be home till late, and the package I was waiting for was of substantial value.

I need to state at this point that my community has USPS locked boxes at the entrance to our development, locker style, each assigned to an address..w/ 4 or 5 large parcel locker attached, w/ separate keys that will be in you designated mail box should you have a package too big for your assigned mail box.

The clerk was busy and stated that even though the package was still in house..there wouldn't be time for her to go retrieve. Not a problem, I stated.

I was checking my phone all morning for delivery confirmation and was happy to see it had been "Delivered at large parcel box" at approx noon.

I return home to find the large box key in my mail box..perfect..I open the large parcel box and it is empty..No package.

I will be at the post office when they open in the morning..

I suspect foul play because; The box was empty..lol and I stated to the clerk that I had an expensive package that day..I do not suspect the clerk..but if she had informed, in passing, to the carrier..prior to delivery..?

I should also state that I am in a rural area where the carriers are often sub contractors..and my particular carrier is recently new..as the former had retired this last Christmas.

I know there is a USPS employee as a member here..Cannot remember his name.

Needless to say I freaking out a little.

I realize this could all be some simple misunderstanding or mistake..I just dont understand a locked empty box..seems suspect as the carrier could claim he left the parcel..I would think it would need to be scanned to move status to "Delivered"...I have no notice other than the electronic notification w/ tracking. The carrier could simply state that it is his word against my word..fear I might be left w/ out any recourse.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated beyond measure.

Apologies if this in in the wrong forum, please move if necessary.

Thanks in advance

Patrick
 
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Not that it matters..But the inbound knife is/was a CRK large Inkosi w/ Micarta inlay, purchased from KW.
 
From what I understand of the narrative that you have is; you opened up the parcel locker, and there was nothing in the parcel locker?

2 things come to mind (USPS carrier here).

1: the carrier made a mistake, and placed the wrong key in your mailbox. Maybe if you go back to your parcel locker area, look to see which have keys in them (ie unlocked). Look inside them; it may be in one.

2; someone jimmied the lock after the carrier left. Mail theft is becoming more of a issue, with more online ordering than ever.

What you need to do, if step one doesnt work, is go down in person to your post office; and ask to speak to a supervisor. Try to be there around 10-12 or 2-4, those are the best times to find one.
Tell the supervisor your story, including the tracking #.

They can start a claim then. You will get results, thats for certain. Insurance on a parcel is paid to the sender, if there is any.

Please remember; it's highly unlikely that a usps employee stole the parcel, as they tend to be likely suspects. US postal inspectors (the United States oldest police force) are very good at finding thieves in the service.

Edit: spelling
 
Thank you very much for the reply.

Yes, that is correct. Empty locked locker w/ the designated key in my box.

All of the other large parcel boxes were w/ out key in their door, (all locked and containing packages, appropriate keys in respective addressee box..assuming)

I am assuming carrier because: New, subcontractor... Lock/door did not looked tampered w/..and if mistake/mixed up parcels..why not wrong package in the locker I was left key for?

I plan on doing exactly what you state..going down first thing in AM..PO opens at 8:30am...I assume I should approach supervision first...thought about approaching carrier first but, I can see potential for things getting heated if I think he is lying or am too pissed off and misread situation.



Im having trouble believing it was a mistake due to the fact I dont have someone else's package in my box.
 
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I would go to the P.O. early tomorrow and ask to speak to a supervisor. You may have to go to a back dock and get someones attention if not open yet.Be calm. Someone likely screwed up the keys.
 
I have experienced some similar things...that turned out just fine. It's pretty common that CRK tends to bring on such emotion.
 
Ickythump said:
Ill take that bet.

Either it gets sorted out tomorrow..or It will be a long time, if ever, I see that knife.
Click to expand...

I have had so many packages tracking to arrive before the weekend and then reset to arrive on Monday-Tues I don't even check the tracking anymore when it's coming down to the wire.
 
Appreciate the sentiments, honestly.

What has me troubled is that as far as USPS is concerned at this point is that the package is "Delivered".. only my word as proof. My biggest fear is an "oh well, we will see what we can do" from USPS. If the carrier (young dude) claims he left the package (Clearly marked from the retailer w/ "Knife" in the title)..what would be my recourse? Would it be enough to start a claim?

Seems unlikely the carrier..as they would be the last one to handle and most likely under suspicion, as previously stated...The carrier would have to be pretty stupid and bold..although I have seen such individuals.

Ill be calm for sure...this one just seems off. Ive had some "close calls" ..packages routed all over the country before landing at proper designation..even had one leave CONUS accident and return..Never truly sweated...again, this one seems "off"

"I got a bad feeling about this" comes to mind.

Its going to be a long night for me.
 
Danke42 said:
I have had so many packages tracking to arrive before the weekend and then reset to arrive on Monday-Tues I don't even check the tracking anymore when it's coming down to the wire.
Click to expand...

I get that..Ive been there myself..But this was marked as "Delivered" w/ a key to an empty locker..package had to be scanned last by carrier to attain that status i believe...plus...The empty locker..Ive been around the block a few times w/ USPS..This one just feels wrong...

I am very hopeful and grateful for the optimism..Would be happy if it turns out and turns out my emotion is just getting the better of me.
 
I've touched on this before and folks disagree with me but a lot of the so called tracking you see online is predictive/estimated and not real time.

For some carriers the only way to see what's up is to have a supervisor check the number on their internal system. And as always supervisors are usually 9-4 Mon-Fri kinda folks.
 
Danke42 said:
I've touched on this before and folks disagree with me but a lot of the so called tracking you see online is predictive/estimated and not real time.

For some carriers the only way to see what's up is to have a supervisor check the number on their internal system. And as always supervisors are usually 9-4 Mon-Fri kinda folks.
Click to expand...

If I didn't have a key to an empty locker left in my locked mail box...I would agree.
 
Like I said, the tracking is ahead of the package. Possibly made worse by the folks in the delivery spot not thinking outside the box.

Plan B is the box was put in the wrong pigeonhole.
 
Don't lose sleep over it. Investigations proceed best step by step. Speak to the supervisor. If nothing comes of that, speak to the Postal Inspectors.

If you need a good laugh, I could tell you a few PI stories from New York City, where thieves are really, really smart. Just ask them.
 
I hope you are right, Danke.


Esav, I was born and raised in NYC..worked in Manhattan most of my life...maybe that is why I'm a little cynical.
 
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I'd hazard a guess that most of the theft happens at plants where the mail is sorted by groups of workers on the belts vs. someone stealing at an endpoint.
 
Agreed.

I'm just baffled at how a carrier could close the door on an empty locker and then put the key in a box..assuming he just scanned the package in hand...I'm sure there are things I'm not considering... Maybe he scans all the packages for the association at once..then puts them in boxes...I don't know...hopefully I'm just over thinking it.
.it would seem unlikely that the end carrier would lift the package.

Very much appreciate the input.
 
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