USPS HAZELWOOD, MO MAIL DISTRIBUTION CENTER HAZELWOOD Missouri

 My name is Ely Samuel. My location is New York, NY (((REDACTED))). I am a rather casual seller on ebay. I also sell directly to clients via paypal website. I am creating this report because it seems rather obvious that there's a problem with mail theft in the state of Missouri. After filing a complaint with USPS (Unfortunately, the package did not quality for a claim since I didn't use Priority Mail/and or insurance) on May 2016, for USPS tracking label: 9402109699937755062210. Weeks later,  I received a letter from the Hazelwood, MO distrubution center stating that the label was recovered but the missing contents (gift card & coupons) of the package wasn't. How come I received a letter from Hazelwood, MO when according to the information for the tracking number, it never left New York, NY 10199 location?  Although the destination of the package was heading too:

Mary Coleman

(((REDACTED)))

Potosi, MO (((REDACTED)))

This raised a red flag for me.  Neverthelesss, the letter of apology suggested to fill out a form and send it to the Mail Recover Center in Atlanta, GA 30378.

    On July 13, 2016, I received a letter of apology from the Mail Recovery center with a reference search Id#346322 stating that the package has not ben recovered as of yet and if the package is retrieved; it will be forwaded to the address I provided on label. That case went unresolved. I went ahead and refunded the buyer for this transaction ($110) and suffered the financial loss on this one. Unfortunately, In my innocence, I dealt with this client earlier this week.

      On July 19, 2016, the buyer went ahead and made a purchased from me again. This time I mailed out the package via First class mail but with signature confirmation (totally useless, but at the moment I thought it granted some reassurance of delivery). I even wrote the addresss with the use of marker and in big lettering so that if the label were to be missing again; they have an address on the envelope. The contents of the package was worth much more this time around; $180.  On July 26, 2016 (today) I filed yet a complaint with the USPS because I perceived the mishap was going to occur yet again; after seeing no progress of the package the past 48 hours. I opened a case with the USPS (HQ129281918) today because the package had a delivery date of (7/26/16) and according to the information of the USPS tracking label: 9402109699937755062210,  the package never left the New York, NY 10199 facility. At this point I was very concerned. Began to think all kinds of conspiracy theories. 1 of the 2 of them had to be correct:

1. Post office in your particular area is negligent and is mishandling packages 
2. The recipient may be affiliated with someone from inside the post office who is 
intercepting packages from within

   Its very hard to call this one but after looking up some information on line on the Hazelwood, MO mail facility, I came across very helpful information. It furthered my belief that the recipient may be in cahoots with a postal service employee. The recipient is very passive about this matter and it seems like I'm the only one dealing with the hardships (Hopefully, paypal seller protection would consider this report if a case is filed by buyer.) I may not be 100% certain but after reading the entire article and reading the reviews online for this particular post office; I felt I was in the ballpark so to speak. There's a very large number of packages missing at this location. There was also arrest made for several fraudulent postal employees too.  This information can be retreived online if you copy & paste the link here : http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hazelwood-postal-employees-accused-of-stealing-packages/article_7d570a58-0229-537d-93ba-9d6d4c9720d4.html

      Earlier today, (7/26/16) I waited nearly an hour to speak to a USPS representative and was then redirected to USPS consumer affairs division (816) 374-9186 which is based in a neighboring state of Missouri. I was told that I should've used not only signature confirmaiton but insurance as well. So me and a million other people who mail letters and packages to Missiouri should use these services; all the time when mailing to this destination?? The personnel was not trying to acccept the concept that there may be malpractice by employees rather alluding to packages being damaged on route. I was told that I would have to wait 15 days or so before a determination is made on this case. All I can say for now be careful mailing your packages not so much to the state of Missiouri but if your package has to be processed by the Hazelwood, MO facility make sure its insured. I don't expect this location to be installing cameras in the mail room anytime soon. Possible fraud & theft at this post office? I most certainly believe so.