Why I hate the Post Office - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 01-29-2009, 09:38 AM

I just bought used parts from a guy, who sent them by USPS so they would have to be signed for. I got there at 8:00 because the post office "call for packages" desk is open 6:30-8:30, i.e. before the main post office opens.

I knocked on the door like I usually do and gave the lady the ticket.

She refused it.

You can't pick up your mail here."
"Why not?" I always have for 20 years."
Well, now, you have to subscribe to use this pick up door. Otherwise you have to wait in line to pick up the package."
"But the Post Office isn't open another half hour."
Yes, that's right." All smiles.
"Well, how much does it cost to get a subscription?"
" Only 475.00 a year."
" So you are telling me that I am paying 475.00 a year for the privilege of picking up my packages from a side door before the Post Office opens, even though I had been doing that for free up to now for the past twenty years?"
"Yes, that's right." All smiles.
Well, I think it's time for coffee. BTW Isn't that my package over there? (pointing on the shelf to a package).
"Wait I'll look. " Takes my ticket to check."yes it is."
"And you can't give it to me."
"For 475.00 I will."
"Thanks, it's time for coffee."
Door closes.
No wonder the Post Office has people unhinged.
BTW, the post office is run by a man named Abu Something or other. No one can understand him when he speaks English.

John Doe · #2 01-29-2009, 09:45 AM

If that's even remotely true, you should turn the branch into the Inspector General.

I have had the same PO Box for my office for 11 years. It is in a substation near my home. The same man has run it for 30 years. I pay $78/year for my box. If a large package comes in, they leave a key in my box for me to unlock a large locker. When you unlock the locker, the key stays in it--no charge. They rotate five minute breaks, with someone always at the counter--even during the lunch hour. Never had a problem.

al76slc · #3 01-29-2009, 10:14 AM

My closest post office is a hole in the wall in a tiny strip wall. Same guy has run it (by himself) for at least 15 years.

Couldn't be a better experience, and I do complicated USPS shipments overseas.

I guess the problem is when you cluster these folks in groups of more than one or two.

MS Fowler · #4 01-29-2009, 10:20 AM

One of the "NICE" things about a beuracrcy is that there are people higher up for you to complain to.

I'd certainly report this one up the chain of command, and demand they get back to me with an answer.

strelnik · #5 01-29-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

One of the "NICE" things about a beuracrcy is that there are people higher up for you to complain to.

I'd certainly report this one up the chain of command, and demand they get back to me with an answer.

First I have to find someone in authority who speaks English.

pawoSD · #6 01-29-2009, 01:42 PM

So the way they depict it on Seinfeld isn't far from the truth!

Postal employee newman.....is there a problem?

mpolli · #7 01-29-2009, 02:26 PM

2 weeks ago I went to our local post office for some stamps. There are 3 "stations" at the counter. 2 had employees and there and 1 was not being used. I was buying my stamps and a lady comes in and wants to mail a package. The postal employee says "do you have cash?" (he had asked me the same thing). She says "no I have debit card and credit card". He says "sorry, both of our stations are not working for credit or debit cards, only station 1 is working (the one where no one was working) They made her leave and go somewhere else!!! Classic.

pawoSD · #8 01-29-2009, 03:33 PM

You can't fight the post office. They're evil.

Kramer: "THEY KEEP PUSHING ME! AND PUSHING ME! NOW I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GO DOWN THERE, and talk to them."

865sp300e · #9 01-29-2009, 04:27 PM

I was doing a lot of shipping selling stuff on eBay. There is a large post office in a nearby town which has self-serve shipping system. Small packages can be placed in a hopper drawer but large packages need to be taken to the counter. I went to the counter and explained the package was prepaid and labelled. The counter person told me to stand on line. When I got back to the counter the same person told me that I didn't need to stand on line and just set it on the counter.

I live in a small town with an old fashion post office run by one guy. Sometimes he gets in late and he always closes for lunch. The guy works in slow motion, wears a bad toupee, and listens to smooth jazz but its part of the small town charm.

Pooka · #10 01-29-2009, 11:19 PM

I used to live way out in the country in a town with 110 people in it. Everyone knew the lady at the Post Office. One Christmas morning she called me and said I had an important looking letter and if I wanted to come to the Post Office and get it she would be there.

I have also used the 24 hour Post Office in Dallas many times. Even at three AM people are waiting in line to mail stuff.

And for overseas shipping they cannot be beat. Just be sure to check which country you are trying to mail to as weight limits vary country by country.