Bare with this one – it’s been dragged out by USPS personnel giving bad information, lying and just providing bad service.
August 14th, submitted change of address online using an address provided by my landlord which was provided by the sales office of the newly opened building. We will call it “1240 Street”. The online system accepted the change, assigned a zip 4 code, and charged me the $1 fee. A week later I received a USPS Change of Address Confirmation at my new residence and addressed to the “1240 Street”. At that time, since delivery was confirmed, I proceeded to change my address with all companies I do business with.
I did not receive mail at my old or new address for 2 weeks. I called several times (1-800 # and local office) and was told to keep waiting. I finally went to the Post Office in person at which time I am told it was an incorrect address – even though I received the confirmation printed on an official USPS form and delivered by USPS personnel. (NOTE: Since the building is new, there were a couple of addresses used during and after construction. Both are valid in the national system but the local level refuses to deliver mail addressed to the “1240 Street” unless it’s the confirmation.) To correct this, I was advised by the window clerk and the supervisor to put in a correction from the old address AND submit a new change of address to go from “1240 Street” to the corrected “1200 Street” so I would receive any mail already sent to the latter. I had to do this twice that week, each time being advised the same. There was a large package, 2 checks and my son’s Social Security Card already sent to the “1240 Street”.
At this point I thought all was resolved and I would get these items. Oh foolish me…I did not receive these items for 2 weeks. I sent a letter to many offices, including Postmaster General, at USPS Headquarters at which time they sent it to the local office to handle. I tested it out by sending a postcard to myself at the “1240 Street” address to see if it would get that yellow sticker and forwarded. I even mailed it from the blue bin outside of their post office.
After another 2 weeks of not getting even the postcard, I went to back to talk to them. This time I was told that any mail addressed to “1240 Street” would not be delivered OR forwarded. It would be returned to sender. This was 4 weeks now and none of the items were returned to sender, including the social security card. Since they had confirmed the “1240 Street” address and incorrectly advised me to put in the last change of address, I was able to get them to promise they would deliver the large package since it was an item I could not replace without substantial cost.
Again, foolish me. The package was returned that weekend and could not be intercepted. I called to file a complaint with the USPS customer service. I think the lady who took the report was the only courteous and sympathetic person working for the USPS. She filed it, elevated it past the local level and said someone would call in 24 hours – if not, call back. I had to call back and was told it was being investigated.
In the meantime, the local office called to tell me the package was returned, (oh really?), but they would provide me a letter to say it was erroneously returned so that the sender could take that to their post office and have the package immediately sent back with no cost to them. I was also told they could send it at a faster rate and claim the difference in cost. I reluctantly agreed but had faith they would follow through this time. Again, foolish me.
I finally got this so called letter and it did not say anything as discussed, only that the 1240 address was wrong and I was misadvised – no mention of resending the package at no cost to sender. I called the “1-800” number again to try to get someone from Headquarters. The not so nice person this time said they would not – only send me right back to where the problem was. I was told the complaint report was closed as resolved even though I had not received the letter nor the package. No resolution was filed but the not so nice “1-800” person and her not so nice supervisor said that the resolution was that I got my mail. WRONG!
Issue still ongoing, sender has not received “erroneously returned” package, no calls are being returned from the USPS and I’m out $1,000 with the possibility of identify theft from the undelivered and unreturned Social Security card. USPS continuously made mistakes and has not taken responsibility by following through. Any tips on who to contact now for action?
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