The Shipping Depot

Review: The Shipping Depot cancelled my contract abruptly when a package that was shipped 12/13/13 wasn't delivered on time before I left the country for a three month trip New Zealand. I asked that it be shipped by [redacted], but the owner insisted that it couldn't be shipped to a military address at Vandenberg AFB, CA because it had a P.O. Box included. He chose instead to ship it [redacted]. I called [redacted] and was told that they usually ignore the P.O.Box and use the building number on military bases. They [redacted] rep said the simplest thing would have been to not include it at all. Unfortunately by the time I got the information the package had been shipped. I called the Shipping Depot with that information. I stated that it should have been their responsibility to find out the guidelines and not the customers. I called the owner [redacted] today 12/20/13 at 4:00PM to let him know that the package still hadn't arrived. I informed him that I left instructions here at Vandenberg AFB to have the package returned to the Shipping Depot, that I would provide a New Zealand address to have them re-ship it and cover part of that expense. That's when the owner got angry and cancelled my service. I told him that if he did it would put me in a very difficult situation since I was leaving the country in a few days and all of my credit cards that I will be relying on use the Shipping Depot mailing address. Incorrect shipping results in cards being denied. I mentioned that if forced to I would take legal action.When I called back he agreed to keep the account active until I returned from New Zealand in March, but refused to ship any more mail anywhere for me as a customer. Now how can a company who provides that service, arbitrarily decide who's mail they will, or will not ship on whim or in a moment of anger.I'm not sure how to proceed, but do feel I have legal justification to take this to the Revdex.com.Desired Settlement: I expect the Shipping Depot to honor the contract which I paid for in advance. I expect an apology from the owner, in creating more stress when I was dealing with a major stressor already. I expect him to be made aware that he's providing a professional service and not running a fiefdom. [redacted]###-###-####

Business

Response:

January 5, 2014

Revdex.com

Re: Case [redacted]

Thank you for your offer to assist Mr. [redacted] in understanding the nature of our service. We agree with his contention that it is, indeed, our responsibility to “find out the guidelines and not the customers.” That has been the policy for 27 years which has maintained our good relations with both [redacted] and the [redacted], and why he is mistaken in his understanding of his problem.

[redacted]’s written policy, and practice, regarding delivery to a P.O.Box is as follows: “[redacted] will only accept shipments to a valid street address. We do not deliver to P.O. Boxes. If a shipper should use a P.O. Box address, the recipient´s telephone number must be included on the label. Your package that is addressed to a P.O. Box may be delayed, will not be covered by any [redacted] Service Guarantee, and will require an address correction charge. Additionally, Army Post Office (APO) and Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses are not accepted.” (Bold and italics mine) We’re sorry he was misinformed by whoever he talked to at [redacted], but we still cannot change their rules, no matter how much Mr. [redacted] insists. Moreover, our experience in past Decembers has been that with [redacted]’s hiring of temporary workers and re-routing of regular drivers, any exceptions that may have been made due to familiarity or other local circumstances are less reliable. Accepting his instructions would have put his mail more at risk, not less.

Additionally, sending this mail by [redacted] would have violated the Private Express Statutes, as cited in the [redacted] Domestic Mail Manual section 608.5.0, “The Private Express Statutes are a group of laws under which the U.S. [redacted] ([redacted]) has theexclusive right, with certain limited exceptions to carry letters for compensation. The Statutes are based on the provision in the U.S. Constitution that empowers Congress “to establish Post Offices.” Letters are typically defined as First Class personal correspondence and statements of account such as were included in the mail in question.

Our records show that in the last two years we have sent Mr. [redacted]’s mail to the P.O. Box address in question multiple times via the [redacted]. He chooses the date and time for us to fulfill his needs. That the mail we sent on Dec. 14 (please note this was the date of his call, not the 13th) had not arrived by the 20th is unfortunate, but considering December volume hardly unusual. According to [redacted] tracking records it was delivered on the 24th. If Mr. [redacted] still feels that, despite the facts, it is our fault he couldn’t receive his mail before his departure for New Zealand, we will send that mail to him there at our expense, not as an acknowledgement of responsibility, but as a farewell gesture.

We have not cancelled Mr. [redacted]’s mailbox rental, but will notify him via separate correspondence of the following:

1. We will continue to receive his mail until March 31, 2014, which should be after his return from New Zealand.

2. Considering his mistaken allegations, definite threats, and punitive attitude, we will not risk further liability for forwarding his mail, except for the Dec.14 mail above, nor accept telephone credit card payment for any additional service or outstanding balance.

3. His Agent may have access to his mailbox and handle his mail as he instructs. That Agency is implied by possession of his mailbox key, or we will give a key to who he designates. There is a $10 key duplication fee.

4. As explained at time of rental, the [redacted] considers delivery of mail to a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency to be final. This means a Change of Address Form will be invalid, and Mr. [redacted] should notify all correspondents of his new address prior to March 31, 2014.

Sincerely,

The Shipping Depot

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.