US Postal Service

[Cidp24]

I had the occasion to go to our Post Office today, something that I am loath to do because if the service there.

While I was waiting, I wondered - is the service poor in all post offices or is it a local problem?

At our Post Office:
Not enough clerks, ALWAYS a line.
The clerks seem to move in slow motion. Their movements are slow, when they go to the back to pick up a package or something the "saunter", and when they clear a customer they take their time putting every little thing on their counter back in place before they call the next customer.
Their computer is slow and it seems that there are 100 steps to everything they do.
They are unfriendly and almost never smile. If something is not just right it seems to just exasperate them.

These problems have always existed here (at least for the 30 or so years I have been using this post office).

What about your area?

[Five-0]

The customer service at the Post Offices is nothing new. They actually changed a few things in reaction to the complaints. Guess what they did.......go into any Post Office and see if you can find a clock on the wall. They don't want you to know exactly how long you have been waiting for your chance to experience $hitty service.

[2 Blue 4 U]

Had the same bullcrap today. Making it worse was the fact that I went out of my way to buy the postage online figuring I would just drop the package off. I find out I have to wait online regardless. I went a few minutes after they opened, two windows open, line not too long. I say to myself, ok, should be a breeze in and out. Not even a minute goes by one window closes, then the second window has issues with the customer. I had to wait 10 minutes to drop off a pre-paid package, I asked why is there not a place where they accept them with out having to wait on the retail line. The guy said because he has to weigh it, I said I could have easily called and had it picked up, they do not weigh it. He then said because I have to give you a receipt, I said I have a receipt from buying the postage online, and the only thing the package needs is to be scanned. Next time I have a package I will just call and have them pick it up, unfortunately today I could not do it, was not going to be home for it.

Working slow, if they worked any slower they would be going in reverse!

[Cidp24]

The customer service at the Post Offices is nothing new.

Call me sheltered but growing up and continuing to live in the same city, I have nor reference to this post office. It's the only one I have used.

Working slow, if they worked any slower they would be going in reverse!

I think that's what really griped my grits. The fact that they moved in slow motion, even with 15-18 others standing in line. In any similar job I ever had, I hustled more when it got busy so I just don't understand.

[Buttercup]

My town's only post office isn't bad, but the one near my job is absolutely horrendous. I was waiting in line one day and one of the two clerks was on his cell phone, the conversation was this: "yeah, bro....okay, bro.....yeah, bro.....I know what you mean, bro.....yeah, bro..." I was furious, I left and drove to a post office 15 minutes away where the clerks have always been polite and efficient. I will never go to the other one again.


Oh, I did have one problem with my town's post office. When I'll be out of town for more than 3 days I have my mail held at the post office and then delivered when I return. When I returned from my last trip, my mail had been delivered the day before I came home and it was on the front porch. I called immediately to complain and found out that it wasn't my regular carrier, she was on vacation and a sub had been doing her route.

[Jenna]

I think that's what really griped my grits.

You know things are bad when Cidp24's grits get griped!

[Retdetsgt]

The ones in my post office are nice. Sometimes the line is too long and they only have one clerk at the desk. However, several times I've been there when it was like that and another clerk would come up and ask if anyone was just picking up packages. He/she would get them for them out of turn.

I think mostly here it's a matter of being short handed. I can't blame the people working there really. When you do finally get to the counter, the ones here are courteous and helpful.

[Jenna]

I was waiting in line one day and one of the two clerks was on his cell phone, the conversation was this: "yeah, bro....okay, bro.....yeah, bro.....I know what you mean, bro.....yeah, bro..."

Did it end in "....don't tase me, bro....! AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!! !!!!"

[Buttercup]

Did it end in "....don't tase me, bro....! AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!! !!!!"

No, but prior to that incident I'd taken an item to be mailed to O/R and he said, "huh, sending something to cops, huh?"

[Jenna]

No, but prior to that incident I'd taken an item to be mailed to O/R and he said, "huh, sending something to cops, huh?"

So maybe he has said "Don't tase me, bro!" at some point in his life!

[mavriktu]

Same everywhere,they had a stamp machine in the lobby of ours,it disappeared,guess it was wayyyyyyy to easy for the patrons.I ordered a license plate holder from the 1 sale a day sight on Jan 18th,it got here last weekI was just about to go to the bank and claim fraud but got a tracking link,the damn thing sat in Memphis for 10 freakin days.I ordered 2 very large Kodak all in one copier /printers etc(from the infomercial),and got them within 48 hours from UPS and this was in December

[chewy]

I know the two nearest me and exactly when they are busy and not... It's worked out that I can now pick the time to go and usually miss the lines all together or only one or two people if there is. The other big help is I do almost all my postage for packages online at home and the 24hr PO near me has a drop box for boxes so I just go in pop it in the box and I'm out. It's all about getting the system to work for ME.... as it should be.

[Ducky]

The ones here, my mom can't get good service with. I have no problems. But then, I go in and look like I could eat their children with a smile and a squeeze of lemon. They are very polite and get me out of there as soon as humanly possible.

[ChesCopPodz]

Haven't been to one in my new city.

Where I used to live, there was one not too far from me that was great. Friendly people and it was hidden so it was not nearly as busy as the other ones. It was always worth it to drive the extra bit to go to that one than the ones closer to me as they all sucked.

[irishmick]

My local post office is actually pretty great. There's only a line if you go between noon and one or late in the afternoon. And the guys that work the counter are always friendly and even if they're having a bad day like to joke about it.

[2 Blue 4 U]

My local post office is actually pretty great. There's only a line if you go between noon and one or late in the afternoon. And the guys that work the counter are always friendly and even if they're having a bad day like to joke about it.

That is a rarity, maybe they are all on Prozac! Regardless, you are lucky!

Another thing that gets me about the Postal Service, shouldn't reading be a prerequisite before employment. We lost our steady route person and now have fill ins and I get other people's mail all the time. I wonder how much of my mail gets misdelivered as well.

[sweetpea]

Very friendly at our post office and if a big line forms then workers from in the back room come out to help, seems to run pretty smooth here.

[Willowdared]

No complaints here.

[sgtbear111]

My experience with the Post Offcie has been good. I go to the small rural PO or the contracted PO in the back of a store. The lines are shorter in the outer areas. I have seldom been treated rude, and I have seen the Postal Clerks deal with nasty people and have plenty of smiles left for those that follow. Holiday and tax time are tough on the employees, a simple "thank you" goes a long way.

Deliberate slowdowns and attitude are a leadership problem, and Postmasters are the people in charge. If you have a gripe, take it to the Postmaster, if that doesnt work, go to the Postmaster's boss.

[CTR man]

The times that I have had to visit the Post Office the line has been long but there is always 3 - 4 clerks at the counters. I guess I have learned that any visit is going to be a bit of a wait and plan accordingly. Usually in and out within 20 minutes. At least once during the wait there is someone asking if there is any packages to be picked up, etc.

With all the complaints that I have read its a wonder why people use UPS, Fed Ex, etc.