In late July, I finally bit the bullet and priced out our home and auto insurance policies to see if I could get a better rate. I'm married to someone who thinks one should be able to accomplish something like this and be done with it in a matter of maybe two days. Note: this is late September and process is still not completed.
After spending a few days online, filling out forms with the big carriers like State Farm, I received back quotes that were quite a bit more than we were already paying. I then contacted our independent agent and she was able to get me a better rate through a smaller company. The only problem was, someone in the agent's office used the wrong cancellation date on a form, so I would be receiving a refund check from our former insurer for an incorrect amount. She called and said, "Just put RTS on the envelope and send it back." For those not familiar with US Postal Service lingo, that means 'Return to Sender.' Cue the creepy music:
Day 1: I receive the check in the mail and write RTS on the envelope. I circle the RTS and put an arrow to the return address.
Day 2: I put the envelope in my mailbox with the flag up, to make sure the mailperson sees it. Later that day, I get my mail and the envelope was left in my mailbox.
Day 3: I use a highlighter on the RTS and drive to a mailbox in town and drop it in.
Day 4: Envelope reappears in my mailbox. Ok, really?
Day 5: I use a black sharpie and color over my name and address. Take another drive into town and deposit it in a mailbox.
Day 6: IT'S IN MY FREAKING MAILBOX AGAIN! I can only assume that the automated system is now just reading the code on the bottom of the envelope for my address and that we have a robot delivering the mail on our street.
This is insane. My husband wants to know why I don't just use a new envelope and put a stamp on it. He asks this as a joke, because he knows that I don't give in to 'the man.' Not my mistake, not my stamp!
I once had a check returned to me because in the amount line I wrote "XXX and three-quarters" instead of '75/100'. Someone at the bank where it was cashed thought that was unclear. I sent a new check, along with a photocopy of the three 25-cent pieces, showing clearly that it says 'quarter dollar' right on the coin. . .
ReplyDeleteIt can be really frustrating trying to make one's way around morons. . .
The check thing is ridiculous. My bank recently told me to stop using an apostrophe on my date. I was doing this: May 24, '18. They claimed it was unclear!
Delete'Cuz, you know, it could mean 1918, right?
DeleteExactly!
DeleteIf you are expecting people or systems to think, you may be disappointed, I admire your perseverance.
ReplyDeleteIt's why I'm the tech person in our house. I never give up until it's fixed!
DeleteWowza. That's both hilarious and truly unsettling.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because the last time I mailed it, with my name and address blacked out, I thought, wouldn't it be scary if it came back to me?
DeleteI'm going to try one more time by blacking out the code on bottom of envelope.
hahaha maybe the mailman just wants to screw with you. Did you tick him/her off?
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, most likely just the system. As that is all that is used when that code shows up. Scan and throw in the right pile and then away one goes. Have to deliver as addressed or one can get in crap. Even if you know it isn't supposed to go there.
I think we have numerous mail persons, but I don't think I've annoyed any of them!
Delete" He asks this as a joke, because he knows that I don't give in to 'the man.' Not my mistake, not my stamp!"
ReplyDeleteBwhahahahahaha! OMG...I LOVE your attitude. And you're right! But still, it must be so frustrating to have the envelope reappear in your mailbox, when you've done everything correct to get it RTS. That's so strange!! But I bet you're right, it's most likely a robot.
Love your post title AND graphic. It's perfect for this post!
And speaking of mail, I just recently had my address changed because I changed apartments in the same building. However, I keep getting mail delivered to BOTH apartments. And what's worrying me is that Monday I have to return all my keys to my old apartment, so I'm concerned that the post office sends any future mail to my change of address and to the correct mailbox number. Wish me luck! HA!
Have a great rest of your weekend, my friend!
X
Omg, yes, change of address is a battle! If I were you, I'd introduce myself to the new renter and ask if she could save your mail for you instead of trying to return it back into the maze of craziness.
DeleteAlways blot out the code strip ..... the readers ignore everything if that is still readable. At all ....
ReplyDeleteStill odd that my mailman wouldn't take it back from the box in the first place!
Delete"Not my mistake, not my stamp!"
ReplyDeleteYes, damn it! You've got to fight the power that be, Bijoux. It's hard to believe in this age of texts and emails that you're still waging a snail mail battle. What is going on here?!?
Don't give into the Post Office robots. Put up the mailbox flag, but never wave the flag of surrender!
It is dumb that all of this is by snail mail, especially because I pay these type of bills online. Don't worry, I never give up!
DeleteOh, these annoying things that take our precious time! While my husband usually handles most things like this here... sometimes he goes wayyyy above and beyond, and might have actually driven this back to the agent's office personally after the first time. lol
ReplyDeleteI would definitely get along with your husband! Lol, if the office was anywhere close to me, I would have!
DeleteThat's unbelievable. Returned to you three times? I can recall one letter that was returned to me once. That's it. I now have an even higher opinion of the UK's mail service! I'm with your husband - new envelope and a stamp.
ReplyDeleteThe joys of living in the 21st century! Automation means no one knows how to use their brain anymore.
DeleteI absolutely loathe dealing with insurance companies, so I'm more inclined to blame them than the postal service. After all, if the insurance company had filled out the form correctly in the first place you wouldn't be in the position of needing to return a check, which the postal service delivered properly. Our insurance company has screwed up so many things so many times. At this point I'm fairly certain global warming can also be pinned on them somehow. We really need to switch companies!
ReplyDeleteLOL, yes, they do seem incompetent! I have been so unimpressed with their customer service over the years, which is one of the reason I shopped around myself online in the first place. Unfortunately, I just refuse to pay $800 a year more to go with a bigger company! God help us if we ever have a claim, though!
DeleteI'm a Taurus, so I totally get sticking to your guns! (Though Tara calls it "being stubborn." Whatevs!) Damn the man and save yourself that stamp. It's the principle of the matter now!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Taurus, too. My Dad called me stubborn my whole life. I call it not being a quitter!
Deletelol I would have put it in an envelope and sent it back because if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
ReplyDeleteI can't give in to the errors of others.
DeleteMaybe the newer people in the postal service are unfamiliar with what RTS means? This would be a nightmare. I'd be like you though, pursuing having it be picked up and delivered like that without having to put it in a new envelope, etc. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeletebetty
It's been 4 days since I tried again and it hasn't reappeared. Hopefully, they received it!
DeleteWay to go - keep fighting the good fight!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that blackening out the bar code did the trick?
We recently went through the same process of shopping for new homeowners' and car insurance. Everyone wanted more money, until an independent agent found us something at a very reasonable rate.