Coonr
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posted on July 22, 2002 10:44:44 AM new
Could it be that some postal clerk failed to recogonize that users of these services are considered "Identified Mailers"?
This will kill any large commercial package business the PO may have.
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on July 22, 2002 04:05:31 PM new
The USPS folks I have been able to reach today (this is the time of year most of them take annual leave) have no knowledge of this change in acceptance protocols. We did reach one of the high level managers in the Postage Technology Management group (PTM) -- the group that manages all postage meters -- and he hadn't heard of anything like this. We also reached one of the two USPS Inspection Service members who handle the FAA security liaison, and it was news to him as well. But he is checking further to see where this might have come from and will get back to us.
At this point, the *guess* is that this applies to STAMPED packages, and the PVI strip is now being offered as an alternative to the round stamp to signify "face-to-face acceptance" on stamped packages.
More as I find out...
[email protected]
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mustpar65
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posted on July 22, 2002 05:03:41 PM new
Hi Harry,
This is where the email I received came from:
[email protected]
The sender was identified as "SANTAANA CA PA"
The email was "signed" as follows:
Consumer Affairs
USPS-Santa Ana District
(714) 662-6215
Maybe this will help you run this down.
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bidsbids
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posted on July 22, 2002 05:12:04 PM new
Where's the logic in exempting the users of printed mailing labels from postal regulations aimed at protecting the security of the United States?
Wouldn't the terrorists use the printed label services to circumvent any fear of using the regular mail counter rules?
The identified users notation is a joke with the ease of gettiing fake identification these days.
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on July 22, 2002 05:12:16 PM new
mustpar65
That contact info will help immensely! It's too late to call today, but I'll call tomorrow AM.
[email protected]
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Coonr
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posted on July 22, 2002 07:30:37 PM new
The identified users notation is a joke with the ease of gettiing fake identification these days.
It may sound like a joke, but I am much more identifiable, than one of serveral hunderd postal customers serviced by the four clerks at my local PO.
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bidsbids
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posted on July 22, 2002 07:50:03 PM new
The terorist teams went to flight training schools, etc, etc. I think they could pull off registering at Stamp.com alright.
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Coonr
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posted on July 22, 2002 08:26:16 PM new
No doubt, and they can find a Postal employee to hand a package to. The point is a "identified mailer" is much more specfic than a zero strip or round date.
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NearTheSea
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posted on July 23, 2002 07:43:46 AM new
Has anyone else had problems at their P.O.'s with this (besides the first few posters) yet?
Is there anyone here that still is just dropping off packages at the Post office using one of the online postage services?
If it IS such a security issue, then why are they waiting until Aug 10th. Thats the part that I don't understand. You would have thought they would have implemented this months ago???
[email protected]
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Coonr
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posted on July 23, 2002 08:09:57 AM new
We dropped off packages at our PO at 5:15 pm yesterday. We will "deal with it" when and if it becomes an issue for us.
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richierich
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posted on July 23, 2002 11:12:12 AM new
My big city PO does not have a drop off dock. They have always made me stand in line if just to hand them my packages.
No drop off and run. Everyone waits on average 45 minutes. Nov. & Dec we are talking 2 hours of waiting.
And the word is that they maybe cutting the hours they are open.
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on July 23, 2002 11:51:48 AM new
The original Email came from a customer service representative in Santa Ana CA who was paraphrasing an EMail from the Santa Ana USPS FAA coordinator. Each USPS district has their own FAA coordinator which is a USPS employee.
I spoke with the customer service rep this AM and had her read me the original Email from the FAA coordinator.
The FAA coordinator's message clearly stated that this rule change was ONLY for stamped packages. She forgot to include that caveat in her Email to muspar65, and she further confirmed that they handle packages from "known mailers" (meter licensees) separately and that these packages do not require retail counter acceptance.
A series of calls to USPS HQ also confirmed that there is NO CHANGE in the acceptance protocols for *metered* packages. Metered packages > 1 lb can be dropped at the local Post Office back dock, given to your carrier, placed in a collection box (if it will fit), or placed in "business mail acceptance" areas which are in some PO's.
[email protected]
BTW, this particular rule change for acceptance of packages bearing STAMPS may only pertain to the Santa Ana CA district.
[ edited by harrywhitehouse on Jul 23, 2002 11:53 AM ]
[ edited by harrywhitehouse on Jul 23, 2002 11:54 AM ]
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Coonr
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posted on July 23, 2002 12:24:48 PM new
Thanks Harry.
richierich, my PO lets us just sit the on an unused counter, and they take care of them. Have you asked if you can just leave them somewhere out of the way?
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on July 23, 2002 12:38:22 PM new
RichieRich has really not been served well by her local PO. I've spoken with some of the supervisors there myself, and unlike the vast majority of PO's we work with, these folks don't seem to want to make it easy for package mailers. They seem like nice folks, but they seem bound up in local rules that aren't very "customer friendly".
We are still exploring options for her. One option is to move her licensed ZIP to another PO which actually is closer to her than her default PO (assigned based on her physical address during the initial signup). I've asked her to check with that PO to see if they will make her life easier. If they can, we can perform a simple operation here at Endicia which will associate her meter license with this new PO. The new PO will get "credit" for all of richierich's mailings.
This "change of mailing PO" can be done for any metered account. So if you have any type of USPS metering technology and there is a PO nearer or more convenient to use than your "default" PO, the postage vendor should be able to change this for you.
[email protected]
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NearTheSea
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posted on July 23, 2002 12:47:19 PM new
I was going to ask that of richierich also; we walk past any line (get dirty looks a lot  ) but then we put them at the end of the counter, where there is space. They do know us, but I've seen a lot of other people do the same thing. At the one I go to, there is always one end that is empty, sometimes both ends (of the counter)
Before doing this, we did talk to about 3 clerks and told them what we were doing. Once in awhile there is a clerk that doesn't know me, and will ask what I'm doing , but I think that has happened only once.
Harry thank you for that info! But one question, this may be dumb but what exactly do you mean by 'Stamped' packages, I realize that Endicia doesn't look like a 'stamp', so what your saying, its OK for the Endicia packages to be just 'dropped off'? Thanks!
[email protected]
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harrywhitehouse
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posted on July 23, 2002 12:59:41 PM new
By "stamped" packages, I mean a package which has US Postage stamps affixed (lick'em or the stick-on type). These stamps are "anonymous" -- they don't have a date, a PO of origin (as would a strip created by the retail counter clerk), an indication of where the stamps were purchased, or more importantly an association to a USPS-licensed meter holder (e.g. an Endicia user).
You will note that your Endicia account number is printed (along with some other numbers) in under your indicium. That links the package you create directly to *you*. That means the USPS has your complete physical mailing address, your credit card information, etc.. You are a "known mailer" to the USPS and that's why you can sidestep the window acceptance policies that have been the subject of this thread.
[email protected]
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NearTheSea
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posted on July 23, 2002 01:18:45 PM new
Great! Thank you!
I hope richierich can figure another way, or another PO that will help her make it easier
[email protected]
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mustpar65
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posted on July 23, 2002 01:19:17 PM new
Harry
That's good news, thanks for getting to the bottom of that issue. My email to the USPS specifically asked if the rule was applicable to online postage but they sent me the canned response for stamped packages. Is there some memo or document that we can refer to if the clerks still think that we're not allowed to drop off packages?
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rnaudit1
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posted on July 23, 2002 06:16:03 PM new
Gosh, I wish the USPS could get it together. My PO clerks have also told me that they will no longer accept drop offs with any kind of metered postage on it. And now they are also asking "Whats In The Box?" I have taken over 1000 Priority boxes in over the past 2 years and I have never been asked what I was shipping. I really was all set to sign up with Endica this month but now I think I will just stand in line for items under 4# and switch to UPS for over 4#.
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richierich
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posted on July 23, 2002 07:05:07 PM new
Yes, while sort of, there is an empty spot ot the end of the counter. But it is filled with advertizing garbage...AOL cd, some Popcorn thing, and other stuff. When super busy like Saturdays (I do NOT go then unless emergency) they sometimes have some there doing vacation holds and mail pick up only.
Once during the week they had a person like that, try to give them my packages..NO. They claimed they needed a ring stamp and they did not have one. Heck, they called out non money transaction and that what I am.
Anyway, today I ask if they were really going to change the hours. I got good news. They are not cutting back the hours there, althought several in Denver have gone to 9-5. This PO is not.
I has been told that I must give the packages to a clerk. I can not lay them down and leave. If they alound that the clerks would never get over there to pick them up and the pile would be all over. They would have to put a bin. Which would be OK by me.
Harry has been trying to get something resolved. I will talk on Wednesday with someone from that Harry has put in contact with me from the PO.
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bidsbids
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posted on July 23, 2002 07:42:41 PM new
My local post office branch is very small and there is no extra counter space for drop offs. The regulars dropping off packages are instructed to set the boxes by a door that is out of the clerks sight. I'd hate to leave packages there.
There seems to have been a major switch to UPS & Fed Ex as the people with packages are now few and far between. There are never any packages by the door. I would assume that Priority Mail use has dropped dramatically since June 30th.
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