Going Postal

We have been so busy lately!

I mentioned earlier that we were dealing with the post office. It has been the most bizarre thing ever!!
When we moved in, I was told we had to put a box at the street (ours in on our porch). So I told them that Jon was still out of town can we deal with it when he returns? They said fine! So Jon returns and guess what MAIL STOPS!!! So I go and ask for my mail, they say we don't have any. It has been a week, we get mail every day. So I send in the big guns, Jon. He returns home and says they told him that they were holding our mail until he put a box at the street. And if he did not do it in ten days they would mark it as VACANT. WHAT? NO WAY!! So irritation sets in, and it almost sounds unconstitutional to hold ones mail. (We dealt with the subject a great deal in undergrad.) So I began to dig, and guess what I found????
1) They can not use our mail as punishment.
2) They can not force you to change the mode of delivery
3) You must receive a written statement from the postmaster and sign it.
4) We were being bullied!!!
I read many articles that talked about the same thing we were going through!! If they can get 25% of our street to put up mailboxes then they can require everyone too.

5) I also learned that if or when we move our mailbox to the street we can NEVER return it to the porch.

First let me say, Jon and I realized we would have to do it. And we were planning on doing it. But when they started telling me I could not have my mail red flags went off!

I went and talked the postmaster and she told me it was a District managers rule. I asked her is they did not use the Postal Ordinance Manual any more? She said we do but its so outdated they still used horses then.....BAHAHA (She apparently didn't read it!!) So I laughed and said yea I guess they did have horses in 2002, and especially when it was revised in 2012. Her expression went blank.
(I would like to add that I was SUPER SUPER sweet and as was she, we had a pleasant talk.) She started telling me that she would have to keep my mail and send it back. Once I told her a little about what I knew she quickly changed her story....but she would not help me. Her hands were tied.

So I filed a claim, it was a super easy process. But I will say I am amazed at how many people DO NOT read!!! The nice lady who was my contact first told me there was no reason I could keep my mailbox in its current location. So I asked her if they used the POM, she said oh yes its the standard!! YESSS !!!
So then I asked her is she was familiar with 631.44 ( I think that's the number)....she said hmmm...can I call you back tomorrow?? I laughed and said, sure.

She called me today and said after reviewing the POM (FINALLY) that she could see no reason as to how they could MAKE me move my box! And that I should start receiving mail on Saturday. She was giving the District Manager 24 hours to basically defend his "rule". She called me back 30 mins later and sounded aggravated and said I would get mail tomorrow!! VICTORY! I asked her what transpired, she said that the DM told her it was a rule he made and expected me to abide by. She told him, he can make NO rules that supersede the POM! She also said that there would be more investigation on this matter in this area!
Poor postal workers!!

Side note, I went in again to pick up my mail, and the postal worker asked me if they said I could do that....I laughed and said if you have it here, I can pick it up. I think Jon was a little aggravated that I was so chill, but it was actually fun. Made me miss school and miss finding laws and miss debating. oh well. Who says stay at home moms don't do anything!