I waited in long line today at PO with one package that I had printed DC from PBS.  I was told that since I didn't print the postage at that time, I would have to pay for DC again from PO.  I walked out.

I have been previously advised by members here to print something from USPS site but when I look I just see something saying you can print DC from other sites but nothing that tells them what to do with it. 

 Please tell me how to get my postal workers to help me! 

Just tell the postal worker to scan the bar code on your package and their computer will give them prompts for how to handle it. It is frustrating when the postal workers are not aware of services that their own employer offers!

You do have to pay for PBS DC at the post office (if you've printed PBS DC without postage) -- but only 19 cents (not the 80 cents the post office charges). As Sally said, the postal clerk needs to scan the bar code to trigger the prompt for the correct fee. Postage is additional.

From the help documents:

If your PO is saying that your package doesn't qualify for DC because of its dimensions, read about the required dimensions to use DC to send a package in Are there any requirements to use Delivery Confirmation?

If your PO is arguing that you can't use electronic DC (e-DC) but have to purchase DC at the PO instead to send your PBS package, this misunderstanding happens occasionally.  Some POs are not as informed about electronic DC (e-DC) as they should be, considering that it is rather commonplace nowadays. 

Below is the information from USPS's own website that you can print out and show to your postmaster/PO employees if necessary.  This shouldn't be necessary, of course, but you would be doing them (and yourself, of course) a service to help them out here:

• Here is the URL location of the USPS guidelines regarding using Delivery Confirmation on First Class mail and on Media Mail.

the link is  http://www.usps.com/shipping/deliveryconfirm.htm

You do not have to use online postage in order to use electronic DC.   PBS does receive electronic information on all DC printed through the site.   Also, anyone who requests it is capable of receiving electronic files by simply entering the tracking number and requesting that USPS email you the tracking results.

• Here also is a link to the Domestic Mail Manual on the usps.com website, section 9 (Delivery Confirmation).

the link is   http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/503.htm#9_0

The information on this page includes (the following is the relevant information for Media Mail, which is a Package Service):

9.1 Delivery Confirmation Fee

9.1.1 Fee

Fee, in addition to postage and other fees, per piece:

Delivery Confirmation

Package Services (parcels only)

Retail Fee: 0.75

Electronic Fee: 0.19

9.1.2 Fees and Postage

"The applicable Delivery Confirmation fee in 9.1.1 must be paid in addition to the correct postage. The fee and postage may be paid with postage stamps, meter stamps, or permit imprint. Precanceled stamps are not permitted as postage payment."

It is clear from the above information taken from the Domestic Mail Manual published by USPS that

• Delivery Confirmation is available for use with package services (Media Mail is a package service)
• The fee for electronic Delivery Confirmation used with Media Mail (a package service) is $0.19
• The fee may be paid with postage stamps or meter stamps (the meter strip you obtain at the Post office counter)
• The electronic Delivery Confirmation fee does NOT need to be paid online
• The postage does not need to be paid online in order to use electronic Delivery Confirmation

Please print out this information (if you can, print out the unedited page from the second link above), and show it to your postal employees if necessary.

Deb is right. When you purchase PBS DC from PBS, you only pay for the DC fee to PBS ($.27). When you purchase the postage at the post office, you must also pay for the USPS fee, which should be .19.

Well, I went to a different PO at lunch at she was a little confused but was willing to scan it, and then everything was fine.  Unfortunately, the PO near my house refused to scan it, and argued that I had to pay the .80.  ( I understand the .19, that isn't the problem).  Earlier today the postal worker helping me said that she remembered that I had done this before and their supervisor said that I was wrong.  Too bad for me because that PO is by the house and where I have to go to get the mail as treasurer for my neighborhood.  I may have to start using the postage from PBS, at least to get through the holidays, since that post office is also at the mall and parking will be crazy until the end of the year.

Maybe it would help if you printed the pages from PBS that indicate the proper procedure and brought it in to that PO by your house.  Seems they need to be educated in modern electronic media procedures.  Show the printout to the supervisor; that person will be able to verify that the PBS printout is correct and then they can educate all the workers under them correctly.

Unfortunately I live on the opposite coast Margaret, or I'd volunteer to call your PO and help.  Sometimes I'm in the mood to get all my facts together then make the call.  If the other party insists on remaining stupid I let myself get cranky...then start climbing the chain of command until I find somebody that can fix the problem. 

Call the postmaster of the uneducated branch, if she/he cannot (or will not) correct the situation ask for their name and the name of their superviser (and superviser contact information).  If you insist, they have to give it to you. 

Another resource, is the PBS liason to USPS.  If nothing else solves the problem, they can get it straightened out.

But seriously folks, e-DC is legitimately used nationwide by a huge number of businesses and USPS customers.  There's no excuse for any USPS branch to be uninformed (and bitchy) enough to refuse to even attempt to process it through their 'official' computer. 

I wish you could Denise!  I think I will go in with paperwork to support me and demand to see a manager.  But maybe not until after the holidays.....................

Margaret,

Here's a link to another post employee problem that Connie had. Does anyone remember the saga of Cranky Pants?

http://www.paperbackswap.com/forum/topic.php?t=183652

OMG...Cranky Pants!! I remember that! It sounds like Margaret has "Spawn of Cranky Pants" to deal with. Oy! I hope you can educate them so you don't have to travel around to somewhere further away to mail your books.

I used to use just the DC and it took a bit of training to get my PO folks on board, but after awhile they knew the drill, and they were always nice about it except one crabby older guy who used to (I kid you not!) hide in the back room when he saw me coming with my PBS tote full of books! LOL Now I use the whole PBS postage package because my work schedule changed and I can't get to the PO but one day a week. So much easier to print and drop in the blue box in front of my work.

Cheryl

Cranky Pants tread was off the hook!  Mine doesn't seem that bad.  I saved my receipt today and maybe I will take that with me to "my" PO next time. 

PBS is still worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!  Love this place and you guys!

Great idea Margaret, and exactly what my clerk suggested today when I mentioned your dilema (while buying counter postage to go with my electronic DC).