I really would go to the top (see my last post with the postmaster general's address on the other thread) and I would definitely mention the name of the guy in MD who won't answer/return calls. That is always the the way to get results in my experience.

That is quite a list! I may have two copies of A Light in the Attic and would be happy to donate. Will read through carefully to see if there are any other doubles I have.

You know, when there are posts here about bad customer service, there's always someone who advises "Write to the president of the company."

And I always think "Yeah, right -- that letter will never make it to the top -- it'll get to a secretary who will forward it to customer service, which will send out a form letter reading "We're so sorry you were displeased, but we hope you'll give us another chance the next time you are shopping for [whatever]." And besides -- company presidents have better things to do with their time.

Well, I still think maybe so.
But I'm changing my tune on that in this situation.
Write to the postmaster general about this. And highlight the fact that you were disrespected by this Md. guy who wouldn't deal with you. Who knows, maybe he's been in the hospital, maybe he's been laid off, maybe he's quit or he's dead and you've been getting the bum's rush. But you deserved better.

Emphasize that you trusted the USPS with several boxes and are furious that the employees you entrusted these precious books to couldn't do "the right thing" -- meaning handle them carefully and at the point where damage occurred, secure your books in the proper manner.

And ask for an explanation why it was possible for a box of books (which doesn't just slip in between mail bins) now exists only as a piece of the box top.

I'm sorry, but I can just imagine some worker just being way too curious as to what was in that box and "by mistake" damaging it. (You can imagine what I'm thinking happened to those books.) I'm just glad that some of the boxes got to their destination safely.

I can't recall whether you said you insured the boxes? I know that hardly covers the sentimental factor, that these were books that your child grew up with. But I hope you will get more than just the postage.

(Is there something on the form that asks you to estimate value? Be sure to ask the USPS rep about options for doing this -- eBay listings? Amazon listings?)

Maybe someone already suggested this, but since the USPS is a government office...have you tried talking to constituent services at your state rep's office or your state senator's office? Your legislators have staffs available to help constituents with government related offices. That USPS staffer in MD is a gov't worker and I bet someone with some clout can get him to at least answer the phone. OR someone at the state or national level. It's worth a try at least. I'd also definitely contact a local reporter. A little bad publicity for the USPS might also help, they don't need more people flocking to Fedex.

Thank you guys !! I appreciate the vote of confidence. I didn't insure because you have to have a receipt to collect on the value in the box....my dumb ! No one would have known what was in the box and it probably would have been treated better.

At this point I am waiting till I talk to Atlanta and get some answers. I worry that my first complaint to the postmaster general's office, which was acknowledged by the way, somehow was sent on to MD and my broken box that was awaiting repacking suddenly became 'trash'. I will ask all the details I can tomorrow AM. Probably should let DH do it as I will lose it on the phone. But he never gets all the details straight , sigh.

I will let you all know. c

That is a great list of books. Please consider UPS for shipping anything you care about. Because each package is scanned every time it is touched, it is easy to trace missing packages. Insurance is important too.

This thread makes me sad. I love my library.

I'm late to the party, and the scenario of events is rather painful for me to read since I ship on a regular basis for a small side business, but having taught kindergarten for 13 years (out of the 34 years I taught altogether), I understand your pain. The books on your list are engaging books to help your grandchild on the road to being a good reader. Not only that, there's sentimental value there as well. I wish you the best of luck.

For what's it's worth, what I have learned about difficult situations like this, is that once I start, I have to see it to the finish, no matter how many roadblocks are thrown in the way. And when I do see it to the finish, there are usually good results. Not always the results I wanted, but good results nevertheless. But there are many times I feel like giving up, because of the difficulties I encounter. Some people call me stubborn, I like to think I'm persistent. One time I managed to get Buick to give us a new LeSabre because the brand new one we bought had an air leak in the passenger window. The noise drove me crazy, no pun intended. My husband actually was ready to give up, and figuratively hid in the corner while I continued the battle, but they finally exchanged it for another car. That was a tough one and I don't know if I would have the stamina to do something like that again, but it paid off at the time.

gold..thank you I feel badly too but as I looked up authors on Amazon I did find that most of the books are still available...some are 50-100 dollars now though so those will be OUT. I hope for the best. I just want an explanation.

Digging I too am tenacious. We will see..I can't just let it go although DH would have long before this. I want to KNOW what happened..how someone took the time to cut up this empty box and where he got it and what happened to the contents. It is taking a lot out of me though...thank you for the kind notes everyone. c

Even though some of the books are paperbacks, that still seems like a lot of books for one box. I would wager to guess the problem was with the weight. Too much stress from inside would surely cause the box to give way, eventually making the tape loosen, and the box literally fall apart. When you consider the handling, along with a box falling apart, the outcome(pardon the pun)is inevitable. What a shame!

A friend sent a package to me and I could actually put my arm in and pull things out. I was surprised to find the complete contents were intact.

What a great list of books. I think I have a few of those in a box in my attic waiting for a grandchild, although I am giving up hope in that department. I can understand your fury in losing them. Just remember that it is the story that is precious not the paper it's printed on, so a replacement book tells the same story. Of course I understand that many books are rare and have value for that reason.

BTW, the USPS is only partially a government agency.

I keep checking your threads to hear of any progress!

dedtired, my friend, "waiting for a grandchild, although I am giving up hope in that department." Ha-you and me both! One more thing we have in common!

C, so sorry this mess has happened to you. I also keep checking in to see if any progress on locating them has been made. Keep us posted.

trailrunner,
I have been following your story about your parcel and feel so bad for you that this is not resolved yet.
But I have a good feeling that it will be soon.
I have a one year old grandchild and would love to read to her as much as possible.
I have looked over your book list and am ashamed to admit that I am not familiar with any of the titles except Hello Moon.
I was wondering if you could underline or put an asterik or something under the 10-15 books that you would most recommend from your list.
For one year old up to about 4 years.
Thanks,if you have the time.

I hope you eventually get your books back and that you keep pursing it to the highest level. It makes me so sad reading your updates.

And I didn't know there was a book about my husband!
The Man Who Didn't Wash His Dishes

woke up and sitting here worrying about what they will say when I call in a few hours. I need to let this go but ...I hope that someone over in Atlanta can help me ... if not I can at least know that the folks here and my local postmaster have been so supportive in so many ways.

Lyban I would be glad to post a few that I think are especially good. Anything by Mercer Mayer, Arnold Lobel, Shel Silverstein and Leo Lionni are perfect books. The book Rain Makes Applesauce is a wonderful book and we read it every day for weeks to DD. Anything by Margaret Wise Brown also and Judith Viorst is simply the best. That will get you started. You can look on Amazon and get most in the used section for very little. Let me know if you want more :) c

I'm still so perplexed by your story, surely there will be some kind of resolution,
there has to be; I understand your obsession totally, I would be the same.
good luck with that call and keep us posted.

I just spoke to the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta. They were very kind. The box top that I received was mailed from MD not Atlanta. The contents of the box and anything else that MD has acquired from broken and lost mail was sent at the same time under separate cover to Atlanta.

I asked why the floor supervisor didn't respond 2 months ago to requests for information on this box and she had no answer. I explained that we felt that it would have been a lot easier to match the broken box with the contents immediately rather than wait 2 months . She said yes that would be true.

Everyone agrees that the chance of another box of children's books breaking open in MD on that day is slim to none. If the person up there had done his job all of this could have been avoided. Of course if I had used UPS ....

I am on my way to the post office now with the above list. She said they will immediately begin a search when it is received. Thank you ALL for your notes. I am trying to remain positive. c

trailrunner,

Thanks you for that info. on the authors and books to get started with for my grand-daughter.
I think you have given me enough info. to go to amazon and start buying.
Thanks for taking the time to answer and I really am hoping you get the results that you are hoping for.

lyban , you are most welcome. Let me know and I can tell you some more authors that are reliable. You can always get an Caldecot award winner and those are always very very good.

I went to the postoffice this AM. My postmaster called the Atlanta MRC and got the fax number and faxed the form and list...he then insisted on sending the hard copy registered/return receipt and the USPS covered the cost. His biggest concern is that my box was sent Media Mail and in his words that is treated as if it is trash if it comes open. He said that if the person watching saw the loose books on the conveyor belt he/she should call their supervisor but there is no telling if that happened. It depends on how conscientious the employee is. So we shall see. c

Trailrunner...I will look and see if there are doubles of any of those books in our collection. (we own many of them!)

Melanie

Melanie that is very sweet of you...do not want to put you out. Thank you for your generosity. c