posted on October 24, 2001 01:59:51 AM new
I don't know about anyone else, but I can't make eye contact with the other customers standing in line at the post office any more.
Surely there must be a better way of unloading my junk. I think if I just give up the valuable option of having my green DC receipt stamped, then I could drop everything at the counter without ruining everyone's day.
posted on October 24, 2001 02:08:44 AM new
When I'm in the post office, it is not people who have a lot of packages that annoy me. No, the really annoying PO customers are those who haven't packaged or labeled their stuff before they get there! They're *not* eBay sellers--they're just absolutely clueless people who expect the post office to have boxes of just the right size waiting for them, not to mention providing tape (they're surprised that it isn't free), mailing labels ("why aren't those free" ), and pens. These people also usually need the PO clerk's help to tape their packages properly. Seems like every time I go to the post office there are always one or two (at least) of people like this. If you're behind them & there is only one or two clerks working you want to whack them upside the head!
edited to remove an accidental winky
[ edited by bunnicula on Oct 24, 2001 02:09 AM ]
posted on October 24, 2001 03:36:37 AM new
Same here, but I've since found a solution to the problem. I either bring the newspaper which I normally don't have time to read, or my checks and money orders to add up for deposit. Funny how I usually can't finish either job before getting through the line!
OTOH, if I'm there with the kids, the wait drags on forever.... ;- )
posted on October 24, 2001 05:16:58 AM new
I don't know your schedule, or where you live, but have you asked your post office if they have a time of day when they're usually quiet?
I'm in a tiny town w/no mail delivery, so everyone uses the PO here. I go about an hour after the postmaster goes to lunch, and usually it's quiet (yes they actually close for lunch, but 3 miles away is another if one needs it and the lobby for the PO boxes stays open). If someone comes in w/a yellow card and just needs to get something that was too big for their box, I let them get it. It works out well, even at xmas.
I agree w/bunnicula (and so does my postmaster). The postmaster or clerk can process an eBay seller w/20 items faster than she can process one clueless person who hasn't done any paperwork.
posted on October 24, 2001 05:20:18 AM new
Simple answer - Use some form of online-postage. It's wonderful - no waiting in lines (unless it's going international or requires postage) - just put the packages on the counter. Priority mail has free delivery confirmation and dc costs 12 cents for media mail.
I use Endicia - the best money I've ever spent. They save me hours every month.
posted on October 24, 2001 05:23:31 AM new
Hello everyone. Very valid complaints. You are not alone. And the suggestion about a slow time is excellent. My PO actually told me LUNCH TIME is best. They think everyone thinks everyone else is running errands and so the traffic flow is light! ha.
Anyway, depending on your volume, UPS is a real alternative. I used to spend about 4-6 hrs in the PO (3 times weekly) and now, UPS picks up at my house! Admittedly, I ship a lot, but obviously the extra time affords me the opportunity to LIST MORE ITEMS!!!!! Anyway, that's my two cents. Yes, the break more stuff and I have to pack it much better than with the PO, but for packages over 4 pounds, they are cheaper and their policy for paying on insurance claims is simple and easy!
posted on October 24, 2001 06:06:59 AM new
What's WRONG w/you people??? You mean you don't enjoy:
Standing there for 20 minutes while grandma searches in the overnight bag she calls her purse for her grandchild's address because "she just knows it's in there somewhere" (Right, probably along w/the body of Jimmy Hoffa, too, if she ever got to the bottom of it).
Standing there for 20 minutes while Mr.BusinessMan concludes his teleconference w/Sri Lanka via cellphone instead of paying for the one stamp he got.
Standing there for 20 minutes with Super Mom w/3 running & screaming children who are trashing the post office because Mom's too busy talking on her phone about what Marge said to Mrytle.
Standing there for 20 minutes while the clerk explains for the 4th time the difference between express & priority to someone who's obviously never made a decision on their own in their life before.
Standing there for 20 minutes while some person asks to see EVERY stamp the post office ever made because they just have to have the "cutest" one for that baby shower invitation. And, the clerk never has enough, so they get to interrupt every other clerk to see if they have any, then exchange stamps & money.
Standing there watching the clerk wrap, package & address some item because the person was too busy (or clueless) to do it themselves.
posted on October 24, 2001 06:07:38 AM new
I don't really care about what the people in line behind me think. I don't care because I know I'll be redeemed when they see how fast I get all my packages processed because I know the system and have all the appropriate forms filled out ahead of time.
We all know that it's usually not the ebay sellers that hold up the line, it's the clueless people. I once got in line at the P.O. with an armful of packages. There was a woman occupying the time of one of the clerks from the time I got in line, made my transaction, and she was still there when I left. Her problem? The clerk had to walk her through the "Change of Address" form!
If you wish to avoid the lines in general (and who doesn't?), then shop around for your post office. There's a Federal installation near me that has a USPS substation where there's never more than a couple customers at once (and usually none). They can take any domestic package as long as it's not huge and I don't need tracking (insurance is fine). You might want to check govenment buildings, colleges, or other places in your area for these substations.
When I have packages that the substation can't take, I take them to a rural Post Office about three miles away. I used to take them to the big suburban P.O. about a mile away, but there is always a 20-minute wait there. The rural P.O. always seems to have a clerk to customer ratio of 1 to 1. So you may want to check some of the more out-of-the-way Post Offices in your area - the extra time saved is worth much more than the extra miles (which you can claim as an expense anyway).
posted on October 24, 2001 06:11:52 AM new
Eventer,
Thank you for the laugh! (You do realize of course that you're going to get slammed by moms everywhere right?)
I think next time I complain about having to drive 25 miles just to get lox, I'll remember your PO post to justify partially why I've chosen small town life.
posted on October 24, 2001 06:24:08 AM new
I get on really well with my PO staff, it's a smaller local outlet[in UK]. As long as I clearly mark my parcels with method of posting and have any forms prefilled [eg international recorded] they don't mind me dropping them off and then coming back the next day to pay. Works great for everyone involved, I save loads of time whilst there are no impatient grannies behind me tutting under there breath because they think I'm going to be a long time - although probably not as long as them!
posted on October 24, 2001 06:29:31 AM new
There is a better way of unloading your junk doormat
In fact, there are a couple of options.
1. Sign up with an online postage service, and a private insurer for packages that require insurance.
If you don't ship enough to make that worthwhile:
2. Print out the FREE e/delivery confirmation from the USPS web site. Eliminate those little green forms that have to be scanned.
With online postage, private insurance and e/DC, you won't have to line up at the PO at all! Just drop off the packages at the end of the counter and leave.
posted on October 24, 2001 06:39:11 AM new
Wow!!!!!!!! where on earth do you guys live????? I live right here in L.A. Actually not far from Disneyland. No problem. All the Postal women clerks know me, and suspect I may be crazy. They always have plenty of time to chat at me and ask what I made a fortune on with the piece of junk I sold on e bay. Shoot they see the insurance rates on these packages. It is a wham, bam , thank you you ma'm deal. 20 packages and more sometimes is a walk in the park for us. (not at first) they use to run like ants when they saw my big ups type truck roll up.hahahahha. Now they head for the back room for the big long rolling cart. I hand $300.00 in postage and out the door. The ups factor, Insurance, Just wait till your claims exceed what they feel is normal. hahahaha. my last $325.00 claim was denied. They smashed an expensive telescope to pieces. Took them sometime to get back(they had their investigative team on it) claimed denied. Customer send it in a previously USED BOX. hahahaha. Yup, that was the reason no payout. so if e bay selling is a business not a hobby. that day will come, i will assure you. the numbers will happen sooner or later. ups gets about 30 to 40 of my business every month (packages) over 6 pounds is cheaper with them than the post office. Just my 2 cents and food for thought.
Best thing to come out of the USPS. This is FREE Delivery Confermation. Fill out the TO & FROM addresses and mark the day you are going to send it.
If you have Priority mail stamps put one on and you dont even haveto go in the Post Office Just drop off the package in a mail bin.
[ edited by firecracker on Oct 24, 2001 07:19 AM ]
posted on October 24, 2001 08:01:17 AM new
JACKSWEBB - What takes longer Priority Mail
or UPS ground?
I oppened an account with UPS
and I'm very pleased.
- They pick up(depending on your account)
- include insurance $100
- better tracking system(with delivery conformation it is > left post office ...
got to your house WOW)
- and I "think" UPS cares more about the packages.
posted on October 24, 2001 08:41:16 AM new
Boy, threads like this remind me why I love small town Nebraska. On a bad day there might be one other person at the PO when I go. The downside is the entire town knows when you get late payment letters, are having problems with an ex, and you don't dare order anything nasty unless you don't care who knows. LOL! Anything private I usually take to the "big" city of Ogallala where I seldom have to wait either. I do wish our PO would upgrade so I could get those nifty receipts with the zip, amount, and date printed on them. In town all I get is adding machine tape with a date stamp.
Loved your post Eventer!! My daughter goes with me quite a bit but is well behaved and the PO always has candy for her.
posted on October 24, 2001 09:25:10 AM new
Lunchtime is the WORST time to go to the post office. Everyone is there, but there is usually just one or two clerks because the other clerks are at lunch!
I love the Seal Beach post office because they have a take-a-number system. I park my car, run in and grab my number, and relax listening to music in my car while I wait for my number. I can see the number screen from my car.
I have my daughter check my post office box while I am at the counter, so she has something to do.
posted on October 24, 2001 09:57:11 AM new
EVENTER: guess where those customers go when they get done at the PO??? MY bank....and end up in THAT line in front of me!!!
Well, not all of them.....the lady with the herd of cookie crunchers comes to my B&M antique shop and turns them loose while mom "browses"......AAAAGH!!!
posted on October 24, 2001 10:24:43 AM new
thepackratsattic,
And after they leave the bank, they get in front of me at the grocery store. Usually in the 10 & under line with a shopping cart groaning under the sheer volume.
Mom is now on the phone to Myrtle about that hideous purple outfit that Marge wore to the PTO last night, has forgotten 5 items she "meant" to add to her shopping cart, has managed to pick up the one item on the shelf w/o a price sticker & has suddenly discovered she's out of checks and left her credit cards in the car.
She has Grandma with her who's back looking through the bottomless purse for any spare change to contribute. The kids have eaten their way through 2 bags of cookies and are arguing about what candy they want when they aren't rocking the bubblegum machines back & forth.
Yep, know this drill well.
Leaving now & will return this evening to see if my computer has been melted by the flames.
posted on October 24, 2001 10:35:49 AM new
Here are my suggestions:
1. First Class or Media Mail: Pre-stamp your package and drop it in the bin. You can buy $0.34, $0.57, $0.80 self adhesive and rolls of $0.23 for each additional ounce. Get a "First Class" rubber stamp to complete the package.
2. Priority: Buy a self-adhesive $3.50 and drop off packages under 16 oz. in the bins.
3. International: Have all forms filled out. Invest in a "Par Avion / Air Mail" rubber stamp. If you're nuts like me, use your printer to fill in the Customs CN22 form including the signature and date!
posted on October 24, 2001 10:47:52 AM new
Doormat
"I think if I just give up the valuable option of having my green DC receipt stamped,"
You probably haven't visited to PO in the last couple of days. You no longer have that option. Do to new regulations, they no longer use a stamp on any mail including delivery confirmation receipts.
posted on October 24, 2001 10:57:11 AM new
Mine got stamped too!!!
I use a tiny post office that gets really busy cause it is close to the Canadian border.
I've got a system worked out that speeds me along once the clerk is serving me. When she removes one package from the scale, I put the next one on it and tearing off the DC form just before and putting it in front of her. When we're done she has a little pile in front of her that she stamps. I get a big thank you everytime I visit and compliments on my organization.
posted on October 24, 2001 11:08:06 AM new
Oooh! Oooh! I have one to add to the "20 minute wait because..." saga!
Standing there for 20 minutes while the clerk has to repeatedly explain "No, you cannot pick up your UPS package here, we are the USPS." Customer: "But can't you just give it to me anyway?" Clerk: "UPS is a totally different company, we don't have your package, you need to go to their location here _________ to get it" Customer: "But I got a notice that said you have my package" Clerk: "No, you got a notice that the United Parcel Service has your package. We are the United States Postal Service" on and on and on and on....
posted on October 24, 2001 11:24:24 AM new
Eventer and Zazzie,
It could be just the POs in this area. That's what I was told yesterday and none of my receipts were stamped. They also have switched to stickers instead of stamps on international mail.
posted on October 24, 2001 12:16:17 PM newInvest in a "Par Avion / Air Mail" rubber stamp
Or you can ask for the free blue and white stickers from the postal clerk. That's what I use. Just make sure to put one sticker on one side and flip the package over and put another sticker on the other side.
BTW, one of the last times I stood in line at the PO was right before school started, so I had both my kids with me. Joy.
And some guy was trying to bypass the line (it was unusually long that day) and get instant service, but whatever he needed/wanted was something that he had to go to a different window for (not the standard windows). Then he got ticked off because someone wasn't coming from the back to service him fast enough. He started to complain loudly about the lack of special treatment. Everyone else started looking at him kind of weirdly.
And the straw that broke it for him was when he could no longer stand to listen to my kids, who were amusing themselves by blowing on their arms and making loud fart noises. So he made a (final) loud remark about it and stormed out of the PO without getting whatever it was he wanted.
A few people started to giggle and were quite happy he left.
posted on October 24, 2001 01:44:20 PM new
IBStitchin - my post office doesn't have the feature either, with the zip codes. I would love that! The postal workers are very nice to me (I've encountered one rude one who was a substitute) - when I walk in they say "here comes the eBay lady!". They ask how things are going, they talk to my daughter's and always have lollipops for them. There is even one particular postal clerk that I will wait in line for to go to if she's working because she's so nice to us.
It's the people in line who drive ME crazy...
the ones who see you getting out of your car with 2 garbage bag fulls of packages to mail. The ones who drop all the coins they find trying to hurry and put their money in the parking meter to try and beat you into the PO. The ones who are 60 years old and using canes that try and make a mad dash into the PO to get in line a head of you. The ones who won't open the door for you or hold it open because they HAVE to get ther in front of you. The ones who make it behind you who stand there and bore holes in your back because you are making them wait. The ones who sigh and heave and ho because you are chatting with the clerk as they work.
I love going to the Post Office It's always fun to go when it's busy Pisses more people off!
posted on October 24, 2001 02:02:27 PM new
Boy, I'm glad I'm Irish!
All I have to do with my mail is buy my stamps ahead of time, check my postage rate from my postage chart at home, put my stamps on the parcels and pop em in the mail box located in the lobby of the post office! No need to Q unless I want insurance (which is very rare). Smaller parcels such as CDs (which I sell mostly) just go into the post box on the street! No worries! Hassle free and a quick delivery time as well. In fact, many of my buyers tell me my parcels arrive faster than the ones mailed from their own country (usually USA)!
