Bookseller solves mystery of Postal Service black hole
Today at the post office I brought in four books to mail. As I gave the clerk my money, he knocked the books on the floor that he had stamped and placed on the shelf next to his station.When he picked them up there were only three. At first I didn't say anything but when he gave me my change I got worried because he never picked up the 4th book. I figured it was still on the floor and he was going to step on it so I said; "by the way one of the books is still on the floor." He said, "nope, I picked them all up."
I said "wait a minute, I mailed four books there are only three books on the shelf." He said, "No you only mailed three books." By now am am wondering if I am cracking up, fortunately I had the receipt in my hand so I showed him that indeed four books were posted.
He said, "Well, I'm sure it will turn up!" By then I am leaning (all 5 feet 2 inches of me) over the counter trying to see where my book went. I was not in my happy place! A supervisor came over to see what was going on and lo and behold, there was my book, IN THE TRASH CAN - next to his work station!
So what could have been one of lifes great mysteries was solved before it even happened. I hope that they move the trash can and trash the postal worker!
This is a true story, I could never make up something this crazy!!!!!!!
Labels: Postal Service
posted by Steve Weber at 8/09/2007
7 Comments:
Not surprising at all.Could easily happen UK.
Thanks for the laugh! That is a crazy story!
Maybe I'm humor-impaired, but I don't see anything funny about it at all, just another example of how some USPS personnel have an attitude that hurts our businesses.
Don't get me wrong, I usually have excellent service with USPS, and I like most of the people I deal with there a lot. Some of them have come to be friends.
But the carrier who delivers mail to my house has recently left several packages at the street, including a guitar and several books. It's a 25-foot walk to my front porch, where the items would have been safer from theft and protected from the rain.
And twice in the last month when I was at home and saw him stop at the mailbox, he left notice of a certified letter that he was supposed to try to deliver to my door, but which I had to get at post office the following day.
Anyone can make a mistake, me included, and I don't think I'm so rigid and judgmental that I demand perfection from service personnel I deal with, but I get really tired of willful incompetence by people who just don't care enough to perform above the level of mediocrity.
Hilarious and also, unfortunately, not surprising. I loved the line "I was not in my happy place!" LOL! I'll bet THAT was an understatement..
Seriously, though, accidents like this DO happen...another reason, perhaps, to ship from home if you have only a few items per day or are a small seller? Why do sellers still drive to the post office? Seems to me if you have one trustworthy carrier, you'd want to ship from home - but that's just my take. Would sure appreciate opinions! Also, I do think there is a benefit in tipping your carrier well and keeping things friendly. A good carrier is not something I take for granted.
If you have a lot of books to ship in a day, can you call for a free special pickup IF you use Endicia or a similar home shipping service endorsed by the post office? Anyone know? I can check with the post office, of course, just thought someone might know.
Yes, you can have your carrier pick up your media mail packages (with Endicia labels) as long as you have at least one Priority or Express Mail package going with it. You can also select where you want them to pick up your packages. (By the front door, in front of the garage door, etc.) Also if you have a really large mailbox, just put them in the box with the flag up. My box will hold around 10 books but I also leave out an empty handle bag or two so the carrier has something to put them in if he's already loaded down when he walks by. Also doesn't hurt to leave him some little goodies, (cookies, energy bar, bottle of ice water, or a gift cert for a few dollars at Baskin-Robbins) especially if he's picking up a ton of books.
I was left trying to figure out the reference to "the floor that [the postal worker] had stamped and placed on the shelf!" To me, that was more surprising than the missing book!
Should we email this story to some USPS authorities?
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