United States Postal Service — Local services in Houston

Pretty bad, although there are good days. I’ve had to call many times to complain about not receiving mail/our carrier not taking our outgoing. When I present the issue it seems to not be a big deal to them. They usually give you a very short and rude response, as if I am wrong for wondering where our mail is. Lately the response is "your carrier is on vacation, and their sub will deliver it once all other routes are finished." Who gets vacation three days our of every week? And why not make the business route first? We would be getting our mail at the end of the day, but more recently around noon. Always a mystery on who will deliver our mail and when it will arrive.They often deliver others residents’ mail to our box, and we are getting tired of paying for postage to re-sent out mail that does not belong to us due to this reoccurring mistake. Sometimes when I re-send the mail that does not belong to us, it for some reason gets put back in our box and I did not even have a return address on it (laziness???). There have been rare occurrences where we have had packages just a little bit too big to fit in the box, so I would leave a nice note on the box asking to please come pick up outgoing mail at the front, and it would always be ignored. We are on the business route at a small, privately owned company. It isn’t a very time taking task to come to the front to pick something up every now and then. At one point, we were so fed up with complaining every day, we decided to just be kind to our mail carrier. One of my colleagues kindly offered our carrier to come in any time for a cold bottle of water and a chance to cool off inside, knowing how hot it gets in Houston. He rudely said no as he was backing up his vehicle and drove off fast. He actually came close to hitting her as he was backing up. A polite “No thank you” would have sufficed. Anyway, calling the main 1-800 to complain about your local office is more useful, so don’t waste your time trying to complain to Willowplace. Also, many times their phones just ring, and ring, and ring. And don’t believe them if they say they will call back, I am waiting for a call back since 8 this morning just to figure out where our Saturday mail is and why it...

Title: Disappointing Experience with One Clerk, Thankful for the Kindness of Others

I’m so thankful to the Lord for helping me keep my temper in check and respond gracefully. I recently visited this post office to ship my son’s belongings overseas, as he is stationed out of the country in the military.

From the start, the clerk named Daizha was unnecessarily critical. She questioned if I was “really” trying to ship everything, remarked about how “it’s a lot” and would cost “a lot” — comments that were unhelpful and not her concern. She told me to go outside the packing area to assemble my package and suggested I was sending his whole wardrobe! I explained that these were the items my son requested.

A veteran standing nearby noticed what was happening and kindly stepped in to help me find a box, for which I was truly grateful. Daizha, meanwhile, continued to be dismissive, even as I was the only person there. Despite a back injury from the previous day, I had to lift the box multiple times as she changed her mind about where it should go.

When she handed me the customs form, she insisted I list every single item, even though she watched me pack it up. I would have had to unseal the airtight bags to write detailed descriptions, which seemed excessive. Thankfully, two other polite clerks stepped in to help and reassure me that general descriptions (like “pants” and “shirts” with quantities) were perfectly acceptable.

These two clerks — one tall lady near the entry and the lady next to her — were so kind and understanding. They helped me get everything ready for my son, who is tall and slim and needs specific clothes and shoes that are hard to find. I appreciate them so much for their patience and support.

I hope Mrs. Watkins, the supervisor, sees this review and has a chance to counsel Daizha on her poor attitude and lack of professionalism. Military families often make huge sacrifices, and when we’re trying to send packages to our loved ones, we deserve respect and courtesy.

Signed, A Loving...

I'm not a mail expert. So I came in with an already sealed letter and incorrectly said that I needed first-class mail with tracking. The personnel by the door attempted to hand me a $6 something see-through priority envelope. I knew enough that that wasn't what I needed (the price was higher than what I remember because I've sent this type of mail at other locations for $3 something), so I refused and said that's not what I usually get. The refusal somehow pricked a nerve. Tact and common courtesy left tone and voice. I calmly explained that I'm usually given a green/white sticker with tracking at the other post office. At this point, I still couldn't recall the mail type but later I remember that it was certified mail. The person reasserted that I needed the $6 envelope if I wanted tracking and asked if I wanted signature confirmation also. I answered that I only needed the tracking (still dumbfounded as to why their exchange had gone contentious). In dispute I'm given the green certified mail sticker to which I'm asked what location I usually go to. I said the name of the place and she retorts back, "This is not (said place)." Later on while I'm in line to check out, the same person approached me to further explain the situation to which I said, "I'm just trying to mail something. Why do you have to be..." (interrupts me) "It's because you don't know what you want." As if that's the reason to treat someone condescendingly. I finally pay for it at the counter and it was less than $4. The lady ringing me up was straightforward, patient and much nicer. Next time the former is by the door and queries for their assistance, I'll just pretend I need stamps which the lobby machine offers, mail stuff there and skip...