Posts by Nicole Lee4

wearysailor3 said:Is there any way at all to make a deal with the folks over at the USPS so they don't just send my package back after that 5-day pickup window closes? My neighbor let me know I had a notice left for me this past Thursday, but there is absolutely no way I can make it down to the post office in Washington, D.C. to grab it before early next week. 😢 Has anyone else dealt with this? Does it really, always, always get sent back right after five days regardless of the situation?

It’s definitely possible—just give them a call and ask nicely. Besides, you're paying a small storage fee anyway.
Otherwise, if they're actually following the rules, they aren't supposed to return it until after five business days have passed.

Amanda White82 said:I was dropping off a package containing some valuables $33 (shipping cost $6.00) today, and the clerk at FedEx insisted I tell her exactly what was inside, otherwise she wouldn't even take it from me.
She claimed these are the new regulations. Is there any truth to that?

Not really.
But maybe she just got burned because she didn't offer fragile handling. If the contents get ripped open, well, she’ll know why next time.

Taylor Campbell4 said:I need some quick advice here:
Can I actually send something via General Delivery with COD, and if so, how does that work?

Because looking at the rules for COD shipments, it says you have to provide the recipient's full address...

So what am I supposed to put on those address labels? Just "General Delivery"?

You can definitely use General Delivery
instead of a specific street address, just write "General Delivery" along with the zip code of the post office.

Melissa Morgan77 said:Seriously...🙂 I just had a customer reach out saying three items were missing from her order!!! How is that even possible to notice right away?! These packages are being tossed around like footballs during a championship game; apparently, girls on Craigslist are reporting this constantly.🙄

@Chloe Moore65/">@@Chloe Moore65 how did you handle that? I already sent her everything she asked for. What's the point of a complaint if there wasn't actually any loss?😕 Yeah, I'm sure they'll catch onto that...

So what, when I ship it, I should state the weight (since I don't trust the labels anymore), and then when she receives it, she demands to weigh it again? If it's lighter, then obviously it's a loss?

Oh, this is just plain nasty. Honestly, you can rely on the label. But before you hand it over, maybe ask the woman to double-check the weight right there.
And report it!
If everyone reports these things, they'll eventually figure it out.

Zachary Peterson6 said:you should really use more tape, it would help😉

Honestly, that’s so true—especially when you're using those bubble mailers. Please, just use extra tape!
I swear, half of them arrive already ripped open (personally, I've had two happen to me)

Melissa Thompson9 said:I don't get how their shipping works. I sent out a package weighing about 400 grams and another one at 108g, and for both, I paid the exact same $6.75 shipping fee, even though the second one was
three times lighter...

The package won't even go out for delivery if they don't have a scheduled route (not all USPS branches offer that service unfortunately)

Angela Phillips21 said:Well, this definitely wasn't heavier than 1 lb.
Should I ask the supervisor at the counter then?

Definitely. And if you can, bring the notice and the envelope with you (the contents don't matter, the weight will be printed right on the postage stamp)
that way you actually have some leverage to argue your case.

Angela Phillips21 said:For the third time this month, my mail carrier failed to leave a delivery notice—you know, that little slip of paper you actually need. I’ve already filed complaints at the local USPS branch, but honestly, it feels like I'm just shouting into a void. It's incredibly frustrating. Today, my mom swung by the post office to check if anything had arrived, and the clerk there tells her the package has been sitting right there for two days! No notice, nothing. Then, later this afternoon, I actually heard the mail truck pull up outside—I saw him through the window—and he just slid the notification into the mailbox without even ringing the doorbell. I don't get it; is it really that much effort to actually hand over the mail?
Who can I actually complain to that might actually result in some kind of change?

You could try reaching out to his delivery supervisor, but keep in mind they aren't technically required to carry standard or certified mail if the parcel weighs more than one kilogram.

hiddendriver8 said:Guys, I urgently need some advice!

What on earth do I do when half the stuff is missing from a package, even though the USPS staff saw everything I actually sent? The girl I was sending this to says she didn't receive the main item—the rest were just little gifts—and the total value of the package was $93...

I’ve never dealt with anything like this before. I mean, I'm used to people swiping packages left on porches or tossing them in the street, but having items actually vanish from inside the box? That is a whole different level of crazy!

When a package is accepted, it gets a label that lists the weight (it's also noted on the receipt)
If you're suspicious, ask them to weigh it again for you. If something is missing, the weight won't match what was originally recorded.
Honestly, I'm not quite sure what to tell you because there isn't much you can do at this stage, but you have to act immediately.
However, the girl who received it should go ahead and file an official complaint. They are required to take the report. She might not get reimbursed since she didn't catch it right away, but maybe they'll catch whatever lowlifes are actually ripping into boxes and stealing contents.

Chloe Brooks86 said:I have a question: how much extra do they charge at the post office if you add a "fragile" sticker to a package?

$5.00

They’re going to charge you based on weight, so the actual size of the box doesn't really matter much.

The only exception is if it’s, like, MASSIVE—then they might hit you with an oversized item fee.

But just make sure the contents aren't sliding all over the place inside the box.

Melissa Morgan77 said:I'm just looking for the actual, hard numbers here—can anyone confirm if this is accurate?

1 It’s honestly such a joke. You pay a premium for shipping just to have them show up at your doorstep when you aren't even home, and then—get this—you have to shell out even more money just to have them try again? It feels like a total scam. Why am I paying extra for "convenience" if it just ends up being an expensive game of tag? $1.75?
2 So, I’m sitting here thinking about this ridiculous situation: why on earth am I paying extra for "in-store pickup" when the delivery service is already coming right to my doorstep anyway? It feels like a total scam. If the mail carrier is going to swing by my house regardless to drop off a package, what's the point of paying a premium just to go pick it up myself? It makes absolutely zero sense. $1.75Wait, hold on—are you saying it’s actually impossible to request a redelivery? Seriously? That can't be right. There's gotta be some way to get them to try again.
There isn't really a massive difference between those two options... it all just comes down to how you choose to answer.
3 They always seem to bring their recommendations right to my doorstep, but I’ve been wondering—is there any way to request a delivery again once they've left, and if so, what kind of service fee am I looking at?

That’s spot on—but let's be clear, that only applies when we're talking about recommendations.
When you’re sending out a package through the USPS, you just pay the shipping fees upfront at the counter. As the sender, you cover the whole cost right then and there—the recipient doesn't have to shell out a single cent when it arrives at their door.
And what if the recipient actually requests a redelivery of that exact same package? What then? $3.25
It’s just one of those things, isn't it? Like, if someone isn't home when the mail carrier swings by, they end up calling the USPS just to have everything rerouted or picked up again. It feels like such an extra step!
If you ask me, anything involving a redelivery is worth a second look. Honestly, I’d highly recommend going that route if you have the chance. $1.75

I’ll be honest, I don't have a ton of experience dealing with these kinds of packages, but I caught sight of how they handle things today and... well, it really gave me something to think about. $3.25Honestly, I was under the impression that five was the standard, just like it is for recommendations.

It's me, miss_daisy. 🙂 🙈

Melissa Morgan77 said:then I understood correctly.
I'm asking because the girl who started this whole debate mentioned her package had an address label showing shipping was already paid, yet she still got hit by those infamous $1.75.
And then you chimed in saying she actually owed them money.🤷

Actually, I found myself getting more caught up in the issues surrounding delivery to remote areas or when requesting redelivery.

The delivery drivers aren't just making up numbers out of thin air.
It happens all the time—a driver shows up and nobody is home, so once the customer sees the notice and requests another attempt, they’re going to be charged $1.75 regardless of what they paid upfront.

And sure, if USPS has complicated regulations that are hard to wrap your head around (even for the people working there)—that’s fair enough.

But telling someone here, "your company has stupid rules—change them," is honestly a bit malicious.
Because the people responding here are acting out of the best intentions; they aren't corporate executives and they don't have the power to change a thing.

Until things change, they're going to be under constant fire over $1.75, shipping fees for COD items, $1.75 for those asking for redelivery, and storage fees.
Because any shady behavior is definitely being pocketed by someone.
$1.75 If even five people call them out on it, they're in deep trouble.

That's why, more often than not, these guys end up paying out of their own pockets.

Look, I’m really not trying to start an argument here; I was just attempting to explain how this works (though clearly, I failed miserably)

Basically, if a package has a shipping label attached, the delivery is already paid for, and the recipient shouldn't be charged a single cent.
However, if that label isn't there, then you run into those infamous $1.75 issues.

The drivers actually end up paying out of their own pockets. If it takes them thirty minutes to argue with a customer when they have 60 packages left in the van to deliver by 2:00 PM, they lose money. Plus, they can't even generate receipts on the spot because they don't know if the delivery will actually go through.

When the driver gets back to the FedEx station, they have to settle the books, and for every package delivered without a prepaid label, they have to cough up the cash themselves.
Nobody cares whether they actually collected the fee from you or just covered it themselves,

But the biggest headache is people confusing standard certified mail (which looks almost identical to a package) with actual FedEx shipments.
- Certified mail under a certain weight is meant to be picked up at the local post office.
- A standard package is brought to your door, provided delivery is requested.
- FedEx shipments are always delivered to your door and can weigh up to 110 pounds.

In any other scenario, they’ll just leave a notice for you.
They also leave a note if they tried to deliver something but nobody answered the door.

I strongly suggest that anyone who feels like they've been ripped off should try to clear this up right then and there at the door.
If the clerk at the local Post Office isn't kind enough to give you an answer, I'm sure the customer service center will be.

1-800-ASK-FEDEX

Take a look at the section regarding package rates—once you dig into those numbers, you'll see they really should have charged you $1.75
.

Though, honestly? Sometimes it’s just easier to pay out of pocket rather than deal with the hassle
.

Hannah Ortiz90 said:I went ahead and double-checked that information myself—though clearly, I was wasting my breath! Apparently, if nobody is home to receive the delivery, the mail carrier is required to make two separate attempts every single day (once in the morning and once in the afternoon). They have to keep that up for five consecutive days, or basically, for as long as that package sits waiting at the local post office.

Look, it’s more than obvious at this point that they aren't even following their own rulebook. But honestly? If enforcing these policies is such a massive, exhausting headache for them, why not just scrap the whole thing? Why continue charging us for services they clearly aren't even providing? 🤷

And honestly, if you want to talk about truly pathetic service—I’ve been there too. I received a package that was clearly marked as prepaid, yet right in front of my eyes, the delivery driver actually tried to charge me an extra fee! He was looking directly at a perfectly legible shipping label that showed everything had already been paid for, but he still attempted to collect more money from me on the spot. It was just ridiculous. $1.75 Regarding the delivery—which, like I mentioned before, is already paid for— 😠
He bailed on me the second I asked for an itemized receipt and questioned why I’d be footing the bill twice for the exact same service. ☕

tih $1.75 It’s on you to settle the bill. Honestly, I have no idea why they decided to make the whole process such a convoluted, ridiculous mess. It just doesn't make any sense.
Even if he didn't charge you for it—even if he actually handed over the package—he still essentially gave you those... $1.75 Out of my own pocket.

Hannah Ortiz90 said:I honestly don't get why they charge for that service if they clearly aren't actually providing it—especially since I make it a point to ask beforehand whether the recipient's local post office even offers that option (since, you know, some branches just don't have that capability). Plus, we aren't even talking about massive shipments here; these packages aren't even weighing more than 8 or 9 ounces. 😠

It’s honestly pathetic. They can see perfectly well whether the specific USPS branch you're sending to supports package delivery or not.
If they offer the service, they need to fulfill it, regardless of how light the package is.

Zachary Peterson6 said:Look, I’m telling you straight: if the package isn't some massive crate, he really should be the one dropping it off at the post office, especially if it weighs under a pound or so. Just weigh the thing! Check the scale first. It’s not like the USPS carriers are pack mules meant to haul thirty separate one-pound boxes on their backs all day. Common sense, right?😢

Look, let's be real here—he isn't obligated to go out of his way to deliver a ten-pound package if there aren't even any deliveries scheduled for that route. It just doesn't make sense.🙂

I’ve got recommendations and standard letters ready to go—they weigh about two pounds.

Honestly, those mail carriers can be even more unreliable than a pack of stubborn mules. I’ve actually seen it happen—out in those remote rural areas, the sheer weight of the packages they’re lugging around is enough to snap the damn axles off their delivery vehicles.

frozenbison2 said:.

So, here’s my question:

Is the mail carrier actually required to deliver a package right to my front door?
(I'm talking about packages either paid for online or just standard COD orders)
The thing is, my carrier just keeps leaving those yellow missed delivery slips without actually stopping by—even though someone is always home! (Unless, of course, it was sent via FedEx or a similar premium service).

Not every local post office handles parcel delivery.
But for the ones that do, they should be delivering directly to the address.

All post offices offer FedEx services, though.

Donna Chase12 said:Hey, sorry it took me so long to get back to you! Honestly, I completely blanked on the fact that I had even posted this question here. My bad!😁
Honestly, I’m already well aware of most of what’s being said here... and that’s not even counting the extra $1.55 (which I didn't include in my initial estimate), nor the actual implications of what this means. My intention was to send this as a Priority Mail letter, so I went ahead and asked the clerk if there was any special paperwork required for that specific service. She told me, "No, just check the box for Priority Mail." But then, when I looked at the official USPS website, their own calculator shows a completely different rate for Priority Mail. $2.50 Based on that weight, I should have been charged much less. Instead, they hit me with $14.20. So, either she gave me the wrong information entirely, or I just ended up overpaying for nothing. Honestly, it’s not like I’m breaking the bank over a few bucks, but when you're shipping as much as I am, these little "oopsies" from them really start to add up. It's a bit of a nuisance. On the bright side, if I don't have a massive pile of packages, I usually catch these mistakes right at the counter. If I can prove they gave me the wrong rate on the spot, I can settle it then and there. But when I'm slammed with shipments? I don't realize anything is off until I'm already back home, and by then, it's too late to do anything about it. Just one of those things, I guess.

I think you might have miscalculated there. It looks like you were checking the rates for just a standard priority letter, rather than the combined cost for both registered and priority mail.
The absolute lowest recommendation you’ll see from me is $9.50.
And yours was somewhere between 3.5 and 8.8 ounces, too... so that's $12.50 plus $1.70, bringing it to a total of $14.20.

priority-plus

It bumps the recommended rate up by about 1.5 bucks
Last week, they were running those surcharges where an extra stamp was tacked onto every single package for humanitarian aid—specifically to fight TB—for about 1.55

So, how much did you end up paying exactly?

If you're in a massive rush, this is definitely your quickest bet

Rebecca Reed said:Alright, so I don't get to inspect everything before I pay. Got it. In that case, what's the absolute safest way to have this lamp shipped via USPS? Like, how do I ensure it arrives as an insured package?

Exactly—send it as a package, and definitely opt for that "fragile" handling service (you know, the one with the little glass icon).
I’d also suggest asking the sender to wrap it heavily in bubble wrap or pack it tight with plenty of foam peanuts.

Tyler Morgan4 said:I made a payment at the post office today directly into my checking account; will that show up on my balance tomorrow, or...?
It was processed around 2:00 PM.

Usually, yeah. Sometimes it even hits the account the same day.