Most of you have probably read my posts about my local PO not wanting to scan my books with PBS D/C. Yesterday, I went to the same PO with some books without D/C not because of my problems there but because my printer isn't working at the moment.

I went up to a different clerk than Cranky Pants (the clerk who has been harassing me). After my clerk was done, CP asked her if I had books with the D/C. Boy isn't she nosy? She then proceeded to tell me that the PO powers to be want a picture of my books. She told me she even took a picture. She told me that it is " illegal" to use PBS D/C and will never be able to use it again. I wish you could see the smirk on her face when she tells me all this. She takes such great pleasure in all this.This clerk has some serious 'power' issues. I really don't know what her problem is with this. I find PBS D/C to be beneficial and still want to use it when my printer works.

Someone on here suggested  that I simply go to a different clerk. Well, with CP that doesn't seem to matter. She's still going to make it her business. I think it is getting so bad that I really need to call someone at the PO and get this woman off my back. My trips to the PO are becoming extremely stressful leaving me with stomach pains. I wish I could go to a different PO, but I really shouldn't have to. This PO is only 3 minutes away from my house while the next closest one is about 20 minutes away.

Start with talking to your local postmaster about her.  If that gets no results, go to their supervisor.  You can file a complaint online at USPS.com if the local postmaster doesn't take care of the problem.

I'd be documenting when you were there and what exactly she said to you so you can present it to the postmaster or other higher ups so they can see exactly what this clerk is doing.  She definitely needs some more education and training in her job.

I'd absolutely call the PO numbers for customer service, found here...

http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb:USPSFAQ&view%28%29=c[c_callus]

And complain about her by name. Give as much info as you can. You shouldn't have to put up with this.

Don't be afraid of Cranky Pants.  The next time she harrasses you, demand to see the person in charge (the Postmaster) then and there and tell him what has been going on.  PBS DC is LEGAL! 

FILE A COMPLAINT!!!!!!

That's the only way the higher ups are going to know about the problems in the local PO's.

Sometimes complaining to a postal supervisor dosen't do any good at all. At least that's what I've come across when I complain about our mail carrier. They just tell him to straighten up and nothing ever comes of it. Who knows if someone has ever reported her for being just plain rude and nasty. Now if you complain to the Postermaster General, they usually take care of things like that.

Many, many years ago I worked at Postal Headquarters in Washington, DC.  At that time, they took postal complaints seriously and we had 3 days from the day of receipt of the complaint letter to get the complaint letter answered and on it's way back to the postal customer.  Don't know if it's still true these days, but it was then.

I'd write a letter to the Postmaster General in DC and see what happens.  I'd also write my Senators and Representatives (they, in turn will forward the letter to the Postmaster General).  Good luck. Pat

Connie, call the 800 number or speak with the postmaster.  The 800 number you do not have to give your name, but you can file a complaint and same with consumer affairs which I gave the # in your last post.  I let them know that she is opening your packages and taking pictures of your books (which sounds illegal unless she is with customs or a inspector), or so she claims, that you are feeling sick from being harrassed everytime you visit the PO.  The next time she makes those claims, I would tell to get  the postmaster and you want to straighten this out once and for all.  Heck, if I lived near you, I would go with you and raise a stink - type of mood I am in at the moment.  Sorry - hope things get better.

At that time, they took postal complaints seriously and we had 3 days from the day of receipt of the complaint letter to get the complaint letter answered and on it's way back to the postal customer.

Nowadays, we have to respond to service issues within 48 hours.  Call the 800 number, 1-800-222-1811.  They have to respond to your complaint.  This clerk needs to be educated, and fast.  I am embarassed to have people like this out there representing us.  Good luck.  Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Connie, if you're using PBS/DC why can't you throw your packages in a bluebox!  We have more than one outside our PO.

I sure am glad I have a terrific clerk who shares cookies with me.

Connie, if you're using PBS/DC why can't you throw your packages in a bluebox!

Since she's using just DC, not printable postage, she can only drop it in the blue box if it's less than 13 oz.

Everyone has a boss.  If you don't get the problem taken care of by talking to an immediate supervisor, then go to their boss and on up the line until you get someone that'll actually address the problem.

"I really need to call someone at the PO and get this woman off my back"

Yes, you most certainly need to report her and get a file started on her if she doesn't have a thick one already. If you present your case in a calm and mature manner (which I am sure you will)  your complaint might be the last straw, YKWIM?

Your complaint would really be helping the public at large. I am sure you're not the only patron she harasses.

And use the term electronic DC (delivery confirmation) rather than PBS DC in your complaint.   That is the Post Office's term for the type of DC we use.

I would certainly talk to the Postmaster in charge of that Post Office!   The "cranky pants" clerk has no right to be rude to you.

It is their JOB to help mail packages and to be nice.  One of the clerks in the Post Office that I go to...even HELPS me wrap my

boxes ( I bring everything to her..including the box, paper, etc..and usually we use the POST OFFICE tape! )  lol

Sometimes I bring in a cereal box to put my boxer requests in...and everytime I go into this Post Office, the clerk that helps me

says  "What kind of box do you have today?" wheaties? cheerios?  she names a few...with a SMILE on her face.

Im lucky...to have such nice clerks in the closest Post Office near my home.

It's a shame that pbs doesn't have a an official document from the usps that states proper procedure - one that could be printed out and brought to the clerks who haven't a clue.

I'm sorry you hae to deal with CP - she needs to be reintroduced to both postal procedures and customer service. Please do follow up with all complaints and actions. The PO doesn't need her to alienate customers (and misinform them as well). POs are closing all over the country, they rely on us to utilize their services (mine are grateful and say so, I both get and send a LOT of mail), and she is not doing them any favors.

For reference -

http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/503.htm#9_0   Section 9.0 refers to electronic delivery confirmation

Publication 91, which can be accessed here: http://www.usps.com/shipping/deliveryconfirm.htm is what the PO provides to sellers/resellers (such as PBS) who want to use electronic confirmation services and contains all technical details for setting up the program, labels, and exchanging data.

Good luck and do take action, she's a menace!

jail conversation

"So what r u in for?"  "I used delivery confirmation on a paperback trading site."

Jodi - thanks for the links, they are very helpful

Do they have an APC machine?  If you then you can print stamps up from there.  They are trackable so you can use them on books over 13oz.  For using DC and media mail you just need to know ahead of time how much postage you need and then you "create a stamp". 

You could also buy some stamps in various denominations to make up the postage rate for smaller books and just mail them from the blue box or your mail box. 

(these are just suggestions to get you by until you make a complaint and they do something about it)

Thanks to everyone for all your help and suggestions. I will certainly take everything into consideration and work on this. I am determined to get this straightened out so I don't have to go somewhere else. This PO is so close and convenient, plus the clerks need to be informed correctly on the legality of electronic D/C's. CP's is not the only one there who doesn't understand, she's just the most determined one that I am wrong and doing something illegal. I don't understand why they don't know about electronic D/Cs when it is right there on their own website as pointed out in the link provided by Jodi. Thanks, Jodi. I received this link from a tour guide before also. As soon as I get my printer fixed I will print that out and bring it in. I have a couple of wishlist books that I know someone will order, then I will put the D/C on it and go from there.

I wonder what they think of online postage then???  You're right, you can do eDC right on the USPS website (for Priority Mail only).  There are all sorts of postal services out there though that let you do eDC on all classes of mail.

When I don't use PBS postage I print my media mail labels (with $.19 electronic DC) from my USPS Shipping Assistant program. We downloaded the program from the USPS website so I am assuming it is legal. I have never had a problem sending books at my PO. Although I did find out last week that if you are shipping books to Israel you can't send erotica as they consider that porn. Luckily my package contained cozy cat mysteries.LOL Gook Luck Connie!

Please let us know when this gets resolved.  Im dying to see what happens when you go over Cranky Pants' head.

I was at my PO today (I'm really friendly with the clerks - LOL), and mentioned CP to them, and they just looked at me like I'd grown another head.  They both wanted to know what was illegal about the DC.  I mentioned PBS and the $.19 that we pay at the PO, and they both shook their heads in understanding and knew what I was talking about.  Both felt that CP might need re-education.  Good luck, and do let us know how this is resolved.  Pat