Post office issues

[CrabslayerT]

For the past year or so, I've been shipping from different post offices, depending on what I'm doing at work on that day. Most of the time I don't have any problems, I search for the best deal for shipping my items, print the label, whack it on the box and drop at the most convenient post office.

Item sells yesterday to a Greek buyer, printed the label through PayPal at £15. I entered the weight and dimensions as usual, calculated cost, bought shipping, no problems arise. 

Fast forward to this morning, dropping box of at a place I'd used before but normally avoid as I had a few problems with them in the past. Usual smiley looking c***head watches me coming to the counter. Upon receipt of my shipping box, "hmm that looks a bit big" looks at label, "oh that doesn't look right" asks me to put it on the scales (I normally add an extra few grams to be on the safe side), "ah the weight is all wrong. How much did you pay?" Tell him what I paid, "where is it going?" Give him parcel, looks at label again, "oh wow it's going to Greece!" 

Long story short, refuses to accept my package, and starts showing me prices on his computer (not the first time but the first for any thing bigger than a padded envelope). I ended up paying 32 quid! Phoned PayPal to ask what the story is and get shipping specialist. He's confused and can't understand why this dude refused.

So has anyone else had this issue at the post office?

[Phil B]

I'm not in Ireland like OP, but I would have taken the package and walked ... and tried at another post office. Just like Crabslayer, I also visit 3 different PO's to drop off my packages, depending on which one is along the way. I never stand in line, always drop off my packages at the counter. Never had any issues (apart from the rare "forgetting to scan" glitch, but then the package gets a scan at the DC or sometimes at the destination PO).

[LegoMan1212]

1 hour ago, CrabslayerT said:

For the past year or so, I've been shipping from different post offices, depending on what I'm doing at work on that day. Most of the time I don't have any problems, I search for the best deal for shipping my items, print the label, whack it on the box and drop at the most convenient post office.

Item sells yesterday to a Greek buyer, printed the label through PayPal at £15. I entered the weight and dimensions as usual, calculated cost, bought shipping, no problems arise. 

Fast forward to this morning, dropping box of at a place I'd used before but normally avoid as I had a few problems with them in the past. Usual smiley looking c***head watches me coming to the counter. Upon receipt of my shipping box, "hmm that looks a bit big" looks at label, "oh that doesn't look right" asks me to put it on the scales (I normally add an extra few grams to be on the safe side), "ah the weight is all wrong. How much did you pay?" Tell him what I paid, "where is it going?" Give him parcel, looks at label again, "oh wow it's going to Greece!" 

Long story short, refuses to accept my package, and starts showing me prices on his computer (not the first time but the first for any thing bigger than a padded envelope). I ended up paying 32 quid! Phoned PayPal to ask what the story is and get shipping specialist. He's confused and can't understand why this dude refused.

So has anyone else had this issue at the post office?

Nothing like this, mine usually always say, "Good Job weighing this! Well done!"  I swear it's like getting a compliment from my Mom as it happens so often.  Nothing but smiles in this part of the USA.

[terrymc4677]

5 minutes ago, LegoMan1212 said:

Nothing like this, mine usually always say, "Good Job weighing this! Well done!"  I swear it's like getting a compliment from my Mom as it happens so often.  Nothing but smiles in this part of the USA.

It must be a Wisconsin thing. I'm on a first name basis with all three of my post office ladies (so is my wife who sometimes runs packages for me on her lunch hour), and if I don't bring anything in for a couple of days they start to worry about me. They always greet us with a smile and friendly small talk. Having a courteous postal employee certainly makes the trip there more tolerable.

In regards to the OP, I would just avoid that particular post office. It seems as if that employee has a bug up their arse for whatever reason. 

[Salimr]

I had great post offices in Michigan, they gave receipts and had a counter I could drop off packages with no wait if I did not need a receipt or most fit in the box. I traveled a ton for work and found all I went in Michigan were fine if not great. I also spent last summer in Wyoming and found the post offices there to be fine too.

I recently moved to Houston and have yet found any that are even acceptable. I have tried 9 so far, none of them have given receipts and I ask, they just will not. They will not let me skip the line and set them up front most times although a few employees are fine with that. They all make me wait in a mail pick up line or customer complaint type line even if the line for customers has no one in it. 

I am not sure why I can not hand my packages to the lady playing with her phone or filing her nails. They direct me to the line in the hall

this line takes on average 6 minutes per person (yes I timed it) many people lost mail keys as there are very few mail boxes here or are getting a new home and have to turn in paperwork. Most trips I find someone in line before me actually crying as their important mail is lost.

Since I moved I have had 3 packages lost or damaged them around 20 days later mysteriously found and delivered. Also had mail person deliver my whole neighborhoods mail to a box that was very clearly broken into prior to delivery as security footage showed (he was suspended for that)

I have called multiple times to leave recommendations but they are either too stupid or just don't care. One would think if you gave some of the worst ratings in the country to look to other places, but they do not. They will keep having to deal with miserable employees and customers I guess.

I ended up getting a post office box with UPS to avoid my USPS.

Edited March 28, 2017 by Salimr

[ravenb99]

3 hours ago, terrymc4677 said:

It must be a Wisconsin thing. I'm on a first name basis with all three of my post office ladies (so is my wife who sometimes runs packages for me on her lunch hour), and if I don't bring anything in for a couple of days they start to worry about me. They always greet us with a smile and friendly small talk. Having a courteous postal employee certainly makes the trip there more tolerable.

In regards to the OP, I would just avoid that particular post office. It seems as if that employee has a bug up their arse for whatever reason. 

Oh yeah definitely a Wisconsin thing...

[cladner]

there are 4 post offices that i frequent depending on where i'm headed.  3 are always friendly and courteous.  the 4th one its always like i just asked them to build a giant wall when i drop of 4 separate microfighters boxed up in small  8x6x6 and expect them to give me a receipt.  unfortunately, that's my hometown office who also delivers about a third of my amazon purchases  - well, s'posed to deliver, but they just leave an orange slip in the box telling me to come get my amazon and don't forget lunch begins at 10:45 around here.  looks like someone's got a case of the s'posed to's again... sigh.

[Jackson]

I'm not the only one who has the postal service pick up at his house, am I?

[iahawks550]

I almost always drop my packages off at the Post Office as I mail them out the same day I get payment (if before 4pm).

How far ahead of time do you need to request a pickup? Do you leave the package at your front door, or near the mailbox?

[Pseudoty]

37 minutes ago, iahawks550 said:

I almost always drop my packages off at the Post Office as I mail them out the same day I get payment (if before 4pm).

How far ahead of time do you need to request a pickup? Do you leave the package at your front door, or near the mailbox?

https://tools.usps.com/go/ScheduleAPickupAction!input.action

Use it all the time only had an issue once in over 3 years on a Saturday when it was not my regular mail carrier. I leave mine at my front door if to large to fit in postal locker.

Latest you can schedule for free next day pickup is 0200 EST living in EST. They scan packages upon pickup so this helps meet TRS criteria and Fast and Free.