Is anyone else having problems with our mailman (south Atwater)? Today I arrived home to find our mailbox completely destroyed inside the house. This is because he continues to forcibly jam as much mail as possible into the small mail slot at once, rather than a few pieces at a time (like a normal person would).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/richdean/sets/72157624241871466/

I get that he has a lot of houses to visit, but a little patience on his part would have saved me from having to replace my mail slot and fix the interior wall.

I'm going to complain to the postmaster (for whatever good that'll do), but wonder if others have a similar experience so I can be armed with more information.

Thanks

Is it possible to get the post office to NOT delivery coupons/flyers/grocery store ads/etc?

We had the worst mailman in AV. So many people complained about him that his route was changed. But it took 20 years. When I finally got the courage to go complain about him, they laughed and said, oh, you must have ******.

Maybe you have him now. Good luck!

Robert - Yes. Each of those coupon/flier/store ads have a website you can go to and ask to be removed. Only thing is it lasts only like a year, and they claim it takes 6-8 weeks to get your name removed (funny how quickly they can add it).

I do it every year and it's amazing how much waste just disappears.

As for the mailman, mine seems fine.

Rich, that picture is horrible! We may have the same mail carrier... I can't tell you how many of my magazines have been thrashed because he's stuffed them in so hard. Frustrating, to say the least, but not as damaged as your house. My goodness.

We probably have the same carrier. Our magazines and circulars are either ripped after being jammed in the mail slot or else left hanging out of it, sometimes along with important mail that I'd rather not have so accessible to the public.

I have talked with the carrier personally about it three times, asking him to leave the bulk mail on the ground in front of the door. He always says he will, but only after I've taken far longer than should be necessary to explain the situation. Also, the second and third times I talked to him, he acted as if it were the first time we'd had that conversation. He seems like a nice enough guy who wants to do the right thing, but he also seems a little dim.

I don't think it would hurt to take a copy of that picture down to the post office, though, and speak to the supervisor about it. You might also want to tape the picture of the damage above your mail slot with a note to the carrier.

While I don't think I have the same mail carrier, I had the same problem and I finally gave up and put an ample sized mailbox on the outside of my porch and put a temporary cover on the slot in the door. No one has ever stolen my mail and now my magazines come pristine. Just another approach.

I have a mailbox vs. a mail slot, so this thing has never happened before. However, I think the USPS owes you for the damage to your property. Have you ever tried to file a complaint by calling the USPS? I've done it before. You are assigned a case number and they investigate. Because you have photographic evidence, they should take immediate action.

Thanks all... Leonora and Curtis, we do have the same mailman... sad to know it's not just my house... but at least I'm not crazy :)

I've submitted a complaint with the pictures and have been assigned a case number. I'll also take it up with the postmaster up on Glendale. We posted a note on the outside, but posting the picture is a great idea!

I hope to hear from the USPS this week.

Wow. Pretty sure I must have the same mailman too. While I have never had damage to my house like this, I have for sure had several magazines destroyed from him cramming everything in the same way, and I am always getting mail that is not mine. (wonder how much of mine ends up at my neighbors)

I would be happy to support your claim if you are looking for others to help.