Why are Post Office workers SO rude?

[imsorry]

Because the mail never stops Jerry!!!!

 

[Poohbear123]

Because the mail never stops Jerry!!!!

I remember that Seinfeld Episode!

 

[Free4Life11]

Well, if you want your package to arrive looking like it was run over by a truck, by all means ship it UPS!! I have NEVER had a good experience with them. I shipped a computer monitor and I pack things very well -- huge gash in the box and I am luck the screen wasn't cracked. I even heard one person tell me that UPS will just throw the boxes around like they are toys. Now I can't guarantee that but based on the condition my packages have arrived in, I wouldn't be surprised!

I love USPS. I love their automated postal machine. I've never had an issue with Priority Mail.

I sent something via Priority Mail on on May 10 at 10:45 a.m. from Lincoln, Nebraska and it arrived in Ocean City, NJ on May 12 at 3:18 p.m. A little more than 48 hours, not bad at all! I wouldn't worry too much.

No they can't guarantee it because if there is a delay then they will have customers storming in and getting all pissy at them. Best way to guarantee something arrives in time is to send it more than 3 days before you need it to arrive.

ETA -- why are some rude? I don't know. Maybe they have customers getting angry and demanding to know why they can't guarantee delivery?? They postal workers don't make the rules, cut them a break.

Frankly I'd rather be told they don't guarantee delivery than to be told they do and not have it delivered when they guaranteed it.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Unfortunately, the USPS is just as afflicted with rude workers as other businesses. But, as I've said on here before, the best recourse is to always use the customer service options. You can now go online at usps.com and do your complaining there, or use the 1-800-ASK-USPS number.

The postal service is definitely trying to make the customer service better. We are offering more retail products and such, both plain and decorative and also working on the clerks. However, if you just complain here it is pretty futile.
Doing the complaining in the right quarters always works better in the long run..
I don't know how many times a customer has come in and had a fit with me because of their carrier. I'm sorry, but I can't do a thing about that carrier. Jumping all over me doesn't do a thing! And, of course what does the customer say when you tell them to try complaining to the carrier's supervisor, Oh I don't want them to get made at me or anything! And, harrassing me accomplishes What!?

Though, I don't believe the clerk just telling the customer that Priority Mail isn't guaranteed is rude. Maybe there was something more about that transaction?
Oh, and for a 'not guaranteed' service Priority Mail, despite the airlines, and contract carriers and such, usually has an overall 96% effectiveness delivery rate.
Kim

 

[crazyme5kids]

I love the two Post Offices that I go to. Always nice, always helpful.

 

[bicker]

Unfortunately, the USPS is just as afflicted with rude workers as other businesses.

That's my experience, as well. Our post office has nice people and not-so-nice people working there, in a similar proportion to the price we pay for any other local, uniformed service, in my experience. The more expensive options (FedEx) tend to be "nicer" and more accommodating. The less expensive options (USPS, UPS) tend to be more brusque and less accommodating.

 

[aprilgail2]

Our local post office has one worker that is very friendly but the other 3 out front are not...but they are NO where near as bad as the motor vehicle people..I think being rude and nasty is a prerequisite for that job!

 

[Evil Queen]

Wish I lived there! Miami is FULL of rude people.

And it doesn't stop in Miami, it comes up this way too. One reason we are looking to move next summer.

But as for postal workers, I don't deal much with the office, but I must give Kudos to my carrier. He is awesome and I've had the same one for over 10 years.

 

[boomhauer]

Most are like that. They're miserable.

I was PO'd last night when I got home. Got our mail, and it was completely soaked. Was really ticked me off was, we had concert tickets that came in the mail last night. They seem to be OK, but were ready to tear apart last night they were so wet.

 

[bicker]

I've found that the concentration of surly workers seems to parallel the concentration of surly patrons, and I believe the latter not only out-weighs the former, but has typically preceded the former.

 

[clh2]

I love the two Post Offices that I go to. Always nice, always helpful.

Same here. Always very helpful when I've had questions too. Our local post office even gives out suckers to the kiddos too!

 

[Poohbear123]

I went up to the counter and said: "Hi, how are you today?" She looked at me like I had 2 heads, and mumbled "fine." I than asked to send my package so it gets there on or About Thursday, and thats when she said: "Its 3 day priority, and we don't gurantee it will get there!" Just, her personality was very negative, and NO there is no more to the story, this post office has maybe 1 person thats nice, but she is always in the back, my DH deals with the Post office more than I do and he told me this!

 

[lbgraves]

UPS is less expensive...especially if you open up an account with them online...and they include insurance in the cost of the package.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Centerville Ohio 45458 postal workers are the best! We get smiles and friendly service. I think it's "catching." Everyone who is there temporarily is the same.

There is a post office in a different state that I avoid, maybe it took 1 bad egg to ruin that whole crew.

Bobbi

 

[crcormier]

Sorry that you had such an aggrivating experience. The people in my post office are always very friendly and courteous, which I give them credit for since there is ALWAYS a line there.

 

[Free4Life11]

I've found that the concentration of surly workers seems to parallel the concentration of surly patrons, and I believe the latter not only out-weighs the former, but has typically preceded the former.

I'd agree with you.

Sure there are some truly rude, nasty people out there, but when you have to deal day after day with people making petty comments, complaining about things that are beyond your control, venting on you about policies and prices they don't like, and just in general acting like becuse they are spending $3 they deserve the "star" treatment it gets a little old and can certainly sour your mood.

I get more aggravated at the customers who wait until they get in line to start packaging their items and continue to do so at the counter. They start playing 25 questions, most of which they could have answered by looking at the large signs that list the prices/services or even simply going to the USPS website. It get's a little old.

That's why I LOVE the automated postal machine -- I am hoping they plan to install more of them. What a timesaver and so easy to use.

OP, I have to admit I don't really see the rude part -- you didn't mention anything about her attitude. Sounds to me like she was just telling you the policy, that they don't guarantee delivery. You asked for guaranteed delivery and she said they don't guarantee delivery dates...am I missing something

I'll be interested to see if it arrives by Thursday. Keep us updated!

 

[grlpwrd]

Just went and mailed my Package to POP for arrival on Thursday, I said I wanted 3 day Priorty, and she said: "We can't guarantee it will get there in 3 days." Than, she took it and put it in the back, I paid and left, not have a nice day or anything! WTH?? I am PAYING for 3 day Priorty but you cannot GUARANTEE it will get there? I knew I should have went with UPS!

Well, to me curt is not the same thing as rude.

I am fortunate to work with some great people at my local post office.

 

[RickinNYC]

The folks at our local post office are either adequate or extremely efficient and friendly. No complaints here. However, our postman is another story. He is absolutely the most worthless "worker" I have ever encountered.

At least once a week, we receive mail for other folks in the neighborhood, as well as have neighbors drop off mail for us that was left at their homes. Plus, I kid you not, when it's raining out, the jerk leaves the lid up on the mail drop box at our place so that everything gets absolutely soaked. When it's nice out, the lid is down, when it's raining, he tosses stuff in and leaves the lid up. No joke. I've seen him do it with my two eyes. For real.

Nevertheless, for fear of not receiving a bill and being late on payments as a result, I now check online for all of our bills to see what's due, etc...

To make matters worse, we recently moved into the apartment next door and dutifully contacted our credit card companies, banks, etc... to let them know of the address change. We also submitted the address change slips to the post office weeks prior to the move. AND we told the idiot mail carrier that we moved. We covered all the bases.

All that notwithstanding, the lazy jerk STILL leaves 90% of our mail in the old mail slot, forcing us to walk down the street to get our mail. Sure enough, all the mail either has our new address clearly marked, or the piece of mail has the glaring yellow label with the new address. But he still leaves it at our old address.

One time he stoppped us on the street and starting yelling at Joe and I that we MUST change the address to all our magazine subscriptions or by law, if we didn't, he didn't have to deliver them anymore. WHAT? What law? What's he talking about? Oh, and we did change the address weeks prior. I gotta get a book that has old those magic laws people refer to. Maybe Magic Laws for Dummies. Barnes and Noble has gotta have a copy.

Finally, we couldn't take it anymore. We had avoided complaining about him because we felt, in his passive aggressive loser manner, that he'd hold back mail, "lose" mail, or things would simply disappear. We called and spoke with his supervisor at the local post office who then confirmed this wasn't the first complaint she'd received about the evil postal troll. She assured us that all would be handled and that we need not worry about him.

We'll see. As much as I'd hate to admit it, I wish this guy would get fired.

I'm on a mission. He must be destroyed.

 

[grimley1968]

The folks at our local post office are either adequate or extremely efficient and friendly. No complaints here. However, our postman is another story. He is absolutely the most worthless "worker" I have ever encountered.

At least once a week, we receive mail for other folks in the neighborhood, as well as have neighbors drop off mail for us that was left at their homes. Plus, I kid you not, when it's raining out, the jerk leaves the lid up on the mail drop box at our place so that everything gets absolutely soaked. When it's nice out, the lid is down, when it's raining, he tosses stuff in and leaves the lid up. No joke. I've seen him do it with my two eyes. For real.

Nevertheless, for fear of not receiving a bill and being late on payments as a result, I now check online for all of our bills to see what's due, etc...

To make matters worse, we recently moved into the apartment next door and dutifully contacted our credit card companies, banks, etc... to let them know of the address change. We also submitted the address change slips to the post office weeks prior to the move. AND we told the idiot mail carrier that we moved. We covered all the bases.

All that notwithstanding, the lazy jerk STILL leaves 90% of our mail in the old mail slot, forcing us to walk down the street to get our mail. Sure enough, all the mail either has our new address clearly marked, or the piece of mail has the glaring yellow label with the new address. But he still leaves it at our old address.

One time he stoppped us on the street and starting yelling at Joe and I that we MUST change the address to all our magazine subscriptions or by law, if we didn't, he didn't have to deliver them anymore. WHAT? What law? What's he talking about? Oh, and we did change the address weeks prior. I gotta get a book that has old those magic laws people refer to. Maybe Magic Laws for Dummies. Barnes and Noble has gotta have a copy.

Finally, we couldn't take it anymore. We had avoided complaining about him because we felt, in his passive aggressive loser manner, that he'd hold back mail, "lose" mail, or things would simply disappear. We called and spoke with his supervisor at the local post office who then confirmed this wasn't the first complaint she'd received about the evil postal troll. She assured us that all would be handled and that we need not worry about him.

We'll see. As much as I'd hate to admit it, I wish this guy would get fired.

I'm on a mission. He must be destroyed.

Cliff Clavin, at your service.

 

[momof2inPA]

Centerville Ohio 45458 postal workers are the best! We get smiles and friendly service. I think it's "catching." Everyone who is there temporarily is the same.

There is a post office in a different state that I avoid, maybe it took 1 bad egg to ruin that whole crew.

Bobbi

Well, my post office is in at least the top ten, 15010, especially Mike. Even when the older folks grump at him, which seems to happen often, he just smiles and laughs it off.

When my sis was stationed overseas for three years, she said my priority mail packages would arrive within about a week, where my other sisters' packages which were sent UPS or Fed Ex would take much longer. Once it was even three weeks before she received a UPS package, but I guess a late birthday present is better than none at all.