Tips that will speed your holiday visit to post office..&..lower my blood pressure

[tvguy]

Yes, a vent, after today's visit.

1) Have your packages wrapped BEFORE you get in line, not at the service window. They have a nice little counter with tape and sissors for that.

2) Have an idea how you want to send it, don't make the poor postal worker check the price for all 15 ways you could send it.

3) Decide if you want insurance before you get to the service window, and know for how much. Don't spent a full minute debating with yourself at the service window if you want $100, or $75, or $125, or $78.50 coverage.

4) Have your method of payment readily available. Don't spend a minute looking for that debit card/cash/coin purse in your 30 gallon purse.

And for the Post office. While your website says the cheapest method of delivery....Ground.....takes 2 to 9 business days....your workers say 14 to 21 is the norm........how is that possible?

 

[sissy_ib]

This is why I almost always use the self service machine at our post office.

 

[lynxstch]

and thats why I use a Postal Substation at a local pharmacy..never any wait, people willing to help you, and faster service!

 

[usnuzuloose]

I go into Belair or Raleys. I only go to the PO when I need to mail International.

 

[StephMK]

Those reasons and the price of shipping are why I only use Amazon or another store where I can just ship gifts directly to my brother's family.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Or just use FED EX

 

[Cindy B]

This is why I almost always use the self service machine at our post office.

YES! I cant tell you the last time I waited in line!

 

[tvguy]

I go into Belair or Raleys. I only go to the PO when I need to mail International.

There were only 3 customers including me in the whole post office (the one next to Country Club Lanes). My Bel Air always has a line this time of year.

 

[sms]

http://stamps.com

 

[usnuzuloose]

There were only 3 customers including me in the whole post office (the one next to Country Club Lanes). My Bel Air always has a line this time of year.

Only 3? Wow, that was a short line..

I usually go to the stores when the customer service opens, no waiting.

 

[afnaechiquita]

I feel like every post office I go to DOESN'T have tape on the counter I always have to ask to have it taped up when I get to the register.

OT but related, does anyone know if you can get a refund on postage paid online? Long story short, DBF ended up purchasing his shipping twice due to operator error (his!) on the online forms. If it was $10-20 it'd be no big deal, but it's $70some, and worth trying to get back. edit n/m n/m, answered my own question!

 

[Fire14]

I feel like every post office I go to DOESN'T have tape on the counter I always have to ask to have it taped up when I get to the register.

OT but related, does anyone know if you can get a refund on postage paid online? Long story short, DBF ended up purchasing his shipping twice due to operator error (his!) on the online forms. If it was $10-20 it'd be no big deal, but it's $70some, and worth trying to get back. edit n/m n/m, answered my own question!

My post offices don't have tape or sissors on counter ( i wish they did), 98% of time they don't have boxes either. The self service post machine seems to weigh heavier than actual post persons scale, had it happen multiple times and at 2 diff post offices. yes they can get refund on postage online there is a thing to click to cancel that postage i believe.

 

[Coonhound]

Everyone at our post office is so rude. It's like the BMV in there. It makes me wonder how they keep their jobs.
A smile doesn't cost anything.

 

[Janepod]

Yes, a vent, after today's visit.

1) Have your packages wrapped BEFORE you get in line, not at the service window. They have a nice little counter with tape and sissors for that.

2

Do you mean GIFT wrapped? Don't do that! Our post office, at least, won't accept anything that's wrapped up like a present. Has to be in a box or an envelope.

 

[CaliBear]

Everyone at our post office is so rude. It's like the BMV in there. It makes me wonder how they keep their jobs.
A smile doesn't cost anything.

Yesterday I was in line at the post office and I could hear one worker in the back, screaming about rude customers and mimicking a customer interrupting her. I'm sure it's tough, but she couldn't she do that in private? When she came back out to help the next customer, everyone was just staring at her in disbelief.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Yes, a vent, after today's visit.

1) Have your packages wrapped BEFORE you get in line, not at the service window. They have a nice little counter with tape and sissors for that.

2) Have an idea how you want to send it, don't make the poor postal worker check the price for all 15 ways you could send it.

3) Decide if you want insurance before you get to the service window, and know for how much. Don't spent a full minute debating with yourself at the service window if you want $100, or $75, or $125, or $78.50 coverage.

4) Have your method of payment readily available. Don't spend a minute looking for that debit card/cash/coin purse in your 30 gallon purse.

And for the Post office. While your website says the cheapest method of delivery....Ground.....takes 2 to 9 business days....your workers say 14 to 21 is the norm........how is that possible?

I think can answer the parcel post question. This was told to me by the supervisor who was working at my local post office the day I asked a year ago. The rules may have changed now but I don't think so.

Most of the year the 2 to 9 business day model for parcel post (2 days is for next town over so don't think it will get across the country in 2 days!) is correct.
Parcel post is only put on the trucks after first class and priority mail based on room left.
In the month of December, all bets are off. So many packages are shipped that sometimes the parcel post packages have to wait longer before getting on a truck and on their way to the recipient. That's why the workers now say 14 to 21 days.

As far as making your trip quicker, you could use flat rate boxes, print the shipping at home and then just walk in and leave the package on the counter (ours has a empty counter just for this purpose so you don't stand in line) or fill out the online form for home pickup. Then you wouldn't have to go to the post office at all! https://tools.usps.com/go/ScheduleAPickupAction!input.action

Good luck with the Post office.