The Post Office threw out my oil sample

[White Fang]

First post! After learning a lot on this board I decided to do a UOA on my car. I ordered two kits from M. Sparks - great service too.
I took the sample and threw it in the mailbox - mistake. Two days later I get a "Contents found loose in the mail" msg from the PO. They returned the data sheet inside it and nothing else. I went to the PO and they said they apparently threw everything away and then found the data sheet and returned it to me - sorry about that.
Has anybody else had this happen to them? What do you do to avoid it? I am thinking of not using prepaid kits anymore and sending the analysis in UPS.
The most irritating thing was nobody seemed like they cared. I filled out a form to get the sample back, but they said it probably would not work.

 

[Bio-T]

My suggestion is to take the sample inside the post office and tell them it is an oil sample. The second thing that I recommend is when you take your sample, if it is a total change, use a glass quart jar and fill it 3/4 full. Use a Mason jar or old mayo jar. Make sure they are clean and dry first. Pour enough of the oil for the sample in the bottle and mail. Save the rest. Then if you have an unusual happening, as you have, all you have to do is mail in another one from the glass jar. If all goes well, dispose of the used oil properly and clean for the next sample. I have recommended this before and got a few snickers from a few people, but until it happens, you won't understand the value of my recommendation.

[ August 30, 2003, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: 59 Vetteman ]

 

[Al]

Sue 'em

What happened did the box come open or something??? What I do is take that clear nuclear grade clear tape and make it so they would need a chain say to get to it. Bummer

 

[Dan4510]

Our government in action...

Dan

 

[CJH]

quote:

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Originally posted by 59 Vetteman:
My suggestion is to take the sample inside the post office and tell them it is an oil sample.

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I always take it in after hours and drop it in the slot. That way you dont have to deal with the idiotic bureaucracy in action! Have never had a problem.

 

[Fred Bear]

I use stamps.com and print my postage and mail it from my house.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

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Originally posted by White Fang:
Two days later I get a "Contents found loose in the mail" msg from the PO. They returned the data sheet inside it and nothing else.

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I've had a couple LOST

1. Are you using the older cardboard tubes?
If so, then tape or Glue(elmers - or such I use)
them in place.
2. Try to go to the new screw-on plastic containers.

I just put Two 80cent stamps and mail in at the post box, otherwise they wanna see some ID or give you a lot of hassle.

 

[White Fang]

This was the new plastic screw on container from Amsoil. Since I bought postage prepaid kits it had a business reply label on it, the type where the recipient pays the postage.
The PO said that after 9/11 they pull packages apart for inspection and since it looked like the contents could be flammable or explosive they tossed it into a big tub. Later someone went thru the tub and found the ripped off information sheet that I had filled out and returned that to me. The oil sample and mailer are probably gone forever. I filled out a lost mail form, but they said it was likely a waste of time.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

/

quote:

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Originally posted by White Fang:
--snip+
forever. I filled out a lost mail form, but they said it was likely a waste of time.

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I'd make sure I'd get a refund. They owe you a free shipment.

since 911 I usually place my name on the lid just in case: something like that happens or in case there could be a screw-up at the lab. Sometimes by marker and other times with a label.

One time the lab called me because there was some accident--- and about three ended on the floor
mine had initials and they asked me for my middle because there were two RA's there, donno what they did with the others |-]

 

[Jay]

quote:

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Originally posted by White Fang:
...The PO said that after 9/11 they pull packages apart for inspection and since it looked like the contents could be flammable or explosive they tossed it into a big tub. Later someone went thru the tub and found the ripped off information sheet that I had filled out and returned that to me. The oil sample and mailer are probably gone forever. I filled out a lost mail form, but they said it was likely a waste of time.

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With a post office like this, who needs terrorists? I sent my last sample via the USPS when they took more than 3 weeks to deliver it.

[ August 31, 2003, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: Jay ]

 

[cheetahdriver]

my empty (empty mind you) sample container from blackstone showed up in a hazmat container. got to love the post office.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Well, if the PO pulled it apart for inspection, you can't really fault the mailer design.

I've sent dozens of samples through the mail. Even with the new design, I usually tape the top on those I send--have no idea whether the guys who pick up the kits and take them home do.

To the best of my knowledge, none have gotten lost or tampered with.

 

[Bebop]

Oil samples are considered biohazard. So is any form of cosmetics. Somewhere there is a relationship between those two.

When I was working at the post office, I have seen lot of oil samples, some without labels and some are opened. They are mostly due to poor packaging.

When you send this stuff, make sure to tape the address, lid or any packaging real good. I don't mean with scotch tape

.

 

[1maniac]

I also got some crap from the USPS employees about sending in a UOA. I printed a copy of the following letter from Blackstone's web site FAQ section regarding how to handle the USPS. I asked that the supervisor read the letter while I was standing there in the USPS office and confirm or disprove what the letter says. 15 minutes later the supervisor said that she was sorry for the problem and, indeed, the letter is correct. Never had a problem since, not even a question when I drop of the UOA kit. Anyway Here's a copy of it: ************

Dear Sir or Madam:

The product being sent in our oil sample container is new or used lubricating oil. It is not hazardous, flammable, or toxic. The average flashpoint of used engine oil is 380F. Used transmission fluid or lube oil has an average flashpoint of 340F. The minimum flashpoint for all oils we receive is 250F. The postal regulations for Hazardous Material (DMM Issue 56 C023.4.3) indicate that:

"For air or surface transportation without restriction, if the flashpoint is above 200F (93C). Mailable combustible liquids must be properly and securely packaged to prevent leakage."

Our oil analysis kit consists of two HDPE plastic bottles, both with lined screw-on caps to prevent leakage. The white inner bottle (capacity: 120cc) should be placed in the plastic zip-lock bag. This bag not only prevents leakage by the inner bottle, but it also serves as packing material to prevent the inner bottle from being jarred during shipping. Should both the inner bottle and plastic bag leak, the outer bottle will contain any excess oil.

In the unlikely event that oil should actually spill from the black mailer, the clean-up procedure (as specified by MSDE Safety sheets for virgin and used oil) is to simply contain the spill and wash contaminated areas with soap and water.

If you have any questions about the samples being sent to our laboratory, please do not hesitate to contact me at 260/744-2380.

Sincerely,
Kristin Huff
Blackstone Laboratories
4929 South Lafayette Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46806-2211
Phone: 260/744-2380

[ September 01, 2003, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: 1maniac ]

 

[Bebop]

quote:

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I also got some crap from the USPS employees about sending in a UOA.

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I don't know why they have any problem with you. All they have to do is put it in a separate bin for transport. But, there are always some bone headed people working there. I have seen blood and urine samples clearly marked with a biohadzard label mixed in with the first class mails.

 

[White Fang]

The one good thing to come out of all this, other than an education, is the interest and concern by people on this board and by Michael Sparks and O.A.I (the lab).
Michael and O.A.I are bending over backwards to help me, even to the point of replacing the oil analysis kit. You are all a great bunch of people. I only wish I could say the same about our mail service.

 

[Chris 2421]

You folks need to quit knocking the Post Office!! If you saw how many parcels and items are sent packaged the wrong way or with loose items,you'd wonder how many idiots there are in the world.Dont send your UOA's and make them sound as if there is glass inside or send with oil leaking.All it takes is one of those UOA's to be broken and you have oil all over a bunch of mail.
Again 99% of the problem is POOR PACKAGING.
The Postal Service is NOT funded by taxpayer dollars.
Have a nice day.

 

[CJH]

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris 2421:
You folks need to quit knocking the Post Office!! If you saw how many parcels and items are sent packaged the wrong way or with loose items,you'd wonder how many idiots there are in the world.Dont send your UOA's and make them sound as if there is glass inside or send with oil leaking.All it takes is one of those UOA's to be broken and you have oil all over a bunch of mail.
Again 99% of the problem is POOR PACKAGING.
The Postal Service is NOT funded by taxpayer dollars.
Have a nice day.

---

I can't let this go. Why not knock the Post Office? It is an bloated, inefficient, beauracratic monopoly. They actually have laws on the books that local post offices are not allowed to be closed, even due to low business or consolidation. I think the term is "featherbedding". The post office looses money every year, yet they blow millions sponsoring bicycle races in Europe. Who do you think subsidizes these annual losses? It is the American taxpayer, of course! And the executives pay themselves huge bonuses every year in spite of the fact that they continue to loose money. SO how can you say the Post Office is not taxpayer funded.

Who said anything about UOAs leaking or sounding like glass? Did I miss something? The reports on here were that the clerks refused to accept them, or lost them in transit. I dont know if you ever had a UOA performed, but the lab sends a standard container.

And I am not even going to get into the number of post office employees that go beserk and start shooting people.

"Postal Service"is always given as an example of an oxymoron. I say "Let's knock the Postal Service!" Why not?

[ September 07, 2003, 07:59 AM: Message edited by: CJH ]

 

[Chris 2421]

You might want to take a closer look then...
The PO is eliminating positions every year.There have been several mgmt jobs that went away,the postal police is history and there have been several PO's that have closed.I know for a fact that most of the vehicles the PO uses are going on 10 -15 years of service.
The PO has lost some money in years past.However,when the PO does make money,(and they have in recent years)who gets to keep it?? Congress has been taking the profits that the PO has made for many many years.The clerks have refused oil samples due to POOR PACKAGING.Re-read what I posted earlier -Poor packaging is 99% of the cause.
As far as the bicycle sponsor,I really don't know who is responsible for that,although I tend to agree that it's wasted money.However I think the reasoning behind it is due to the PO having competition now.Poor choice on how to promote the PO,but not my decision.

The "number of PO employees that go beserk" comment was in very bad taste and uncalled for.The PO is not the only place this has happened at.

My last comment on this...
If you can make the PO run better,feel free to outline your suggestions and get them to the Postmaster General in Washington D.C.

Have a nice day.

 

[PaJohn]

Originally posted by Chris 2421:
[QB] Poor packaging is 99% of the cause.[QB]
Don't want to add to the controversy, but I have a question. I always thought the PO had to mail ANYTHING(hazardous items aside) that was properly posted. Even heard of folks putting stamps on an old sneaker and mailing it. Why would a suspected improperly packaged oil sample be thrown out?

[ September 07, 2003, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: PaJohn ]