Is this inappropriate behavior for a postal worker (mail carrier)?

Question

My question probably isn't what you thought it was going to be but here we go...
Our mail carrier has been working for about a good year now, in my neighborhood. We're a close-quarters neighborhood, made up of all houses (no gates) and he does this thing that really, really irritates me. What he does is, when he has a package to deliver he'll sit in the truck and honk until you come out and go to his truck in your driveway to pick up the package. When I say honk, I don't mean like a non-stop honk but I mean like regular honks until you come out and it usually takes me 3 honks to come out because I'm usually getting ready for work, when he comes. I mean, I'd understand if he did this if there were dogs in the neighborhood or something but there isn't.
I want to say something but I don't know if this is policy or something for them or if this guy's actually being rude. After all, I wouldn't want to disgruntle him for no reason :-) Bad joke, LOL! Please, give me your thoughts. Thanks!

"Michelle P" No offense taken. It is a real question. I ask because someone once told me that mail carriers sometimes do this if dogs are in the neighborhood but there aren't. I just wanted to check for opinions before I take it any higher.

Answer 1

report him to the postal administrator at once. downright rude.

Answer 2

Whenever I've first moved into a new place, the postal carrier has always left a form for me to sign and return in the mail regarding what I'd like done with oversized packages if I am not present at the time of delivery. (Although in this case, it seems you are at home, at least at the times that you describe). I would speak with the office to see if this is policy or some preference indicated by a previous tenant, and to see what might be changed, without making a "complaint" about your postman.

Answer 3

To be sure he IS A LAZY POSTAL WORKER the next time he sits outside and honks the horn do NOT go out. If he has a package you are supposed to have a notification (From the postman)that you have a package that could not be delivered and he is supposed to circle the reason why it couldn't. If he just drives off then go to the post office later that day and get your package then talk to his SUPERVISOR

Answer 4

No. I work as a carrier for the USPS. When you moved into your home or apartment you (should have) filled out a form stating what your preference is for having parcels delivered. If you are home and the parcel will not fit in your mailbox, the carrier is PAID to bring the parcel to your door. It is part of the contract for both rural carriers and city carriers. Call your Post Office and ask to speak to a supervisor or the Postmaster or Officer in Charge. Explain your carriers behavior.

Sadly, in my time at the post office, I have met MANY very lazy carriers who try to cut corners any way that they can. I have also run in with some lazy post masters and supervisors who don't deal with bad employees properly because the union makes a lot of extra work for them if they try to.

That said, most carriers I know are diligent and polite in the face of what is (honestly) a very boring job.

Answer 5

sounds like the mail carrier is wrong here because there are no dogs around to prevent him from making his deliveries. one thing i was wondering though, do you think he might have some type of physical problem where he can't lift or walk that far? just wondering maybe he is older or something? i'm guessing if this might be the case maybe he's afraid he might lose his job if they found out. i would just ask him one day when he honks for you and if he doesn't seem to have some type of physical problem or something then i would report him the your local postmaster.Good Luck!

Answer 6

The usual case is the delivery guy is supposed to knock on your door with the package in hand, unless special circumstances like the one you mentioned about the dog. I have a huge gate in front of my house, and they have to honk to get me to open it. But they also offer to carry it up to my door step. So I think you should call the mail center and speak to the manager about this, the staff is not doing his job properly.

Answer 7

I would call the post office. My mail carrier will ring the bell, I live in a security building, and will then walk the package up to the third floor. He rings the bell just to let me know he's on his way. Even when I was living in a house ,the mailman brought it to the door. If its not a safety thing like for the dogs, then it sounds like he is just not doing his job.

Answer 8

No, this is not policy. I'm pretty sure it's USPS policy to deliver the package to the mailbox or leave it on the porch if it doesn't fit in the mailbox.

It's sometimes kinda hard to figure out who to call with regard to bad postal carriers, but your blue pages SHOULD have a number. I would complain if it was me. But then again, I complain about everything. Do what you think is right.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Borrow (or find some really cheap) crutches. Next time he honks, open your door and stand there on the crutches. In fact, everyone in the neighborhood should do the same. Point to your "injured" leg and wave him on up with one of the crutches. I think he'll get the message quickly and no one will have even had to utter a word.

Answer 10

That sounds rude and inappropriate to me. He's not doing his job. His job is to deliver mail. At the very least, he could go up to your door, ring the doorbell, and leave the package, so that you know it's there. That's what our mail carrier does. I'd call your local post office and anonymously ask about this policy. Good luck!

Answer 11

I had a postal worker on post start banging real loud on the door and yelling at me for putting some junk mail on top of the mail box by mistake, he did this twice and i called and reported him.