United States Postal Service [USPS] review: Home delivery - refusal to deliver

On June 9, 2022, a local free newspaper which was normally delivered by mail had not been delivered for two weeks. I contacted the local Post Office and they told me the paper would be delivered on Saturday, June 11.

On June 10, 2022, I received a notice from the local Post Office that my mailbox needed to be replaced as it did not conform to regulations. As I have a mail slot, I looked up the requirements on the USPS website, took measurements, and all conformed to regulations.

On June 11, 2022, my mail, including the newspaper, was delivered.

On June 13, 2022, I went to the Post Office to find out what the problem was and was told to return the next day to speak with the postmaster.

On June 14, 2022, I spoke with the postmaster, Rochele Plummer, who stated that the mail slot did not conform to regulations. I informed her that I had checked the requirements and that it did conform. She stated the carrier said it was too low, too small, and that he had cut his hand. The mail slot is actually approximately 4 inches higher than required and also wider than required. This was also the first time any mention had been made of any injury or 'hazard'. On my return home, I tried to find any area that could have cut the carrier's hand, and the only possible way would be if he stuck his hand into the slot (unnecessary), and even then it would be difficult. Since the postmaster was adamant that I replace my regulation mail slot with a mail box on a post, I filed a complaint online.

On June 15, 2022, I received a reply that reiterated the conversation I had with the postmaster. The reply came from that postmaster, contrary to my expectations that the complaint would be handled by someone other than the people I was making the complaint about.

On June 16, 2022, mail delivery stopped.

My family has had the same mail slot since we bought the house in 1951. The cover was replaced approximately 35-40 years ago. In all those years, we have never had a problem, suggestion, or complaint about being able to safely deliver via that mail slot. Other carriers I spoke to said they never had a problem and had tried to talk the postmaster into resuming delivery. I never saw anyone from the Post Office measuring anything, and no one ever explained how the supposed injury actually occurred.

I can go without mail delivery for almost all items, since my bills are handled via email. Packages sent via USPS are delivered. However, some government and banking mail cannot be handled this way. I recently renewed my driver's license and had a 'hold for pickup' placed, and received a confirmation notice from USPS. I went to collect my mail and cancel the hold request, and was informed by the postmaster that I was "no longer in their system" and therefore could not have my mail put on hold. Since packages are still delivered, I have to assume that I am actually still in their system somewhere.