- Joined
- Aug 5, 2010
- Messages
- 12,688
Spoiler alert: I'm gonna disparage the post office a little here, so look away now, if you don't want to ruin the ending...
I just had to send a stone back to Wales. I looked online for options and saw that I had a few, with the only given being that it had to be sent Registered Mail (recipient's request). I think I'm smart by doing as much as I can at home, but this time, since I wasn't sure of the actual mail service, the only thing I did at home (because its time consuming) is to do the wet wrap brown tape thing. I purposely did not choose the mail service, other than Registered, before I got there, because I wanted to get the cheapest one. So here's how the conversation went, with yet the latest in one-time-at-the-counter-never-to-be-seen-again postal clerks.
Me: Hi, I need to send this Registered, but other than that, I'll take the cheapest way.
She: You know Registered has nothing to do with the mail service, that the mail service is in addition to the service of Registering the package?
Me: Yes.
She: Okay. Where is it going? To Wales? Okay, that will be $12.95 for sending it Registered and $23.95 for the postage for Priority Mail.
Me: But your sign right above your head says that Priority Mail is $19.95.
She: Yes, that is for a flat rate envelope.
Me: No, below that - it says its $19.95 for a small, flat rate box. This is a small, flat rate box.
She: Oh, you're right! I don't know why the sign says that. Its wrong. Its $23.95.
(so I'm mildly annoyed and amused; after all, I wouldn't expect anything less from the latest in random clerks who will disappear as soon as my transaction is complete, never to be seen again)
Me: is that the cheapest way to get it there?
She: No, there are cheaper ways, like First Class International.
Me: Oh, okay then! How much would that be? That's what I want to do.
She: For First Class International it would be $13.95. But you can't.
Me: I can't what? Send it First Class? Why not? I thought you just said I could?
She: Because you have it in a Priority Mail box.
Me: So?
She: Because those boxes are just for Priority Mail.
Me: Oh, I get you! It has markings on it which would be confusing.
[Note to anyone still reading this: When you send something Registered Mail, every corner and every edge has to be covered in their weird, regulation, brown tape. When you do that, you end up covering almost the entire box with brown tape, so there was very little of the "Priority Mail" wording exposed]
Me: I'll just cover those up with more brown tape and we'll be good to go.
She: You can't do that.
Me: Why?
She: Because I'll know its a Priority Mail box you're using.
Me: You're kidding, right?
She: No, I'm sorry, I can't allow that.
Me: Are you saying that this shape and size box cannot be sent the cheaper First Class International way?
She: No, it can.
Me: ???? Then why can't I use this box? Because it has a Priority Mail label on it? And if I cover it up it won't be seen and you guys would be fine?
She: Yes, but I will know. And now that I know, I cannot let you do that.
Me: Can I speak with your supervisor?
She: She's not here.
Me: (steam rising off my head and very glumly): I guess I'll send it Priority Mail then.
I just had to send a stone back to Wales. I looked online for options and saw that I had a few, with the only given being that it had to be sent Registered Mail (recipient's request). I think I'm smart by doing as much as I can at home, but this time, since I wasn't sure of the actual mail service, the only thing I did at home (because its time consuming) is to do the wet wrap brown tape thing. I purposely did not choose the mail service, other than Registered, before I got there, because I wanted to get the cheapest one. So here's how the conversation went, with yet the latest in one-time-at-the-counter-never-to-be-seen-again postal clerks.
Me: Hi, I need to send this Registered, but other than that, I'll take the cheapest way.
She: You know Registered has nothing to do with the mail service, that the mail service is in addition to the service of Registering the package?
Me: Yes.
She: Okay. Where is it going? To Wales? Okay, that will be $12.95 for sending it Registered and $23.95 for the postage for Priority Mail.
Me: But your sign right above your head says that Priority Mail is $19.95.
She: Yes, that is for a flat rate envelope.
Me: No, below that - it says its $19.95 for a small, flat rate box. This is a small, flat rate box.
She: Oh, you're right! I don't know why the sign says that. Its wrong. Its $23.95.
(so I'm mildly annoyed and amused; after all, I wouldn't expect anything less from the latest in random clerks who will disappear as soon as my transaction is complete, never to be seen again)
Me: is that the cheapest way to get it there?
She: No, there are cheaper ways, like First Class International.
Me: Oh, okay then! How much would that be? That's what I want to do.
She: For First Class International it would be $13.95. But you can't.
Me: I can't what? Send it First Class? Why not? I thought you just said I could?
She: Because you have it in a Priority Mail box.
Me: So?
She: Because those boxes are just for Priority Mail.
Me: Oh, I get you! It has markings on it which would be confusing.
[Note to anyone still reading this: When you send something Registered Mail, every corner and every edge has to be covered in their weird, regulation, brown tape. When you do that, you end up covering almost the entire box with brown tape, so there was very little of the "Priority Mail" wording exposed]
Me: I'll just cover those up with more brown tape and we'll be good to go.
She: You can't do that.
Me: Why?
She: Because I'll know its a Priority Mail box you're using.
Me: You're kidding, right?
She: No, I'm sorry, I can't allow that.
Me: Are you saying that this shape and size box cannot be sent the cheaper First Class International way?
She: No, it can.
Me: ???? Then why can't I use this box? Because it has a Priority Mail label on it? And if I cover it up it won't be seen and you guys would be fine?
She: Yes, but I will know. And now that I know, I cannot let you do that.
Me: Can I speak with your supervisor?
She: She's not here.
Me: (steam rising off my head and very glumly): I guess I'll send it Priority Mail then.