I work as a rural carrier and after reading your posts I don't think the answers you're getting make any sense.
If it was shipped USPS it should not arrive on a pallet dropped off by either UPS or FedEx. How we get our parcels from those companies and how we scan them has nothing to do with your parcel. (I'm assuming it was shipped USPS because you checked tracking information with USPS).
The parcel being scanned delivered early is a red flag. Some sloppy or careless carriers will scan all parcels as delivered when they're putting them in order before loading the truck. On a normal day I'm loading at 9-930 am. We're not supposed to scan that way but some of the terrible ones do. Your Postmaster should be able to tell from a scan report.
I don't know if I could remember every parcel I ever delivered, but if it doesn't fit in the mailbox then I have to find a safe place to keep it out of the weather, away from curious eyes, and then I fill out a 3849 form to tell you where to find it. After doing that I'm pretty good at remembering where I put a parcel.
It might be different in my district, but where I work there are no extra scans involved if a parcel goes to the wrong route and is handed off. If I get a parcel for a different OFFICE, the clerk scans it as MISSENT and it goes to the correct office. If I get a parcel for R1, I hand it to Kathy and she delivers it. There's no scan. If it's accountable mail (certified, insured, etc) I hand it to the clerk, and the clerk hands it to Kathy. Again no scan.
The carrier pointing to the house across the street is trying to make you feel not alone, and also to deflect responsibilty from herself. Maybe it's the garbage guys. Might be kids who are off school right now.
Postmasters don't have trouble getting information. I doubt if your Postmaster has heard that there is a problem. It might be time to call the PM directly. You could also file a complaint
http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usp...nquiryType#top and the Postmaster or a Supervisor will have to respond.
Sorry for the long-winded post, I hate to see bad service from USPS. All we have to offer is service and so many forget that.