The Sunday Paper carrier rant...........

[CathyA]

We get just the Sunday paper from a neighboring city. We live in the country. We are required to also get the Thursday paper with it, as a freebie........even though we don't want it. We have a VERY long lane down to the mailbox. Ever since we've lived here, there's been a special paper receptacle for this particular paper. Well, for about a year or 2, the paper deliverer has been throwing it out his/her window as they drive by. It doesn't matter if it's raining, icing, snowing, they don't put it in the receptacle.

I suppose this might not be a big deal, but with my leg problems, it's not always easy to drive down there and get out of the car to retrieve it. I have called the company numerous times, and they are apologetic, but for the most part, it's always on the ground. It is in a plastic bag, but still gets wet sometimes. And it's ALWAYS in a plastic bag, even in a drought. I do recycle them, but I'd guess the majority of people don't recycle them. Anyhow......I digress.

So, in today's week-before-xmas paper, there is a note from our carrier, with an envelope with her name and address on it. Hmmmm.........I'm supposed to give him/her money for xmas, when he/she can't even get the paper in the receptacle? (which then wouldn't even need a plastic bag).

I realize that it might be hard for them to stop at each rural mailbox and put the paper into the right receptacle, and it might wear on their brakes and use more gas. But dangit.......Tell us upfront to take our "official" receptacle down, 'cause it's not going to be use..........but no.

Yes, I'm ranting and rambling. I thought of putting a nice note in her envelope saying "We DO hope you have a nice xmas, and maybe we'll give you money next year, if you can get the paper in the intended receptacle."
Then I started imagining that she's poor and has several children and just can't make ends meet, and I felt bad about the possible note. But dangit, I'm not going to reward a job not well done.

I know this must sound like a First-World problem, but we don't have a garage and to get the paper, is especially hard in winter, when the the car is iced over and my arthritis is bad. The lane is about 1/5 mile long.

Anyhow........just curious how you guys would handle this. It just ticks me off that she put an envelope in there for money. I could write a note that says........."Here's your tip. Put the danged paper in the danged receptacle."........but maybe next week it would be scattered across the field.

What would you do? Yes, one option is just to not give her anything and forget it and just deal with the paper being on the ground all the time.

[iris lilies]

We dont give to the newspaper carrier. It changes all the time, anyway. Local delivery is crap, DH and two neighbors constantly contact each other to see who got a newspaper and when. They are all, of course, over 60 years old.

Two of these old curmudgeons (haha) refused to pay the "online access" portion of the newspaper bill for some years, unbeknown to each other. They are both cheap bastards from Iowa.haha. But now the newspaper charges just one fee, it no longer splits the primt subscriptin from the digital subscription.

[Tammy]

I'd cancel my subscription and get the online version. Even if it costs something - think of all the aggravation you'll be spared. And nothing to recycle.

[JaneV2.0]

I'm with Tammy.

[iris lilies]

I'd cancel my subscription and get the online version. Even if it costs something - think of all the aggravation you'll be spared. And nothing to recycle.
The broadside size of the newspaper allows content delivery that is a very different experience from a squeezed down, version presented on a digital screen a quarter of the size. While I no longer read the newspaper, I appreciate the ability scan large quantity of news in one swoop that a newspaper provides. I like scanning. But I am having to get over that with digital presentation.

DH enjoys his newspaper and I am not taking it away from him.

[Tybee]

The broadside size of the newspaper allows content delivery that is a very different experience from a squeezed down, version presented on a digital screen a quarter of the size. While I no longer read the newspaper, I appreciate the ability scan large quantity of news in one swoop that a newspaper provides. I like scanning. But I am having to get over that with digital presentation.

DH enjoys his newspaper and I am not taking it away from him.

When I read Tammy's answer, I thought yeah, that's what I would do. But you are right, there is so much to like about a real newspaper. We put our seeds out to dry on them; nothing better. We shred for the compost pile.

I have been thinking of trying to make paper mache rose cones out of the shredded paper we get as junk mail, since I saw some similar at the garden center. But have I bothered to do it? No, not yet.

But if walking to the mailbox was that much of an issue and I had a bad carrier, I think I would go digital and see if you missed the paper version?

[catherine]

I don't think you are obligated to give a tip if service doesn't warrant it. I give a tip to my mailman because we don't get our mail until late in the day just because of the way the routes are drawn, but if I happen to get a check (from a client), he identifies it early and brings it to me in the morning. THAT deserves a tip! We also tip our garbage man who has gone above and beyond taking all kinds of crap we've thrown out.

I say don't tip if you're not feeling it. Or, because I'm sure she doesn't know how difficult she is making it for you, give her a small tip, and then in January, see if you can catch her and ask her if it would be possible to put the paper in the receptacle because it's difficult for you to bend down. If she complies, feel free to give her a nice tip NEXT year.

ETA: I remember when my son was a paper boy he had one customer who we thought was a real PIA--an old lady that insisted that he put the paper on a bench on her porch. Despite his feelings about her that she was just an old you-know-what, he did what she asked and she wound up being one of his best customers and best tippers.

[jp1]

Although i don't read dead tree versions of any newspapers anymore I agree that it's a completely different experience, and one that I used to enjoy. However, if I had to get in my car and drive 2/5 of a mile just for the experience I don't think I'd care enough about the different experience to do it. Especially in winter.

As to the original question I think I'd just let it go and not say anything. The job undoubtedly pays poorly, puts wear and tear on the person's car and is probably the best the person can hope for or else they'd be doing something else. Or maybe it's a second job that they need to scrape by. But I also wouldn't send a tip.

On the other hand, if CathyA's life were a sappy christmas movie she'd go to the address, knock on the door, and meet the person. She'd learn some hard luck story like that the woman's husband was in a terrible work accident and can no longer support the family, they'd become best buddies, Cathy would invite them all over for Christmas dinner, tears would be shed, blah blah blah...

[Chicken lady]

You could also contact the paper, ask if what she did was allowed, and possibly get her fired.

but honestly, a tip is a reward for service, and she doesn't seem to be providing you any.

i once went to an all you can eat shrimp place where the server was supposed to keep bringing you shrimp. She came out, took our order, dumped a nearly cold pan of shrimp on our table (which we ate) and then ignored us. Even when we waved at her or called out. Since she was keeping other tables supplied just fine it didn't seem to be a restaurant plan to reduce consumption. It may have had to do with the demographics of our table.

anyway, we had to keep going to the door to the kitchen and asking for shrimp, which was brought by an assortment of people who were not our waitress. We left her two pennies taped to the table so she wouldn't think we just forgot to tip.

[razz]

I was getting a weekly news magazine, Macleans,delivered by mail and suddenly it was a carrier via a car who simply tossed it out a window. This change came about due to an impending mail strike. When they settled, it continued. i phoned up and requested a cancellation of the subscription due to the carrier delivery and often arriving wet, soiled somewhere on my driveway or lawn. Mail delivery was immediately restored.

My local paper is digitally delivered early in the morning via email at a very modest cost in comparison to the handheld paper which is still tossed out the car window. Neighbours' copies are getting run over when blown onto the street or wet or, at present, covered in snow.

Are you pleased with the quality of delivery for the weekend copy? Reward that modestly and stress the need to deposit the unwanted in the receptacle.

I wonder if the driver took on the delivery contract $$ with the guarantee of a minimum number of copies which include the unwanted paper? If so, complaining to the paper itself won't work unless you contact the party who organized the payment arrangement.

[iris lilies]

When I read Tammy's answer, I thought yeah, that's what I would do. But you are right, there is so much to like about a real newspaper. We put our seeds out to dry on them; nothing better. We shred for the compost pile.

I have been thinking of trying to make paper mache rose cones out of the shredded paper we get as junk mail, since I saw some similar at the garden center. But have I bothered to do it? No, not yet.

But if walking to the mailbox was that much of an issue and I had a bad carrier, I think I would go digital and see if you missed the paper version?
Exactly! How,would anyone ever be able to,complete papier mache' projects without the daily newspaper?

remember when city newspapers were robust businesses and there was a morning and an evening newspaper?

[sweetana3]

And remember when they actually had reporters who developed stories and reported news.

[JaneV2.0]

What do you suppose she'll do if you don't tip? Tuck some anthrax between the pages? THEN throw it on the ground?
I used to be an eager newspaper reader. But then again, I used to be an avid news watcher. I don't much miss either.
I'd try the on-line version for awhile.

[pinkytoe]

I read the daily paper online but perusing the Sunday paper with several cups of coffee is a ritual I am not ready to give up. I would not feel any obligation to tip in this instance. Sadly, it seems to me like many people today aren't terribly empathetic about what another's situation is so complaining probably wouldn't change anything. Perhaps the hassle just goes with the territory of living out in the boonies as you get older.
Time to move into town???

[CathyA]

What do you suppose she'll do if you don't tip? Tuck some anthrax between the pages? THEN throw it on the ground?
I used to be an eager newspaper reader. But then again, I used to be an avid news watcher. I don't much miss either.
I'd try the on-line version for awhile.

Sometimes out here in the boonies, people can be a little strange and do revenge things. speaking of which........we haven't had our mailbox smashed in awhile! Woohoo!

[CathyA]

I read the daily paper online but perusing the Sunday paper with several cups of coffee is a ritual I am not ready to give up. I would not feel any obligation to tip in this instance. Sadly, it seems to me like many people today aren't terribly empathetic about what another's situation is so complaining probably wouldn't change anything. Perhaps the hassle just goes with the territory of living out in the boonies as you get older.
Time to move into town???

Every time I would call the main office and complain they'd say "Well, don't forget the digital version". Like you, we like to sit with coffee and read it. And I'm a coupon clipper. haha We do use some of the black and white paper for fire starters in our fireplace, but you wouldn't believe the junk mail and un-asked for newspaper from the small town near here. I can fill a grocery sack full in a week. Anyhow........it does seem like people don't take pride in a job well-done anymore. One day I did find it strewn all the way down the road. Sometimes, even when it's in a plastic bag, when they throw it, it skids across gravel and gets torn open and then we find dirt inbetween the pages. Yeah.......this definitely is a First World problem, but what else could I complain about lately? :~)

[frugal-one]

Have you called the carrier directly and explained that you have trouble getting out of the car to pick up the paper and need it put in the tube?

[CathyA]

Have you called the carrier directly and explained that you have trouble getting out of the car to pick up the paper and need it put in the tube?
This is the first time I've ever seen the name. I'm planning on doing that. they change pretty often.

[Lainey]

And remember when they actually had reporters who developed stories and reported news.

That's one reason I maintain a subscription with our newspaper, the Arizona Republic. They are just now releasing a lengthy investigative report on the misuse of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for houses on the Navajo reservation which never materialized. Previous investigative reports were about such topics as current and future water use in our desert.
It takes time to research these news stories and I'm glad to throw in my few dollars a month to help with that effort.

[KayLR]

I work at a newspaper. Yes, one with actual reporters and writers who develop their own stories and follow up on breaking ones. Our product comes out every day, even Christmas.

I think here (our paper is locally-owned) if you called and said if your carrier didn't deliver your paper into the receptacle you would unsubscribe, they might take action. Probably not fire the carrier, because that would mean someone from the office would have to cover the route until a replacement was found. But they would probably call the carrier and light a fire beneath them.

Because, they really, really need subscribers and want to keep the ones they have.

Thank you to those who do subscribe to a newspaper.

[nswef]

I love reading the newspaper. We also are rural, have a box, but our carrier always gets it in the box. We may be the only people on our road who get the newspaper. We've had many different carriers, some good, some late, some missing, but never thrown on the driveway. Keep calling the newspaper...it might work.

[beckyliz]

We still take the paper. My husband has a habit of getting up at 4:30 or so, getting the neighbor's paper and putting it on his porch, then getting ours. WELL, we got a new carrier a few weeks ago and she doesn't get it to us as early! The world has tilt on its axis, as far as DH is concerned. We did get a nice note from the new carrier a couple of weeks back, explaining the job - she's been followed, trapped in driveways, etc. Not for the faint of heart, that's for sure! DH did call her once about a missing paper and she got it right back to us. I think DH has calmed down and is adjusting to the new carrier.

But, back to OP's problem - I think I'd send a note in the envelope something along of the lines of "Dear Paper Carrier - We hope you have an enjoyable holiday season. I don't know if the paper's management has communicated with you, but we really need you to put the paper in the receptacle at the end of the driveway that is designated for it. It keeps it dry and out of the elements for us until we can get it. Due to some health problems, getting the paper out of the receptacle is much easier for us than picking it up off of the driveway. We do thank you for delivering it in a timely manner. Yours truly, OP." Or something along those lines..

[CathyA]

That's a good suggestion on what to put in the note, beckyliz. Thanks!
I understand your DH's world being turned upside down for awhile. Funny how we get into comforting habits and it's really hard to adjust to any change in them.

[sweetana3]

Our paper was sold to USAToday, Gannett. Sad to say, it has become McPaper with little to no news and little coverage of anything local. I used to read it cover to cover every day.

[Simplemind]

We get both the paper and the digital version since they only deliver paper four days a week now. I miss it being every day and there really isn't much to it with the exception of Friday and Sunday. We use the actual paper for so many things and I prefer it to the digital version. No tip. Our mail carrier has an actual go out of her way, stop and chat with us relationship. She carries packages to our door and goes out of her way to make sure they are hidden from view.

[ToomuchStuff]

beckyliz's note, is so much better then my idea of sending the medical bill for wheelchair repair in the envelope. :laff:

For the ad's, but not the coupon's, there is a site called, salescircular.com, that I use to look at them when I need something. Covers a good chunk of it, but not all. (then can use individual sites)
They allow paper things at the mailbox, but not a trash can, marked for third class mail?