posted on February 22, 2002 05:02:58 AM new
I guess I'm lucky too! I live in a decent sized city with 2 large central postoffices and several small USPS offices in conveinance stores. I go to a convenience store 2 minutes from my home and mail several packages at a time with no line and no hassle. I think that if this PO wasnt so close to me I wouldnt be doing online auctions. The main downtown PO has virtually no parking and is always busy and it would be a total PITA to drag my 3 year old there everyday : )
MEOW
posted on February 22, 2002 05:27:52 AM new
I send off alot of packages too and my post office LOVES me - because unlike alot of other people in line - all my stuff is properly sealed, signed and ready to go and I have everything sorted out in different piles - media, first class, priority, airmail - which makes it easier for them to get my stuff stamped and out the door, and the time the take to help me is ALOT shorter than the dolts who come in the post office and don't have ANYTHING filled out, or know how to tape a box together - making everyone waiting in line get fidgety and anxious and mutter under their breath as to their stupidity and rudeness. While with people like me who have it all together and ready to go - I just sail in and out the door in record time!
I everyone would come to the post office prepared - it would make things easier for EVERYONE!
And BTW - my postal clerks are all really nice and friendly people and it's nice to be on a first name basis with them all - who are over-worked and just doing their jobs...
posted on February 22, 2002 07:09:09 AM new
We have been hassled by the post office, one branch wouldn't even accept our preposted packages, and wanted to recharge for confirmation numbers. When we refused to pay again, they accepted the packages, however unknown to us, they didn't scan the confirmation numbers.
posted on February 22, 2002 07:38:12 AM new
This post has me laughing so hard. I sell about 100+ auctions a week and try and make a PO run 3x's a week. I have 2 gals during the day and one in the evenings (our PO is open until 9:30) that I absolutely adore. They seem like friends now. I have all the delivery confimations, insurance, customs forms filled out and affixed to the boxes. But it will be a cold day in hell before I start spending more money and wasting more time getting these boxes ready to mail. I pay the same postage as Mr. High and Mighty Twinsoft's 1-2 letters he may have in line behind me. I am not spending anymore time on the process. And honestly, I don't think my gals care one way or the other. I would like to think they enjoy the 30 minutes or so working with me than those 10 people they just helped that don't know how to address their letters, how to send a letter to Korea or the other various problems they encounter with the general population.
My post office has 4 windows and they are almost always tended by clerks. Having a line at my post office for people with 10 or more packages wouldn't be prudent because there aren't that awful many people each day that do. So, for you big babies out there, just pretend that the window that I am at is closed and that there are only 3 clerks working on the line.
I just can't believe how stupid some of you are. I agree with the post about the grocery store line and that is immediately what I thought of. Not every grocery store has the express checkout... so should I be pissed that since I am a single gal that only has about 3 items at a time (hate to cook) has to wait behind the mother with 2 kids and a grocery cart packed to the brim. Heck no, I grab a magazine or start a conversation with others.
Welcome to America, where people can't wait their turn and everything is Me Me Me.
I printed out the post and am taking it in today to the gals here at the post office and let them get a kick out of how rude other postal workers are and what big ebay babies are out there. I appreciate my post office but I won't do their job and mine, that is just foolishness! I would rather spend that time listing more and making more money.
There's no danger of developing eyestrain from looking at the bright side of things!
posted on February 22, 2002 08:33:44 AM new
I just have to jump in and add my own story here. About 2-3 years ago I lived in another city and of course used a different post office. I would go in there with my ebay boxes and depending on which clerk I got would either be okay, or I would get flack. There was one man in particular who would moan and groan that I had too much. Now I have a sense of humor and this guy was NOT joking around. He tried to tell me the 10 package rule too. I too would always have my stuff ready to go and often I even had stamps on them-- depending on what they were. To give you an idea of volume I would have maybe 20 items each time. Double what this guy didn't want to handle. I was pregnant at the time and had a young child with me, so no way was I going to wait in line several times just for him.
At one point he made a big scene about my boxes and I decided to take action. I went to the usps site and found the link (or email or whatever it was) for the postmaster general and sent a letter explaining the trouble that I was having. Within 2 weeks it was resolved. One of the higher ups talked to the folks at my post office and they also called me. I never had another problem with them and the negative clerk wound up acting a lot better towards me too.
So I am urging you to file a complaint. It worked for me. Good luck.
Just wanted to add that the post office I go to now is fantastic. It is in the back of a drug store and is not busy. They are always glad to see me and we always have a pleasant time chatting. Thank goodness-- it makes a difference to feel welcomed into a business, doesn't it?
posted on February 22, 2002 08:45:40 AM new
If you think it would be an incredible waste of personnel to have a clerk waiting around for somebody with 10 or more packages to come in, while others wait in line, you are correct. Of course they could work it like the 1st class check in at the airport: when that line is empty they call 1 customer over from the peon line until another bigshot shows up.
And yet at the Royal Oak, Mich Post office, there is a seperate counter where a clerk sells all the Looney Tunes envelopes and countless other junk like boxes for $3.00 (there's plenty of good boxes in dumpsters in case you don't know about Priority mail), etc.
This clerk is not set up to handle real customers so just stands there much of the day, doing notta.
posted on February 22, 2002 09:20:32 AM new
I think it depends on the specific post office. I've moved around a LOT in the past 6 years (New York, California, and Oregon) so I have seen a lot of post offices.
I've had overwhelming positive experiences with most of the employees, in fact I got to know one of them, and he consigned material to me to sell. I did use one branch that was really bad, one of the workers was just plain angry all the time. He used to curse under his breath at previous customers, so God knows what he said about me after I left.
Fortunately, my local post office now is quite good. They even gave candy out for the kids on Halloween. (It is a pretty small post office)
What really bugs me is people with a letter to mail, and maybe it is over 1 ounce. They have scales and vending machines in the lobby, and then the postal employees have to ask do you want certified, do you want delivery confirmation, do you want priority or express? It can take a few minutes to stick a stamp on an envelope. I know they make their money from these extra services, but it can be really annoying.
And as to having 35 packages, and the 10 package "rule" to help customers in line - I don't really care much about that, because they certainly aren't thinking of my wait in line when they spend 5 full minutes to eventually put a stamp on the letter, or buy a booklet of stamps (and take time to choose) when they can do this not in line. I HAVE to stand in line for a package over 1 pound, or if I want insurance, I have no choice...
posted on February 22, 2002 09:43:44 AM new
When I started selling, 1 P.O. clerk was hostile. I couldn't ask a single question without getting my head blown off. When I brought something to be shipped media rate, she demanded to know what was in the box (like I was lying?). She got extremely angry and said on many occasions that EVERYone should ship ALL their packages by Priority. My neighbor works there and told me how the clerk had said "another stupid Ebayer (as if it was a dirty word) doesn't know what they're doing). In the meantime, my husband had found the usps site, and we learned how to weigh & calculate on our own and ordered all the free boxes, labels, DCs, & ins forms needed. All she had to do was scan and tell me the total due. However, she was still hostile. BTW, I went in the AM & was usually the only customer there.
I started taking my packages to another town. They were extremely nice. I could walk in and out in seconds. Then decided this was costing me gas money. So, I went back.
While I was debating giving the main P.O. a complaint call, someone else beat me to it. Yes, she does have a hang up with "Ebaying," but she is rude to everyone. She got in trouble.
I didn't see her for about 2 weeks. One day I walked in and here she is. She pasted a big Crest smile on as the manager ran out and stood by her while she took care of me. Every day the manager ran to her side while she scanned. He seemed to be monitoring her. After a few weeks, she waited on me unsupervised.
It must have been hard to smile after being chewed out by the boss, so I felt sorry for her. I made special effort to forget the past. She still has her moments, but at least it's better now. She even asked me if I could show her how to sell something on Ebay. So did her boss and another employee.
posted on February 22, 2002 10:00:50 AM new
Why a seller would want to waste their time waiting in line is beyond me. Don't you have better things to do like pack and list? If you send out enough packages, I suggest you pre-stamp your packages or at use an electronic stamp service. Since this "metered" mail, you can just drop them off with a postal clerk. Now, only if the post office can let you drop off International mail!
posted on February 22, 2002 11:49:41 AM new
I think it takes longer to use one of those services - not to mention that you have to pay for those services. I can't imagine printing out my own labels, and if my printer jams I have to apply for a credit, and if the scale is off it may be returned to me for insufficient postage, etc. etc. Just seems to me to be more work. I've never used them but have considered it so correct me if I'm wrong.
posted on February 22, 2002 06:37:48 PM new
I use Endicia software. I get free electronic delivery confirmation -- that saves me $0.40 -- 25 packages a month and the fee pays for itself.
I use a Priority mailing label, running through my printer -- the FROM, TO, DC bar code, and postage is printed on the label. I drop it off to a clerk and I'm outta there. Of the hundreds of packages that I have shipped, I've only had to ask for two refunds. If your printer jams, its time to invest in a new printer. Your process needs to flow...
posted on February 22, 2002 07:20:31 PM new
Sun, while I love the idea of dropping things off, I'd rather have the PROOF that I mailed something. I don't care whether it's the receipt, an insurance slip or delivery confirmation. I want SOMETHING though to prove I did indeed mail the item. Rarely has anything gone astray, but I still have an ass to cover.
posted on February 22, 2002 07:41:08 PM new
Sun818,
Endicia looks like it might pay for itself with the Delivery Confirmation going up to 45cents 6/30. You mentioned you print right onto the USPS Priority Labels, so I wouldn't have to buy special labels or printer. I print the addys onto the labels now, so this wouldn't take any extra steps, plus I would get the postage printed along with it. The first month is free, rate is low after that.
Souds good, thanks (even though this thread wasn't posted for my benefit).
posted on February 22, 2002 07:47:16 PM new
Sounds like somebody here doesn't know Delivery confirmation is free if you use Priority Mail and print your label here:
posted on February 22, 2002 07:47:58 PM new
This is what Endicia's site says about DC:
Track Packages From Your Desk.
Endicia Internet Postage keeps a log of all the mail that you create. To track a package you sent with Delivery Confirmation, simply select the item from the Postage Log and click the Status button. Endicia Internet Postage will retrieve and display the status of your package. You can even print a hardcopy receipt!
That looks like it works as proof it was mailed? Isn't that just like having the little green stub to take home? I could scan this to a customer or just give them the DC# so they can track it on USPS site?
I haven't tried it yet, but that's what it sounds like.
posted on February 22, 2002 10:04:22 PM new
Hi alwaysbroke -- that's exactly what it is. The site actually goes one step further in that it associates the buyer's address with the delivery confirmation link. I don't believe USPS offers makes that information available via Internet. Tonight I dropped off two buckets of USPS Priority packages -- said hello to my clerk -- and off I went to dinner with a friend. No wait, no hassle!
posted on February 22, 2002 10:25:53 PM new
My PO has mentioned the 10 package rule to me, just to let me know that if they only have one person working, they inforce the rule. But in our post office, all it means is that you get back in line after then process 10 packages. That means that the people behind you get a fair shot at the counter. I wouldn't mind, if it did happen to me..but so far it hasn't. I was behind an eBayer at a very small PO, and they had well over a hundred packages. Every so often, he would tell her to take another batch of people. It actually took more time, because he paid by card at each stop..but it was nice of him to offer.
I do own a scale, and I do know what my items weigh. But I don't put my postage on because of two reasons. One, I want that receipt..that's my proof of mailing..the on line label, isn't really proof that I did anything but print out a label on my computer.
Second, even if I put on my own stamps, I would have to wait in line and hand my packages in, since they are over the weight limit for just leaving them.
posted on February 23, 2002 01:55:46 PM new
Wow!! Interesting stories!
I really try to avoid "sales pitches", but for those of you that are shipping a goodly number of packages and are finding it frustrating to deal with your PO, I'd really urge you to give our Endicia PC postage system a try. You can get a 30 day free trial and then decide for yourself if such a service is worth the $9.95/month fee.
Basically, our technology keeps you out of the PO lines and provides free Delivery Confirmation on PM, and 12 cent DC on media mail. Here are just a few of the label types we print:
If your packages are small enough to fit into USPS collection boxes, you can drop them there (even if they are > 16 oz). Or you can give them to your carrier if he/she has a truck. Or you can often drop them off at the back dock of your PO.
Again, I apologize for the direct pitch here, but I hate to see folks getting hassled at their PO because they are volume package shippers!
posted on February 23, 2002 03:25:16 PM new
Ok - Ok.
Why is there a downloadable version of USPS Shipping Assistant and a free software CD. Is one for large and one for small business?
posted on February 23, 2002 03:40:46 PM new
Thank you all for sharing your post office stories, I never thought so many people would be having the same problem. =)
I have written a letter to the postmaster for my area and will post again when I get his response.
In regards to the free electronic delivery confirmation, you dont need the Endica software to use it.
Anyone who fills out the API agreement (part of downloading the USPS Shipping Assistant) can use the USPS web server API's to obtain and print e/ Delivery Confiration labels.
I have a system setup that downloads a delivery confirmation number and then prints a ready to stick label using a Eltron 4x6" label printer.
This works great because I can print Priority, Parcel Post and Media Mail all on the same blank labels and it only costs me the price of the labels. The 4x6" labels for these printers cost about $7 for a roll of 250.
I've probably made back the cost of the printer and the labels just on my first batch of packages since Media Mail reduced the cost of my average package from $4.30 to $1.40.
I'm actually suprised nobody has written free or one-time-cost software to do this since I'm able to pull it off with just a perl script under Linux.
If you dont want to do anything fancy like that (the label printer did cost me $150 on eBay), the USPS Shipping Assistant will print forms on plain paper that you can tape to the packages.
posted on February 23, 2002 03:54:53 PM new
Classics -- We have found the Eltron/Zebra's to be great with our Endicia software. In fact, we are going to be selling Zebra's latest model printer (with USB support)starting next week.
All the examples here were created on the Zebra/Eltron:
posted on February 23, 2002 05:33:51 PM new
I suppose if I clean the scripts up they would be ok for public consumption =)
I wouldnt want to have to provide support though, eBay breaks the script every time they change something, and of course thers no documentation at all other than the source comments.
I always imagined someone had already written a general purpose eBay package for Perl or Python.
sun818: I ship priority, media mail and parcel post. You can also print a few other less used services with those labels but I never set it up to do that.
Harry: can you produce valid 2D indica on the 300dpi thermal labels? I actually looked at your software before and I think my LP2642 was on the not-supported list for printing postage. =(
I had to go through the EPL language reference to make up the lables, I'm pretty sure the printer has built-in support for 2D codes.
posted on February 23, 2002 06:38:10 PM new
Our local Post Office recently received an edict from on high telling them that they must accept ALL packages, no matter how many. There is no 10 package rule.
However, I have been lucky, this Post Office is happy to have the business.
I am, after all, a paying customer, and I probably spend more money there than the average person who just comes in for a stamp or two.
posted on February 24, 2002 07:17:16 AM new
Ahhh....The small town life. I have a wonderful relationship with my PO. They supply me with totes to carry my packages, help me unload my car when I have a lot of boxes. I use the USPS Priority mail supplies, and these are ordered by our Postmaster. I simply say that I need #4 boxes, and they appear on my doorstep. Of course 3 people is a big line at our PO, I do allow customers to go ahead of me if all they need is stamps or a Money Order, etc..., and the clerks are aware of this and thank me.
When the clerks are your neighbors, you know the other customers in line with you, life is simple. I have never had a problem.
posted on February 24, 2002 12:08:35 PM new
I did not take the time to get the name of the person who gave complained about others waiting in line behind me and my large order, but I will say tough SH...T. You should have gotten there 10 minutes earlier he he he. People like me who spend $100 plus in shipping every time I go in are the lifeblood of the postal service.
The post office is a stand alone business. I had a few complaints from one or two clerks and proceeded to tell them "kiss my A..". Then I proceed to tell them about how they are lucky to have a job, and how I am the customer. It will be a cold day in hell before I weigh or stamp my stuff myself, thats their job!. that is what the money I pay for each package does. I do not get a discount like the bulk mailers do either. My packages do have the confirmations filled out
and address labels ready and correct.
And you know what, when I go to a fast food place, I do NOT clean up the table when I leave either. I don't work there either!
