It began back in July when I sold my home and moved into a rental home in Mather, CA (95655). Prior to moving we filed a change of address at the Elk Grove branch. As we were moving in I met the mail carrier for the rental in Mather, on July 31. We met at the ‘gang’ mailbox and asked which slot was for 4209 Aubergine Way. He opened the box and said we could either buy a new lock from the post office or exchange a lock that we purchased elsewhere. We did not have a lock at the time, so he locked and closed the slot. He said we may not see him again since many different carriers shared this route and delivered on a varied schedule. This is route #5 in Mather, CA.

No luck in catching a carrier even though I left a note. On August 6, I went to the Ranch Cordova branch on Olsen. Long line, longer wait. I spoke with three attendants and one supervisor and explained my predicament. All four offered me a slip to ‘fill-out’ and required a $50 fee to get me a lock and key. I refused and explained what the carrier had told me. I either wanted a key or for them to have the carrier open the box so I could install my replacement. I was told NO by the supervisor. The legal owner either had the keys or would have to appear, ‘in-person’, to get a ‘free’ replacement set. I left with no keys, no mail….

In speaking with the owner later that evening, my wife was told that he had NO keys (he purchased the home as a foreclosure) but would find the deed. The next day I encountered a different postman at our mailbox, but he would not allow me to exchange locks. But he did give me lots of mail either addressed to me our forwarded to me (incidentally, I was told the post office had no such mail; a lie???). His name was John and he told me to take the envelope with the USPS forwarding address to the post office and I should have no problem in getting the keys. Fat chance….

I spoke with the same supervisor as the previous day. I gave him the envelope with the forwarding address and asked for the keys. He said the carrier was again wrong and offered me that ‘yellow’ slip again. This time I said NO!!! Bring on the supervisor’s supervisor. He told me I didn’t own the property and was not going to get the keys. I went ballistic. No profanity, but I was loud. I left after he threatened to call the police on me….

I have never in my long life been treated like this. Poor customer service is a major reason the USPS is going bankrupt. Even yearly postage increases and, it seems, false advertising will not save this sinking ship. May the USPS RIP!!!

Sincerely,

Albert Hagemyer

I suspect the same dangers lurk for the SNB with this risky fixed rate policy.

Many vendors of MPT based investment planning tout 95% confidence levels for their predictions. In reality, it is probably really in the range of 75% to 90% over a lifetime.

So in general, it should be pretty good. Just be aware of that 10% to 25% chance of it not working out as planned.