WHAT DO YOU DO IF THE PIGEON YOU HAVE MAILED DOESN'T ARRIVE?

Mailing birds through the USPS is difficult for me... I'm the first to admit it. The purpose of this thread is what do you do when the bird you have mailed or are waitng to recieve does not arrive.

After you have felt like you are going to vomit...after you have calmed yourself do this...


1.] Check the tracing number given to you when the bird was first taken to the PO and see if you can track the bird's where abouts on line. Once you can identify the last location where the bird was tracked, call that distribution center and ask to speak with the manager.

2] If you can't find a number for the distribution center, call or go to the PO where the bird was shipped from and ask the person with whom you made the reservation to find you the correct number to call. Do not use the 1-800 number. They are notorious for not have a clue, giving incorrect information, numbers and such. Think about it...when a package is lost, everyone calls the 1-800 number and so they are over whelmed...you must by pass them.

3] Once you have the correct number and the manager...be polite. Start the conversation with something like...Thank goodness I've reached you.
If the manager is on break or lunch, ask if he/she is in the building and can be paged. Always opt to be placed on hold, rather than get a call back.

4] Once you have the manager on the phone and you have told him/her that you bird is lost...you have said it's critical the bird be found because the bird has been without food and water, etc...the manager may ask if he/she can check into this and call you back. That's OK al long as you ask for him/her to be accountable as to how long it will be before you do get a call back. If you don't get the call back by the time promised...wait 15 minutes and call again.

5] Never berate or demean because this will get you no where and won't be of any benefit to your bird or birds to follow.

You may spend hours on the phone until the bird is located...don't give up ...it's part of the process.
Recently I was told that all birds are place in a temperature controlled room. I don't think that always happens.
Also, recently while speaking with a PO manager, I heard the back ground noise which made it very difficult to hear what I was being told. That noise must be terrifying to a bird in a box.

Charis.............I agree 100% with all your recommendations.

I have one thing to add:

Many times the online tracking system is not updated until late in the evening. You will not know where the bird was actually last delivered to.

Time is of the essence at this point.

If your bird is not delivered by the promised time......say 3:00PM.......immediately go to the post office where the bird was shipped and ask to speak to a supervisor/post master. The person receving the bird should do so as well by going to their main post office where the bird will ultimately be received.

The post office's close at 5:00PM and you need atleast that two hour time period for the person to tell you how the bird was routed and hopefully will be able to get you some contact phone numbers for the distribution centers which continue to operate after normal business hours.

Once 5:00 PM arrives, you are at the mercy of the 800 number system and your own resources in getting phone numbers for after hour facilities.......which is almost an impossible task. Being able to speak to the people at the distribution centers is esential in locating the bird, otherwise you will have to wait till the next morning for any further information.

I don't believe that the birds are kept in a temperature controlled space. That only applies when they are placed in an aircraft. Make sure the bottom of the shipping box is well padded with foam, and supply a warm piece of cloth such as fleece to act as insulation for the bird.

Above all you must be vigilant!!!! Never, ever leave the bird at the mercy of the system.

Try as best you can to remain calm. When a bird is lost or missing it is a terrifying nightmare for both the shipper and the receiver.

..Louise.
The PO may close at 5pm but the distribution centers are open 24 hours.

Charis...........I edited the post and hopefully made that clearer.

Louise

Jackie\'s Mom wrote:

Charis...........I edited the post and hopefully made that clearer.

Louise

I know, Louise. I think the PO wants folks to think that after 5pm, there are no more options and they cannot be reached, which is not the case at all.