After this happened I did some searching on the web, and happened to talk to some other (former) customers of other MBE branches, and I talked with a postal clerk I know. Here is some information that might help if you are having problems getting your mail. None of this is scientific, proven, or endorsed by anyone. This is based on anecdotes that I have heard. If you have more accurate information to add, please let me know.
First, if you aren't getting your mail and you complain to your MBE franchise, they might tell you that it's the fault of the post office, and you should contact them. They did this to me, repeatedly, even when I had a very clear discussion with Robert (the owner). He didn't take even one minute to investigate if there was some problem; he immediately said, "the post office is doing it.
This is hardly ever the case. I discussed this with someone at the Beverly Hills main post office and he said that they take all the mail for 9663 Santa Monica Blvd and put it into MBE's box. The post office doesn't even look at it or process it.
If you think about it, that's logical. If the post office were processing the mail, the post office would be able to do change of address from MBE addresses. They aren't able to, because they aren't processing the mail in any way. If it says "9663 Santa Monica Blvd", they don't look at anything else on it. I imagine that the post office has automated sorting machines that do this.
If the mail is being rejected, it's being rejected by MBE, not the post office.
If the mailbox isn't on the roster, MBE's staff will reject the mail. If your mail is getting lost demand to see the roster. If I had done this immediately when I saw that I wasn't getting my mail, I would have stopped the problem. Demand to go in the back room and look at the physical box itself to make sure the correct number is on it. If they won't let you, it's time for:
Switch to another mail receiving service.
