posted on June 17, 2005 04:00:09 PM new
UGH!!!! Everytime I use a new post office, I have problems. Some question whether they will insure the item, some question whether it is eligible for DC, some are just a PITA.
I send out my items DC, but make the shipping labels through Shipping Assistant. Inevitably, there is a problem because the postal clerk doesn't know the rules. Before anybody says "you were getting it for free", don't! I want my items scanned in at the post office to prove that my items were actually received by the post office and shipped to satisfy Paypal in the event of a chargeback. That is why I do not use Endicia or the other prepaid services.
Today, I sent out my first batch of items from my new post office. (I recently moved 4 hours away, so going to my old one is out of the question -- and after I trained them too!) Well, the postal clerk wasn't scanning in my items. I told him to scan them in because I owe for DC. He was literally fighting with me, raising his voice above mine, saying that it was free. Another postal clerk went in back and got the supervisor. I explained to the supervisor that I use Shipping Assistant and the clerk needs to scan the package. I further explained that although those that use Endicia or stamps.com or other services that are pre-paid, Shipping Assistant is not pre-paid and charges $.13 for DC packages. I explained that I have been doing this for two years and that First Class and Media Mail are $.13 and Priority Mail is free. Oh, and the best is, I told him that I did this for two years in Miami, and he said "well, Miami does things a little differently from here." UMMMMMM ... Hello???!!! This is a FEDERAL post office. You have the same RULES!!!!
The supervisor looked at the clerk and said "scan it and let's see what happens." Well, 'lo and behold I am charged $.13. The supervisor walks away and comes back and takes my name, address and phone number so that he can send me, get this, the information on Shipping Assistant. I looked at him like he had grown a 2nd head! DUH! What does it take to sink in? I told him that I am an Ebayer and very knowledgeable about USPS shipping rules and KNOW that this is correct. He told me he was going to look it up, and if I was correct, would apologize to me. HELLO??!!! Anybody home???? I already proved it by being charged $.13!!!!
UGH ... Am I going to have to go through this every time I have a shipment? I ship out 2-3x a WEEK!
posted on June 17, 2005 04:42:58 PM new
Damn!!!...That's too bad about being so far away from your old P.O. Now, you're going to have to go through the whole process of training a brand new bunch of newbies. Keep track of the time you spend on this. Send the Postmaster General a bill for training. As screwed up as their system is, there might be someone in D.C. dumb enough to pay it.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 17, 2005 08:37:46 PM new
I know you've probably already thought about this, but unless you plan on using a different P.O. or change carriers, you might want to reconsider the assertive attitude with those at the P.O.
I have one idiot at our P.O. that I literally let others go ahead of me when I'd end up at her counter.
This week, I had a very simple international shipment (among the pile I placed on a second counter that didn't need any attention - just get them in the back where they belong.
All that had to be done was pull off the Customs receipt, get a Global Priority sticker out, and scan in the barcodes.
"Is there a reason you're sending it Global Priority?" she asked.
"Uh, because I want to," was my reply.
10 minutes and a growing line later, I had my receipt and was on my way.
But - the rest of those at the P.O. take care of me. "You're one of two people who come in who have a good scale and understand how to use the Web site to get the right rates," said my favorite P.O. employee.
Another went and retrieved a couple rolls of Priority Tape for me when the "challenged one" said it wasn't allowed. "Do you know that he gets us boxes that we can't get?" inquired another of my favorites there.
It doesn't hurt to say hi to them when you're just dropping items off... engage them in conversation about eBay when it's slow, etc.
You'll get a lot more with honey than the vinegar of making them apolgize.
Depending on what your ultimate goal is (making nice with those who hold your business in their hands, really) - it might be right to be proactive. Make a special trip in without packages in hand. Ask to see the supervisor. Give him your business card and say you were having a rough day and apologize for coming off sounding a bit frustrated with his employees. Offer to start fresh and "maybe we can help each other learn more" about the regulations...
You'll stand out as an impressive business person, that's for sure.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on June 17, 2005 09:42:07 PM new
Yeah Bizzy, be very careful about being too nice to that postmaster. If he's single, he just may want to marry you.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 17, 2005 09:58:48 PM new
I'll bet you $5.00 many of the Postal people I conversed with became e bay sellers(5 years of showing up two three times a week).....they SAW the insurance rates,,,,,,they SAW the addresses,,,,,,They asked "Officially" What's in the package.....they got Smarter.....
Now I hardly ever go there anymore, they actually miss ME? hahahaha. Yes they do,,,,and ALL say,,,,Where you been? What happened? I went back to REAL live swapmeets.....Some have actually found me in REAL live swapmeets......Small post Office world.....
posted on June 17, 2005 10:04:50 PM new
hahahahha, Did I say small,,,,,,post Office world,,,,,,hahahaha, this is a MAJOR BiG City Branch.......L.A.......area.......
posted on June 17, 2005 10:09:46 PM new
One time I found ,,,,,,and bought ALL of a bunch of USPS die cast made in China USPS trucks,,,,,,,like the kind you All see on the real streets,,,,,,,I GAVE one to Each window clerk,,,,,one at a time per visit,,,,,,,they never forgot who this crazy Marine was after that.....Hi Jack!!!!! how are you?
posted on June 18, 2005 03:24:53 AM new
Before Click and Ship came along, I used to wait in line almost every day and got to know all the clerks, mostly good ones. Just before the holidays I brought in cupcakes or cookies and even lychees. They really appreciated it and gave me extra attention. Nothing like bribery.
posted on June 18, 2005 05:30:44 PM new
I live in a small town,when I go to the Post Office I tie my horse out front and usually I'm the only one there. I go in and mail my stuff,chase the birds out of my PO box and I'm done.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
Well, the postal clerk wasn't scanning in my items. I told him to scan them in because I owe for DC. He was literally fighting with me, raising his voice above mine, saying that it was free. Another postal clerk went in back and got the supervisor. I explained to the supervisor that I use Shipping Assistant and the clerk needs to scan the package. I further explained that although those that use Endicia or stamps.com or other services that are pre-paid, Shipping Assistant is not pre-paid and charges $.13 for DC packages. I explained that I have been doing this for two years and that First Class and Media Mail are $.13 and Priority Mail is free. Oh, and the best is, I told him that I did this for two years in Miami, and he said "well, Miami does things a little differently from here." UMMMMMM ... Hello???!!! This is a FEDERAL post office. You have the same RULES!!!!
