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Regular Contributor
Posts: 158
Registered: ‎03-26-2010

Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

I'd appreciate opinions on this. I live between two states and have mail stopped when I leave. This last time I was gone only a few days when my next door neighbor called my cell to say I received an envelope from the Eastern District Court of this state. Our carrier didn't "want it sitting around in the hold mail box" for a couple more weeks in case it was important, so she delivered it to my neighbor who called me.

I should preface this by stating my neighbor is a self-admitted busybody and gossip, in her late 60s. The mail carrier is a woman in her mid-40s, I would estimate. Somehow they've developed a friendship and it's not unusual for them to converse at the neighbor's house for 40 minutes or longer each day when she delivers mail. I am the next house on her route ... I'm trying to set the scenario.

I realize there are probably no time constraints on residential mail delivery so that's not the issue, but I was taken aback to receive such a phone call and outraged that something that could have been sensitive correspondence was delivered to someone other than me. It was clear my neighbor expected me to say "open it and read it to me". I'm not embroiled in litigation so wasn't concerned and wouldn't give her the satisfaction. I asked her to please ask the carrier not to concern herself with my mail and from whom it is sent ... just hold it as requested. I had to leave a phone number with the hold request, so why didn't she just call me if she was concerned? I don't even think she should be telling anyone when I'm due back.

I would love it if her route could be changed, but I'd have to tell the postmaster what's going on and I don't want her job jeopardized. My husband says she probably meant well and to forget it, but I'm really livid about it. I have neighbors on this street with whom I'm friendly (who take care of my plants, etc.), but I keep the nosy neighbor at arm's length. Would this upset you? BTW, the letter in question was a juror qualification questionnaire.

Sorry for the length and rambling nature of this post.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,554
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

Someone at the post office should have called you if they concern themselves with court notifications which usually have some kind of "respond by" date.

Never should it have been delivered to anyone other than yourself. You'll have to live with whatever you decide to do. She probably didn't mean to stir anything up but you never know what about you they've previously gossiped or will continue. You can't control that but you might control whether she is reprimanded or ?? One other thought, if you call her supervisor, be sure to include her lengthy visits which is part of your concern about your privacy in regards to what mail you receive.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 30,918
Registered: ‎05-10-2010

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

Make a formal complaint to your post office or just let it go. You can't have it both ways.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,680
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

The mail carrier had absolutely no business giving any of your mail to a neighbor, not when there is a hold on your mail. She shouldn't be delivering it anywhere but to you under any circumstances.

I realize you don't wish to put the woman's job in jeopardy but this incident does need to be reported.

I'm not even sure if what she did was legal. And why did she have your mail with her? I thought mail on hold stayed at the post office until you picked it up-

Super Contributor
Posts: 3,772
Registered: ‎06-25-2013

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

I would report it to your local post office. Your mail carrier was out of line, not her decision to determine how important your mail is, and if you put a hold on it while you are away, that is where it should go. It is unlawful for anyone to tamper with your mail, and it certainly is not okay for your mail carrier to deliver your mail to anyone else unless you gave them instructions to do so. Not okay.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,039
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

It's against the law for a carrier to purposely deliver mail to a different address, this should be reported immediately to the Post Master.

Super Contributor
Posts: 1,245
Registered: ‎03-04-2012

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

Yes it would upset me very much. I would have a friendly, but serious conversation with your mail carrier about your expectations. If what she did wasn't illegal, I'm sure it was against "company policy" so to speak.

I only suggest talking to her first 'cause she is in control of your mail in the future after all.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,810
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

I would go in and talk with the postmaster about this. She certainly had no right to leave your mail with the neighbor when you have a hold on it. Anytime, actually, unless you designate it.

mm

"Cats are like potato chips, you can never have just one".
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,070
Registered: ‎09-23-2010

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

Report it,I would be very upset too. I asked our Postmistress and she said what the carrier did was wrong.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,209
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Need advice re gossipy mail carrier

If you put a hold status on your mail through the post office, that is how it should remain.

Held at the post office until YOU lift the hold.

That's how it works.

Obviously they didn't do that.

Report it.