Hiya,

I have a coupla Questions about this. I am a firm believer in PBS DC. I use it all the time. I print it out on my Computer paper and attach it using tape to my Package. I do not cover the DC scanning part. 

When I first started this It scanned about 90% of the time. Then It fell to about 50% and lately it is only about 15%. We have tried different paper, different ink, all kinds of stuff but a new Printer ( and I am even thinking about that).

The Postal employees at my preferred post office have let me know that they find it annoying to deal with me. usually in a polite way. I understand this so try to always be polite andfriendly  to make their life easier. they have lately been heavily suggesting that I use the Preprinted DC stickers available at the PO because they Would be "easier" to use. According to my Accountant I saved over $800 dollars by preprinting my DC's thru PBS rather than using the DCs provided by the PO.

while I understand a it may take a little more of there time to deal with me. that is a very considerable savings and gives you a ruff idea of how much I might spend on Postage and stuff.

so Question 1 and 2 is: Is there anything I can do to make this process easier? and can they refuse to help me for Preprinting the DC like this?

Today I had one of the worst experiences I have ever had. I went in and it was busy. I was about 6 people back and a couple of folks that were in front of me were not easy to deal with ( even I was getting frustrated and I wasn't helping them). right before it became my turn I asked if anyone needed a stamp or two to mail letters off figuring to do a random act of kindness planning to purchase them so folks wouldn't have to wait in line., unfortunately no one had that easy an issue. when My turn came they asked me to please get out of line and please wait so they could help others and could try to get the line down. I understanding that I would possibly take a little while said sure. the lady explained to everyone else that she could take care of 10 people in the time it would take to help me.

I stepped out and took note of where the end of the line was, planning to reenter the line there. at this point they had to reboot one of the machines, with only 2 folks working the counter  (this was all that were in the office) this caused things to go longer.

at the Point where there were only 2 people before I had noted the line ended when I had stepped out of line. I looked at the lady who had come in afterwards and asked if it would be ok to rejoin the line. She was fine with it as she had seen what had happened when I was asked to leave the line and had commented on how nice it was and how rude the counter person was being. The counter person a lady who has helped me In the pass with a smile. laid into me about how she would make sure I was next but if I did what i was supposed to and didn't make her more work that I wouldn't always be making people wait for me to be done.

I was mortified. I felt  (and still feel) upset and a little humiliated. I try to go out of my way to make my stops at the post office as pleasant and easy on the people working there as I can. the only issue i have is this DC thing. they have been complaining more and more. usually with a smiled "who is going to help her now" kinda thing. i wasn't expecting this at all.

other customers were asking me to get her name and complain that she was really rude and had treated me badly. I feel it was more a case of a bad day. even though when I asked her she said it was a good day other than having to wait on people who she had to manually enter stuff in for.

Question 3 : should I Complain? my husband feels that I should at least ask for an apology when I next go in. I go in every Week on wednesday.

any suggestions on what i might be able to do to help fix this? or is it not my issue.

thanks for reading.

ladystyx

If I read this correctly, you voluntarily stepped out of line when they asked and she still laid into you? In my humble opinion, she owes you more than just an apology, but good luck on getting even that. Sorry you had to go through that. I hope your next PO experience is much better.

Sincerely,

Pam

I think asking for an apology is appropiate. I don't know if you'll get one, maybe her boss will hear about the situation.

Getting back to your original question:

It may be that the PO equipment is the problem, not your printed DC. Next time there is a problem with scanning your printed DC, ask them to try scanning a stick-on DC and see if they still have a problem. If so, there is a problem on their end, not yours.

And I would think seriously about writing a letter to your postmaster and copying the USPS regional manager mentioning the fact that you're being harassed for using a USPS-approved DC option.

Are you using just the PBS DC?

Or are you printing postage through PBS which includes PBS DC?

If it's the latter, you don't need to go to the post office if your package fits into a blue box.  If not, you can drop the packages off at the counter without having to wait in line.  I just show the packages to the counter worker between customers and tell him I am leaving these packages at the end of the counter.

Boxes of books could bypass a trip tot he PO if the box has traceable postage and fits in a blue box.

Personally, I would not have have said yes to the worker's request to let everyone behind me get waited on before me.  You stood in line and waited your turn like everyone else (and even offered to let people who had quick stamp requests go before you).  And just like everyone else, your time is valuable.  I would have said something like, "No, I am not going to wait until you serve everyone else in line.  I had to wait for my turn and they will have to wait for their turn as well."  If they pushed the issue, I would still not do as they asked; in fact, I would probably have asked to talk to the person in charge. 

It doesn't matter that your transaction will take longer than others'  but it does matter that they are pushing you around so that they don't have to deal with regular customers with more complicated requests.  Your transaction is going to take as long as it takes.  It will be the same amount of time whether you are at the front of the line or the end.

Too bad your PO doesn't have a Take A Number thingy like mine does. 

Whoa...I would just say it's time to go to a different post office, even if it is a little bit out of your way.

I'd write a letter and stop being so nice to that nasty employee.  You're using a service provided by them and paying for it.  If it wasn't for people like you the USPS would have to continue to downsize and she should be grateful for her job.

Is there anyplace nearby that has an automated postal center you can use so you can bypass people like her? If not I'd make sure my letter was written and forwarded to several of her supervisors.

You should not be having any of the problems you listed. If your DC# prints clear lines, it should be fine. It is not extra work when you use online DC.

I would ask to speak to a supervisor or postmaster. If you would prefer, call the 1-800-askUSPS phone number or go online and file a complaint and ask for a call back.

You should not be asked to leave your place in line and it was kind of you to consider allowing someone with a quick transaction ahead of you.

I am a window clerk and it drives me batty to hear how awful some people are. They need to shut up and do their job. I better stop now or I will really get going.

If you used the PBS postage with the DC you can just chuck the package in the blue box, by bassing the postal workers all together.

If I had been in line and had been waiting, there is no way I would step out of line. I use to..ok I still occasionaly  do go to the PO and it takes just aminute or two to  transact business-but then I have a wonderful post office!!!  There has been a few times there has been two clerks-which normally is plenty four our PO.  Then one person shows up and what thye need takes alot of time..........and when English isn't their first language. They still are polite and everyone moves along.