What do you say when a nosy post office clerk...

ajman

asks you what's inside the package? I recently had this happen to me when I went to mail an 8 x 11 envelope the other day. I told her it was a collectable and she then moved on trying to upsell me every product they offer. I was kind of peeved when she asked me what was inside the package. I think she was trying to get a feel if it was fragile or glass or hazardous but it's none of their business what is inside, but I don't want to p!ss them off either as I go there quite often.

commoncents05

I think what you did was fine. She's just being nosy, nothing to get overly upset over. As far as trying to sell you on their services, that is their job. Would you like fries with that?

-Paul

PerryHall

Ask her why she needs to know.

messydesk

The correct answer is your choice of "merchandise" or "correspondence," unless you're using the media mail or book rates, in which case the correct answer is "bound, printed matter" (with or without advertising, depending on the rate chosen).

The "Is there anything fragile, liquid, or perishable inside? Would you like priority mail 2-3 days not guaranteed, express mail, certified mail with proof of mailing, return receipt, delivery or signature confirmation, or insurance?" (spoken without spaces between the words) is the postal clerk equivalent to asking if you want fries with that.

Edited to add: and I actually did have a clerk ask me if I wanted fries with that once.

seanq

I usually answer "merchandise" or maybe "collectibles," and when pressed I would say "Don't worry, it's nothing fragile, liquid or perishable." That tends to be a conversation ender.


Sean Reynolds

ricko

I answer 'merchandise', and that suffices. Cheers, RickO

Dentuck

"A baby zebra."

guitarwes

<< <i>"Don't worry, it's nothing fragile, liquid, or perishable." >>



I guess I look like a terrorist trying to mail something because they go a step further everytime and and ask me "...anything fragile, liquid, perishable, or potentially hazardous in here?"

If it's heavy, I tell them it none of these unless you drop it on your foot.

But to answer the OP, I tell them it's collectibles, but the clerks at my small town post office know what I do so they know coins or precious metals are inside. I don't mind them knowing because I know all of them very good and they take care of me.

GoldClause

I once answered "It's potentially fragile." She thought that was funny.

shorecoll

Peregrine falcon and bald eagle fillets, but they're salt cured so not perishable.

No I think your answer was the best. Someone here once said if they are obviously coins, like a box of wheat cents, say "metal stampings".

TURBO

You start talking back to post office workers and you run the risk of having the police showing up at your home.

TPRC

I responded "coins" once and within 3 months, I lost a package from that post office.

AnkurJ

Live Scorpions.

GRANDAM

The correct answer is "nothing fragile, liquid, perishable or hazardous:

That is all they need to know

GrandAm

LindeDad

Print the shipping label at home and check the box and all you have to do is drop it in the chute.

BaseballAbs

<< <i>The correct answer is "nothing fragile, liquid, perishable or hazardous:

That is all they need to know

GrandAm >>

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>I think what you did was fine. She's just being nosy, nothing to get overly upset over. As far as trying to sell you on their services, that is their job. Would you like fries with that?

-Paul >>



It is called suggestive selling and like it or not they are generally required to do that. If you work at Mickey Ds, you never know if the person on the other side of the counter is ordering cuz they are hungry or checking out your performance.

blu62vette

When I ship a heavy load of coins it would be car parts if they asked, water pump, etc.

RichieURich

<< <i> "Don't worry, it's nothing fragile, liquid or perishable."
That tends to be a conversation ender. >>



That's the correct answer.

Edit to add: What's even worse is when you get an inexperienced clerk who asks loudly, "Is $10,000 [or whatever amount] the value of your package?",
the outcome of which is that everyone in the Post Office knows that you carry valuable packages.

You have to tell the clerk (1) don't ever again make a public announcement of the value, and (2) if you need to ask, just ask "is the value of the package correct?"

mrearlygold

computer parts

Mook

<< <i>asks you what's inside the package? I recently had this happen to me when I went to mail an 8 x 11 envelope the other day. I told her it was a collectable and she then moved on trying to upsell me every product they offer. I was kind of peeved when she asked me what was inside the package. I think she was trying to get a feel if it was fragile or glass or hazardous but it's none of their business what is inside, but I don't want to p!ss them off either as I go there quite often. >>


Thermonuclear weapons?
Seriously though, I've been asked by the local PO clerks (I live in a very small town) a few times and I just respond either "collectibles) or "merchandise" , adding "nothing fragile" and that usually puts an end to it.

steveben

can't they find out what's the box anyway, if they wanted to, without opening it? i am pretty sure they can if they are curious enough.

ziggy29

<< <i>computer parts >>

This begs the question: Could they deny an insurance claim on a lost package if you misrepresent the contents? I'd imagine that if you filed a claim for missing coins described as "computer parts" you could be guilty of insurance fraud and/or mail fraud if it was discovered that you were really shipping coins instead?

Solo

Keep in mind they're used to dealing with mouth-breathing cake-eaters all day who bring loose items to the counter and expect them to be magically sent across the world even though they didn't pack them in a box. I ship a lot of stuff and the stupidity I see at the post office *every* trip is depressing to say the least. Without a doubt though the better the neighborhood the fewer morons you'll see in line.



<< <i>Live Scorpions. >>



LOL you stole some of my thunder as I honestly answer, "Scorpions, fireworks, and vodka" whenever I'm asked what's inside or "Do you have anything liquid, perishable, or hazardous."

BillJones

I used to tell them it was a collectable, and then I found a new post office. Some post offices are better than others, and I learned which ones to avoid both in Massachusetts where I used to live and now in Florida.

Lakesammman

I always say, "If you're not careful you could get a paper cut". They always just move on.

Harry779

"When I ship a heavy load of coins it would be car parts if they asked, water pump, etc."

Now why would someone put $3,000.00 insurance on a water pump?

I have only been asked one time (today was the first time in fact) and I just said collectables.

DoubleEagle59

<< <i>I responded "coins" once and within 3 months, I lost a package from that post office. >>



One of my very first mailings on Ebay went missing when I mailed it at a large postal outlet.

I then decided never to go back there.

Well, one day about 6 years later, for some reason I can't recall, I had to go back there to deliver another Ebay coin.

As soon as I got up to the counter, I noticed it was the same postal employee that served me six years ago and the very first thing he said to me was "You're the coin guy aren't you".

I felt a brick drop in my stomach.

How the HE** did he remember me after six years!!

I think we all know the answer.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>

<< <i>computer parts >>

This begs the question: Could they deny an insurance claim on a lost package if you misrepresent the contents? I'd imagine that if you filed a claim for missing coins described as "computer parts" you could be guilty of insurance fraud and/or mail fraud if it was discovered that you were really shipping coins instead? >>



As a rule the contents are not documented at the time of mailing so there is little to worry about fraudwise.

57loaded

most of it goes with a pre-printed label and just dropped in the chute or one for larger packages.

i recently though had a priority package (too big for the regular boxes) and was asked, so i told her.

garrynot

Doesnt matter what was meant by that. Soon many of us wont have post offices near us so we will have to deliver ourselves.

smirkingchamp

A little OT but I sent a thank you card with some photos enclosed once. The clerk asked me if a gift card was inside (probably due to the thickness and bright colored envelope). I said no. Guess what, the envelope never made it to the destination. I filed with the Postal Inspectors and they followed up with me for details. I think they were going to do a sting at that location.

GoldClause

<< <i>A little OT but I sent a thank you card with some photos enclosed once. The clerk asked me if a gift card was inside (probably due to the thickness and bright colored envelope). I said no. Guess what, the envelope never made it to the destination. I filed with the Postal Inspectors and they followed up with me for details. I think they were going to do a sting at that location. >>




Exactly why I never send anything but cards in card envelopes.

Beernuts

<< <i>most of it goes with a pre-printed label and just dropped in the chute or one for larger packages.

i recently though had a priority package (too big for the regular boxes) and was asked, so i told her. >>



Same here.

When asked about heavier packages that wont fit in the chute, I usually reply with "auto parts."

fiveNdime

usually car parts as well. i send those more frequently.

besides... its a gold plated alternator!



<< <i>How the HE** did he remember me after six years!!

I think we all know the answer. >>


NEWMAN!

Cameonut

<< <i>The correct answer is "nothing fragile, liquid, perishable or hazardous:

That is all they need to know

GrandAm >>



Exactly, but I take it one step further on all packages I send - not just coins. When I hand the package to the clerk, I automatically state that there is nothing liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous inside. They are usually so impressed that they just weigh it and don't ask more questions.

When I used to get asked, I simply said 'collectables'. Done.

droopyd

<< <i>This begs the question: Could they deny an insurance claim on a lost package if you misrepresent the contents? I'd imagine that if you filed a claim for missing coins described as "computer parts" you could be guilty of insurance fraud and/or mail fraud if it was discovered that you were really shipping coins instead? >>



You don't have to claim what's in the package when sending it (except for Media Mail or if overseas). You have to disclose the contents (and be able to prove same) only if and when you need to file a claim.

droopyd

<< <i>besides... its a gold plated alternator! >>



The only kind that will do for The Donald.

MsMorrisine

<< <i>The correct answer is "nothing fragile, liquid, perishable or hazardous:

That is all they need to know

GrandAm >>




this is the best answer.

I stick to their script.


"fragile" but nothing liquid, perishable, nor potentially hazardous.


although potentially fragile is good, too.

cmerlo1

I say 'collectibles' or 'antiques'.

tahoe98

<< <i>can't they find out what's the box anyway, if they wanted to, without opening it? i am pretty sure they can if they are curious enough. >>



...sure! they'll get all there is to know after the x-ray.

coinman23885

<< <i>Ask her why she needs to know. >>



I think she was probably inquiring to find out if there was anything hazardous or fragile, but she should have come out and asked only this. I would have responded a fragile, nonhazardous good or something to that effect.

tahoe98

...i just tell 'em, ummm, i don't know, my neighbor asked me to mail this for them.

stealer

<< <i>I responded "coins" once and within 3 months, I lost a package from that post office. >>


I think it's fair to say that those are two completely unrealted events.

coinkid855

<< <i>...i just tell 'em, ummm, i don't know, my neighbor asked me to mail this for them. >>




"He just got back from some kind of training in Afghanistan...wouldn't tell me what though. Weird!"




-Paul

LostSisler

I once sent a coin through the mail worth a ton and was asked what it was after I declined insurance... it was very difficult to keep a straight face. I had to laugh and do the "If I told you, I'd have to... " line.

fcloud

My standard answer when asked is "merchandise."

kaz

<< <i>Live Scorpions. >>

mrpaseo

One of the first numismatic packages that I ever sent was a free been collection I was sending to a new collector. The mail clerk asked what was in the package... that threw me off because I did not want to say coins and currency so I said, Numismatics to try to throw him off... The package never arrived (Or so I was told).

After that, I said, "Metal washers" when asked the same question. It seems at that post office, they want to know exactly what is in your package... I no longer use that post office.

Ray

pennyannie

I tell my post office pepole everything. I have even opened a few packages to show them the coin or what ever. I get the latest gossip that is going on and i will sometimes get a phone call at 4:30 saying i have a package that just arrived and i can come get it if i want it now instead of waiting for tommorows mail. My rural carrier will bring the packages and mail to the house instead of leaving a card in the mail box at the road. A lot of us went to Willie Nelson a few weeks back. The post office where i live knows what is going on around town. The few claims i have had in the past get handled ASAP.

pontiacinf

There was one certain Lady at the post office that after she went down the standard list
Id say "explosive" as it was never metioned in the list, but after 9/11 I retired that joke.