Why is the post office phone hold time over an hour?

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 8:49AM

Going on 1:20 waiting for the promised call back.

Made the mistake of shipping registered again. Half the cost of Priority insured. 11 days and counting for a coin going one state over.

Selling stamps is better. Just stick them on an envelope and mail them.

bronco2078 · February 7, 2019 8:57AM

they have your number on the dead letter list

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 9:03AM

@bronco2078 said:
they have your number on the dead letter list

Just got a call back. had more success while waiting.

Kudbegud · February 7, 2019 9:07AM

Registered Mail ALWAYS takes longer because of the required extra handling for tracking at every point along the way. For this delay it is the safest USPS option. Trade speed for safety.

Hydrant · February 7, 2019 9:11AM

Because it's the post office?

Paradisefound · February 7, 2019 9:12AM

I need advise from any seasoned eBay seller .... please.

Purchased and printed on eBay 3 Priority & signature confirmation $9.25 x 3
.... then the PO clerk suggested Specific signature confirmation instead after scanning all of them.
So I paid another $15 x 3 and was told to go to USPS online and cancel them for refund.
I tried to cancel it on line but to no avail ..... PO now sending me home to call them direct so they can get directive on how to refund it here at the local PO.

Geez......waiting time is over an hour and I hung up after 28 min hold. I figured it's not worth my 'hourly' pay but it is indeed so frustrating.

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 9:12AM

@Kudbegud said:
Registered Mail ALWAYS takes longer because of the required extra handling for tracking at every point along the way. For this delay it is the safest USPS option. Trade speed for safety.

For the last 3 or 4 years most have moved in 3-5 days. With one excepetion that was in the lock up for 7.

Just got the number from the supervisor that the first contact said was not available.

Next time I will have Rollo drop it off.

ctf_error_coins · February 7, 2019 9:15AM

Whenever I am forced to be on hold for long periods of time, I always just put the phone on speaker and listen to elevator music while I go about my other internet business. I do not waste time, on hold, in line or in traffic. Life is too short.

Paradisefound · February 7, 2019 9:15AM

@Coinstartled what numbers should I call?

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 9:17AM

@ErrorsOnCoins said:
Whenever I am forced to be on hold for long periods of time, I always just put the phone on speaker and listen to elevator music while I go about my other internet business. I do not waste time, on hold, in line or in traffic. Life is too short.

Yeah. I used the call back option. Was able to discuss the Brady-Belichick paradox with Perk and Bronco while waiting!

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 9:21AM

There is no incentive at the USPS for doing anything more than letting the phone ring or leaving you on hold.

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 9:26AM

@Outhaul said:
There is no incentive at the USPS for doing anything more than letting the phone ring or leaving you on hold.

Have seen improvements in wait times at my local station regarding wait times. Expediting delayed packages is possible but takes effort and patience. I find if they don't move from a location in more than 3 days, someone forgot about them.

bronco2078 · February 7, 2019 9:28AM

the ringing phone is next to the only clerk at the one open window . There is a line of 5 customers waiting to each buy a single stamp with their chip style debit card .

oih82w8 · February 7, 2019 10:07AM

"Extended Coffee break"?

CCGGG · February 7, 2019 10:37AM

Because they are in training to become IRS employees where the hold times can really increase.

johnny9434 · February 7, 2019 10:41AM

extended lunch maybe?

Kudbegud · February 7, 2019 10:45AM

Or they just don't like you and add your caller ID to the Terminal Hold Cue.

bestday · February 7, 2019 10:58AM

@Coinstartled said:
Going on 1:20 waiting for the promised call back.

Made the mistake of shipping registered again. Half the cost of Priority insured. 11 days and counting for a coin going one state over.

Selling stamps is better. Just stick them on an envelope and mail them.

post office doesn't want you to call.....I was on hold for 50 minutes ...they hung up...this ..for a $20 St .traveling around for 8 days...on priority mail

yspsales · February 7, 2019 11:16AM

I have had registered mail make it to PSA/PCGS in about three/four days.

I have had registered mail take more than a week to make it into NYC.

I am on the East Coast... go figure.

messydesk · February 7, 2019 11:23AM

They're on break. You gotta probbem wit dat?

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 11:31AM

@yspsales said:
I have had registered mail make it to PSA/PCGS in about three/four days.

I have had registered mail take more than a week to make it into NYC.

I am on the East Coast... go figure.

5 weeks is my record. Probably still be in Concord CA had i not called.

Oh well..it is sunny and the bike trails are fast!

jmlanzaf · February 7, 2019 1:50PM

@Paradisefound said:
I need advise from any seasoned eBay seller .... please.

Purchased and printed on eBay 3 Priority & signature confirmation $9.25 x 3
.... then the PO clerk suggested Specific signature confirmation instead after scanning all of them.
So I paid another $15 x 3 and was told to go to USPS online and cancel them for refund.
I tried to cancel it on line but to no avail ..... PO now sending me home to call them direct so they can get directive on how to refund it here at the local PO.

Geez......waiting time is over an hour and I hung up after 28 min hold. I figured it's not worth my 'hourly' pay but it is indeed so frustrating.

Anything printed on eBay can simply be canceled on eBay. I do it all the time when I make a mistake or change my mind. Go to your labels and choose "void"

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 1:59PM

So, on your end you’re on hold while he investigates. On his end, he’s taking a bathroom break, then out to smoke a cigarette or three, then on to the break room to peruse the vending machines, sit quietly and eat his Payday bar, and by the time he returns, you’ll have hopefully hung up out of frustration.

TwoSides2aCoin · February 7, 2019 2:03PM

You're asking the wrong forum. Try asking here:
https://www.usps.com/help/contact-us.htm

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 2:05PM

Payday was a good candy bar. They still around?

TwoSides2aCoin · February 7, 2019 2:07PM

BING was a good candy bar. I'm surprised they didn't sue Microsoft.

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:10PM

@Coinstartled said:
Payday was a good candy bar. They still around?

Sure are, they’re the BEST!

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:11PM

Remember Zero bars?

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 2:19PM

Worked the front register in a drugstore. This as a rail and unlimited candy. Go to were chunky and peanut butter cups. Kit Kat and M&M peanuts. 7up bar was great but a bit messy while working.

Don't recall the Zero bar.

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:22PM

Zero bar was nougat with almonds covered in white chocolate.

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:26PM

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:30PM

Used to have a Zero bar after this...

Hemispherical · February 7, 2019 2:30PM

Must be CU... where else would a thread go from registered mail to candy bars. LOL

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:32PM

Sorry...did I derail this one?

Speaking of derailing, I remember my old Lionel train set...oops...sorry. Almost did it again.

hammer1 · February 7, 2019 2:34PM

@Outhaul said:
There is no incentive at the USPS for doing anything more than letting the phone ring or leaving you on hold.

Lazy government employees. Feeding at the public trough.

If USPS employees weren't subsidized they would all be on welfare.

BAJJERFAN · February 7, 2019 2:35PM

@CCGGG said:
Because they are in training to become IRS employees where the hold times can really increase.

Maybe all callers are like window customers who continue to ask questions when it's clear that the clerk can't help them any more. Ever get behind a couple of those?

BAJJERFAN · February 7, 2019 2:36PM

@Coinstartled said:
Payday was a good candy bar. They still around?

Indeed they are, but I like salted nut rolls better.

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:37PM

@hammer1 said:

@Outhaul said:
There is no incentive at the USPS for doing anything more than letting the phone ring or leaving you on hold.

Lazy government employees. Feeding at the public trough.

If USPS employees weren't subsidized they would all be on welfare.

They are actually a private entity heavily regulated by the government. Hence USPS.COM rather than USPS.GOV.

BAJJERFAN · February 7, 2019 2:39PM

@jmlanzaf said:

@Paradisefound said:
I need advise from any seasoned eBay seller .... please.

Purchased and printed on eBay 3 Priority & signature confirmation $9.25 x 3
.... then the PO clerk suggested Specific signature confirmation instead after scanning all of them.
So I paid another $15 x 3 and was told to go to USPS online and cancel them for refund.
I tried to cancel it on line but to no avail ..... PO now sending me home to call them direct so they can get directive on how to refund it here at the local PO.

Geez......waiting time is over an hour and I hung up after 28 min hold. I figured it's not worth my 'hourly' pay but it is indeed so frustrating.

Anything printed on eBay can simply be canceled on eBay. I do it all the time when I make a mistake or change my mind. Go to your labels and choose "void"

Except once they are scanned into the USPS system then they're nolo cancello! He's probly SOL unless a Supervisor can override it.

BAJJERFAN · February 7, 2019 2:40PM

@Coinstartled said:
Going on 1:20 waiting for the promised call back.

Made the mistake of shipping registered again. Half the cost of Priority insured. 11 days and counting for a coin going one state over.

Selling stamps is better. Just stick them on an envelope and mail them.

Don't call their general 800 number. You call the PO where it was last held or still sitting.

hammer1 · February 7, 2019 2:42PM

@Outhaul said:

@hammer1 said:

@Outhaul said:
There is no incentive at the USPS for doing anything more than letting the phone ring or leaving you on hold.

Lazy government employees. Feeding at the public trough.

If USPS employees weren't subsidized they would all be on welfare.

They are actually a private entity heavily regulated by the government. Hence USPS.COM rather than USPS.GOV.

Same employees either way.

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 2:45PM

@hammer1 said:

@Outhaul said:

@hammer1 said:

@Outhaul said:
There is no incentive at the USPS for doing anything more than letting the phone ring or leaving you on hold.

Lazy government employees. Feeding at the public trough.

If USPS employees weren't subsidized they would all be on welfare.

They are actually a private entity heavily regulated by the government. Hence USPS.COM rather than USPS.GOV.

Same employees either way.

No, I take great offense to that comparison. I’m an extremely hard working federal employee.

blitzdude · February 7, 2019 3:49PM

Think they may be shut down or working without pay. Probably short staffed which is causing delays.

Kudbegud · February 7, 2019 3:50PM

@Outhaul said:
Used to have a Zero bar after this...

Chicken Delight started 1 mile from my birth home. I even worked there for a little over a year.
https://chickendelight.com/about-us/our-history/

bestday · February 7, 2019 3:59PM

old farts bringing back candy memories, from the 60s.....lol

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 4:04PM

@blitzdude said:
Think they may be shut down or working without pay. Probably short staffed which is causing delays.

USPS was not affected by the shutdown.

blitzdude · February 7, 2019 4:12PM

@Outhaul said:

@blitzdude said:
Think they may be shut down or working without pay. Probably short staffed which is causing delays.

USPS was not affected by the shutdown.

Really? I've been waiting for some 2019 eagles almost 2 weeks now. Guys excuse is post office has been closed.

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 4:41PM

@BAJJERFAN said:

@Coinstartled said:
Going on 1:20 waiting for the promised call back.

Made the mistake of shipping registered again. Half the cost of Priority insured. 11 days and counting for a coin going one state over.

Selling stamps is better. Just stick them on an envelope and mail them.

Don't call there general 800 number. You call the PO where it was last held or still sitting.

That was problem last PO had a non working number. Destination post office workers were on break eating zagnut bars.

BAJJERFAN · February 7, 2019 4:45PM

@Coinstartled said:

@BAJJERFAN said:

@Coinstartled said:
Going on 1:20 waiting for the promised call back.

Made the mistake of shipping registered again. Half the cost of Priority insured. 11 days and counting for a coin going one state over.

Selling stamps is better. Just stick them on an envelope and mail them.

Don't call there general 800 number. You call the PO where it was last held or still sitting.

That was problem last PO had a non working number. Destination post office workers were on break eating zagnut bars.

When I found a PO that had a non-working number I called my PO and they gave me the working number.

Coinstartled · February 7, 2019 4:50PM

@BAJJERFAN said:

@Coinstartled said:

@BAJJERFAN said:

@Coinstartled said:
Going on 1:20 waiting for the promised call back.

Made the mistake of shipping registered again. Half the cost of Priority insured. 11 days and counting for a coin going one state over.

Selling stamps is better. Just stick them on an envelope and mail them.

Don't call there general 800 number. You call the PO where it was last held or still sitting.

That was problem last PO had a non working number. Destination post office workers were on break eating zagnut bars.

When I found a PO that had a non-working number I called my PO and they gave me the working number.

Finally got a working number to the last stop PO. Left a message. Tied up with more important stuff this afternoon. Hope they wake someone up.

Outhaul · February 7, 2019 4:52PM

@BAJJERFAN said:

@Coinstartled said:

@BAJJERFAN said:

@Coinstartled said:
Going on 1:20 waiting for the promised call back.

Made the mistake of shipping registered again. Half the cost of Priority insured. 11 days and counting for a coin going one state over.

Selling stamps is better. Just stick them on an envelope and mail them.

Don't call there general 800 number. You call the PO where it was last held or still sitting.

That was problem last PO had a non working number. Destination post office workers were on break eating zagnut bars.

When I found a PO that had a non-working number I called my PO and they gave me the working number.

If they don’t do any work, how can they have a “working” number?

Why is the post office phone hold time over an hour?

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