Just a friendly reminder about yard sales and your mail carrier

[LilyWDW]

That's what I was thinking.



They did change it...well in my office they did. We do have to dismount for blocked cars.



I have to say I worked when we got hit by the big snow storm. Yes we were allowed to bring the mail back at that time because it was dangerous out there for us. And we were told to tell our customers to clear their mailboxes b/c we couldn't get to them.

As for the other person who commented, I do love my job. I do go above and beyond of what they ask for. But until you work one day in this job, don't be so rude. I'm sorry but we are a carrier short, I have to go in at 6am and case 2 routes and deliver one of them and still be back before the truck comes. If I work over my evaluated time, I don't get paid for it.

I was just passing some information along since it is the time of the year for yard sales.

*HUGS*
Personally, if the homeowner wants their mail, then they need to do their jobs at keeping their mail boxes clear. I mean, I understand the snow issue as I grew up in Northern IL... but to not make sure the box is clear of cars or junk is unacceptable.

I'm surprised your office can require you to get out to deliver. I always thought that was an overall rule as it has been the rule everywhere I have lived (or family has lived).

And thank you for all the work you do. I have a feeling not many people do say thank you and don't understand what the job entails.

 

[allison443]

I'm surprised your office can require you to get out to deliver. I always thought that was an overall rule as it has been the rule everywhere I have lived (or family has lived).

I live in a suburb in NJ. Our mail carrier parks the truck at the end of the block, and walks up and down the block putting the mail in our mailbox, which is attached to the front wall of our house, next to our front door. They walk up the front path, climb steps, etc.

I lived in NY growing up and it was the same thing there. Towns full of single family homes where the mail is delivered door to door. I have seen townshouse complexes with the group mailboxes, but other than that, everywhere I have lived has had delivery to the house.

Very interesting how things are different in different places!

 

[disneymom3]

Our carrier used to be really cranky and constantly got the mail delivered to the wrong boxes. My neighbors I I literally would stand at the box to check our mail, then open each other's to see if the other person had gotten the mail and if not, put their mail that we had gotten in their box and check theirs to see if they had any of ours. It was quite a routine. The first winter we lived here, all the mom's agreed to just meet at the mailboxes to do our exchange at a certain time.

Now, we have a lady who is really nice and friendly. I like the water idea. I am gonig to send my kids out to the box on hot summer days this year. I know her truck does not have a/c.

As for the cars, my best friend lives in a development that has a huge sale every year. They have an understanding with the post office that mail will not be delivered on that day. NO way that poor carrier could finish their route on time.

 

[wdwobsessed]

First, I would like to say that I have given water to our carrier before and we also give him a Christmas gift every year, however...
Isn't this your JOB?
Sometimes things don't always go the way you want them to at work. Sometimes you have to go the extra step to get your job done or give good customer service. If I got mad everytime someone did not say "Thank You" to me or caused me to do a little more than normal, I would be one very unhappy person.
I know when I am having a yard sale that it is hard to even step away from it for two minutes. There are some very dishonest and theiving people in this world and if I would have turned my back to get my mail I would have had things stolen.
I think having to "get out of the car" to deliver the mail and complaining about it is awful. At least you were in a car, you could have been delivering on foot in this "hot as crap" weather. I know 100 people who would gladly sit in a car for 2.5-3 hours delivering mail everyday rather than what they do or not have a job at all. Seriously, it probably took you what, 10 steps to get the boxes that were blocked.

Wowza.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I just had to ask...

Our mailbox is also up near the house (some have them ON the house, ours is a regular mailbox NEAR the house), and while it isn't possible (foliage-wise) to cut across our neighbors yard into OUR yard, it is possible to cut across our YARD.

Is it common for mailcarriers to cut across lawns?

I ask because we are growing grass seed, finally having success, and we asked our mailcarrier to please not cut across the yard until the grass is lush and full (you will be able to tell when it is) and she looked at us like we were absolutely crazy.

 

[Purseval]

The USPS is losing money like crazy and one of the things they are looking at to save money is eliminating Saturday deliveries. Wait a while and your problem will solve itself.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Really this is a vent..LOL.. I am a mail carrier and today the subdivision that I deliver to were having their neighborhood yard sale. Great! But really it ended up being a pain in my hiney.

First of all, to the buyers, DO NOT block the mailbox. I mean really, you have passed me several times today, you can't tell I'm delivering mail to the boxes? I had this one vehicle that passed me several times. They knew I was delivering mail. They passed me again, well 10 boxes up, they pulled right up in front of the mailbox. They had the whole street to park on, no traffic on that side of road, why in the world do they have to park in front of the mailbox?

And if you are the seller, I know your busy with your customers but PLEASE keep an eye out for us if your mailbox is blocked. I had some customers who sat there and watched me get in and out of the vehicle to deliver their mail. Did they move? Nope. Did they yell "Thank you"? Nope.

Now I do have to say that there are some great customers that did meet me up to mailbox so they could get their mail since it was blocked.

Sorry small vent but it was hot as crap today and when you sit in a vehicle for 2-3.5 hrs and have to do it over and over again, it's just crazy.

My dad worked for the post office for 34 years...thank you for what you do, I grew up hearing all the crap with unions, ongoing testing, etc etc...it is also why we love our mail lady and appreciate the service..

 

[LilyWDW]

I live in a suburb in NJ. Our mail carrier parks the truck at the end of the block, and walks up and down the block putting the mail in our mailbox, which is attached to the front wall of our house, next to our front door. They walk up the front path, climb steps, etc.

I lived in NY growing up and it was the same thing there. Towns full of single family homes where the mail is delivered door to door. I have seen townshouse complexes with the group mailboxes, but other than that, everywhere I have lived has had delivery to the house.

Very interesting how things are different in different places!

I meant for areas where the mailboxes are on the street. The town where I live now has some boxes at the street and some on the homes. For those of us with street boxes, the mail carrier is allowed to skip you if the box is blocked. The only time they are supposed to get out of the vehicle is to hand deliver items that require signatures. Not that they do... getting real tired of finding the little "Sorry we missed you" slips after I have literally watched the mail carrier stop at the box and keep driving. They don't even try.

 

[IloveDisney77]

Not my intention. Just stating that complaining because you have to get out of your car or because someone doesn't say "Thank you" seems petty to complain about when they are doing a job they get paid highly for and do from their car.

Actually I am a mammographer so the standards I have to adhere to are much higher than that of a postal carrier. I do my job everyday and many times go out of my way to help a patient or customer without the expectation of a "Thank you" because that is MY job. With many hospitals facing cutbacks and new state hospital taxes I am very aware of getting everything done under the clock and on time. I am sure she is aware that the mail does not have to be delivered if the box is blocked. SO, if she chooses to get out of her delivery vehicle and get it to the box, kudos to her, she is going the extra mile and making it nice for the people on her route. But, if she doesn't like doing it, then take the mail back to the post office and deliver it tomorrow.

Wow...wow....WOW....This is one of the things that drives me absolutely crazy about the Disboards every now and then and why I normally chose to ignore these specific posts that reek of arrogance/attitude.

Originally, I wasn't going to respond like normal and let bygones be bygones but this holier than thou attitude this poster is postulating is frankly appalling and is not acceptable on the boards.

The original poster was simply asking everyone to be a little more cognizant of ensuring they keep the area in front of their mailbox clear. Point taken, my cleaning lady parks in front of my mailbox every other Tuesday during the time the mailperson typically comes...I have made a note to make sure she no longer parks there...thank you for the heads up...haven't thought about that Others chimed in to say how they appreciate their mail carriers for going the extra mile. My carrier will wrap my boxes or not deliver them in the rain to prevent damage...unlike my UPS driver....but that is a whole other story

Done, message was presented and yet there are those who feel the need to jump in and take it down the toilet....I especially love the part where this person feels it appropriate to attack the person for "complaining" for being so HIGHLY compensated....really...what is your basis for this assessment...do you have a clue what postal carries make? Seriously...I'm asking. I googled it...entry level, upper 20's to low 30's and 15 to 20 year veterans around 50...I'm sorry, in what world is that highly compensated...it is a lower middle income salary..not "well paid" in any stretch...a living yes...Not highly paid.

Personally, my wife and I are very blessed through hard work to be in your words "highly paid"...simply because we have more money than most DOES not give us or anyone the right to talk down to other people because you think your job is SOOO much more important...all jobs are important, all jobs require people, on occasion to go the extra mile...it is a given but all people would live to receive a simply thank you..human nature, simple as that...no job is "better" than any other simply because of the amount of compensation provided or "standards" required for providing a service...my wife is going through breast cancer right now and I find your ploy of trying to make your job seem so much better/important than the OP's absolutely disgusting. Get a life. I'm headed to the shower to clean off!

Yeah, this person hit a nerve with his/her attitude/arrogance...my apologies to EVERYONE else... We should all remember regardless of income to look our for our fellow man/woman. Done with my wee little soapbox...

 

[ChrisinNJ]

Our mailboxes are on the houses (older neighborhood) so he has to walk the route. We are in a very hilly neighborhood. Most of the houses are pretty far back from the street.

Same here. We have had the same great lady for year now. She is fantastic. She walks our whole neighborhood, just moving the truck block to block. She even walked our neighborhood 7-8 months pregnant!! She is in great shape!

I'll be very sad if they ever change her route. I missed her when she switched routes in her last month of pregnancy & while she was on maternity leave.

Everytime I see the postmaster I let him know how great she is!!

 

[MAGICX2]

Wow...wow....WOW....This is one of the things that drives me absolutely crazy about the Disboards every now and then and why I normally chose to ignore these specific posts that reek of arrogance/attitude.

Originally, I wasn't going to respond like normal and let bygones be bygones but this holier than thou attitude this poster is postulating is frankly appalling and is not acceptable on the boards.

Reek of arrogance/attitude, really? How long have you been on the DIS? I have seen responses/posts that were much worse. And holier than thou? I was responding to something else someone posted asking if I had ever been in a job with standards. I think there are many people on the DIS who are just waiting to read farther into things than what is actually there. I believe I posted that rudeness was not my intention. I did not "attack" anyone.

The original poster was simply asking everyone to be a little more cognizant of ensuring they keep the area in front of their mailbox clear. Point taken, my cleaning lady parks in front of my mailbox every other Tuesday during the time the mailperson typically comes...I have made a note to make sure she no longer parks there...thank you for the heads up...haven't thought about that Others chimed in to say how they appreciate their mail carriers for going the extra mile. My carrier will wrap my boxes or not deliver them in the rain to prevent damage...unlike my UPS driver....but that is a whole other story

Done, message was presented and yet there are those who feel the need to jump in and take it down the toilet....I especially love the part where this person feels it appropriate to attack the person for "complaining" for being so HIGHLY compensated....really...what is your basis for this assessment...do you have a clue what postal carries make? Seriously...I'm asking. I googled it...entry level, upper 20's to low 30's and 15 to 20 year veterans around 50...I'm sorry, in what world is that highly compensated...it is a lower middle income salary..not "well paid" in any stretch...a living yes...Not highly paid.::

For a job that requires 2.5-6 hours of work maximum a day, yes I do consider that highly compensated. Add in the amount of vacation, sick days, personal days and benefits they receive, and yes I stand firm in that they are highly compensated.
I didn't attack her for "complaining" and being so highly compensated. I posted that "I think having to "get out of the car" to deliver the mail and complaining about it is awful." That has nothing to do with how she is compensated. I posted that I knew several people that would do that for the paycheck and be thankful. I can count more than 10 friends off the top of my head that have lost their jobs in my area in the last week alone.

Personally, my wife and I are very blessed through hard work to be in your words "highly paid"...simply because we have more money than most DOES not give us or anyone the right to talk down to other people because you think your job is SOOO much more important...all jobs are important, all jobs require people, on occasion to go the extra mile...it is a given but all people would live to receive a simply thank you..human nature, simple as that...no job is "better" than any other simply because of the amount of compensation provided or "standards" required for providing a service...my wife is going through breast cancer right now and I find your ploy of trying to make your job seem so much better/important than the OP's absolutely disgusting. Get a life. I'm headed to the shower to clean off!::

Again, did you read all the posts? I was responding to someone who asked if I have ever worked a job with standards. I was in no way "talking down to other people" because I think my job is more important. I was simply stating the type of standards I have to adhere to and the fact that this carrier does have other options should she choose not to deliver the mail that day.

I am sorry to hear of your wife's situation. I am sure she is receiving the utmost care from her own mammographers. I was not making any "ploy" to make my job seem more important. Simply laying out that I too have standards to adhere to. I am a firm believer in there is no job better or worse than anyone else's. We all fit into the circle of things somewhere. If one job isn't done in one place, than the next person wouldn't be able to perform their job adequately either. I think you read more into it/took it the wrong way/didn't read the whole context.

Yeah, this person hit a nerve with his/her attitude/arrogance...my apologies to EVERYONE else... We should all remember regardless of income to look our for our fellow man/woman. Done with my wee little soapbox...

I truely don't believe I was exhibiting any attitude/arrogance. Having just had a yard sale this past week, I know that it itself is a semi-stressful thing and maybe the homeowner just didn't think about it. Yard sales are crazy! I was just stating that the carrier has other options if she doesn't want to get out of her car.

 

[heatherleigh]

OP, thank you very much for the job you do- I certainly appreciate it. Our mailbox is very far, and quite a walk from my house. I typically drive to it (we live on a hill). Our regular carrier is wonderful. My husband lost the mailbox key about a month ago so we had to get the box re-keyed. The carrier actually came to the house and delivered the mail twice before we received our key. I thanked him profusely for taking the time, because I knew he wasn't required to do so.

Every now and again, we have a lady who fills in for him or assists w/ delivering mail. Not sure which one. Anyway, I do take issue w/ her because she is too lazy to deliver our packages to the front door. She consistently would lay them in front of the garage, which faces the road. As a result, I wouldn't be aware we received a package unless I happened to go out of my garage.

My husband owns a gun business out of our house, so we receive boxes w/ firearms almost daily. The firearm packages require an adult signature. Three times, they were left propped up outside of our garage. My husband had to report it to the ATF, because that was beyond lazy. It was illegal and dangerous.

Aside from that, I've had pretty decent luck everywhere we have lived w/ the carrier. I like the drink ideas. I never thought to offer a water or coke. I will have to do that this summer.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Thank you all to the ones that posted positive replies. There are 2 kinds of carriers in the post office. You have rural, which I am, and then city carriers. City carriers get paid more than we do because they do have to get out and walk on their routes. I would not have their job!! To have to lug around their bag which usually weighs 50lbs or more, especially in the hot heat or the cold weather.

I really didn't want to this thread to turn into a debate or a bunch of bashing, I just wanted to give everyone a heads up.

As for Magicx2, you stated For a job that requires 2.5-6 hours of work maximum a day, yes I do consider that highly compensated. Add in the amount of vacation, sick days, personal days and benefits they receive, and yes I stand firm in that they are highly compensated.


To enlighten you, you are soooo wrong!!! First of all, I have NEVER seen a 2.5hr work day EVER while working at the office unless I worked on the clerk side. Our routes are evaluated between 6-9 hrs long a day (in my office). Usually your in the office a minimum of 3-4 hrs THEN you go deliver mail. And yes that takes 2.5-4hrs. On a day after holidays, there have been days where we would be in the office alone for 7 hours and then be out on the route for 3.5-5hrs just b/c of the volume. Again, any day you want to walk in my shoes as a carrier, let me know. Until then don't talk about something that you are clueless about.

As for vacation, benefits, etc...yes I do make nice amount of money for our area BUT as a part time carrier, I'm only guaranteed 1 day a week and I get NO benefits, NO personal days, and NO sick days. Did I know this when I took the job? Yes I did. I took it b/c it suited our family needs as I only needed a part time job while the kids are in school. The salary you googled were for REGULAR carriers.

And you also stated "I was simply stating the type of standards I have to adhere to and the fact that this carrier does have other options should she choose not to deliver the mail that day. " Again, I have stated several times, we are NOT allowed to bring back mail. So it's NOT a option of what to do with the mail that day. It has to be delivered.

And as for my complaining about the yard sales, I have had plenty of yard sales too and understand how much work it is. But when you pull up to a box to see that it's blocked, you look over to the seller and they are sitting on their butt WATCHING you get out and deliver, yea that's when I get mad. And as soon as you pull off, then they get up to get their mail.

And for the poster who stated about Saturday delivery. I and the rest of the postal carriers don't think this will happen. Yes Congress did approve the PO to do a study of 5 day delivery but I think the findings will conclude that we will be losing even more money. And Congress really don't want to go to 5 day delivery. We can't do anything until they approve it. The only one pushing for it is PM General Potter. I think they need to get him out of the office and get someone else in there that knows something about running a business. But that is a WHOLE different topic!!!

But I will give you all a heads up, IF 5 day delivery ever happen, it will be when our fiscal year would start, which is October 1st. Will it happen this year, probably not b/c it's too late in the year. If anything does happen, at the earliest would be next October. And truthfully, we are all hoping it doesn't go to that.

 

[MAGICX2]

As for Magicx2, you stated For a job that requires 2.5-6 hours of work maximum a day, yes I do consider that highly compensated. Add in the amount of vacation, sick days, personal days and benefits they receive, and yes I stand firm in that they are highly compensated.


To enlighten you, you are soooo wrong!!! First of all, I have NEVER seen a 2.5hr work day EVER while working at the office unless I worked on the clerk side. Our routes are evaluated between 6-9 hrs long a day (in my office). Usually your in the office a minimum of 3-4 hrs THEN you go deliver mail. And yes that takes 2.5-4hrs. On a day after holidays, there have been days where we would be in the office alone for 7 hours and then be out on the route for 3.5-5hrs just b/c of the volume. Again, any day you want to walk in my shoes as a carrier, let me know. Until then don't talk about something that you are clueless about. Actually, I have 2 family members that are postal carriers in our town, one rural and one city. The rural carrier drives her car and the city carrier walks. As I have not actually ever held a job as a carrier, I don't know all the ins and outs, but I do know some so I am not completely clueless.

As for vacation, benefits, etc...yes I do make nice amount of money for our area BUT as a part time carrier, I'm only guaranteed 1 day a week and I get NO benefits, NO personal days, and NO sick days. Did I know this when I took the job? Yes I did. I took it b/c it suited our family needs as I only needed a part time job while the kids are in school. The salary you googled were for REGULAR carriers. I was not the poster that googled salaries for postal carriers. That was someone else. My information was based on the carriers in my area and the two family members which are carriers. They are full time, are paid very well, and receive great benefits. I was not aware you were only part time until this post when you stated as such.

And you also stated "I was simply stating the type of standards I have to adhere to and the fact that this carrier does have other options should she choose not to deliver the mail that day. " Again, I have stated several times, we are NOT allowed to bring back mail. So it's NOT a option of what to do with the mail that day. It has to be delivered. This must be something that your postal office does because the mail in our area is often taken back to the office for delivery the next day. I believe other posters have stated this as well.

And as for my complaining about the yard sales, I have had plenty of yard sales too and understand how much work it is. But when you pull up to a box to see that it's blocked, you look over to the seller and they are sitting on their butt WATCHING you get out and deliver, yea that's when I get mad. And as soon as you pull off, then they get up to get their mail. That is a different situation and I agree.

My responses are in orange in the above quote.

To My2BabiesLexis&Dill; my post was never meant as an attack. When I read it, it seemed as if you were complaining about the fact that you had to get out of the car to deliver someones mail, not just giving a general "Hey everyone, when you have a yard sale don't forget about this." While I am sure this is frustrating, having just come off of a crazy yard sale, I could see why they would not have come to greet you to get the mail. I did not realise they were sitting there looking at you trying to deliver without getting up.
While I stand by my remarks and do not retract them, I believe their are different ways people see things. I saw your post as a complaint about having to get out of the car in this "hot as crap" weather to deliver someone's mail to their box. It probably hit me the wrong way because, in my area anyway, I know at least 10 people that would gladly walk a mail route in 100 degree weather right now because they have lost their jobs do to businesses closing. Someone probably saw my post as an attack because they took your post as just a heads up. We all read posts differently on DIS because we all have different personal situations going on at the moment and until they figure out how to include inflection in typed words on the screen this problem will not go away.
It was not my intention to offend/be rude to anyone. I am not that type of poster. I give kudos to all mail carriers, drivers or walkers, it is not any easy job. And in the words of Forrest Gump, thats all I have to say about that.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

we have a huge garage sale in our development every year - this weekend! Up until last year, the PO delivered our mail on Sunday because they knew it would be a huge hassle on Sat. Now they do their best to get through the traffic - not easy to do when people are parked on both sides of the road - and we are on a cul-de-sac which makes it worse because every car that comes up and in has to come back out. Our local flower shops also know better than to deliver Mother's Day flowers until late in the day.

Many "shoppers" can be very rude. Signs go up on every mailbox post to telling drivers not to block them and many homeowners put up tape and stuff to keep vehicles off our lawns. The shoppers pretty much do whatever they want. Those of us who live here and hold sales take our vehicles to the main road and park to eleviate the congestion and so that we can actually get out when we want.

We just watched for the mail person and walk out to meet them. (WE also keep the box very well cleared in the Upstate winters we have - not only for the mail carrier, but also for our elderly neighbors that we share the post with.) I wouldn't blame them if they refuse to deliver to us. I can certainly wait a day or two.

The other problem is that the sale has moved up to Friday and the buses have to get around!

Can't wait for the craziness - if I didn't make good money, I would be "getting out of Dodge!!!" I took last year off and just sat back and watched the craziness.