Post office guarantee was worthless
On the morning of Dec. 23, 2015, I paid $19.99 for USPS Priority Mail Express one-day or next-day service to be delivered by 3 p.m., Dec. 24, to a southern California city. I received a receipt stating guaranteed delivery. The letter was not delivered until Dec. 26.
On Dec. 29, I went back to the post office with my receipt requesting a refund and was denied. I overheard three postal workers discussing the fact that the Postal Service had put out a directive that very morning stating they were not giving any refunds for anything mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 24. No other explanation, no further discussion. I was told to take it up with headquarters.
With this kind of so-called service I can understand why the U.S. Postal Service is losing money every year. What business should be allowed to take your money, state a service guaranteed money-back if not performed, not provide the stated service and keep your money.
And yes, the postal service is a business, albeit money-losing business, but this action is no way to win loyalty or customers. So what does “guaranteed” really mean to the USPS?
Mary Neal, Fresno
This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 7:05 AM with the headline "Post office guarantee was worthless."