I just had to say something... I will be the first to admit that there are some bad carriers out there... and some really good ones too.
I am a letter carrier in Oregon and I always try to do a great job for my customers, but I'm not perfect and I admit that I can make mistakes, even though I am trying to do my best. I'm human, and as with any other person in "any" job, I can have a bad day, not feel well or have some very important things on my mind, such as... family, bills, pets, appointments, cancer w/ a parent, remodeling, car accidents, schedules, etc...
This is the same in every job you come across (good workers and bad workers, etc.). Unfortunetly, it's the "Bad" apples that everyone remembers!
I am not making excuses for the lazy or bad carriers... there is no excuse for a problem to be ongoing or to have to continuously try to fix a problem... I just wanted to say that even the letter carriers with good work ethics that strive for perfection, are human and do make mistakes. If my customers talk to me I can usually help or fix things, but if I don't know about a problem or the customer waits 3- 4 months to mention a problem (yes, it does happen) I can't help or fix it.
I go out of my way to help my customers in any way I can... to make things easier for them. Some of my customers don't have vehicles, are elderly or are in wheelchairs, etc. and I've worked with them to buy their stamps, send packages and other special arrangements.
If a problem arises, the best thing is to talk to your "regular" carrier first. If you can't talk to him/her, then leave a note. If you don't have a "regular" carrier (and even if you do... "Regulars" have days off and vacations, so other people will work the route), you can tape a permanent note in your mailbox that states the last names that receive mail at your address... make it "BOLD" and add "ONLY"(underlined). I do this for my customers who shared the same house number, but lived on different streets (I have even seen two families of "Petersons" who lived on different streets, but had the same house number). Auxillery(Accessory) routes usually have the problem of no regular carrier, so there is a lack of consistancy and lots of delivery problems.
If the carrier can't help you, then speak to the supervisor and then the Postmaster... follow up with a letter if this has been an ongoing problem.
"Communication" is the key and when someone isn't listening... make them listen, cuz we all know that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
In regards to your broken screen door, definately(sp?) take action... take pictures, get your dated receipt from when you bought it(new? Right?) and write it down (include the date it happened and keep copies) and go in person to the station (as w/ anything, doing something like this face to face makes things work better and faster) and speak with the supervisor and /or postmaster.
Sorry about my ranting.