Long line sat. am at the post office. Really long. Anyone else?

[lindysalsagal]

One window open, an hour after opening saturday morning, and a lobby full of customers, the line not moving at all. Also, no vending machines for automated stamps, etc.

I'm thinking it's a slow down, and it's on purpose. Anyone else see that?

This is a central post office for a small coastal connecticut city and it always has 2 or more windows open.

[MADem]

1. You sure it wasn't one of the post offices targeted for closure or service reduction? nt

[lindysalsagal]

2. No, it's not on the list. It's the most important central one in the city.

That's why I'm suspicious. It's gonna effect the entire city.

[NutmegYankee]

5. Which city?

[MADem]

6. It could be that someone is just sick.

Where I come from, there are no post offices open on Sunday, and damn few on Saturday.

[Prism]

3. It's always like that here.

Going to the post office is usually a 20-30 minute proposition. Always one cashier, always a line practically out the door. Whenever I need just one stamp to pay my rent and realize I have to go deal with that, a piece of me dies on the inside.

I do not understand the mystery of automated stamp machines. No post offices in the area have them.

I also enjoy the palpable atmosphere of quiet rage that permeates the long line. Everyone is silently livid and mere spiritual inches from doing great violence.

It's actually sort of interesting to watch if you've nothing better to do.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. I asked about stamp machines, and was told that they were...

causing all sorts of problems, and rarely worked well so they were taken out.

I'm not arguing that since I have had problems with them in the past, but am curious why the Post Office is the only place in the entire world that can't get vending machines right.

My bank used to sell stamps through the ATM, but that stopped, too.

As far as your PO goes, could some staff have been laid off, or retirees not replaced?

[Prism]

28. Not sure, but they forced a lot of carriers into retirement

Mailmen and women have been dropping like flies around here.

However, the single cashier on duty during peak hours is an occurrence across multiple post offices and towns in the area. I sometimes wonder if they built the lobby with three cashier stations purely as a subtle form of wicked mockery. "Ahahahah, we could man them, but we won't!"

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Oh for fucs face

If all you need is a stamp go to your local supermarket, ATM, cvs, other pharmacies or Costco...to name a few.

[Prism]

27. They sell books, not single stamps

And most of the time, I just need the one and only care to pay for the one (or only have the money for the one), etc.

[roody]

4. We don't have Sat. service.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. It's always like that here in KC where I live.

I don't go unless I just have to because of the long wait.

[pinboy3niner]

9. My P.O. always has long lines Saturday--but they're very fast-moving

And the postal workers are always efficient and helpful. I think they're great! :patriot:

[Mist]

10. Our post office can be slow any time after about 10:30 am. The employees are

slow, as in "moving underwater" slow. I spend big bucks on UPS during the holiday season just to avoid the post office.

Lately, they've had a couple of visiting employees from other post offices to light a fire under the sorry butts of the regular employees, and the waiting time has been greatly reduced.

What I've heard for years, from postal carriers,is that there are "too many chiefs and not enough Indians." Too much money seems to go on "administration."

On the other hand, one of the clerks at the post office told me the other day that the post office has to pay in their entire retirement payments at the beginning of every year, and therefore they're operating in the hole most of the year.

[WinkyDink]

24. ".....one of the clerks at the post office told me...." We've had threads on the topic.

[enlightenment]

11. There are always long lines at my post offices,

even with the automated package delivery machine (the self-service thing) that provides stamps as well as package postage (but not media mail, sadly, which is most of what I mail). Usually at least two or three employees working the counter - sometimes four - and apparently several more in the back.

The local supermarkets sell stamps at the checkout, so that's another option for the 'just need a stamp' problem. I' m fortunate to live in a large city, though - I'm sure it is different in a smaller location.

Queuing up for anything is frustrating, but it's been that way for a long time. I usually bring a book, just to have something to do rather than stare at the walls or get frustrated with the people in front of me who can't seem to figure out the 'please fill out your forms before you reach the counter' part of the equation.

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Can I add to that?

I know it is frustrating, but when I saw your comment about bringing a book, my mind went to lawnchairs and I cracked myself up just picturing a bunch of people in the Post Office scooting their lawnchairs up when the line inches forward and then going back to reading.

:D

[enlightenment]

21. Funny! :)

It is a bit tiring to stand for 40 minutes or an hour - I often wish they had the kind of foot rails that you occasionally see on bars - a place to raise a foot and lean a bit. I'm getting a bit old and stiff for long standing.

[pinboy3niner]

12. This seems to be turning into a 'how bad my P.O. is' thread

Waiting in line at the post office or the DMV is a fact of life, not necessarily a negative reflection on the institution involved.

What it makes me think of is, "How bad would it be if they closed my local post office or reduced days of service?" I don't want to see that happen.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. My po is pretty good and efficient

The slowdown you are noticing is related to less personnel. They've lost close to 200.000 workers nation wide. You can't expect the same amount of efficiency when you have less workers to deal with same demand. Now can you.

[Kalidurga]

15. If you just need stamps call around....

my neighborhood Walgreens sells stamps, perhaps CVS does as well or maybe your area supermarket at the service desk....

[pinboy3niner]

16. My local supermarkets have stamps at the checkouts

It's been that way for years. Stamps also have been available online for years.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. And ATM machines

Let's not forget those.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. I get them at cosco

And to packages, we send a care package every three months or so...I use their if it fits it ships...

When hubby was still in the navy it was far more expensive to ship care packages than these days.

:patriot:

I also used to get stamps at the auto machine in Honolulu...no fuss no muss and one dollar coins.

[sad sally]

26. add to your list Walmart, Safeway, RiteAid, local non-chain grocery store

or you can go to the PO's website and for free set up an account to either have stamps delivered to you or print.

[Phentex]

20. They closed the crappy one nearby and the next closest is packed...

I hated the crappy one with a passion. And I know plenty of people who felt the same, so good riddence. I've been going to the other one for years. It used to be nice but they have cut back on window service over the years and so it's usually slow most of the time. The other thing I have noticed is the place needs some work. They have removed things from the walls but not patched or painted the walls - in years. I know they are strapped but a gallon or three of paint would go a long way. The place seems sad.

[Frustratedlady]

22. We only had one window open. There are normally two. EOM

[Ikonoklast]

23. Don't go there when everyone else does.

Saturday mornings are the worst at almost any Post Office; I never go there on a Saturday if I have to use a clerk to get something mailed.

There is an automated scale/postage machine at my PO, I find myself using that almost every time I need to mail any billing and paperwork to the office, which is usually once a week.

Quick, easy, simple.

[RebelOne]

25. My post office here in Woodstock, GA

is usually fairly crowded. I found the best time to go is in the morning. There are 4 windows open and they are kept busy. But there are stamp vending machines and also self-service machines for mailing packages.