United States Postal Service — Local services in Mandan

I have had 1/2 dozen packages just go missing and never get delivered.

Packages get held for pickup without a reason such as needing payment or a signature. Only to go back out for delivery so there is no package to be picked up.

Items arrive in damaged condition by opening the package you are accepting the condition of the delivered item. This includes if you only discover damage after opening packages.

Packages depart Bismarck and sometimes take another 2-3 days for to actually get delivered.

We have a community box and if the storage locker is full they just hold the package until the next day when they can put it into the locker.

If a package requires a signature 1/2 the time they just mark it as attempt made even though they do not come to the door. Then we have to chase them down get the package.

The turnover seems to be frequent at this location. I have spoke to 3 different postmaster's at this location. All of them have assured me that these things are not supposed to happen yet they occur weekly.

It is easier to use another shipping provider, but is not possible in all cases. This is a perfect example of government inefficiency.

UPDATE: Using another shipping provider is no longer a viable solution. On 03/18/2024 USPS picked up a clearly marked FedEx package.

The package was transported from Mandan to Bismarck Sort Facility never to be seen again. USPS has refused to search for the package and attempted to deflect any blame back on the store that USPS took the package from.

The package was clearly marked with a FedEx label and the USPS driver is on video taking the package.

At this point the only viable solution is to...

I've lived at my address for almost 2 years now. Some of my mail is delivered to me, and other mail is returned to sender because I "moved." I've called multiple times regarding this issue, and nothing has ever changed. Why they can't manage to deliver my mail to me, is mind blowing. Last week Wednesday, I called and couldn't get through. I try again on Thursday, and was able to speak with someone. I requested that the lock on my mailbox be changed, because I had lost my key. They said it wasn't an issue, and they would have a worker contact me once it had been done. They also told me that my mail would be pulled out, and available to pick up at the office. Great, right? After calling numerous times again today, I was finally able to get through. I explained that I had not heard anything, and was then told they only change locks on Thursdays, and the gentleman who does it, was on vacation last week so it would be done tomorrow. They did not inform me of this when I called the first time to put the request in. I asked if they could pull my mail out of my box, and we would be down to pick it up later this afternoon. They said it wasn't an issue, and they would contact the carrier. My husband went to the office to pick up our mail, guess what wasn't there? My mail. They said whoever I spoke with the first time, must not have passed the message along. They said they tried to contact the carrier, and could not reach them. So you have an employee, that is unavailable for hours? I have NEVER had so many issues with the post office, until...

I ordered 4 items from Amazon. 3 were delivered to the house, 1 was not. The tracking information said it had been returned undeliverable. I called the post office automated line (because apparently you can never talk to a person), and put my tracking number in. I was instructed that my package would now be held for pick up at the Mandan USPS. I stopped down to the post office 3 days later (was out of town), and was informed my package had been returned to sender already. I asked why the package wasn't delivered, and they told me I had a change of address with them. I was floored. I own the home, and have lived there for 4 years. I asked how this could be possible. They said that back in October I didn't pick up my mail for several days (was out of town for a week for work), so the carrier had filed a change of address for me. HOW THE HELL IS THAT POSSIBLE?!?! So my delivery person just decided on a whim that I no longer lived there and that my mail should be sent elsewhere?! Is it not a felony to tamper with another person's mail? Of course, I was never notified of this change either... and so for 2 months now, some portion of my mail has been forwarded to some unknown address. The manager at the post office actually had the balls to tell me that I should contact anyone that "may have" tried to send me mail and let them know that my address is my house. Like I'm going to know who tried to send me mail or not?!?!

USPS, this is unacceptable. We wonder why the postal service is...