To the Editor:

I have recently read your article in the East Penn Press newspaper. I can relate to “United States Postal Service is not my friend.”

I will never trust my package to the United Postal Service ever again.

I have learned my lesson pretty quickly. I understand they are busy and especially busier around the holidays. However, they can be honest and tell you upfront when you are paying a lot of money to ship something, that no way is it going to arrive to the destination that they imply.

Here’s my experience. I mailed a medium size box with fresh cookies, Christmas tea towels and cookie dish, along with a few other small items and Christmas gift cards for my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and the two exchange students that live with them. The package was going from Bethlehem to Orlando, Fla.

I mailed it Dec. 12, 2020. I was informed it would arrive either Dec. 15 or 16, 2020. For the amount I paid, that seemed possible. Nowadays you can track your package; however, I found that to be very frustrating because it tells a little too much.

My package arrived at the post office in Philadelphia, Dec. 21, 2020. Not sure why it took nine days to get to Philadelphia. I could have walked it there quicker. Then it sat there for a week. By now the cookies are garbage.

Finally it left Philadelphia and made it to Orlando, Fla, Dec. 31, 2020 and to my brother’s home by Jan. 2.

After hearing the horror stories from others, I guess I was pretty lucky. It only took three weeks to arrive. I told my brother to keep the gifts and throw out the cookies. I then made fresh cookies, sent them UPS and they arrived in three days and the cost was less than what I paid at the post office.

I knew it wouldn’t make a difference; however, I did make a visit to the post office in Bethlehem on Wood Street regarding my package, when it was still in “transit” (if I ever see “in transit” again, I could just scream). Anyway, I was then informed Dec. 21, 2020 that the date on the receipt states “expected delivery” not guaranteed. However, I was told to my face that it would get there either of those two days the following week.

I then asked why it took nine days to go from Bethlehem to Philadelphia. I was told “its because of COVID” Everything is COVID, COVID, COVID, COVID.

Sorry, COVID is not new. Poor excuse. No refund from USPS. That’s just the way it goes.

I have sent several packages since Christmas to my brother via UPS. Let me tell you, the guys and gals in brown, they are the BEST. Delivery in three days and no need to be stressed. So, I feel your pain. Live and Learn. Anything important, DON’T RELY on USPS!

Athena Joseph

Bethlehem