geekhack
geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: Novus on Tue, 04 November 2014, 05:06:03
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Why does it seem USPS is so against it?
You print a shipping label (via ebay, paypal or something) but you are either shipping something expensive or need proof of shipment (entry/acceptance scan by post office), so you wait in line and then go up to the counter and hand the clerk a prepaid package.
The clerk will look at you and will say "What do you want me to do with this? It's already prepaid" instead of scanning the damn thing and giving you a receipt.
It's very odd, it's as if the USPS doesn't understand that some people either need a scan or prefer to hand things off to the counter instead of using a drop bin.
They'll also sometimes refuse to give you a scan and receipt. I always get this when I go to a large post office with a self-help automated machine/drop off bin and I've seen plenty of other people refused scans as well.
When somebody doesn't have a prepaid package, it takes a few minutes for a clerk to look up and read off prices, process payment and then print/affix postage. It often takes longer when they have to explain something.
It only takes a few seconds for a scan and receipt - especially now that they've supposedly standardized the scanners. Yet some clerks just won't do it for you.
I got this today at my local post office when I decided to drop off a prepaid package while picking up a missed package which required a signature. This office doesn't even have an APC or large drop off bin.
Really annoying when you have to go through this and UPS/Fedex isn't practicalaffordable. You guys ever get this at your post office when you mail a keyboard or something?
This is so bull:
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I've never had a problem with mine. I just go in, get the package scanned and leave with a receipt. Sucks that your post office isn't the same :(
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I've never had this issue. Your local postal clerk must be grouchy. I visit the post office so often that the attendant, Steve, recognizes me. He knows that I have mostly prepaid packages and gives me a nod to drop them off when I walk in the door. It's good to be polite to folks. Steve is the man.
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Post office workers seem to be bipolar. Either they are so nice that you think "something is off with that guy" or they are so spontaneously grouchy that you think "something is off with that guy".
IMHO post office, DMV, etc. all government sponsored mediocrity.
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My post office is always super nice, it's a tiny town(200ish) so only two people work there. But then again, I've also never had the pleasure of having USPS destroy my package.
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WAIT! you can just dump prepaid stuff in a bin? I thought you had to get them to scan it in every time!
the post office I had in Virginia, was built in the early 1800's. There wasn't any fancy bin and stuff. But the postoffice I go to now has machines and looks like an airport. Its a little intimidating.
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I haven't had any problems with dropping off either USPS either, but when I hand my package to the clerk, I say "Can I get a receipt for this?" as I am in the act of handing it. I usually use the bin, but for Ebay stuff, I like to be certain there aren't any issues.
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My post office has a pre-paid security drop box. You don't get a receipt, but if you're in a rush it works.
If post office people hate you/don't know you they can be real pricklies.
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I just drop them off if they already have pre-paid postage on them.
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Canada's too behind to have a drop off box for parcels. :))
The people working at the PO all know me already, so I always just drop it off at their table, and they scan it and sometimes give me a receipt. I only use CP to ship Canadian parcels, so it's just a scan & they're done.
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Forget dropping them off... I have the carrier pick them up. If you paid online that is your receipt, and the carrier supposed to scan them in when picked up so you're all good there too. If you enter a pick up request online you get a confirmation it was collected as well in your email. I love that I don't have to waste my time going to the post office for anything any more.
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Forget dropping them off... I have the carrier pick them up. If you paid online that is your receipt, and the carrier supposed to scan them in when picked up so you're all good there too. If you enter a pick up request online you get a confirmation it was collected as well in your email. I love that I don't have to waste my time going to the post office for anything any more.
Tree and time waster.
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The workers at my USPS question why you are in line to weed out people with pre-paid packages. They say to drop it off into a box, or leave it on the counter and they will scan it. If you ask for a receipt, sometimes they make you wait in line, other times they give it to you without the wait.
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When you print your shipping label, there's an option to print something called a "scan form." Do this, then take it to the PO when you bring your package in. The clerk is then obligated to scan the form in front of you.
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When you print your shipping label, there's an option to print something called a "scan form." Do this, then take it to the PO when you bring your package in. The clerk is then obligated to scan the form in front of you.
I always wondered what that was for.
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Forget dropping them off... I have the carrier pick them up. If you paid online that is your receipt, and the carrier supposed to scan them in when picked up so you're all good there too. If you enter a pick up request online you get a confirmation it was collected as well in your email. I love that I don't have to waste my time going to the post office for anything any more.
This is what I prefer to do. Sometimes I have to take them in, and in that case I just throw them in the box and run out before they see me.