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 Replies: 13 / Views: 74,210 |
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Bedrock Of The Community
United States
12128 Posts |
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Here's an interesting newspaper Q&A about what to do when you receive mail delivered to you by mistake: Quote:
Q: I recently received mail that was delivered to me by mistake. I wrote "delivered to wrong address" on the envelope and put it back in the mailbox. The mail carrier reprimanded me for writing on someone else's mail. What should be done with mail delivered to the wrong address?
—Y.S.
Answer: " The customer is to simply return the mail to the mailbox and if the box has a red flag on it, put it up without writing on the mail," said Carl A. Walton, a communications coordinator with the U.S. Postal Service.
When the carrier comes the following delivery day, Walton explained, he or she will know to attempt delivery however possible. "If delivery is not possible, the carrier may need to write on the piece to indicate where in the postal system it needs to go to next," he said. "A customer writing may compromise that and make delivery more difficult." Do you agree? Maybe I'm wrong, but I've always noted on the envelope "received in error" or if my correct address was used "not at this address" and dated it before putting it back in the mailbox. That way, if the post office delays delivery, the recipient can see that it was improperly delivered in the first place. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
630 Posts |
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When I worked at the PO, 1962- 1976, we told customers that in this instance they needed to write on the piece delivered to wrong address, the date and their initials. |
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Pillar Of The Community
Canada
2277 Posts |
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Comes to my house I open it! Well not actually but have heard/ maybe read somewhere that if it comes to you you can do with what you please. Not that that is very neighbourly of course. I would think a simple wrong address would suffice and be accepted in most cases. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
862 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
521 Posts |
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I've always written "not at this address" neatly to the right of the addressee's name.
When I saw the name of this thread, I thought maybe someone had gotten after a marker monkey about writing on their mail! |
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Pillar Of The Community
Canada
5821 Posts |
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Quote:
Comes to my house I open it! I'm sure glad you don't live in my neighbourhood. My mail goes to one of those Community Mail Boxes (think they used to call it Super Mail Boxes) which Canada Post started for new sub divisions 30 years ago. At least once every couple of months either I get a neighbour's mail in my box or a neighbour drops off my mail left in their slot. If on my street I usually take the misdirected mail to their door. Sometimes I just drop it in the mail slot of the CMB hoping that the guy will see it and finally put it in the right spot. I have complained a couple of times to Canada Post and they said they would follow it up but nada. BTW these people are not unionized Canada Post employees but self employed working on a contract basis for CP. |
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Pillar Of The Community
Canada
6525 Posts |
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For a while after we moved in here, about 6 years ago, I was redirecting the previous owner mail when some came. We'd met them and they were nice people. Since they gave us their new address I figured I do them a favour. So I'd write "Moved" "No longer at this address" and the new address.
After a couple of years of doing this I got one back and the post office wanted me to pay postage to send it on!
I don't forward mail anymore. |
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Valued Member
United States
252 Posts |
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Pillar Of The Community
New Zealand
900 Posts |
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I usually cross out the address and write "RTS - not at this address" to the right of the addressee's name and ring around the senders address. And PTO if the senders address is on the reverse I have seen mention that if you get annoyed by mail that still keeps coming from the same ol' sender continuously that you just put 'deceased' RTS and that should stop it. Havent been forced to try that myself - just yet.  |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
1947 Posts |
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I am in a rural area. I tried once just putting a mis-sent piece of mail back in the box and it was still there the next day after the mail had been delivered. Now I just write on the mail "not at this address". Once, though, I knew where the recipient lived, got on my bike and delivered it to her. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
2480 Posts |
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As the original homeowner, rarely do I receive mail for someone else sent to my address. I do receive the occasional piece that should have been delivered to a different address. In those instances, I simply circle the address and place it back in the box. |
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Moderator
United States
4788 Posts |
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Quote:
The mail carrier reprimanded me for writing on someone else's mail. I'm a positive person. I appreciate the tough jobs performed by all mail carriers and I respect them.... ...having said that, isn't it just like some people to blame someone else for their mistakes! I mean, after all, who delivered the letter to the wrong address in the first place? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7097 Posts |
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Zuzu said: Quote:
When I saw the name of this thread, I thought maybe someone had gotten after a marker monkey about writing on their mail! We can always dream Zuzu! I just leave it in the box and put the flag up. There is usually no issue. |
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Pillar Of The Community
United States
620 Posts |
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I bought my current house five years ago. The previous owner was a senator. I still get mail for him and I always write on the envelope before I put it back in the box. My mailman knows I am a stamp collector and will stop and chat while he is delivering mail and I am out in the yard or garden. He has never said a thing about my writing on the envelope. One thing for sure is if the previous homeowner ever gets his mail, I made sure he has some interesting auxilary markings from me! |
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| Edited by pjsstamps - 03/20/2013 10:26 am |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 74,210 |
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Posted 03/19/2013 12:14 pm
