I stayed at the prep counter and had everything ready, labels, DC brought my own tape and scissors. I was sending books to a soldier who requested books on our message board. I tried to fit them all in the Priority flat rate and one hardback keep me from closing it by half an inch. Dang it, so I grabbed box they sell and figured I'd send it media mail. I get up to the counter and the girl tell me they do have bigger boxes for flat rate, they not only have bigger boxes but they have APO only Priority boxes, she gave me the box and her tape gun and the new customs form because I used the green one and needed the larger one and told me when I was done to not get back in line just come back up. I was all ready with everything to not hold up the line and she said even buying the box I had used I could save money by changing it out, so I did. It's so great when they're helpful and not snotty. The girl who waited on me took the soldiers addy and is going to send books too. One girl was talking to another customer about her new puppy, an older man walked up to one of the other girls and he knew her family. Still a small town country PO even though our town is growing like crazy and northerners are moving here by the bus load daily.

So, don't forget the larger flat rate box specifically for APO's when sending stuff to soldiers.

Those boxes are great and I hope more people start using them.  Isn't it grand to have the folks at the PO actually help you?  That happens here too.

USPO New Flat Rate Box

I love my PO peeps, too.  Both at the PO in the town I work in and the town I live in.  I've only ever had one problem with one guy and that was years ago. 

And, yep,  small town POs can be awesome.  I had a day off work a month or so ago and was chatting to the PO lady while she was stamping my customs forms.  Someone grabbed me from behind, yelling " I haven't seen you in so long!"    I replied "It's so great to see you, too!" and gave her a hug.  LOL, my poor PO lady was baffled because the two of us are next door neighbors.  I work days, she works nights now and we hardly ever get to see each other.

Of course, small town POs can also be hotbeds of local gossip, LOL.  I swear that the locals meet there around 9:00 a.m. just to collect their mail and share gossip about the neighbors. :)