ACN: What are some of the things people can do to protect themselves against mail theft.
CR: The biggest issue is absence. If you're going to be out of town for the holidays for three or more days, make sure you get a vacation hold (hold mail). Also, give special instructions for your carrier, get to know your carrier, tell them where they need to leave parcels. If you're out all day, be aware that there are package thieves (Amazon parcels, in particular). Once you're on vacation, and you haven't notified us or made arrangements, we have no choice but to leave them on your doorstep.
ACN: What about putting special instructions when you purchase online, such as with Amazon?
CR: Typically in all the dealings I've had [with Amazon], they don't have them. However, Amazon does insure parcels, so if the package is not received and it is stolen (and this happens in every single area), they will immediately send it back with a signature confirmation, but not initially.
ACN: You mentioned "package thieves". What can people do?
CR: A lot of my customers have specific instructions, and since I care about getting people their mail to them unharmed, I follow them. For example, I'll put them over their gates or wherever they tell me,..if they're not home, I'll still notify them and have them come into the Post Office because I want to alleviate the problem of their packages getting stolen as much as possible. Most important thing is, open communication with your carrier - your regular carrier - and have an established set of protocol.
ACN: What are some of the main types of complaint calls the USPS receives during the holidays?
CR: One of the biggest problems we're having right now is that the USPS has such a great push for Amazon right now that they have Sunday deliveries. They have a lot of sub carriers and new carriers delivering packages. I come back on a Monday, and discover that a brand new carrier has misdelivered a package on a Sunday. I don't know how to help in a situation like that. Best thing I can do is recommend that people have someone home at all times. The USPS has does have GPS tracking on all their parcels, and scanners pin point when and where the parcel was dropped off, and at what address, Again, make sure you talk to your carrier first before you call the Post Office.
ACN: So communication with your carrier is key?
CR: It is key, and it is critical.
ACN: Tell me a bit about this I hear about UPS and FedEx deliveries defaulting to the Postal Service, as in...if they fall short on their deliveries, it ultimately falls upon the USPS to deliver?
CR: Yes. The Post Office delivers, and I've also seen a number of private industries deliver on behalf of UPS. But for the most part, we are the ones receiving parcels and overflow from all of those delivery companies, every day, and it's up to us to get it all out.
ACN: So...huge responsibility.
CR: Huge, and very time consuming.
ACN: I see a lot of USPS vehicles out well after sunset...there is crazy holiday traffic compacted by commuter traffic...wet, rainy weather can affect rural areas. What are some of the rules of the road during the holidays?
CR: We're pretty much the "Cops of Christmas", so you better treat us that way! We have a full load of parcels in there, organized...we're carrying pretty much double the weight of what we usually have. Our braking time, our reaction time is not as great, visibility is poor, especially in bad weather.We have to sometimes go out very early in the morning to deliver these parcels just to clear them...
ACN: Well after sundown, too!
CR: Yes, so please, if you see a mail truck, expect constant stops, don't drive like a maniac around them, and show them common courtesy so they can do their job.
ACN: There are those who have thought ahead and have sent their holiday packages. On the subject of last minute packages...what is the cut off date before Christmas?
CR: If they want to do next day express and pay the exorbitant amount, they can get them in on December 23rd.
ACN: ...but there's still no guarantee they'll get there before Christmas, right?
CR: I would recommend talking to the clerks, since they actually have the best know-how on how long it takes to get it out. My best advice would be to not wait until the last minute. We're just absolutely inundated with parcels at this point.
ACN: What about sending money, gift cards?
CR: Don't send cash, Don't send checks. If you're going to send something of value that is in letter form, I recommend sending it certified or delivery confirmation, Pay that extra couple of dollars just make sure it gets there safe and gets there on time.
ACN: So, bottom line...certify letters and cards, and insure your parcels?
CR: Yes, for peace of mind. because a) it could get lost, but also b) we have a very large number of thefts going on during the holiday season and the tax season, where mail boxes are broken into. Again, get to know your regular carrier.
ACN: How busy are you after Christmas?
CR: It winds down. You'll see a significant drop in the rate of mail you're getting, which is due to the parcels prior to Christmas. The distribution plant is holding off on sending a lot of the junk mail you usually get in order to just to get all the parcels out on time, because that's the biggest revenue maker for the Post Office. But after Christmas, you'll see a big decline in parcels. There will be a lot of return parcels for home businesses, and those who got their parcels out late.
ACN: Anything else you'd like to tell us about the holiday season for mail carriers?
CR: Just understand that we're doing our jobs, and trying to get things done in a timely manner, so be patient!
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