Slog
News & ArtsThursday, March 21, 2013
??!! What Happens If the United States Postal Service Express Mails a Very Important Package to the Wrong Country?
Posted by Charles Mudede on Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Nothing happens...
I'm not sure if the USPS often makes mistakes of this kind (the package was supposed to be expressed to Zimbabwe in 3 to 5 days, but instead went to Kazakhstan), but when they do, this for sure is their response: We have up to 30 days to investigate what went wrong and we'll get back to you then. Yes, 30 days. The package has been in Kazakhstan for 6 days. I have 24 days to go. USPS treats the whole matter as if one mailed two pieces of paper for $54 because one had all the time in the world. They seem to have no sense of the fact that people mail things at such a price because of some urgency. I have spoken to 5 representatives and not one was impressed by my dismay. It's as if they had mailed a postcard to Kazakhstan and not official documents that lawyers had to file in a court four days ago.
6
Maybe they misread the country as "shit-hole"?
Are FedEx and ups better? Ever had to stand in line for 20 minutes at FedEx or ups listening to some middle divorcee talking about her diverticulitis while watching staff looking for their navels?
Are FedEx and ups better? Ever had to stand in line for 20 minutes at FedEx or ups listening to some middle divorcee talking about her diverticulitis while watching staff looking for their navels?
7
Eh. Kazakhistan, Zimbabwe, what's the difference? If you've seen one third-world country, you've seen them all.
9
I had a similar problem shipping a computer to my sister in Ireland. It never arrived, but I had it insured. I felt 500$ would cover the cost of a new low end PC and shipping costs, but the USPS refused to honor the insurance because the PC I bought wasnt a self assembled name brand system, but one I bought using off the shelf parts and assembled myself. The person I was dealing with, had no idea how a person could buy off the shelf PC parts and assemble it myself, she assumed I was lying.
In the end, after 2 months of dealing with the USPS and my sister still not receiving the computer, I settled for 200$. A few years latter, I mailed my old Nintendo Wii to my nephew a few years back, used of course, Irish customs demanded 40$ tax.
Now when I ship things to my sister in Ireland, I commit mail fraud by saying its hand me down clothes, basically lying about what the contents and I have zero problems shipping things now.
In the end, after 2 months of dealing with the USPS and my sister still not receiving the computer, I settled for 200$. A few years latter, I mailed my old Nintendo Wii to my nephew a few years back, used of course, Irish customs demanded 40$ tax.
Now when I ship things to my sister in Ireland, I commit mail fraud by saying its hand me down clothes, basically lying about what the contents and I have zero problems shipping things now.
10
@ 7, but Kazakhstan is second world. At least it should be, since the whole USSR was called that back when it was still together.
This is a serious WTF.
This is a serious WTF.
11
UPS has a great system, too. If they screw up delivery of your (insured) package, you have to file the complaint within 14 days of the promised delivery date. BUT, you cannot file the complaint until AFTER the package is actually delivered. So if it takes them more than 2 weeks longer than they promised, they are off the hook. Brilliant, eh?
(this happened to me over 10 years ago, so they may have fixed this catch-22 since then...)
(this happened to me over 10 years ago, so they may have fixed this catch-22 since then...)
12
Sounds like USPS isn't any better than FedEx, UPS or the airlines at ensuring timely delivery of parcels/luggage - but at least less expensive.
13
I feel your pain. Every time I have sent anything (or was supposed to receive anything) using the purchase of the USPS "delivery confirmation" service - there has NOT ONCE been any way to actually confirm the delivery (the packages are NEVER scanned). Such a scam. I hope your package is found and delivered at some point.
14
Regarding comparisons to UPS and FedEx, they do not ship to every country in the world. Only USPS does. I'd be surprised if either UPS or FedEx delivered to Zimbabwe.
16
"Um, do they not have fax machines in Zimbabwe"
They were nationalized. Like the farms, they trying to figure out how to plug them in.
They were nationalized. Like the farms, they trying to figure out how to plug them in.
17
A post in which Mudede laments the postal bureaucracy in the style of a suburban soccer mom. Delicious.
21
I'm so sorry! Having a long-distance misdelivery is a nightmare, no matter which of the services you choose.
25
WTF sure, but also WTF why would you use the USPS to do urgent international delivery of this sort rather than FedEx or DHL? I have no idea!
28
I am never sure if Mudede is intentionally or unintentionally channeling Ignatius J. Reilly. The resemblance is often striking.
I have spoken to 5 representatives and not one was impressed by my dismay.
I am never sure if Mudede is intentionally or unintentionally channeling Ignatius J. Reilly. The resemblance is often striking.
32
I feel like DHL probably would have been the best bet here. But I've never shipped anything to Africa.
33
Who would have thought it's not possible to reliably send objects halfway round the world in a timely, reliable manner for the cost of a good dinner? I'm shocked.
34
@27: scanning does not work in cases where documents have to be notarized or absolutely must be the original. Unfortunately, for some things it still is 1997.
35
A US Postal Service product becomes that country's postal product at the border. What appears to have happened is it mistakenly entered the Kazakhstan Postal system and thus they are the ones who need to return it. International mail treaties dictate how quickly they must respond, but since they get no money to handle a misrouted letter there is not much incentive for them to respond very quickly. They may not even return the documents without payment for the return postage.
Private carriers don't hand off the package at the border and thus have more flexibility in which to correct problems in route. They are often faster to deliver, getting documents to most locations within 2-3 business days. The price, of course, reflects that level of service.
Private carriers don't hand off the package at the border and thus have more flexibility in which to correct problems in route. They are often faster to deliver, getting documents to most locations within 2-3 business days. The price, of course, reflects that level of service.
36
#35, I have often confused Zimbabwe and Kazakhstan. Fry 'em up, and they both taste just like chicken.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Portland Voters Are Stoopid by Goldy
-
An I-5 Bridge Over the Skagit River Has Collapsed by Paul Constant
-
Why They Break Windows by Unpaid Intern
-
Did You Steal Our Unpaid Intern's Camera? by Goldy
-
Usually When I'm Sent a Photoshopped Image of a Gun Pointed At Me... by Dan Savage
-
The Only Thing More Tragic than a Bridge Collapse Would Be a 10 Cent a Gallon Increase in the Gas Tax by Goldy
-
Tornado Truthers by Dan Savage
-
Star Trek Releases Deleted Scene of Benedict Cumberbatch Showering to Counter Claims of Sexism by Cienna Madrid
-
Boy Scouts Lift Ban on Gay Members by Paul Constant
-
Should I Buy One of These? by Goldy
Stranger Personals
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (37) RSS