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Grumble-USPS

Started 3 months ago by LAP
Latest reply from LAP

LAP
Member Profile

Strange to once again find the large parcel drawer/bin locked at both the 24/7 Auto Postal Service Center in WWVillage and up at the Junction. Why? I was able to purchase postage but could not send off the parcel. And when will they fix the handle on the one at WWVillage? It has been broken since Christmas!

Posted 3 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

Help Us Keep the Mail Safe
Keeping the mail safe is a top priority at USPS. Avoid delays in your shipments by following these simple guidelines.

Don’t put mail over 13 oz in a blue collection box, Post Office lobby drop, Automated Postal Center drop, or any other unattended location.

If your mailpiece weighs more than 13 oz and is bearing only stamps as postage, you’ll need to take it to the retail counter of a Post Office™, Contract Postal Unit, or Approved Shipper location. If left in a mailbox, it won’t be picked up; if dropped in a collection box or lobby drop, it will be returned to you.

Posted 3 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

After 9/11, the rules changed. Big time.

Posted 3 months ago #
WSratsinacage
Member Profile

LAP, I've experienced it being locked as well. Very frustrating. They way I understood it was that anything 13 ounces and over with just stamps was not ok to drop in a collection box but with a lot of people printing postage at home or buying it at the automated center, it is easily tracked as to who dropped the package in the box.. if it's locked after hours, it should be locked during business hours, as well, since the same violation could occur.

Posted 3 months ago #
jamjets
Member Profile

Errr...None of the above. It's jammed. Happens on the weekends pretty frequently, and even during a business day on occasion. I had a parcel to drop Sunday and >expected< it to be jammed, and surprisingly it wasn't. People unfamiliar with the equipment close it too slowly which starts the jam up. The above restrictions apply to >stamps< only. Not postage stickers you buy from the APC kiosk.

Posted 3 months ago #
WSratsinacage
Member Profile

Yeah, I've used it after hours as well jamjets. Must get jammed a lot after hours.
.
I'll fill out a form on line and see if the employees can adjust the drop box .. I've filled out forms on line in the past but what happens is some one from the PO calls me and says. "Uh, yeah there's nothing we can do about your concern.." It's like, why even have a feedback form if nothing can ever be done about it :)

Posted 3 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

The chute works so that one cannot crawl through the opening after hours. The customer has to feed the parcel in and "turn" the chute. Unfortunately, some customers put multiple parcels in the chute, and jam it up. Since, the West Seattle Station does not have a "chute monitor" overnight, it has to be fixed in the early morning when the clerks arrive. Would you folks like to have someone dive through a big hole in the wall and have access to the back-end of the Post Office in the wee hours of the AM?

I have been informed of this by a reliable source.

Posted 3 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

and please...don't whine to me about it...call the Westwood Station and/or West Seattle Station if this explanation is not satisfactory to you. Or...drop your packages off after hours at FedEx or UPS. LOL.....

Posted 3 months ago #
muchlove
Member Profile

It's too bad the PO can't see there IS a problem and demand is higher than they're offering!

If you're really in a hurry to get it out - it's a drive but the Seatac/Riverton PO is lucky (or smart) enough to have 3...yes that's right THREE drop boxes!!!

Posted 3 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

Yes, muchlove:

Riverton replaced the Retail Station at the Seattle Airport Mail Center. That is one reason they have three, yes, count 'em three, drop boxes. The Seattle AMC RETAIL WINDOW, with real live clerks, was open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. In layman terms, that means they were always open. HeHe. I guess when the USPS cuts, to TRY to minimize losses, there will always be complaints. Go for it...

Posted 3 months ago #
muchlove
Member Profile

Wow, Genesee Hill, what an observation - they closed the AMC long ago and the 2 additional boxes have only been there almost 2 years, AFTER they realized one box was not sufficient!

Posted 3 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

muchlove;

They beefed up Riverton, because that PO replaced the Retail Station at Seattle AMC. And Riverton had later, though not 24/7 hours. I am simply stating facts and had tried to explain the problems in the parcel drops. I do not work for USPS, but do know the history of some of the stations. As I suggested earlier, call those stations that you, and others are so in a tizzy about. I personally believe this is somewhat a tempest in a tea pot that will likely get worse considering impending cut-backs. I did suggest that if it is so pathetic, use the alternative parcel carriers. I can only speak for myself but I much prefer USPS Priority Mail to any of the competitors in speed and reliability. I do much business on ebay and ALWAYS prefer USPS. That is all I can, and will say, on this matter.

That is my observation. Yours is quite different. Enough said.

Posted 3 months ago #
muchlove
Member Profile

I've been running a mail order business for 12 years now and ship at least 5 days a week. I too am very familiar with the USPS.
Not all of us are nine to fivers and honestly, since I'm paying the rates and printing my own postage, I shouldn't be inconvenienced by a jammed box. Especially when some people use the 24/7 APC and can't leave their package. What a waste of time & resources. If other POs can adapt, all of them should - it's a lot faster and cheaper than an employee.

Posted 3 months ago #
LAP
Member Profile

Thanks all for your stories. A point of clarification. I just finished purchasing the postage for my small-ish padded envelope at the 24/7 Automatic Mail kiosk and then was unable to open the drawer/chute. It was very frusrating to then drive all the way to the PO in the Junction and find that the drawer/chute there was locked or jammed also. I suspect they were actually locked. Too much of a coincidence. In fact, this is the 2nd time I've experienced the same "coincidence". If you are going to offer a 24/7 option to weigh packages, purchase postage and drop it in the chute, then please please please make sure the chute/drawer is accessible! If your service is unreliable, your customers will vote with their feet!

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

2721 SW Trenton St
(between S Westwood Village Pl & S 28th Ave)
Seattle, WA 98126
Neighborhood: West Seattle

(206) 938-7769
http://www.usps.com

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

US Post Office
5 reviews Rating Details
Category: Public Services & Government Post Offices Post Offices [Edit]

4412 California Ave SW
(between Oregon St & Genesee St)
Seattle, WA 98116
Neighborhood: West Seattle

(206) 923-0485
http://www.usps.com

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

The above are the phone numbers for your complaints. Give them a call. Perhaps they can answer your complaints, perhaps not. But, I suggest you go for it...

P.S. It was quite simple to find the phone numbers, and I don't even have a smart phone, and have been personally described as being dumber than a fence post.... go figure....

Posted 2 months ago #
hopey
Member Profile

Did you know that stores like Alki Mail & Dispatch accept USPS mail?
http://www.alkimail.com/mail-and-shipping.html
(not really on Alki, it's up the hill on Admiral Way)

Store hours and mail pick-up times are at the bottom of the page. They are open longer hours than the post office window.

I believe Mailboxes West provides this service as well. They do not appear to have a webpage. http://www.yelp.com/biz/mailbox-west-seattle-2

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

If USPS is such a pathetic burden, be my guest, go elsewhwre, I like USPS, some of you don't. I have given my 25 cents worth. And that is all I will give. Go for the competition. Though, I have heard a few problems on this blog with UPS and FedEx as well. But, go for it. Good luck.

Posted 2 months ago #
WSratsinacage
Member Profile

LAP and muchlove, it's nice to know I am not alone. I too find it frustrating to have to make 2 trips (1 to buy postage and 1 to actually drop the package) or to print at home then make a trip to drop the package after hours but not be able to because of a locked or jammed box, so then having to make a second trip to another location or go back during business hours.
.
I've talked with people at the California location in the past about a separate issue and they have not been receptive to feedback.
.
I filled out a form online for this jammed/locked issue, about a week ago, no response yet from USPS.
.
I think the problem may be that we are expecting reasonable, common sense solutions from a Federal Agency.
.

Posted 2 months ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

Er, I don't really have a dog in this fight, as it were, but I *have* gone down to retrieve my "undeliverable parcel" at UPS because the package required a signature (it was wine) and for some reason UPS (and USPS AND FedEx) think someone will always be home during the day.

And you know what? They were open.

(Sounds to me like these drop chutes are badly designed. If you KNOW that some percentage of people can't, in Genesee Hill's words, follow simple instructions and keep the drop chute from jamming, you either accept that some larger percentage of people are going to be frustrated and take their business elsewhere or you build a better drop chute.)

Posted 2 months ago #
WSB
Member Profile

Flagged and deleted posts for name-calling. If you get frustrated with a discussion, please drop out of it instead of resorting to name-calling.

Side note, this is very educational to see there are more than a few people who still use the USPS. There are also people like us who use the USPS for almost nothing - we appreciate the hardworking guys and gals who have trudged up to our door over the years, but all they bring any more is junk mail that I keep trying to opt out of. And we have nothing to send; only one bill in our monthly universe cannot be paid online.

Please be kind to each other. Even when you're trying to help and it doesn't seem to be received well.

TR

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

Fair enough, TR, fair enough. Your blog.

I am sorry that I get burned when people rant, yet do not follow the W.S. Blog rules regarding rants. You perhaps know,(particularly since you MAKE the rules) the necessity of contacting the potential offending party. In the case about the jammed parcel chutes, I guess those that complained did not like the answer they received. I guess that party just did not like the answer, which was essentially the USPS cannot afford a 365/24/7 babysitter at the parcel chute. I provided the station phone numbers. I had no problem on my one attempt (yesterday)via phone call, talking to a West Seattle Station supervisor. But, I guess that since it is a Federal Agency, your "rant" rules are not uniformly enforced.

I guess your personal rant, TR, regarding perceived "junk mail" trumps your rules for others' rants, in this case.

WSratinacage states:

"I've talked with people at the California location in the past about a separate issue and they have not been receptive to feedback.
.
I filled out a form online for this jammed/locked issue, about a week ago, no response yet from USPS."

Well, I, Genesee Hill, talked to a supervisor yesterday. He explained the problem.

Sorry. I am rather disappointed in you TR. You sure as heck accept advertising. Helps cover costs? Eh? If you don't like mail, just remove your mailbox. Problem solved.

Posted 2 months ago #
SarahScoot
Member Profile

Seriously, GH, what is your problem? Why are you getting so upset over this issue? The OP (whom I happen to have known my entire life) was simply expressing frustration at not being able to use the USPS drop boxes as they are meant to be used (for after-hours drop-offs). She did *not* say anything negative about the USPS or P.O. itself, much less its employees, nor did she react negatively to you.
Nonetheless, you come into the thread, guns blazing, looking to pick a fight. Your attitude is strangely defensive and you seem slightly unhinged. There was no reason for the name calling, and that's why your comments were deleted. Calm the cuss down.

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

Uncle. Usually TR states the "rant rules" have to be followed. But UNCLE. I am wrong. Have been wrong. And will now shut up about this subject.

Is "slightly unhinged" name calling? LOL. No, in my case you are probably right on the mark....

Posted 2 months ago #
LAP
Member Profile

Greetings all..

Sarahscoot - thanks for the comment, vote of confidence and 'havin' my back'! You have always been my fav! :-)

Thanks also to anyone who may have noticed I titled the OP a "Grumble"...not a full-fledged Rant! I honestly felt quite attacked in several posts and treated as though I was an idiot. Not a nice feeling, folks.

Update - just this evening I went to the USPS location in WWVillage to mail three more smallish (but too large for the letter slot) padded envelopes. I chose the 'use as credit card' option to avoid the insert card 3 times falderall. Yikes! 1st purchase at $1.90 went fine, during second purchase the We are Printing Your Postage screen blinked and blinked and blinked and the machine rumbled and grumbled and finally spit out a blank little stamp - no postage printed but card was charged for the 2nd $1.90 even though the stamp was not usable.

Next, because I had already chosen the option to purchase more postage prior to the printing snafu, I was unable to 'cancel' or delete/stop my 3rd purchase. I took a chance and proceeded and luckily the 3rd $1.90 stamp printed fine. The receipt shows all three purchases, so I will make a trip into the post office on the weekend with my receipt and the unusable stamp and see what the folks there can do to help me out.

I have always enjoyed wonderful F2F service from the personnel at this location, so I expect we'll be able to work this all out without any trouble. I will be certain to share my Feb 20th experience with them and perhaps get some clarification about why the drawer/chute was inoperable at two locations on what just happened to be a Federal/USPS Holiday. And maybe I will find out if they will ever fix the broken handle, too!

Here is my takeaway....When I walk in to use the self-service kiosk I first go up and see if the drum/chute is open/operational prior to making my postage purchase. I can then decide if I want to purchase postage now and return a second time to drop off the package or just come back later to purchase and drop at the same time.

See....guess I am not such an idiot after all.

Thank you again to all who shared my frustration.

Posted 2 months ago #
WSratsinacage
Member Profile

LAP, I feel the same way you do in all areas you touched on. Take care! :)

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

Nobody is as big an idiot as me, at times. OK, most of the time. Sorry. My apologies to all concerned. I know that I sometimes, OK, a majority of the time, get carried away.

Again, I am sorry.

Posted 2 months ago #
Genesee Hill
Member Profile

And...thank you, TR, for not booting me off your great blog, that, believe it or not, I enjoy so much. Truly.

Posted 2 months ago #
LAP
Member Profile

Apology accepted, compliments and well-wishes much appreciated and acknowledged.

I promise to report back after my trip to the WWVillage Station and share their explanation and/or words of wisdom - and then we can consider the 'Grumble' a closed matter.

:-)

Posted 2 months ago #
mtnfreak
Member Profile

I work from home too and use the West Seattle USPS frequently (I'm heading up there as soon as I finish this post, it turns out). I've been told (but I haven't seen) that if the package bin gets filled a sort of "dead man switch" will lock the bin door too, to prevent people from trying to force a package through.
Sometimes a little patience is in order, is all.

And the USPS gets a bad rap. It is NOT a Federal Agency any longer. Instead its this weird private/public entity that has its own employment and pension system but has to ask Congress for permission to change its fees, close or open its locations, and determine what services to provide. Seems like the worst of both worlds to me, and the guys and gals that deliver the mail and meet you at the counter have a challenge.

Posted 2 months ago #
LAP
Member Profile

Epilogue: I stood in line at the WWVillage Station, showed my receipt and useless stamp to one clerk, was referred down the line to another, repeated my story...filled out a form and was reimbursed with individual stamps totalling $1.90 even though I requested cash reimbursement when it was offered. Reimbursement via stamps is fine with me. Again heard the explanation that "they don't have a key, so how could they lock the bin?." Without being nasty I remarked that I found it interesting that both PO's had inoperable bins/drawers on that same day...and left it at that. I asked when the handle would be fixed on the the bin/drawer and the harried and tired-looking woman did not answer me. We parted in a very cordial manner.
I am not impatient - I was inconvenienced and just needed to wonder aloud about it. I am not grousing about the USPS' personnel.....just wondering aloud about a service that is advertised at being available 24/7/365 and often is not. I can make allowances for equipment malfunction every now and again. I am grateful that our local PO's have these machines....I find them very convenient most of the time as I work full time M-F and do not have a USPS office near my office building anymore so I cannot run out and mail a package or purchase stamps during the daytime.
Thank you all for the discussion. Have a wonderful day!

Posted 2 months ago #

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