I’m getting to be an old grouch. Seems like every time I turn around something else goes wrong. I live in an apartment building and the tenants pick up their Mail from mailboxes that are located next to the elevator in the garage.

For the past year, I’ve turned the key in the lock and — voila! — there is my mail. Until yesterday. My key stopped half way in and I couldn’t make it budge. I tried my spare key and even used WD40 thinking that might help. No such luck.

I learned to my dismay that the U.S. Post Office (USPS) won’t give me my mail.

Give Me My Mail!

I pasted a note on my mailbox in big red letters, “Postman: My key won’t work. Can you help?” The note was still there this morning (so much for a tip at Christmas). So I hopped in the car and drove to the post office.

I explained my problem and was told that possibly a new tenant moved in, requested the lock be changed and the post office locksmith made a mistake. OK, things happen. So, can you send someone to fix it? Today is Wednesday and their locksmith only changes/fixes locks on Wednesday and he was already done for the day. I’ll have to wait until next Wednesday to get the lock fixed and access my mail. What?!

Where is the vaunted service the post office brags about? I checked the USPS website and not a single thing about this problem. To add insult to injury, I can’t pick up my mail at the post office while I’m waiting for the lock to be fixed. I would have to stop home delivery, but then I would only be allowed to pick up my mail ONCE during this period. Am I having a bad dream?

Is This Good Customer Service?

I have to wait a week for my lock to be repaired and if I stop delivery I’m basically denied my mail. What the heck is going on?

The agent behind the counter tried to be helpful, “Why don’t you wait around for the postman and when he arrives to deliver the mail, ask him for yours.” I live in Florida and it’s 90 degrees — hot and humid and, based on my observations, the postman usually shows up within about a two-hour window. That would be fun, to stand there sweltering for the privilege of getting the mail that the post office owes me.

USPS reported a net loss of $5.1 billion in FY 2015. Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan reported that revenue was up but, “To maintain this success we will need to continue our efforts to grow the business and drive operational efficiencies.” That’s word speak for “we’ve got to cut expenses.”

Too bad they can’t afford to send a locksmith so I can get into my mailbox. I don’t know why I’m so upset: most of what I get is junk mail. But it’s MY junk mail.