Looks Like The Post Office Is Required To Run All That B.S. By You ...

JackWESQ

So I went to the post office to ship off that card to Little Canada, among others. After waiting forever, my number was called and when I got up there, I advised the clerk that I would like to ship each package first class. She looked at me and then went into her spiel about whether there is anything liquid, dangerous, hazardous, etc. (which I know they are required to ask), but then she started quoting me prices for priority mail, express mail, etc. I said first class is fine. And then she continued again about Priority Mail, Express Mail, etc. I said hello ... and then she said she is REQUIRED to, essentially, upsell. So I let her finish and said, "no, thank you." AND THEN, she asked me if I wanted 1) delivery confirmation; 2) signature confirmation; 3) insurance, etc. I just humored her, let her finish, and said no.

This seems a bit over the top to me. Now, I'm guessing some, if not a lot of you, have shipping and handling down to a science and know how to package a card so that, in theory, just by looking at the package, the clerk would know what to do without asking a single question. Maybe I'm just a difficult customer.

/s/ JackWESQ

neenish

Never had that happen to me. Shipped from LA, Orange and SB counties and never had a problem shipping to our neighbors to the north.

Dboneesq

That is the way they are in my town as well. All the clerks are SO NICE, but they told me, like they told you, that they are required to try to sell you the more expensive ways to mail! I also read an article about the way the PO is trying to make more $$$ when you drop off a package.

PoppaJ

Jack,

that's exactly why we use pre-printed PayPal labels. We have our post office clerks just scan the labels (as prepaid acceptance) at their windows to be sure they're scanned in. Removes all the additional questioning, plus we have a physical receipt.

If you really want to have some fun ... try sending something Parcel Post! My clerk told me that her postmaster holds a meeting once a week to remind everyone to avoid Parcel Posts at all costs.

PoppaJ

lsutigers1973

If you want a real kick out of her, when she/he asks if there is anything potentially hazardous in the package, say yes.

mickeymantle24

This had never happened to me. At our small post office you do not have to wait for a number. Everytime I go in there you can just walk up to to the desk

scotgreb

Same deal at all of my local POs. I bought a small scale and started shipping everything through PayPal about two months ago. It cut the time and the hassle down by 90%. I use medium-size bubble mailers and 1/2 sheet labels (Avery for Click and Ship) -- prep them and drop them in the box. I can't believe I ever shipped anything the old way. Do yourself a favor and make the change.

JackWESQ

<< <i>never had a problem shipping to our neighbors to the north. >>


Acutally, Little Canada, is a city in MINNESOTA. But it's obvious how you thought I was referring to the country of Canada.

But it's all my fault really. I just changed jobs. Eliminated a 18 miles commute and went down to a 6 mile commute. But, at the same time, I "changed" post offices as well. At the old post office (which was literally across the street from my old office), I had visited there so many times (probably over 150 times in 2008 alone), all the employees knew me and provided excellent customer service.

This was my first visit to the new post office. And so today, I was just customer number 15.

PoppaJ - I know about the Paypal pre-printed labels. But I use the post office as a reason to get out of the office and take a break. Otherwise, I'll be behind a computer for 10+ hours each day.

Re Potentially hazardous.

Potential - existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality
Hazard - a source of danger

Hmmm? Is a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth GAI 4.5 that PSA refuses to crossover potentially hazardous? YOU BET!

/s/ JackWESQ

daddymc

<< <i>Same deal at all of my local POs. I bought a small scale and started shipping everything through PayPal about two months ago. It cut the time and the hassle down by 90%. I use medium-size bubble mailers and 1/2 sheet labels (Avery for Click and Ship) -- prep them and drop them in the box. I can't believe I ever shipped anything the old way. Do yourself a favor and make the change. >>



I need to start doing this. I just got my eBay store up and running, and my wife is getting irritated waiting in line at the P.O. every day.

What does a small scale run and are there any recommendations?

And staying on topic, another P.O. convinced her a couple of weeks ago that you couldn't ship 1st class with D.C. I told her that was B.S., not to go there again, and go to our usual P.O. Postage cost me $10 that day when it shoud have cost $4.

tennesseebanker

I got my scale at Radio Shack about a year ago, I think they were on clearence for $10. It just plugs into the computer and the weight reads-out on the screen.
One of the best gadgets I have, I dont know if Radio Shack still has them or not. Like all good merchandise it will be discontinued for crap.

divecchia

I ship something maybe once a month. It happens to me only when I'm shipping something first class. Most of the stuff I ship is expensive so when I get to the window, I usually tell them "ship priority mail with insurance and delivery confirmation". When I say all that and the slips are already filled out from home they usually don't say much other than "do you have any other postal needs like stamps etc...." No Thanks and I'm on my way.

Donato

grote15

Upselling is standard practice in most customer service positions these days, and considering the deficit the PO is facing these days, I can understand why they're requiring clerks to offer services on each contact. I'm sure they'd be reprimanded and/or disciplined if they didn't offer those additional options to you.

IchiroDeported

at my P.O. the only clerks who upsell are the new recruits, the old dogs know the score, the know what im shipping and all my stuff has D.C. labels on there they dont hassle me, i treat em nice and they look out for good customers. never had a problem with any of the p.o. crew.

PROMETHIUS88

Just use the self-service kiosk in the lobby. It tries to upsell... but usually only prompts once and you can just curse it and push "no". Usually no line even when the line is out the door for the clerks. Gee, I sure hope nobody gets smart and realizes they don't have to wait in line 20 minutes to get stamps! As long as the package isn't too big, you can use this and avoid the lines.

Rogermnj

I have the BEST post office in the US. I come with 40-200 packages a week. They all know me, they fill out all my slips for me, they call me on my cell when reg packages from psa comes in.. I just mark the top of my bubble mailers with DC, INS,SIG etc and they know what to do. I buy them lunch once a month.. Pretty great.

thedutymon

<< <i>I have the BEST post office in the US. I come with 40-200 packages a week. They all know me, they fill out all my slips for me, they call me on my cell when reg packages from psa comes in.. I just mark the top of my bubble mailers with DC, INS,SIG etc and they know what to do. I buy them lunch once a month.. Pretty great. >>




I'm with Rog on this, I live in a small town only three people work at the Post Office, all know me, my side business, ect. I ship packages 3-4 times a week at work 100-150 each (Another Post Office, only one employee Contract...Same story). We don't have home delivery because we are Rural, have mailboxes 1/2 mile from the house, our Postal lady drives the extra to bring my packages up to the house 3-4 times a week instead of leaving them at the boxes, pets our Dog, leaves the packages in the house on the dining room table. When I do my Sat mailing at the PO, they fill out all the DC's, Ins. ect for me, don't ask me anything, know what is what and just make life so much easier for me. When they get a PSA Box, they call up to the house that morning to see if we are going to be around to sign for it, then drive it to the house and let my wife sign all the time.
Coudn't be better, that's why this Sat. closing really concerns me.
Neil

ping4u43

I think I read somewhere that it would be a slow mail delivery day, probably a Tuesday, but not Saturday.

leathtech

<< <i>

<< <i>I have the BEST post office in the US. I come with 40-200 packages a week. They all know me, they fill out all my slips for me, they call me on my cell when reg packages from psa comes in.. I just mark the top of my bubble mailers with DC, INS,SIG etc and they know what to do. I buy them lunch once a month.. Pretty great. >>




I'm with Rog on this, I live in a small town only three people work at the Post Office, all know me, my side business, ect. I ship packages 3-4 times a week at work 100-150 each (Another Post Office, only one employee Contract...Same story). We don't have home delivery because we are Rural, have mailboxes 1/2 mile from the house, our Postal lady drives the extra to bring my packages up to the house 3-4 times a week instead of leaving them at the boxes, pets our Dog, leaves the packages in the house on the dining room table. When I do my Sat mailing at the PO, they fill out all the DC's, Ins. ect for me, don't ask me anything, know what is what and just make life so much easier for me. When they get a PSA Box, they call up to the house that morning to see if we are going to be around to sign for it, then drive it to the house and let my wife sign all the time.
Coudn't be better, that's why this Sat. closing really concerns me.
Neil >>



Neil - just wondering why you don’t use PayPal... it would seem like it would save you a huge amount of time - not complaining just wondering since your service is 1st rate!

I also use the PayPal labels, it can't get any easier all I do hit the print out label button at the PayPal screen and I'm done in about 2 mins.

thedutymon

Jason,
Good question, how much trouble is it to do that, do you need some software? How much does it cost? Do you have to buy labels from them? I would be needing 100-150 per week. (IE: How much more can I give to FeeBay/Pay.Bend Over.Pal)? I would just love to be able to give them more of a cut of my meager sales! Not !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously though, what does it take?
Neil

larryallen73

I just do it on PayPal and print the stickers (free FedEx stickers) and ship from here. Much easier than going to the post office.

thedutymon

FedEx is too expensive!!!!!

Neil

saucywombat

My local post office says the same thing to people. They are required to run through the checklist.

My post office always ends with "Would you like to purchase any artwork or stuffed animals today?"

jivan

so i just come from post office after reading this post ... all my stuff done by paypal postage except 1 reg envelope with a card in it.. i secured it to left side of envelope(inside) and asked for it to be hand stamped.. guy wants to charge me 20 cents more becasue it does not go into machine.. told him i have seen tons of people come in for that service and never get charged.. he says ok and hand cancels it for me right there, no charge... he was one of the guys who works as a teller part time when they are short, but usually works in the back mail room.....i hope they close 5 days a week those losers!!!!!!!!!!!!

leathtech

<< <i>Jason,
Good question, how much trouble is it to do that, do you need some software? How much does it cost? Do you have to buy labels from them? I would be needing 100-150 per week. (IE: How much more can I give to FeeBay/Pay.Bend Over.Pal)? I would just love to be able to give them more of a cut of my meager sales! Not !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously though, what does it take?
Neil >>




Below is the last paypal label I processed... grand total was $1.86 to ship 1 graded card with d/c. I do not print on label sticker paper (to expensive) - I just use regular paper and then use clear packing tape to tape it to the front of the package (if you do this just do not tape over the postage bar codes). This system allows me to charge $2.50 to ship out 1 graded card (postage + mailer + supplies gets you right about to the $2.50 mark).

The post office will even pick the stuff up at your house - I bet your mail person would pick everything up when they drop off your incoming mail.

Label Purchase Date:
Jan. 24, 2009 06:51:19 PST
Total Postage Value:
$1.86 USD
Total Shipping Cost:
$1.86 USD


Service Type:
First-Class Mail® Parcel (2-5 days)
Package Size:
Package/Thick Envelope
Weight:
0 lbs. 4 oz.
Mailing Date:
Jan. 24, 2009
Delivery Confirmation:
$0.18 USD
Signature Confirmation:
No
Display Postage Value on Label:
No