posted on July 26, 2006 01:47:06 PM new
I love my local post office. I rarely ship fewer than 200 packages. They all know me (it is a small post office) and they open up the door, I wheel back my loads of packages and help them sort into bins. Takes me minutes. I can't imagine standing in line and paying for postage. I see a lot of ebay sellers do that though. Granted not everyone has my volume, but if you are shipping 25 packages, online postage seems reasonable to me
I think you're going to have a hard time proving your position... because I just received a copy of a letter today from Henry A. Pankey, Vice President, Delivery and Retail. It's dated Feb. 7th, 2002... way after the '97 UPS strike. Here's a copy of the letter I received in the mail today (sorry for the big file, it's hard to read the text otherwise)
My favorite lines are:
"Currently there are no regulations or policy that allow for retail units to operate in this manner"
and
"Customers presenting these large volume mailings should NOT be refused."
[ edited by eauctionmgnt on Jul 26, 2006 02:53 PM ]
posted on July 26, 2006 03:12:37 PM new
Thanks for the info fLuff.
That should shut up any Postmaster that has a problem with large volume shippers. Nothing like a letter from the PMG's office to put a end to a argument.
posted on July 26, 2006 08:12:43 PM newWay to go ~ eauctionmgnt
I knew you were right.
Did you read the same letter I did? It, in a very round about way, states that it is up to the discretion of each local postmaster and does encourage the scheduling of parcels of large quanities. Just as fluffy and myself have been stating all along.
Big difference between should not be refused and cannot be refused.
And states, "schedule a time for drop off" which is the politically correct way to state, you can't get inline with that damm many packages.
posted on July 26, 2006 08:21:18 PM new
Stone - I did not believe there was a written regulation after the 1997 strike and apparently there is not. I am not talking about the PO manager's discretion. Fluff made a statement that I am still waiting for her to prove.
Just read it again and I certainly do not see where they encourage a limit "in a round about way". It is certainly not in the PO's best interest to turn away a seller with several packages, so they can help someone wanting a 1 cent stamp. Turning away business could cost the employee a reprimand, I would think, if a person pursues the matter.
posted on July 26, 2006 08:27:07 PM new
Stpone - ever consider going into politics? It's pretty obvious that you are at least practicing the fine art of rewriting history. One of the keys to that skill however, is knowing when to attempt and when not to attempt.
For example - do not attempt to save face by stating that you and Fluffy have been saying that it is up to the discretion of the postmaster to attempt to reschedule high volume customers when the issue is the existance or lack there of of a regulation specifically stating that there is a postal regulation OKing limiting the number of packages that will be processed by a single clerk at one time. Fluffy stated that there was, you agreed (posted on July 24, 2006 09:44:35 PM It has been at the discretion of the postmaster of each branch whether to invoke the 10 parcel limit policy.), the letter clearly states that you were both incorrect.
This is one of those situations where you would have been better served by keeping your mouth shut.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
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 27, 2006 08:33:54 AM newFluffy stated that there was, you agreed (posted on July 24, 2006 09:44:35 PM It has been at the discretion of the postmaster of each branch whether to invoke the 10 parcel limit policy.), the letter clearly states that you were both incorrect.
Well fenix, considering the source. Read line #2 and #3. That is exactly what that interprets too.
posted on July 27, 2006 08:56:46 AM new
Stone - Come back when you aquire some reading comprehension skills.
It is explicitly stated in that letter that there is NO 10 package limit and that customers are not to refuse to service high volume customers.
By continuing this exchange you are only proving that you are
1) incapable of understanding the clear wording of the letter.
2) didn't understand what you wer agreeing with Fluffy on in the first place
or
3) Argueing for the sake of arguing even when proven wrong.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
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 27, 2006 09:04:38 AM new
Stone says:
Read line #2 and #3. That is exactly what that interprets too.
It does not read or interpret that there is or should be a limit. It reads that maybe they can work out a better system to service that person, WHAT ARE YOU READING?
How do I do bold and italic? It has been a long, long time since I posted here!
posted on July 27, 2006 09:09:22 AM new
It is explicitly stated in that letter that it is up to the local postmaster to work with the customer with large volumes on alternatives to coming to the main counter. GET IT. It is at the discretion of the local postmaster.
Forget about the droans. If they cannot get it, nothing you say is ever going to make them understand. The rest of us get it. I guess that's all that matters.
The letter says there is "no regulations or policy that allow for retail units to operate in this manner".
How then can you continue to insist that it's at the postmaster's discretion?!? IT'S NOT!!!
Yes, the letter does state that the postmaster should "schedule a time convenient to both" or "other service that would be beneficial to both parties involved". There's NOTHING in those lines that even remotely suggest the postmaster had any authority to make the comments she originally made to me.
The letter also continues to say that "customers presenting these large volumes of mail should not be refused".
I don't know how you can interpret it to mean anything other than what it says. The post office is there to serve customers, large mailers are good customers, and they should be treated as such. That's what the letter says.
I guess I can agree with barparts statement (if not his intent) that "If they cannot get it, nothing you say is ever going to make them understand"
posted on July 27, 2006 10:10:35 AM new
EA - truth be told - I'm not exactly shocked that Stone does not get it. Leap year has proven to be more frequent than he is accurate.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
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 27, 2006 10:12:38 AM new
It could even be interpreted to me that the PO is here to serve and should even provide "special circumstances" for high volumes.
posted on July 27, 2006 10:42:36 AM new
ea: I would like to echo Mike on the online postage. First, I never go in the post office UNLESS I have an International. Then my deal with my Postmistress is that I leave my packages on the counter area that is not being used and make sure I say hello or wave to whoever is working the counter.
I live in a small town (3500) and know every postal worker by name. The guy who delivers out to the house is a contract worker and gets paid by the piece. He tries to get me to do all my mailing out of my home.
About twice a year I buy the entire crew a box of Godiva or something just to brighten their postal day. They like to see me coming.
So, think about the online, make the workers love you and don't EVER, EVER, fight with the fluff...she might come picket you, too.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it.”....Colin Powell.
Beth
www.vintageads4u.com
posted on July 27, 2006 10:44:23 AM new
It has been my experience that when you are dealing with the post office, the time of the day, the mood of the clerk, the weather,your attitude, or any other factor, will determine if you will get good service.
The local postmaster can not go to the window because of union regulations. Those in the back are under the same rules. The clerks work slower because they want more clerks.
The postmaster is trying to squeeze out as much as possible because they get graded on the numbers.
We are just caught in the middle of the entire mess.
I mail about a 100 packages a week, I use stamps, I weigh them, count it out, fill out the forms,I organize it, but you will get times where you are the bad guy no matter what you do.
The post office i use has about a 1000 mail boxes. They had a clerk for yrs to just manage all of that. The postmaster said oh no he must work at the window 2 hrs a day.
So when he is at the window unless a patron comes up to his window the others will have to deal with mail box services.
They have 4 clerks during the day and there are times when all 4 are working on mail box issues. some times its 10 minutes or more for each. The main problem is that the other clerks are unfamiliar with the system there in the box area.
so if come in after one of these times they are all stressed out because the line is out the door and now I'm there with 40 packages to process.
This can easily be solved by putting the clerk back in the box area. But it is now a we against them thing.
This is only one example of the constant fighting and industrial controversies going on. And we the customers are in the middle of them each day.
Electronic postage is a quick way to go but some postal department pretend its not there. so they don't scan upon delivery or they get confused.
For yrs i have used the PO because i sell stamps and i do have excess postage to use.
It has now come a time that the only real solutions to the post office is to reduce their use. UPS where available will become my choice. And the use of the post office will be limited to those items that need to go that route.
A lot of the issues have come about because we have to cover our butts 8 different ways to avoid charge backs. When i started here all i needed to do was package the items weight and stamp it and then give to the carrier. He will still do it but if bidders don't like something they claim it as not deliver and of course we have no records to prove it was. And back goes the money.
All one has to do is read through these posts and see the wide ranges of opinions and facts.
I would guess they are all true as i said before it all depends on the day, the clerk, the post office, the weather,and your self, if it is going to work at the postal service.
posted on July 27, 2006 01:03:54 PM new
eauctionmgnt I am glad you got a letter to show there is no such policy as the 10 package rule. But that letter is strange in that it is from 2002. Looks like the post office could of at least updated the date on it. LOL typical of someone trying to cut corners again at the post office. LOL.
Just glad you got it correct. Now for getting your local post office to co-operate with you and not give you a headache. Have you been back there with a big load and what happened on that trip?
Only thing I have ever been upset over was we use to be able to go in drop off all our online printed postage packages on counter next to the clerks.
Then all of a sudden about a year ago they stopped that and we now have to stand in line to give our packages to clerk. When this happened I asked why and they said that there were untrustworthy people out there printing wrong postage and be dishonest on their packages and that they had to weigh them and look at postage on them. Thankfully they trust me and don't go through all that process with me, but have seen them doing others with scrutiny.
I went in today with another load. This time it took me about 15 minutes to go through, because I had an international package that had to go through EMS, and the clerk wasn't really familiar with the process...
Still, everything went perfectly fine. It was the same clerk I had on Monday... and we both agreed that everything should be all set now. (she told me that she personally had never had any problem with the mail that came in, and that the only one with a problem with it had been the postmaster). I never even saw the postmaster today, but I did show a copy of the letter to the clerk today and got a big smile from that.
I think the reason the letter is from 2002 is that is probably around the time this rumor started to circulate extensively (note that it is dated shortly after 9/11 when all sorts of new regulations popped up from all sorts of places, and it was hard to tell what was true and what wasn't). The reason why there probably isn't anything else that's been updated since then is they figure they've taken care of the problem. It just takes us a little longer to get the news out here in the sticks!
posted on July 28, 2006 09:31:00 PM new
Part of the problem may be that USPS in all of their wisdom has added an additional two steps for the folks behind the counter to process one item. I started doing this seven years ago and they just keeping adding more steps to slow the whole process down. I have gone from them being able to process everything while I waited to dropping everything off with a blank check made out to the USPS NOW I have to drop of everything before they open. My local small town USPS folks are awesome but they work for a bunch of idiots.
posted on July 28, 2006 10:57:48 PM new
Low and behold went into post office today and we have a new clerk. I happened to go to one of my favorite ones but almost got the new one who was slow as Moses. My usual clerk who with a big grin looked at me then at the new clerk and motioned me over there but it was too late someone behind me went there. I asked what ? want me to break him in for ya? He got a good laugh out of that. I had 6 large packages and the new clerk looked like he might shrink if I came towards him. You would have to have been there to really get gist of what I mean. LOL
So now I am going to have to time my trips so I can avoid the new clerk until he learns what he is doing. Been going to my Post office for 8 plus years now with ebay stuff and they have never had a new clerk just wonder if he is replacing one I have not seen in last month or so. I hate change. LOL
**************
posted on July 29, 2006 08:55:02 AM new
Everyone can fight amongst themselves until he** freezes over whether or not there is a written policy about more than 10 packages at a time, but the fact remains that USPS has a total lock on shipping/mailing in this country and they can do pretty much anything they want to do.
If anyone thinks that the powers that be at the top will come down on the middle management running the actual postal outlets for something like making someone get back in line for more than 10 packages they're living in a dream-world.
If you live far away from a local office use online shipping - that will solve the problem.
If you live very close as I do and you can go to the post office during off hours you won't encounter this problem.
Regardless of your situation my suggestion is to develop a relationship with the counter people at your local branch. Always be ready when you get to the counter - double check the zip codes to be certain they are correct and readable - have insurance forms and delivery confirmations filled out and attached properly - know ahead of time how each package is to be shipped and present them in bunches, such as all first class then all media mail, etc - offer to assist the postal worker by using their stamp to stamp the packages first class or media for example - also offer to stamp the insurance forms and delivery confirmations for them while they are affixing postage to your packages, once they get to know you they will appreciate the help - have your check signed with your license # already written on it so all they have to do is print it and you're ready to go.
These suggestions go a long way to let the postal workers know that you are a professional person and have a well run business. It also shows that you consider their time as valuable as yours.
Please remember that postal workers are no different than anyone else in the retail business - there are great ones and really bad ones. Learn the difference and stay away from the bad ones by allowing the person behind you to go ahead of you if the available worker is someone you don't get along with. Also please remember that postal workers deal with people everyday who are rude, pushy and generally all around jerks - this can ruin anyones' day. A friendly smile and an upbeat attitude from you can make the difference between a postal worker who is totally wired to one who relaxes and is friendly.
Postal workers are people just like you and me and want to be treated as we wish to be treated. Plus, there is always the chance that the Postal worker you treat with respect and kindness could be the person who is in a bidding war for one of your items. You never can tell so act accordingly!!!
posted on July 29, 2006 09:06:34 AM new
Wonderful advice, capolady. I do all of it except for offering to stamp packages. I usually have no more than 5 - 9 items a day, and the clerks here are very fast. But I do greet them with a smile, sometimes plunking down a sugar-free candy for them, and I sort my packages by 1st class, media, and priority as I'm taking them out of the bag. Our clerks are wonderful people, working hard.
posted on July 29, 2006 12:29:49 PM new
EA, have you discuss with your postal clerks about coming in before normal business hours to accommodate your needs if they continue to hassle you over a limit. My PO closest to my home (there are 4 different locations in my town and many suboffices at drug stores). They have asked many Ebay sellers with an excessive amount of packages to come in an hour before they open up the lobby. It has worked out my many sellers who do an exorbitant amount of International transactions.
Mama
posted on July 29, 2006 01:22:39 PM new
I think this a local policy cooked by the local Postmaster. I don't how big your PO is, but a couple of months ago, 2 gals came with 80 plus boxes of Girl Scout Cookies that were being sent to the troops in Iraq. One clerk was tied up for over a half an hour. There were 3 other clerks, so things went smoothly.
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