posted on June 3, 2001 01:38:12 PM
I know we've all probably received items in the mail that were poorly wrapped, breakables not double boxed, etc. but have you ever received something that wasn't wrapped at all? I've received merchandise that looked like it had been run over by a truck and have had my doubts about the competence of the US postal Service BUT, I've just changed my mind.
A group of individuals (possibly very bored ones) decided to conduct an experiment aimed at the USPS. They obtained numerous items that fell into the following 6 categories: valuable, sentimental, unwieldy, pointless, potentially suspicious, and disgusting. Then they decided to mail them, without ANY packaging or wrapping and report the results.
I think you'll be amazed by their findings and enjoy a laugh as well. I know the next time I receive a gnarled package I'll think back on the results of this experiment before I go "postal". LOL
posted on June 3, 2001 02:33:38 PM
Hi Blanche, I once received a very fragile porcelain vase rolling around in an empty box. It must have been a fluke of nature, or an act of God, but it got to me undamaged.
Plus there was the insult "$8.00 for careful and expert shipping". It was $3.20 for postage in a ratty old Pampers box that had already been mailed twice before.
It was sheer luck that it wasn't smashed to shards. And.....if it had arrived in pieces the Post Office wouldn't have been at fault.
posted on June 3, 2001 02:48:50 PM
Hi guys. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who didn't see it earlier.
I think what surprised me the most in the results, besides the fact that the USPS bothered to deliver this stuff at all, was the $20 bill that arrived instead of turning up "missing. That's very reassuring.
I also loved the part where the postman drank the bottle of spring water.
I've come to the conclusion that it's time to turn OFF my computer and MOVE AWAY from it entirely since things must be getting pretty bad for me to have run across that article to begin with!! I have no idea what keywords I entered into Google's search engine to have produced that result but it's obvious that my mind is wandering.
posted on June 3, 2001 03:09:35 PM
Hey, Susan (smw), this is off topic but do you remember our discussion some time back about eBay's experiment with PERSONALIZED TECHNOLOGY? You have to check out this thread if you haven't already seen it. I sure wish our DC buddy was still around. He'd love this new program. NOT!!!
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=379361
Despite the fact that eBay didn't even receive ONE positive feedback, they didn't give up!!
posted on June 3, 2001 03:44:45 PM
Yesterday I received a $165.00 pair of Johnston & Murphy men's loafers stuffed in a Priority mail carton. No packing materials, wrapping or anything. Just the shoes. It ticked me off a bit, but fortuantely the shoes weren't scratched, bent or dmaged in any way.
Why ca't some sellers apply just a little common sense when they ship packages? A moment of thought before any action goes a long way...
posted on June 3, 2001 05:29:48 PM
Wired magazine has mail art that readers submit. Some examples - a computer key board with the address spelled out by removing keys and poping them back on to form the address.
A slice of tree trunk like a large coin with bark on the edge and the address applied.
posted on June 3, 2001 08:14:21 PM
I ordered an anchor from a catalog. It arrived with my name and address written on it with a black magic marker! I really never thought about how one would package an anchor, now I know...you don't!
The one for the record books though is an invitation to an event in a neighboring town my baby sister received when she was a senior in high school (quite a few years ago ). It was addressed to "JJ" (her nickname) and our town. She received it. No "real" name, no last name, no street address, no state or zip. The sender explained she had hurriedly written the names and towns of her guests on the envelopes and then added the addresses later. She had not realized she had sent my sister's out that way. Needless to say we were all impressed by the postal service!!!
Of course our hometown is quite small and everyone knows everyone and their kids, cats and dogs. I am sure today without a zip it probably wouldn't make it. Those were the good ole' days!
I know the next time I receive a gnarled package I'll think back on the results of this experiment before I go "postal". LOL
