Hi all, I know that the post office is supposed to pick up packages if you put in the request by 2 am the previous night which I did.  They sent me a confirmation saying they got it.  But they never showed up!  I am recovering from knee surgery and it is a pain (literally) to go to the post office and put everything in the drop boxes.  I just did all the ones that I had (13!) first class mail this time so I didn't have to go inside and hobble my way in.  My question is, do they pick up from Apartment homes as well or should I leave them with the managers office in this case?  What is your guys opinions??  Thanks!!

Keri

I don't know why you couldn't mail from the managers office.  I usually had packages dropped there when I lived in apartments, and the postman has to go in anyway to deliver the office mail.  You may even be able to talk someone from the office into coming to your apartment to pick up the books ;-)

You do realize that if at least one of your pkgs is not priority or express they will charge you $13+ to pick it up, yes? Cheaper than that is to make one of your pkgs a priority mail which if light enough, I think is only like $4.25 or close, and then they don't charge you a pick up fee.

You may need to call them as you live in an apartment and find out where their specific pick up point is. It may be that they only pick up from the office. I'm pretty sure that is the case where my daughter lives. They also may make an exception in your case, and come to your appt directly, if they know you are on crutches, but not if they aren't told ahead. Give them a call and see what they will do for you. I've heard some PO's are mighty accommadating (others are just stinkers :)

how do you know the carrier didnt show up? they might have gone to the managers office

did you say where you were going leave your packages?

Keri, for parcel pickup, the priority mailing is a must and all parcel pickup must be from a ground level spot.

From ground level, really?  I find that hard to believe.  Not that you're lying, but I would think that if you have an address, assigned by the PO, then they should be willing to offer their service to you, especially if you are willing to pay for it! 

From ground level, really? I find that hard to believe.

From the USPS FAQs about carrier pickup:

When you fill out the online request for a free Carrier Pickup™, you will be required to select the Package Location.

Possible locations may include:

• In/At Mailbox
• Front Door
• Back Door
• Side Door
• Knock on Door/Ring Bell
• Mail Room
• Office
• Reception
• Other (use Special Instructions)

Mailpieces weighing more than 13 oz. bearing postage stamps for postage must be brought to an employee at a retail counter in a Post Office™

Note that, depending on the area, some additional restrictions may apply:

• For residents of multi-story buildings, please bring your package(s) to a ground level, secured location for pickup.
• Letter Carriers™ may use their discretion when picking up packages.

  • Hazards such as snow, ice, obstructed pathways and dogs may prevent the letter carrier from collecting packages.

     

I would think that if you have an address, assigned by the PO, then they should be willing to offer their service to you, especially if you are willing to pay for it!

They offer their services to the same place -- where your mailbox is. I can't think of anywhere but highrise office buildings where postal workers go up the elevator to deliver to individual areas within a building.

Well I learned something new.  Thanks!  I'm just thankful I didn't have to learn it the hard way.  That would stink!  You know, now that I read Eloise and Connie's posts I'm remembering a recent news article where the PO put up a community box in a neighborhood with practically no notice to the residents and a number of the residents in this particular neighborhood had some sort of disability and could not make it to the community box and it was quite an upset.  HHmmmm.  wonder how that turned out?

We live in an apt. too but we use a P.O. box for most of our mail that is of excess size so as it keeps to the post office for us to pick up.Most of the time the Apt. managers don't want to fuss with all the people's mail as there would be far too many people to do and they don't have the space or time to do that,so we use a P.O. box to care for our needs.Small items only go to our apt. home.Hope this helps.Some mail box etc. places also will take your UPS boxes if you work and can't be home to take them so you can have your mail and UPS all directed to them and not worry about anything being lost ever and just pick it up at the end of your work day : )

meowysmiles

Don't give up on the service!  I love it and I have a blue box right across the street and another around the corner from that one.  That being said, you get a confirmation number at least once along the way when you schedule a carrier pick up.  Note it and call the station if needed.  I got a call from the station my first or second time just to let me know that they were coming to get my packages.

I use the OTHER option and tell the carrier exactly where the packages will be:  "In the lobby at the top of the stairs on the right."  He sorts our oversized packages one apartment per stair and this way they won't get mixed up.  A new person in the building once thought they were addressed to me and helpfully put them inside in front of my door.  (Yes, we're an apartment but only six addresses at my lobby door.)

It's too difficult for me to keep straight which packages are need to go where and with what type of postage.  This eliminates my need to think.  ;)

Once in a while, my carrier will tell me that he'll be back to pick up the packages at the end of the route.  Perfectly fine with me.  We're the first building for him after lunch and I know I wouldn't want to be walking around with more weight than I need to.

I'm a carrier for the PO and it does get confusing looking for a certain apt. If you call your PO and ask to speak to YOUR carrier and explain the situation you'll have better luck.

I am a rural mail carrier. If we are issued a carrier pick up, we are required to pick that parcel up, whether it be a house or apartment.  We are also human and make mistakes, very few of course, but we are proud of our new pick up service. Please contact the local post office and find out what happened, before deciding to use another service. Then if still not satisfied try someone else.  Hopefully it was just a one time error.