posted on July 25, 2006 07:54:58 AM
The way to alleviate the problem is simple - print postage off your printer and order a package pickup. The only time I have to go to the PO is when I have an International package to mail. Even if all my mail is first class (which they won't pick up without have a priority package as well), I don't go to the post office. I drop it in a mailbox. If you don't have a printer, buy stamps. You can buy them in multiples of different denominations.
To me, there is nothing more frustrating than getting to the post office with one or two letters only to have someone take up 15 min to 1/2 hour of the clerk's time with a boat load of packages that she has to weigh individually.
I am so glad that I have a good working relationship with the clerks at my post office!
posted on July 25, 2006 07:57:30 AM
C'mon, Fluffy, she IS right. She's done us all a favor by ferreting out the facts. No need for insults this early in the morning.
posted on July 26, 2006 06:26:12 AM
Fluffy - I completely disagree with you on this one. There is NO postal regulation that limits the number of packages a person can bring in at one time. The postal employee was completely out of line, made up a regulation in order to a customer to their personal will and then continued the lie by saying they were having a copy of the non existant form sent to the customer.
I'm sorry but postal clerks are paid to do one thing... process packages. If they have a problem with that, they should look into a new profession. To say that you anyone should completely inconvenience themselves for no other reason than to bend to the will and desire of a person that supposed to be in the service business is ridiculous.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
People put their hand on the bible, and swear to uphold the constitution. They do not put their hand on the constitution, and swear to uphold the bible.
posted on July 26, 2006 06:28:58 AM
Maybe all Post Offices should consider an "express" line. In fact, the banks should also consider express lines. Wouldn't it be great?
posted on July 26, 2006 09:24:20 AMmade up a regulation
Even USPS Customer Service admits that some offices have and enforce this rule. And I have had it quoted to me by clerks in different postal districts, so it is not a local regulation.
I can't imagine why you would deliberately state something that is not true.
Maybe this topic would be better suited for "Mythbusters". There's a lot of evidence that many things that are commonly believed, are just not true. Postal clerks are not always the best source of information when it comes to USPS regulations (you'd think they would be... but they're not!). There is no written policy supporting this, and the AREA MANAGER of our post offices confirmed this with me. So, believe what you may, but you're wrong.
posted on July 26, 2006 10:39:59 AM
Area Manager. Ooooooh.
Look, I'm the last person on earth to believe that every postal employee has the straight poop all the time. Even the ones who've been around the longest get things wrong, particularly as it pertains to electronic postage and rates for eDC.
But all you have cited so far is hearsay and if I can be accused of making things up, so can you. If I can get a written statement to support the 10 package limit, will that satisfy you?
posted on July 26, 2006 10:45:18 AM
Just take your oldest slowest co-worker/friend to lunch with you. Let 'em do the 1st ten and you do the 2nd ten while they get back in line.
Oh, and have them turn their hearing aid off......
posted on July 26, 2006 10:48:50 AM
I don't defend fluffy much on these boards, but in this case, she has it correct. Like I stated earlier, the local postmaster can set a package limit if needed. I as well have seen it done at various branches, but only when the line of waiting customers is basically out the door.
Official USPS written documentation is what I've been asking for from the beginning... No one has been able to provide it, because it doesn't seem to exist. If anyone can provide me with such documentation, I'd be very interested in seeing it.
posted on July 26, 2006 11:10:42 AM
Got to agree with fLuff on this one to. Until I actually see it in writing I wouldn't believe it one way or the other. Postal rep's are great at "quoting" reg's that do or do not exist.
I also agree that the best thing to do in this situation is to work with your PO to find a sollution. Why piss them off?
I also highly recomend printing your postage online. It's a HUGE timesaver even if you don't use carrier pickup. When you take your packages into the PO you just drop them off. I myself rarely even have to go to the front counter. Unless I have International packages I just take all my Domestic packages to the back loading door, load them on a cart and ring their door bell. Someone answers the door and I roll them the cart.
If you use Vendio for post sale I would also suggest getting a Endicia postage account. That's what I use and it speed's thing's up even faster. I just click on the download postage information in the post sale for that item and it automatically opens Dazzle (Endicia's postage program) and all the shipping info is already filled in to include package weight and type of service requested. I pay for my Endicia postage with my PayPal debit card and get cash back to. Another nice thing about Endicia is you do not need to buy more than $10 in postage credit at a time. I think some of the others make you buy postage in blocks of $20 or higher if I'm not mistaken.
Once again I would just say to try to work out a sollution with your PO. Causing a fuss may end up causing more problems in the future.
1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
Thanks for your response. I do want to let everyone know that I have been trying to work with the post office. The area manager and I both agreed that none of the following options work for my situation:
1) I can't do online postage (I'm on a slow dial-up connection, high-speed is not available in my area). Besides 10-20% of my business is international, so from what I hear it would kind of defeat the purpose...
2) I can't come in at another time (I work during the day)
3) I do not want to create a balance financed by check, because I wouldn't get points back on my credit card...
However, I am working with the area manager to develop a strategy that will work for all parties. He is supposed to be checking to see if I could create a balance using Credit Card. This could potentially save me time (I wouldn't have to wait in line), and would let them process them at their convenience. The other option he suggested is since they know I reguarly show up between 12 and 1 on the weekdays was to staff an extra person to man the window. (what a concept, huh?). He has been very pleasant to work with. (and for that matter, the postmaster has been fairly nice... just kinda clueless in trying to enforce a non-existant policy)
Bottom line is, I'm really not trying to be difficult... I just want to receive the service that I'm paying for. I am willing to work with them, but I can only be so flexible. At least the Area Manager said that they really do appreciate all the business that I'm giving them.
posted on July 26, 2006 11:39:48 AM
Fluff
I read the entire thread, thank you. You know what I have not read? The regulation number. Did I miss that? I see where a USPS rep that returned EAs call and an area manager confirms that there is no such policy. Since anyone who deals with the post office knows that there is a number for every regulation they have I'm wondering where the number of the one that you insists is. Want to convince me that there really is such a regulation.... give us the number. Anyone can write a letter to give credence to their made up regulation but the only ones that can actually be upheld are the ones that actually exist and they all come with a conveniently confirmable number.
I can't imagine why you would deliberately state something that is not true.
Get of the damn horse Fluff, you are going to fall and hurt yourself. It's one thing to be self assured, it's another call someone a liar because they have the nerve to disagree with you.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
People put their hand on the bible, and swear to uphold the constitution. They do not put their hand on the constitution, and swear to uphold the bible.
[ edited by fenix03 on Jul 26, 2006 11:40 AM ]
posted on July 26, 2006 11:49:33 AM
1) I can't do online postage (I'm on a slow dial-up connection, high-speed is not available in my area). Besides 10-20% of my business is international, so from what I hear it would kind of defeat the purpose...
That's what's great about Endicia. It is super fast on the slowest connection. From Vendio just click download the .xml file and walla, all the info is automatically input. The Dazzle program is stored on your computer so it only has to download the small data file. Click print and out shoots your label.
Intetnational packages. No problem with Endicia. I print ALL CLASS'S of international postage through Endicia. Air letter, air parcel, express, global priority, m-bag tag's. It is a huge timesaver if you do international packages. Saves a huge amount of time at the front counter since for many of these class's of international postage it also prints a customs form to. They just stamp the customs form and give you your copy.
3) I do not want to create a balance financed by check, because I wouldn't get points back on my credit card...
I didn't say you had to use a checking account. I use my PayPal debit card as a credit card and get the cash back on it. Would be the same for you, you would get your points or whatever your reward is.
1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
I also don't use Vendio checkout (my plan doesn't support it, nor do I want to use it). With the new eBay stores issues, I may be leaving Vendio soon anyhow. I've been working on setting up my own site, with 20GB of storage space... so I may not need the Vendio Image hosting any more. Which is too bad, because the overall experience here has been pretty good.
What I meant by it would defeat the purpose with international packages was that I'd still have to wait in line... Still, I'll keep Endica in mind and might look into it in the future...
The balance I was referring to wasn't for online postage. It's an option that the Area Manager suggested where I would have an account, they would let me drop off packages, they'd ring them up at their convenience, send me a receipt, and deduct the amount from my balance. Currently, I believe they can only do this with balances funded by check. If I could fund it with a credit-card (or better yet just have it charged to my credit card number when it's rung up) I'd be willing to pursue it.
posted on July 26, 2006 12:01:21 PM
eauctionmgnt - I just wanted to add. If you want you can try Endicia for free for the first month. Just try Endicia for a month and see if you like it. Their customer service people are top notch to. If you have any questions about using their service just give them a call and they will be happy to help you out.
Other added features are you can customize your shipping labels by adding a logo and text blocks like SCAN ME. Take a look at the screen shot of my Endicia page and the label I have customized that I use all the time.
I think if you give the service a try you may be very happy with it even on a slow connection.
1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
posted on July 26, 2006 12:06:46 PM
Even if you don't use Vendio I think you would find Endicia rather faster then your present system of doing postage. Even if I didn't use Vendio I would still have my Endicia account. I don't know how I managed shipping before using them.
I did not realize you were talking about setting up a account with the PO. Didn't even know you could do that.
1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
posted on July 26, 2006 12:20:08 PM
What really amazes me on this thread is that your post office employees are concerned about wait times. I use 4 different post offices and the clerks are absolutely oblivious to the long lines, chatting and giving unsolicited advice, offering to repackage sloppy shipments, etc. I only go to the desk to buy stamps, I have a shopping list of what I need but the clerks usually offer to show me other stamps, ones that just came in. Can't they see the 30 people sweating behind me? (One of the post offices isn't air conditioned). Very nice people but definitely a different breed!
posted on July 26, 2006 12:32:44 PM
Well, some of 'em are and some of 'em aren't. Around here it depends on which station you go to. The one that's a block away from me only has two windows. The clerks there are aware of customer wait times. However, it's entirely possible that that is because 1) they know they are audited by secret shoppers, and 2) they know there's an ever-present possibility the station will be closed down.
Down at the main post office they take their own sweet time about getting things done, no matter the line. Same with the big station in another county that I often go to.
posted on July 26, 2006 01:17:32 PM
Thing is that the stations are audited by the number of packages, not the number of customers that are processed. Ever notice that most clerks no longer will run multiple "tapes" even when every package needs the same amount of postage? It's because when they do, it only counts as one piece even if they run postage labels for 10 pieces so it looks as though they have lower volumn levels and since volume levels determine how many clerks a station may hire and have on hand per shift, they want high numbers. I've never understood clerks that get pissy about having to scan in DCs on prepaid packages (they count too) or deal with high volume customers since those are the types of transactions that keep them employed.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
People put their hand on the bible, and swear to uphold the constitution. They do not put their hand on the constitution, and swear to uphold the bible.
posted on July 26, 2006 01:22:39 PM
Mike - you almost have me interested in Endicia. I didn't know you could do all the international stuff you listed and you earn cash back with your paypal card too.
You don't get that if you use paypal nor can you get all the international shipping options.
How much does it cost after the free month? If you can get enough cash back from paypal, it could make it worth it.
eauctionmgnt
Why don't you try a combination of methods to speed it up. I used to do that before I used on line printing. I would use stamps (which you can purchase with your credit card) on all my 1st class stuff and occasionally on priority if it was an inexpensive item or I don't care about tracking etc. I always had the customs forms filled out as well. Try on line postage over the weekend if you have extra time then. Every little bit helps.
posted on July 26, 2006 01:42:01 PMI can't do online postage (I'm on a slow dial-up connection
Why? I have dial up too and never have a problem printing postage. Your type of internet connection has nothing to do with it.
I do not want to create a balance financed by check, because I wouldn't get points back on my credit card
So use your credit card. I have mine on file with the USPS. All I have to do is click the process button and it goes directly onto my Discover Card. Which means I get cash back and no PayPal BS to put up with either.
1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
