AND THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO RUN HEALTHCARE?

Remember this wacky looking guy that the U.S. Postal service used back in the 60's......
Well it appears he's alive and well and delivery International Packages....
Or Maybe Not.....
My friend Eli's little boy in Italy was celebrating his 2nd. birthday on October 19th.
You probably all know Eli....she's the wonderful artist that sent me that beautiful painting of the
Poppies.....
So I wanted to send Andrea a little birthday gift.....one pair of adorable red Converse high top sneakers and a really cool.......for a little toddler.....big yellow dump truck that had horns that
blew and all sorts of things that worked....a birthday coloring book and some crayons and it was
all wrapped up in Sesame Street paper and colorful ribbons.....
Why am I explaining what I sent......mainly for Eli's sake.....because Andrea never received the package.....
The post office has "flat rate" boxes and they clearly say that you can use them for both Domestic and International shipping.....I go into the local branch back in September and ask the goofy unfriendly employee behind the counter....."How much to send the flat rate box to Italy?"
Clear enough question I thought.....he says...."Oh it's only flat rate in the US.....International you have to pay by weight"......Okay...but it says "Flat Rate"......confused I go home and wrap said package in a regular brown box that I would then ship Priority.....Again because this Boob tells me that I can't use the flat rate box....I decorate it with HAPPY BIRTHDAY in big colored letters..
and go back to the post office......Big customs form all filled out... trackable with
customs numbers all over.....
The same goofy unhappy guy is there.....he takes the package.....weighs it and tells me the customs form is all wrong and the package has to go 1st. class...... I can't send it Priority because it's under 4 pounds...
I fill out a less-official looking form but also with a customs number on it and
he then tells me "But it can't be insured"......you can't insure 1st. class packages
I pay the VERY HEFTY fee....I get my receipt and I leave....
Delivery time 5-10 days....
It's now November 2nd......the package......??????????.............
Never got to Italy.....it can't be traced....the customs number doesn't mean anything according to the US Postal Service....
Okay.....so the items inside are history......gone....never to be seen again.....or perhaps it will get to Andrea when his feet have grown so much that he can use the sneakers as
Paperweights......
I was told a few weeks ago to wait 30 days.....I never expected reimbursement for the contents....
After all Mr. Post Office said it couldn't be insured....
But to add insult to injury.....this is what the
International Postal Person told me when I called to file a claim for the
shipping charges.....
"The U.S. Postal System does not guarantee delivery of any item that is not fully trackable. And we do not under any circumstances reimburse for the shipping costs.."
Now.....do people really want the government to run our health care when they can't even get some sneakers and a coloring book and crayons to it's
Destination?

Comments

Joyce said…
No wonder why people go "Postal". Too bad they will not give you a "Bailout". I am sorry you had such a problem but don't be surprised if those little Converse sneakers come back to you in a few months. I once had a package returned to me from Iraq after almost 2 years full of sand in it along with rancid & smelly granola bars so I would believe any postal story. They say it is the thought that counts and your heart was in the right place.
November 2, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Eli said…
I'm so sorry about all the trouble you got, Sue! I'm sorry to tell you that the package is not yet here.... Every day I hope that the postman brings it to me. All my love AM!
Eli
November 3, 2009 at 3:04 AM
Cheri said…
This is another one of those "It Can Only Happen To Sue" stories. Gotta love the postal service and they wonder "why" folks opt for gift cards on line.
November 3, 2009 at 5:33 AM
Kathleen Grace said…
I hear you Sue. I deal with the post office a lot and getting good and accurate information is almost maddening. The problem with Big Brother is, he doesn't have a daddy making sure he does what he should. When an entity doesn't answer to anyone (well they are supposed to answer to US but we all know how that goes) they can can do whatever they like.
November 3, 2009 at 5:53 AM
Chatty Crone said…
You were doing such a sweet thing too - sorry about the package going postal - you may get it back - and you may not!
November 3, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Nouveau Stitch said…
One word.
Typical.

That is all,

Ellen
November 5, 2009 at 2:08 PM
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