USPS - Cluster Boxes - What happens when parcel compartments are full? (Apex: fit in, apartment complex)

[IHeartApex]

So I’ve searched the forum and also utilized my trusty friend Google, only to come up short. I am hoping one of you fine folks can assist.

I live in a town home community in Apex that utilizes cluster box units with parcel compartments. I believe there are sixteen boxes to two parcel compartments (I am not in front of the box to verify, but I think that is correct).

If more than two people in that sixteen box cluster have packages that will not fit into the box on any given day, what is the postal carrier supposed to do? My carrier holds packages and delivers them the next business day. I have witnessed it on multiple occasions, and unfortunately, I cannot seem to get a straight answer on proper protocol from USPS on this issue. I realized this was happening when I would check a USPS tracking number, find it out for delivery (with estimated delivery on that day), and arrive home to find nothing. However, there were two keys in the parcel boxes, leading me to believe two other residents received packages that day.

I also occasionally receive certified mail, and I have never had a certified mail slip left on my door. It is always in my cluster box, stating delivery was attempted, but the recipient was not home. (How did she know I was not home if she didn’t come to my door?). I usually only receive the “final notice” slip (in my box), and only once have received a first notice.

I do use UPS and FedEx whenever I have the choice, but I receive a lot of packages where those two methods simply are not an option. International sellers overwhelmingly send items certified mail with a delivery signature required, and Amazon Prime sends packages the best way they see fit to get them delivered in two business days.

Has anyone else experienced this? More importantly, can anyone advise on what proper protocol in these two situations is?

Thanks in advance.

[apexgds]

Sorry, not much help. I'm in a townhome community in Apex that utilizes cluster box units with no parcel compartments. Our packages are dropped off at our doorstep. Perhaps go to the closest Post Office and request to speak to the Postmaster?

[static_g]

When ours filled up, they brought whatever wouldn't fit to houses. Postal worker never held anything. This is in Clayton.

Definitely speak with the postmaster about it.

[jmcstef]

Originally Posted by IHeartApex

Has anyone else experienced this? More importantly, can anyone advise on what proper protocol in these two situations is?

If it's a frequently recurring issue, for example you run a home based business that lots of incoming supply shipments, you would probably do well to rent a box at a full service place. I personally think online commerce will only grow from here, so folks with limited shipment receipt capability are going to be either increasingly frustrated or increasingly looking for more options.

[local2rtp]

Originally Posted by IHeartApex

So I’ve searched the forum and also utilized my trusty friend Google, only to come up short. I am hoping one of you fine folks can assist.
....
Has anyone else experienced this? More importantly, can anyone advise on what proper protocol in these two situations is?

Thanks in advance.

Proper protocol would involve talking to your postman, at the very least.

[Ed_RDNC]

I've had them bumped a day,
and
I've had them leave a note in my box that it wasn't deliverable and they'd try again,
and
I've had them leave a note in my box that it wasn't deliverable and they'd hold if for me to come to the post office to pick it up,
and
I've had them leave it with the apartment complex manager (most often happens).

No rhyme or reason, and asking the delivery person isn't that helpful as we'd had 6 over the last 5 months. They don't know either.

And I had one box that never made it to me, but USPS Tracking said it was delivered. I reported it 3 different times to my actual Postmaster, who never called back or showed me any action other than taking the tracking number.

That's why, for anything important (> $20 value), I use Fed Ex/UPS.

[IHeartApex]

Thanks everyone. I have asked to speak to the postmaster at the local office, and although I admit he is very nice, he is less than helpful. I will just leave it at that.

I guess I will have to live with it until a better solution comes along. If given the choice, I will always pay a little extra to ship FedEx or UPS. I usually would run something like this up the chain of command, but I don't want to waste my time or risk angering my local carrier when she really is my only option at this time.

[maulani]

If you are trying to get these kind of problems resolved with the postal service, I recommend that you contact their national customer service center at [url]https://emailus.usps.com/emailUs/iq/usps/request.do?forward=emailUs[/url] or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (8777).

Your request will almost certainly be forwarded to your local postmaster--but in a way that enters it into the national tracking database. Postmasters' annual performance reviews include their ability to clear up these requests.

As for the delay in other people recognizing the address, once the postmaster enters the address it is available to the world within a month and an average of two weeks. But many companies only pull an updated database once a year or two. If you are moving into a new build and want to prevent mail problems, get a po box to use for actual mail delivery.

[fly_widget]

Originally Posted by static_g

When ours filled up, they brought whatever wouldn't fit to houses. Postal worker never held anything. This is in Clayton.

Definitely speak with the postmaster about it.

OP - I'm in Apex and we have community mailboxes. If full, they will bring your package to your door.

[DPK]

Ya'll this topic is 4 years old...