Musings: Mail's delivered except when . . .
A reader who moved to Florida writes about his struggle with the post office to forward mail to his new address. Credit: /Morgan Campbell
This winter, at age 85, I decided along with my wife, Margie, to finally have an extended stay in Florida — three months! I brought the mail transfer card to our New Hyde Park post office on Jan. 2, informing them that my mail was to start being forwarded to Florida the next day. I handed the form to a gentleman behind the window. Easy enough.
My mail, however, didn’t arrive after a few days although I was told several times the “mail is coming.” I visualized a mound of envelopes piling up at our home. So, around Jan. 8, I asked them to at least stop delivery of mail to our Long Island address.
Our daughter, who lives in northern Westchester, picked up what she found at our house and sent us the collection via Priority Mail flat rate. That in itself took eight days.
After allowing two weeks to receive my “forwarded” mail in Florida, I again called the customer service supervisor in New Hyde Park. I was told that a new law requires postal patrons to present identification to initiate a mail transfer. I replied that I handed the form to the New Hyde Park clerk and, if he had asked for it, I would have presented my ID to him right then and there.
On the phone, I was also told I would be getting a letter advising me to bring my ID to the nearby Delray Beach post office. OK, I could do that.
But I never received that letter, and I trust it had been sent to my New Hyde Park address along with all my other mail, including the bills and checks I was waiting for. But it was not sent there.
So, without having received the “advisory” letter, I went to the Delray Beach post office and again had my New York driver’s license put into the “system.” I was told to expect another delay of seven to 10 days before I’d finally get my mail.
I finally got the advisory letter on Jan. 24, dated Jan. 7. I supposedly should have known about this new “rule.” A total delay of 22 days. We still await at least 50 pieces. Maybe they’re being sent by Pony Express.
— Marty Orenstein, New Hyde Park
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