Post Office gripe

Recently I returned a product to a company paying close to $12.00 in postage (parcel post). I had the correct street address but did not list a PO box on the address. I had copied the address from the invoice and they did not list the PO box.

The Post Office just returned the box to me, citing insufficient address, and charged me and additional $12.00 for return postage. It seems they do not deliver to businesses in this town, mail has to be picked up at the PO. When did the PO start charging for return postage? I must be really out of the loop.

The sad thing is this went to a PO in a tiny town, Amagansett, NY, where during this season everyone knows everyone and they easily could have mentioned to the recipient, a well known local business, or put a note in their PO box that they had a package for them - but they didn't.

What a sad state of affairs. I now have to pay still another $12.00 to return this box to the correct address. $36.00 for a product that didn't work! Grrrrrrrrr

Thanks for letting me vent......

Hmm...I'd write/call that company and let them know what happened.

If they want a product returned when it's defective, they at least need to indicate the correct address!

One thing in defense of the PO, though, is that most mail to small towns is sorted in a larger town....the 'hub' of the PO in that area.
The 'rejection' of your package for incorrect address likely took place in a larger town, and didn't even make it to the small town.

I know that's the way it works around here. The largest town in the tri-county area here is around 9500.

Reputable companies have "Return Postage Paid" on their return labels. Check with the company.

Hi Ard,

Did you contact the company for their return address?
You might call and mention this to them, maybe they can
refund the charge? Worth a try.

I did contact them and was told the address on the invoice would work for UPS or Fed Ex but not for the PO. The owner told me sometimes the PO would let him know there was a box waiting and sometimes they didn't. He did not offer to refund the postage but he did say he would change the address on his invoices.
Needless to say I won't be doing business with them again.

Several folks I have mentioned this to were also surprised about the PO charging return postage for "insufficient address". Let the "mailer" beware it seems.

Hmmm, maybe you need to let us know who it is :)

Well, it wasn't a garden product supplier but a place that sells products for bikes and kayaks. Supposedly a great local business but not too hot on mail order.

Well PHOOEY!!! I have NEVER heard of the P.O. double charging when returning an item???? They certainly can't when sending us a letter back about us not listing the address correctly. So what's the difference???

I just love then the P.O. delivers ME stuff from others with insufficient postage and puts their little envelope in my box requesting CHANGE!? They get pennies when that happens. Seems so silly. I didn't ask for the mail???

I donate to the disabled veterans of Texas and oh my it was sooo funny (wondering if it was a clue to their feelings of a government aided agency like the P.O.) but they always include a SASE with their request for donation. It had all 2 cent stamps ALL over the envelope and they were even pasted upside down! LOL. So cute. Took it to the P.O. with my check in it and the mailman just looked down at it and scoffed, he showed the teller next to him as my DH was leaving it there. =)

When I returned the package this last time I drove an extra 10 miles and took it to a UPS place. At the price of gas that was probably silly but I was still so PO'd with the PO. I asked the UPS folks if they had ever heard of the PO charging return postage and they were puzzled but pleased and said "that brings us more business".

However, while I was there they were explaining to another customer that UPS now charges an additional $2.50 for packages going to what they deem as "rural areas". This is a new charge for them and it is supposed to make up for the cost of the extra gas needed to get to distant communities where they have few stops.