What to do about "lost" money orders (USPS questio

[ancientsociety]

The last 3 money orders I was expecting never reached me. Unfortunately, the first 2 people did not use any form of tracking so I have no idea what happened to them (although I do believe they were sent). The last one was sent last week with DC#. I keep checking on its status and it's been "Arrival @ Unit" (which I assume is my local PO) on Wed., 1/17 @ 4AM. It's been almost 4 days and I still haven't rec'd it and the status hasn't changed.

Is it possible that someone @ the PO is stealing my MOs? If so, what can I do about it? I've had problems with my postman in the past (mostly because some months he'll leave packages here and some months he refuses - literally - to leave hem her) and my local PO has been no help, to say the least.

[Linrandir]

I had a similar problem with the PO in the last city I lived in. I got mad and called the postal inspectors after complaining to the postmaster.

Suddenly, MIRACLE! Packages that had been MIA for six months suddenly appeared. Letters, too.

I'm sure kturock will have something to say about this, but my advice is to call the postal inspectors.

[nightspawn]

DUDE

Same thing happend to me. And fortunately showed up after a long while.I
would advice you, if you allow me to have money orders sent via first class with confirmation , which is only about $1.25 , that way you can have it tracked and normally they dont lose mail with DC#, the worst that can happen is return to sender.

So l hope this helps.

cheers

[MagickalMemories]

I would advice you, if you allow me to have money orders sent via first class with confirmation , which is only about $1.25 , that way you can have it tracked and normally they dont lose mail with DC#, the worst that can happen is return to sender.

Actually, in the most recent example, that is exactly what the sender did, according to the original post.

...and I thought a regular letter wasn't allowed to have a DC# on it...
Ah, well... kturock will confirm or deny that.

I'd complain to the postal inspectors, if it was me.

Eric

[ancientsociety]

Actually, in the most recent example, that is exactly what the sender did, according to the original post.

...and I thought a regular letter wasn't allowed to have a DC# on it...
Ah, well... kturock will confirm or deny that.

There was a mini in it as well, so it was a small package.

[kturock]

all of you are right.
1st class letter can only go certified mail, with or without a return receipt. [which just gives you in writing who signed for it and when. if you need a signed copy, say for the IRS, it costs less to buy it before hand than after.]
certified costs $2.40 in addition to postage. it makes someone sign for it and the PO keeps a copy of the signature on file. adding a paper return receipt costs an added $1.85. if youu only need an electronic copy, instead of a paper one, it's $1.35. basicly, you're mailing a postcard back to yourself with the signature and date of delievery on it.

anytime you have a delivery problem:
1- document everything.

2- call or visit the PO that delivers you mail. [the building that the actual letter carriers work from.] talk to the supervisor of that route.
yres, it can be theft or just plain negligence. the PO is becoming a business. they are hiring 'contract labor' you get the same 'quality' that you get from day labor. these are non-carrier employees. that means if they lose the contract, no big deal. they are the lowest bidder, or worse, work for the lowest bidder. you get what you pay for. all new housing developments are going to contract carriers, nationwide.
the postmaster general said he was going to run it like a business, and he is. money for him and his cronies.. dog poo for everyone else. service is out, profit is in. remember, the PM is 1 of those appointed jobs, the president and his buds, choose who and who's on the panel for rates. [usually the big busines mailing houses.]
[rant off]

3rd- if no success from the supervisor, contact the postal inspectors. remember, they are federal marshals. just like the fbi, customs, irs, you know, the fun guys.

oh, yeah. the money orders. i believe the purchaser, has to go to thePO and file a lost mail form. in it they state that the was usps mo's. if there was d/c or cert. number, then theres a chance, it could be found. if not..

you file for a lost MO. i don't recall the time frame, i think it's 30 days, you have to wait. then the po refunds your $$ and lists the mo numbers as lost/stolen. cashing them after is a big time no-no. it's a felony. and it has several charges attached.

[ancientsociety]

Just an update for anyone interested...Yesterday i rec'd a delivery notice. Thinking it was this MO, I checked the status again (I had been checking the entire week). Suddenly, the status had changed to reflect that notice was left...on the 16th! Huh?

When I get to the PO that night though, they can't locate the package (the notice was for another trade). The customer service rep says that he'll ask my mail carrier if he's seen it and someone will contact me Friday (today).

I get home from work tonite and (SURPRISE!) guess what's in my mail?? The MO! It magically appears the day after I inquire about it at the PO. This is really fishy and I'm considering contacting the postal inspectors re: this.

[Linrandir]

Oh HAY-ull yes. That's a little too convenient for my liking.