Having trouble getting my packages
September 20, 2023 6:23 PM Subscribe
If you are a person of limited mobility who does not drive, how are you getting your USPS packages?
My USPS delivery person will not deliver to my front door, I have been unsuccessful to get them to, and though I have asked why, I have received no reason. Now it seems their solution is to keep my packages at the post office so someone has to go get them for me. If you have a similar situation, how have you navigated it? I already get as few packages through USPS as I can, but there are some I can't have delivered any other way without great expense (like $60 a medium box). I haven't asked my doctor for a letter of accommodation or whatever it's called, is that my next step? Does that really work? Thanks.
My USPS delivery person will not deliver to my front door, I have been unsuccessful to get them to, and though I have asked why, I have received no reason. Now it seems their solution is to keep my packages at the post office so someone has to go get them for me. If you have a similar situation, how have you navigated it? I already get as few packages through USPS as I can, but there are some I can't have delivered any other way without great expense (like $60 a medium box). I haven't asked my doctor for a letter of accommodation or whatever it's called, is that my next step? Does that really work? Thanks.
I've had zero luck in dealing with the post office if they refuse to deliver anything (note: not a problem for my home so much as we get the post office refusing to deliver our work packages). It might depend on your postal carrier and their personality, but yeah, the PO doesn't really talk to people from what I've heard. However, I'm guessing from this post that there may be something unusual about your home/living area that the post office refuses to deliver to it entirely. What's going on there that makes them not want to deliver to you? Do you live in the country? Have dogs? They don't like your post office box outside? Is it just you that can't get mail or can your neighbors not either?
I would seriously ask friends to have packages delivered to their homes and then bring them over to you. I've had to suggest this to multiple people for whom the post office claims that's not their address/they don't live there and they've refused to deliver multiple times to the home. I suppose there's also the "sit in front of your house and wait for mail to come by and then beg the mail carrier for help" option, but I'm guessing that probably isn't physically an option for you.
I have no idea if getting any kind of medical letter would work on the PO. If they won't talk to you in the first place, I'm not sure how you'd even deliver/enforce it? I note in my experience there's been the occasional postmaster who's helpful (I had a package lost for awhile and they did turn it up, in another county), so I would second trying going up to the top, if you can. And much as I hate to suggest complaining on social media, that does get results these days.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:02 PM on September 20, 2023
I would seriously ask friends to have packages delivered to their homes and then bring them over to you. I've had to suggest this to multiple people for whom the post office claims that's not their address/they don't live there and they've refused to deliver multiple times to the home. I suppose there's also the "sit in front of your house and wait for mail to come by and then beg the mail carrier for help" option, but I'm guessing that probably isn't physically an option for you.
I have no idea if getting any kind of medical letter would work on the PO. If they won't talk to you in the first place, I'm not sure how you'd even deliver/enforce it? I note in my experience there's been the occasional postmaster who's helpful (I had a package lost for awhile and they did turn it up, in another county), so I would second trying going up to the top, if you can. And much as I hate to suggest complaining on social media, that does get results these days.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:02 PM on September 20, 2023
It seems like a doctors note is the way to go
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/If-I-have-Hardship-or-Medical-Problems-how-do-I-request-Door-Delivery#:~:text=%22Hardship%22%20or%20%22Medical%20Problems,a%20statement%20from%20a%20Doctor.
posted by raccoon409 at 7:03 PM on September 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/If-I-have-Hardship-or-Medical-Problems-how-do-I-request-Door-Delivery#:~:text=%22Hardship%22%20or%20%22Medical%20Problems,a%20statement%20from%20a%20Doctor.
posted by raccoon409 at 7:03 PM on September 20, 2023 [6 favorites]
(Thank you for fixing the link. It seems like when I’m on mobile hyperlinks don’t post properly anymore)
posted by raccoon409 at 7:19 PM on September 20, 2023
posted by raccoon409 at 7:19 PM on September 20, 2023
I had this exact problem, including the mobility issues. I called the station and told them to return the package to the sender since I was unable to pick it up. The lady seemed kind of shocked? And someone delivered it that day. I haven’t had the problem since. But a doctor’s note would probably work better.
posted by dianeF at 7:23 PM on September 20, 2023
posted by dianeF at 7:23 PM on September 20, 2023
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If that doesn't work out, maybe a local consumer reporter?
Or try contacting your congress person, constituent services are a big deal.
posted by Marky at 6:55 PM on September 20, 2023 [6 favorites]