USPS changed postmarking rules on Dec 24

[Tradd]

Since there's a lot of folks here who still do things like pay bills via mail, the USPS has changed its postmarking rules, effective Dec 24.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/12/30/us-postal-service-changes-postmark-rules-what-to-know/87960162007/

[iris lilies]

Oh yeah, the US Post Office in its effort to slim down operations is becoming less and less of a useful service to the average citizen. In our tiny town, until very recently, we had a separate outbox for in-town mail. Those pieces of mail never left our tiny town.

Now they are shipped to a place a few counties away and sorted, and come back to us. Takes three or four days.

The day I trust the US Post Office with any sort of ballot will be the day I’m incapacitated beyond all measure. I’m not saying it can’t happen or it won’t happen, but I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen.

At least the Post Office employees here in our local post office are lovely people. Such contrast between here and the big city rude stares I got from those service people whenever I went in. And then there were the times that my ridiculously old lady garden club national rules required a complex mailing operation and my city Post Office didn’t understand it, so I had to go to the regional one to accomplish that job.

The complex thing has to do with handwritten tests that have to be transported via US mail and go through several sets of hands for grading and accreditation. The tests are always answered in pencil because they are laborious points to make, and all of us test takers erase several times during testing. None of that photographs decently, so we can’t transmit completed tests electronically from a Screenshot.

[Tradd]

Maybe this will get the procrastinators off their butts. I’m on permanent mail in ballot. My knees hurt too much.

[iris lilies]

Maybe this will get the procrastinators off their butts. I’m on permanent mail in ballot. My knees hurt too much.
For the last election, I did in person voting early, at the courthouse.

Won’t be trusting post office. It is shockingly inefficient. At least once a year there is a huge mishap of A mailing either from me or to me.

[Tradd]

For the last election, I did in person voting early, at the courthouse.

Won’t be trusting post office. It is shockingly inefficient. At least once a year there is a huge mishap of A mailing either from me or to me.

It literally doesn’t matter when or how I vote in person. The walk kills my knees. Shopping at Aldi (small store) destroys my knees.

[KayLR]

We don't even have any polling places I don't think. We have drive-up ballot boxes outside the courthouse.

We have a family-owned shipping store downtown and if I have to mail any package I take it there before the PO. They're super friendly and efficient. I had to send in a gold work embroidery project for evaluation and the guy looked at my packaging, took it apart and made it so much neater and compact and safe to ship. No extra charge either.

[Tradd]

I now refuse to put any checks in the mail now. Just for shits and giggles, I tried two checks from bank bill pay to my church. Didn’t find out until recently that both got lost in the mail. 90 days uncashed, the bank gives you back your money. That’s the only way you know. Several others from church have had the same issue. There’s a donation portal that has a small fee if you pay from your checking account, which is how I pay my regular donations now.

[iris lilies]

I now refuse to put any checks in the mail now. Just for shits and giggles, I tried two checks from bank bill pay to my church. Didn’t find out until recently that both got lost in the mail. 90 days uncashed, the bank gives you back your money. That’s the only way you know. Several others from church have had the same issue. There’s a donation portal that has a small fee if you pay from your checking account, which is how I pay my regular donations now.

this screw up rate of the post office is pretty horrifying these days.

[Rogar]

About once a month the carrier delivers my mail to the neighbors address and he brings it over. That's the only problem I've ever had. I pay most of my bills by mail, especially after someone somehow used fake information to apply for credit in my name. i know the name of my postal carrier and sometimes exchange pleasantries when he delivers mail, which is a plus.

[iris lilies]

About once a month the carrier delivers my mail to the neighbors address and he brings it over. That's the only problem I've ever had. I pay most of my bills by mail, especially after someone somehow used fake information to apply for credit in my name. i know the name of my postal carrier and sometimes exchange pleasantries when he delivers mail, which is a plus.

I seldom get incorrect mail delivered to my home or have my mail sent to someone else. It’s the mail that disappears entirely that is problematic. One thing I sent last year in late April. It did not get to the recipient until July. It was first class. There were no marks on the envelope no tears, nothing to indicate why it was in transit for months.

now, when someone tells me they mailed something to me and I don’t get it, I believe them.

our local mail carrier here is fine. In the city of St. Louis, we had the best mailman on the planet for 25 years. then he retired and it was pretty much chaos after that.

I just heard a tail from the garden club lady saying she had sent something registered mail, tracked,. it was never received after months.

[rosarugosa]

I don't really have complaints about the USPS service around here with one exception. There is a branch PO in Lynn right beside the Market Basket where we shop every week. This was a great discovery for me, so convenient and no lines or waiting. That is, until early 2025 when staffing was cut and then there was always a line.

[Rogar]

A previous carrier had ear pieces and was always conversing, I assume via cell phone. I understand the rule only allow them to use cell phones on breaks. He did ok, but I suspect that could cause some errors. While I've never had a problem, I walk anything I'm mailing containing a check into the local branch building rather than use the big blue drive up boxes.