The Great Postage Scandal of 2008
This post was published 1 year 2 months ago and its content may not be valid anymore.The POst office is just one of those government institutions people just love to hate. Running at a 1.1 BILLION deficit the Post Office is looking to make up for the shortfall by…. Ripping off customers.
Thats right, all Postal Clerks are now instructed via Washington to “upsell” services people don’t need.
Hi, I work the counter for the United States Postal Service and right now we are in a really big financial mess, they claim to have lost about one Billion dollars this past fiscal year. I was told yesterday by my supervisor (and I saw the written memo from the District) that stated we are not to offer first class, parcel post, or media mail.
If a customer comes to the counter with anything other than a letter, we are not to offer anything other than Express Mail or Priority mail.
So if a customer comes to the counter with a 5 ounce small package I am supposed to say “Good Afternoon, would you like to ship this Express Mail overnight guaranteed, it includes $100 of insurance and free tracking for only $16.50?”—Customer looks at you like you are crazy, especially if the package is just going across town—”Ok, then we can send it Priority Mail and it should get to its destination in 2-3 business days for $4.80 and we can add insurance for loss or damage, and for an extra 65 cents you can add delivery confirmation.” At this point I am supposed to shut up and let them either be duped into paying at least $4.80 or wait until they say – how about first class, or is there anything cheaper?—at that point I can offer the first class postage. For the package I described, a 5 ounce parcel, the cost would be $1.85 or almost $3 cheaper than Priority Mail. My advice is to always ask if there is a cheaper way to ship. Once asked we can tell you, but we won’t volunteer the information. [via]
Whaaaaaa? Nothing like deception and lies to cover your shortcomings. Way to go USPS!
WTF, this is crazy! This country is a mess right now.
Dude, they get NO money from the government. they are like a private entity that is totally self sufficient.
I wanna know who the lazy bastard is that will go to the post office to send a package…instead of driving it over there themselves…come on!
I work for USPS as a substitute rural route carrier and I got screwed out of my test to get my $5/hour raise (no, we’re not in financial trouble at all!). I was scheduled last month to take it, and a week before the test, I get a cryptic letter in the mail stating they don’t give tests at stations anymore and that I basically have to wait to take it — ONLINE (How is this safe??). So I’m left to check EVERY SINGLE DAY to see if there is a test opening. I beleive after 9 months though, I finally move up in the scale, which is another 5 or so months away. That is, if I don’t have a wreck or have any messups in my ONE YEAR probation period. Oh yeah, I don’t get insurance or Union protection either.
As far as the “across town” thing goes I see this all of the time, especially picking up outgoing stuff from rural customers. Either they’re too old to do it, gas is too much for their diesel farm rigs or they simply don’t like the person.
Yes, most people don’t realize that uncle sam doesn’t completely “own” USPS and I see first hand all of the time the ridiculousness of corporate politics.