Job Discussion Forums

malcoml · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 215 Location: Australia

I have heard terrible things about the Russian postal system. Is it all true. A friend of mine lived there and received one in four parcels sent to him.
This my main concern as I wish to study if I go there and need textbooks to arrive safely.
Should I be worried, this is a deal breaker for me.

expatella_girl · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:11 am Post subject:

They have a 'system'? Confused

Katyusha · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 43 Location: UAE

Yes, there's a postal system and yes, it works. Believe you or not?

EMELIANN · Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Oklahoma

I think that everyone probably has a story about the postal system. Whether it "works" or not is pretty relative, and depends on your circumstances and what you are used to back home.

The two things that frustrated me the most were not universal to the system. First of all, I lived in a farily dumpy building - the mail boxes did not close so most of the mail that was put in the slots just fell out onto the floor, and the residents just left it there. Occasionally, I would see something that didn't look like an advertisement, and would take it out of the box - it was usually the water bill. That being said, I dont' recall seeing many other apartment buildings where the mailboxes wouldn't close or lock.

I had all of my personal mail sent to a friend's flat. The second problem I had, though, was that I wasn't very fluent in Russian. For instance, I once got a message in the mail - it took me a month before I figured out what it said (laziness, really). The message was to tell me that I had a telegram at the post office - the telegram at the post office told me that I needed to call customs - and customs told me that I had a package being held. Of course, they charged me for every day that they held it, so I ended up paying more to customs than the package was worth in the first place.

As to the ratio of packages received to packages lost - everyone will give you their own calculation of that (I lost 1 out of every 3). Personally, I found that I had more luck using a private parcel service - like DHL. Although they were expensive, I felt more secure using them - same as back home.

If you'll be living in a halfway decent apartment, and know Russian (or at least have some helpful friends who do), the problems I had won't affect you as much. If you are basing your decision to go to Russia on whether or not you can received textbooks in the mail, you may want to re-consider your reasons for going. Russia is not the land of "convenience" - you can try to work with the "system" they have, and consider it a cultural experience, or you can consider it a "deal breaker".

There are several options out there for mail - I truly hope that you won't let horror stories about the postal service keep you from going - regardless of their truth or not.

Confederate · Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Moscow, Russia

Sending mail and packages is no trouble, just takes two weeks to get a letter or package from Moscow to Albany, GA. Getting mail from Albany, Ga. to Moscow is another story, at least two months. Never send or have something sent to you unless it is registered and insured. I had some videos sent from home to use in a class and they never arrived, nor where they sent back.

Make sure who ever sends you something has your complete and correct mailing address. It it is wrong, it will sit in the post office unclaimed until a postal worked gets up the courage to claim it for themselves.

I have been here teaching for close to two years, only once did I not receive a package, but several times, it took, one month to three months before I received the package from home. Plus if you mail a package from here, it will be searched, so do not seal the package, wait until the clerk can look through everything and make sure you are not sending foods like black caviar, chocolate, or any item considered an antique. But for the most part my experiences with the Russian post office has been good, most packages delivered before I leave for class, I bet you never have seen a postal worked delivering a package to your door at 6:00 am. They do it here, at least in my district. Out side of it taking so long to get something from home, postal service is nit really bad here, need to send money home, just use Western Union or an inter-bank transfer. No postal system in the world today is perfect, the Russian postal service has problems with receiving mail takes so lone, and unregistered packages can be stolen, but take precautions and you'll have no trouble I think. I have been here 18 months now, and only one package that was not registered was stolen, all others I received after a two or three month wait. Russian postal workers are paid very low wages, so most do not go out of their way to do anything extra for somebody. But quite a few will go out of their way to help am person. But never send anything important unless it is registered and the same for things sent to you also. Also consider insuring things that might be of value, just as a precaution.
Confederate

zaneth · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject:

I've received all my packages and never had to pay any taxes (knock on wood), though I sweated every one. I'm waiting for a book right now that's coming from an organization in London, so we'll see how that one goes.

I've noticed a lot of people using the "acquaintance express" getting people who are travelling on business to hand carry things.

I've never gotten brave enough to simply order a book on-line, assuming that merchandise would get taxed heavily.

I wouldn't let THAT stop you from coming. There are better reasons for not coming...

bobs12 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 310 Location: Saint Petersburg

Zaneth! You sound so negative!

zaneth · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:26 am Post subject:

Yeah, there's a sort of pessimism here that can seep into your bones. It's like a hobby.

It's just funny for me, having been here a while (a little while, I know I'm no great veteran) and having weathered deep and significant (at least they seem that way to me) difficulties and struggled to comprehend everything and adapt my worldview and sense of self to it, to then hear people worried about the mail.

It's a legitimate concern, of course, I'm not belittling it. Just seems small somehow. So minor compared to the grand context of modern Russian reality (good and bad). The mail system is not what keeps me up at night. It's not what I will remember most about Russia if I ever leave. OK, I guess I am belittling it.

Yes, I am SOOO deep. I AM the quintessential self-absorbed expat.

This is your brain. This is your brain on the Moscow Metro. Any questions?

malcoml · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 215 Location: Australia

The postal system to me is the most important issue, coming before clean housing, toilets and good food.
The reason is if I enrole in a subject and my textbook does not arive then I have to do the subject without it. No textbook no readings for the subject, then a fail result. This result will then be put on the academic record. Even if I withdraw because the book does not arrive it is still classed as a fail result. For me cost is not important it could cost $200. I just need to know the book will arrive to Russia.

I just need my damn books to be there for the start of semester.
I bet many people in Russia have yelled that about urgently needed packages. I know I can send packages safely to Lithaunia as i have a friend there. It takes about two weeks from Australia.

expatella_girl · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:04 am Post subject:

malcoml, if I ever hear anything good about the Russian postal system, you'll be the first to know. I've been here a year and a half and so far.....nothing good has ever been said to me about it. Quite the contrary actually.

I've heard tales of 8 weeks for a letter from the US to Moscow, a friend recently spent all day tracking down a box sent to her from the States--they sent her to no less than 4 different post offices (and she speaks fluent Russian) with her pick up slip.

I don't know about othere towns, but here in Moscow there is the International Postal Service (IPS). I believe it is a private company. I know people who have used it and were satisfied with the service. But it's expensive. Mail can be a real problem here.

zaneth · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:39 am Post subject:

It might help your peace of mind to have the books sent earlier so you'll know they are here or will have a second chance to send them. If you don't have anyone else to send things to, let me know. I live in a small town and have a university work address. I'd be happy to help if you need it.

I go to Moscow regularly. I'd just ask you to pay any taxes that get charged.