Community Chat

[blackhole99]

Wow, a set time to get a newspaper delivered, I have never heard of such a thing. My husband picks up the paper at the local market, sometime they have one for him, other times no. I think a person should be afraid to complain, you better hope that guy doesn't lose his job. If it meant that much to me, I would just quit that service and get my own paper, instead of worrying that someone will come after me for complaining about a lousy paper one can read any time.

[Cakers3]

Anytime a person accuses another and expects anonymity-it just doesn't work that way.

Who is to say that a customer just doesn't like a certain delivery person and is just being a pain?  (Not saying the OP so don't start.  lmao)

Anybody can file a complaint.

I agree OP has the right to call and complain; but I myself would not pick this battle unless delivery became spotty or the time frame jumped to the afternoon.

She did, her decision, and so be it.

[Montana]

In my area, there was a specific window of time when newspapers were to be delivered.  So, delivery was expected by a certain time each morning.

When I had the Sunday paper delivered, my problem was never the time though.  My problem was where it was delivered. The paper was pitched from the delivery car, anywhere on my front lawn. I had to get dressed to go out and find it. Especially annoying in cold weather.

I did complain and was told front porch delivery was only available for disabled customers. So that wasn’t an option for me.  I cancelled that same day. 

And print newspapers wonder why they are losing subscribers.

[reiki604]

Unfortunately all things must pass. If it were me, I would cancel the paper and develop a new morning routine

[suzyQ3]

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@qualitygal wrote:

Wow!! We never a timed paper, or mail delivery.  We got it when it was delivered.  I'd say you have pretty darn good delivery if you can get it at a set time.  I've never even heard of that before.  We get our news on line.  Haven't received the paper in years now.

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@qualitygal, the LAT has required delivery times. The paper is guaranteed to be delivered by 6:00 a.m. weekdays, 7:00 a.m. Saturday, and 8:00 a.m. Sunday. 

[suzyQ3]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

@suzyQ3  This suggestion may help in your next phone call. Please don't use the word, "demand." Those people on the other end of the phone have no idea who you (or your parents) are, nor do they care. When you "demand" something, you've just put them on the defense . . . and they aren't willing to work with you. Simply call and ask for their help in resolving an issue. Get his/her name and (ext. number if possible) and use it during the conversation. Be friendly. Thank him/her for any help they are able to provide.

Then, send a thank you note to that individual for their help and kindness on the phone. It works! They won't forget you and will follow-up with the delivery person to make sure your paper is being delivered on a timely basis! Try kindness. These are probably people making minimum wage; they need a little KUDOS!

BTW: I doubt the delivery person is going to retaliate in any way. Most are adults and have probably had background checks. You sound paranoid about this newspaper issue. Just make a friendly phone call - not a "demanding" phone call. Or, read on-line or buy your paper from a local business early each morning (not the best alternative).  

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Ah, @BirkiLady, I didn't literally use the word "demand." And the only time that I even came across as perturbed was after they promised me anonymity and did the exact opposite.

Yes, I am very concerned about anyone knowing where we live and then becoming part of a dispute that could potentially be very damaging to that person.

[suzyQ3]

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@Cakers3 wrote:

@suzyQ3  I'm not sure how your anonymity was shot.  Your delivery person knows where to deliver the paper-therefore knows your address.  Your name is just an internet shot away.

The supervisor told you what you needed to hear.  That does not guarantee the "new" person will be taken to task and given better training or whatever is needed to get your paper to you at the time you desire.

If your paper was not getting delivered or delivered in the afternoon, that would be one thing.  However, I think being a creature of habit can sometimes cause more stress than is needed.  If your paper isn't getting there at the exact time you want, you have choices:

Accept

Cancel the subscription

Beat the delivery person with the late paper.

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@Cakers3, let me explain how my anonymity was shot: The first supervisor said, after my request for anonymity in which I suggested that they just say that a customer on their route lodged a complaint, that of course that would be the case and he totally understood. He specifically told me that they never reveal the identity of the person complaining. But that's exactlly what they did with notice on that one copy of the newspaper (see my OP).

If the LAT didn't clearly have the times by which the paper must be delivered, I would never have complained.

I like your violent suggestion, though. :-)

[suzyQ3]

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@Free2be wrote:

Suzy, I hope you know me well enough to know I was laughing with you and not at you, just in case there was any doubt.

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You need never worry about that with me, dear @Free2be

[suzyQ3]

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@sunshine45 wrote:

for our local newspaper and the wall street journal we have "standard delivery times" which are 6am during the week and 8am on weekends.

it is not technically considered late if it arrives by 10am during the week and 12 noon on weekends.

if it is late and i contact them before those cut off periods i can get them to redeliver OR ask for a credit.

i do make a point of ALWAYS calling if it is missing, late, or soaked. we were having some problems with a new delivery man, but once he got into his groove he was fine. he even gave us his cell phone number for direct inquiries.

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@sunshine45, would you please send him my way? :-)

The LAT doesn't state a grace period as you mentioned with your paper. Believe me, I would not be frustrasted if it were late only occasionally or only relatively short time past the deadline. But for example, it was an hour late today.

[suzyQ3]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

You want to bash and trash the delivery guy but you didn't want him to know it was YOU.  Is that what you are saying?  If you made a complaint about delivery they were going to tell him what house so, of course, he would know it who complained.  It's a paper.  Paper delivery in my area does not have "a strict delivery time" to adhere to.  Good grief, it's not like those guys have time clock job.  Also a windo of 20 to 40 minutes sounds like excellent service to me.  It's not like you have to wait unti 11 or 12 to get your paper.  What do you think the guy is going to do?  

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No, @chrystaltree to just about your whole post.