USPS package Theft

[Mythdracon]

Personal crisis, so bear with me.

Over break I was in a different state (in the U.S.), and I ordered some school books and CDs early to go to my apartment in an apartment homes area. I came back after the break to that apartment homes area, and checked the USPS tracking numbers on the packages. Both were "delivered" according to the tracking websites.

Yet I didn't see any of the packages on my porch or in the leasing office mailroom, which is another place where packages sometimes get put. I asked the local USPS office for more information about what happened (they said it was "delivered" and that I could call the police if I thought a theft had occurred). So I put in online tickets on the USPS site to have it investigated.

One week passes. Nothing is done about it. USPS then contacts me saying that the package was delivered (WOW WHAT A SURPRISE, the tracking website even SAID SO one week before). I reply to that online message, and I get an instant message informing me my email wasn't delivered, since the email address they replied from can't accept replies.

I considered calling the police, because I was quite angry. But I informed the sellers, asked them to find out what happened, they say there's nothing they can do about it. One of them reluctantly issues me a refund for the book, and I buy another copy literally a day before school starts (phew). As for the missing CDs, DirectSong offers to send me a replacement, with another USPS tracking number, and they also suggest I let the post office know I want the mail delivered to the leasing office mailroom, rather than on my porch (where they were likely stolen). I thank the DirectSong support person for their help, and then I call the local USPS office.

Irritating woman with Southern accent picks up. She clearly doesn't want me to be on the line. I lose my temper and nearly shout that they need to ensure all my future mail goes to the leasing office mailroom, and that it's not just DUMPED out on the porch where anyone from the nearby apartments could stroll over and steal it. Woman says "ok, we can do that sir." I say "Good," and hang up.  

Today, the replacement CD was supposedly "delivered," and it's not here. I checked the leasing office mailroom, too. Not there. Normally, the leasing office mailroom door is closed, and you can only access by beeping through with your apartment keys. Today, the door was wide open, and no one was watching it. So the thief could have stolen it from the leasing office mailroom even if it *was* delivered there. But I suspect they just dumped it on the porch again and the thief stole it (since they dumped my roommate's mail out in the front just a week ago, and thankfully I was there to pick them up).

What do I do? They say I can call the Office of the Inspector General of USPS to have it investigated, but knowing USPS' bureaucracy I doubt that'll do anything. I could call the police about over $100 worth of goods lost, but I doubt they'd track the thief.

Sigh....Any help appreciated at this point.

[Jcbutter]

USPS offers several services (at an additional cost, of course) that would help with this problem. Most big company shippers should have these options available (though they might be hard to find) but smaller ones, including eBay, may not. Signature Confirmation forces the mail carrier to get a signature when the delivery is made, so if you aren't home the carrier can take it to the office and someone there can sign for it. Certified Mail requires the carrier to keep a copy of the signature, so an investigation would show exactly who signed for your package. Return Receipt actually sends a copy of the signature back to the shipper, so you could contact them (rather than USPS) to see who signed. Restricted Delivery lets you specify exactly who can sign for your package.

All of these options will prevent USPS from just leaving your package out for temptation but wouldn't solve a security problem at the front office - though it would prove they have one since you would have a signature proving they received your stuff.

Hope this helps.

"So, I'm sitting there hearing HAL say, "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that...",
and I'm thinking, #$&*@!!, I knew we should have gone with a Mac..." David Bowman, 2001

[Mythdracon]

Yeah, it's too late to ask for different types of services, but the next time I send out stuff or anticipate receiving stuff I'll be sure to try those other options out.

Thanks for your assistance! I'll keep people posted if anything develops.

[Mythdracon]

I don't have work right now, I'm a student. And a grad student at that, so no school mailbox address. Oh well. Thanks nonetheless.

[Air Power]

I don't have work right now, I'm a student. And a grad student at that, so no school mailbox address. Oh well. Thanks nonetheless.

You don't have an office mailbox through your department?  You might ask how profs get mail at school and see if you can be included (esp. if you have a nice research adviser or teach undergrads)

[Mythdracon]

Professors have their own mailboxes, but students don't.

[TelTura]

I personally would set up a mailbox with a UPS Store, Mailboxes, etc, or even a regular PO box.  Yeah, it'll cost you, but I'd rather spend $100 a year to have a safe, secured business address that I don't have to worry about, than get that much in merchandise (or bills, or tax info) stolen.