(WXYZ) – On Monday, the 7 researchers showed you how thousands of parcels get killed at Allen Park USPS distribution center. Now let’s take a look at the unprecedented holiday delays at the post office and what you can do about that missing package.
RELATED: ‘It’s got wall-to-wall post.’ Packages in transit at the Allen Park factory
Semi-trailer trucks line the street to deliver and collect packages from the US Postal Service Detroit Network Distribution Center in Allen Park. The seven researchers counted at least 50 of those huge semi-trailer trucks trying to enter the Allen Park factory on Monday.
Postal workers say there are wall-to-wall parcels inside, and inside Detroit’s main post office, they say letters are piled wall to wall there too.
“Hardly anywhere to walk, nowhere to place this mail and get it in and out smoothly,” said Keith Combs, president of the American Postal Workers Union Detroit Local 295.
USPS officials say a combination of workers quarantined for COVID-19 and unprecedented amounts of vacation mail has made it nearly impossible to deliver on time – not just in Michigan, but nationwide.
“I don’t think they should provide services that they cannot fulfill,” said Jason Plowman from Troy.
Plowman says he paid extra for guaranteed 1- to 3-day priority mail delivery to deliver time-sensitive court documents. Instead of three days as promised, he says the package was sent from Madison Heights to Allen Park and finally arrived at the court in Troy two weeks later.
‘I’m pacing the floors, worrying at work – what should I do if it doesn’t come on time? Do I have to do all this again or make phone calls? ‘, He said.’ It’s just a pain in the butt. ‘
When he filed a complaint online, he had another surprise.
“You can’t get a refund with this type of service,” said Plowman.
In a written statement sent by Elizabeth Najduch to the 7 investigators regarding refund options, it states that “Priority Mail Express is the only service backed by a postal guarantee if we fail to deliver or attempt to deliver the mail items as promised. Customers can request a refund at USPS.com. Please have the tracking number and receipt to hand. “
A recent report from the impartial USPS Office of Inspector General found that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and top executives launched cost reduction strategies over the summer, but they “failed to analyze service impact …” before making those changes, causing problems. in the U.S.
Those USPS changes started around the time Patty Pietka was expecting her hearing aid supplies. They shipped from Farmington Hills to Byron, Michigan on August 4.
“So many people who depend on the mail for their prescriptions, their hearing aid supplies, medical supplies,” said Pietka.
That package is still missing.
“This has never happened before! I could always rely on it, ”said Pietka.
Here’s what USPS officials say you can do if your package is missing or stuck in transit:
If any issues with the email service arise, we will take steps to resolve customers’ concerns quickly. We are happy to work to address any specific community issue when brought to our attention and we encourage customers to contact their local post station. Customers can also go to our website usps.com and click “Contact” at the bottom of our home page.
Every email is carefully documented and appropriate steps are taken to strengthen the service. Additionally, the United States Postal Service’s official Twitter account, managed by the Social Media staff at USPS HQ, can provide assistance. For customer service, tweet @USPSHelp. The postal service will continue to diligently investigate customer concerns and correct deficiencies to improve services to our communities.
Meanwhile, Congressman Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) says she spoke to the postal worker general about these delays last week and promises to contact him about the holiday delivery issues.