front porch trash

front porch trash

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Old Dog Post Office Questions

I had a "request" from the local post office this week. I always take my packages to the post office to drop them off. I wait in line just like any other customer. I don't go to the front of the line and toss my packages on the counter and walk out. I have my packages organized and try to help the clerk by putting one on the scale as soon as they finish the last one, to keep things moving along. Boxed items first, flat items next and odd shaped items next.

Monday a new person, maybe the new Postmaster, told me I had two weeks before I needed to print out a bulk list of packages with one bar code to scan. I finally figured out how to do the sheet that they want but only after almost an hour on line to ebay to figure out how. Most of that time I spent on hold and then on hold again after the first "customer service" rep didn't have a clue to what I was talking about. Thankfully the next one did.

I only had two packages this morning so things were fairly simple. I only wasted two additional labels because I didn't know what order things were going to print. The receipt printed on the first label and that made the last label print on plain paper. So when I went to reprint, the label printed portrait instead of landscape and printed half on the label and half on the receipt end. Grrrrr....

I am an old dog and don't want to learn any new tricks.

My reasoning is the last Postmaster we had wouldn't let the clerks give anyone the receipt they printed out. You know the one with all of the tracking numbers. They had to throw them in the trash. But only for us bulk, ebay customers. When that Postmaster left, the rules changed and we once again got our receipt. So that makes me think it was just the Postmaster and her "thing".

My rambling question is this. Is the post office requiring this for items we deliver to the post office with postage already on the packages? Or is this just a local thing?

I asked about additional items that sell after the bulk list is printed. Answer: If it is only one, just include it with the other bulk items. How do they tell which one is the single one and which ones belong to the bulk sheet? Their answer:  they just pick one of the packages and scan, it doesn't matter. Well maybe not to them but it sure does to me. If the correct one doesn't get scanned ebay thinks it didn't get shipped. And that could cost me money in the end.

I am an old dog and don't want to learn any new tricks.

I didn't like the way my receipt printed out with just the name and address of the buyer. I just ordered 600 labels, one per page with receipt, and I want to be able to use them like I want to use them. The bulk way leaves the bottom blank. I like having my receipt print out on the bottom of the label. I take my receipt and do my accounting on the bottom, put it in a pile and then post the receipt in my accounting. (Dumb, but it works for me since I'm not a big box store) The new way I have no clue which item belongs to the address and there is no useful information on the receipt except the tracking number and address which is useless in accounting. Is there a way to keep printing labels the way I want to and still get a bulk listing?

Am I doing it wrong or just clinging to the old way?

I am an old dog and don't want to learn any new tricks.
And I also may repeat myself once in a while......

8 comments:

  1. It sounds like your post office is making things more difficult than they need to be. I've never had a request like that from my post office. Can you schedule a pick up to your home? Maybe that would be easier? Sorry you're having problems with your PO.

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    1. I don't want to cause trouble at the PO, I need my packages scanned promptly, but I also don't want to do anything unnecessary.
      I could schedule a pickup but our mail is delivered late in the day and many times there is no one home and I don't feel comfortable leaving packages on the porch

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  2. It could be worse , in the UK you have to identify the contents of the package to the clerk at the desk, if they don't like the answer they can ask you to unpack it....you don't want to get them on a bad day...lol

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    1. Oh wow that would be terrible to have to unpack and repack. I really love the two regular clerks and they don't have a problem with the packages its the new postmaster that is trying to "whip them into shape" that is the problem.

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  3. that aounds like a pain. we have a customer service door which goes right to the back and skips the line. no weighing no receipts and they scan right away so they dont require the bulk slip

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  4. Wow, that sucks. Sounds like a nightmare. I'm glad that I have them pick it up at my house. Why don't you feel comfortable leaving the packages?

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    1. The postman delivers from 11am to 3pm. Depending on if it is the regular driver or a substitute. I don't like leaving the packages on the front porch because we have a dog in the neighborhood that likes to mark his territory on everything on our front porch and we don't have a dog. I'm afraid that he will either mark the packages or take some away.

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  5. Growing up I had a neighbor who would keep a huge tupperware box with a lid, on his porch for package pick ups and drop offs. Maybe that's something you could consider - as it would protect them from the dog! I'm sure once you explained it to your mail carrier they would be on board.

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