Are postal employees allowed to ask...

[E B]

"....what's in the box?"

In the last nine or so months, I've sent three things registered and insured (returning two to a vendor, and one to be set- yay!) and each time, after declaring how much I need to insure it for, they've asked me the same question: "$____? What's in the box?"

As far as I can tell, they aren't using the information for anything official, they're just curious. I just figured some sort of privacy policy existed to protect both employee and customer, but apparently, there isn't. One time, at my local UPS place (which, granted, is a lot more casual), the employee told me he wished he'd seen it before I'd packaged it up. He had just watched a fascinating special on diamond cutting on TV.

(And yes, each time, I've answered their question truthfully. I'm a horrible liar, especially when put on the spot. )

Has anyone else been asked what you're sending? Do you know of any privacy policies that exist through the USPS or UPS that the people in my city aren't following? Or is it really just up to the sender to say "none of your business."

 

[Tanzigrrl]

You know, I'm not sure. A few weeks ago I went to the post office to pick up a ring that my dad sent me via registered mail (it was my grandmother's). As I was waiting to pick it up, I could hear the postal clerks shuffling in the back. They kept saying things like, "it's not in there" and finally one of them came back to the desk and asked me how much it was worth! I sort of stammered and said, "well, it's a small box and I do not know how much it's worth." Finally, they found it after what felt like an eternity. The clerk said, "wow, it was under lock and key" as though that meant it was expensive. I didn't know what to make of any of it.

 

[autumngems]

I always get asked whats in the box nad I hate that because now they know it's jewelry, kind of defeats the purpose of privacy.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I just say "Oh, it's a present". They don't usually ask for details after that.

 

[athenaworth]

I agree. I just say "a gift for a friend," and that usually fixes it.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

They can ask about fragile, parishable and/or potentially hazardous, but I don't think they can ask what specifically is in the box unless they're concerned for some reason. I send a lot of media mail and with those packages, the person will always double ask to make sure that there is a book or movie in there, which makes sense since it costs a lot less to send that method.

I've had a few problems with one employee in the past so I try and avoid her.

 

[partgypsy]

They are just trying to make sure you are not mailing a puppy.

 

[dragonfly411]

 

[CherryBlossom]

They can ask about fragile, parishable and/or potentially hazardous, but I don't think they can ask what specifically is in the box unless they're concerned for some reason. I send a lot of media mail and with those packages, the person will always double ask to make sure that there is a book or movie in there, which makes sense since it costs a lot less to send that method.

I've had a few problems with one employee in the past so I try and avoid her.

As far as I know they are only allowed to ask this ^^^^^ they should be asking anything else.

 

[Vera W]

Having dealt with shipping high value packages when I worked at NM via Registered mail with insurance for more than 20 years, it is my experience that you do not have to disclose what is in the package. However you do have to give an insurance value. With Registered mail the clerk and every person who handles the package is responsible for it. That is the reason it takes so long for registered mail to travel, because each handler has to sign for it, yes even the truck drivers. The Postal Service will not consider tracing the package until 14 business days has passed as they understand the added security put on its handling. We advise customer's that it takes approximately 3-5 days to arrive, however it can sometimes take longer, which can be nerve wrecking. Thankfully in all the years and with shipping packages in excess of $75,000.00 I have never experienced a loss of a client or business package. Please note that the Postal Service will only insure up to $25,000.00 but will charge you an extra handling fee for higher values. Most of the clerks I have dealt with are very friendly and helpful but might speak out of turn or shows surprise when you mention the value or what you are sending. Besides the fact that "we" might be a bit sensitive in having to ship out a high value item. I once had a client yell across the Post office "Hey, do you have any big diamonds in that box?" She just wasn't thinking about how I might feel about it or that it would bring attention to what I was doing there. The Loss Prevention person who was my escort made us drive to a further Post office for a month after that. I am glad that I no longer have to deal with going to the post office any longer. My apologies for the long winded reply. I just hope this information is helpful and eases any concerns.

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

I am supposed to write a detailed description of items on the custom form when I send stuff overseas, so in that case, they could ask what's in the box. I assume it's just curiosity in your situation though.

 

[monarch64]

I don't think they're allowed (USPS workers) to ask specifically what is in the box. I think they CAN ask whether it's flammable, dangerous, etc.--I'm using the wrong terminology here for sure, sorry. I don't think that I have to answer "it's panties for my 93 yr.old grandmother," ya know?

 

[Deia]

I really dislike how they ask that over here too... I had to mail a REALLY expensive watch to Switzerland for my boss and I felt seriously bad after I told them what it was...what if it got stolen?!?

The only reason I mention stealing things is because all our Xmas cards or rather the enveloppes had been ripped open to what I was told was most likely to check for cash with the card... how disgusting is that considering the people that usually get a little pocket change are kids getting a lil something from their grandparents or whatever...

 

[fountainfairfax]

When I sent my diamond to be set I had to use a PO near work and didn't know anyone there.

The clerk was calculating the cost and put in the wrong insurance amount ($4,000 vs the $7,000 I had written down.) I quickly and nicely corrected her, not wanting to send something at almost half the value- I was nervous enough sending my diamond across country . She got snotty and said "So what is it, a diamond ring?" I just gave her a shrug and as I was leaving she said to a co-worker "Let me go take care of the hope diamond now."

 

[y2kitty]

I'm sure they aren't supposed to but they do. I get large checks from time to time and at the bank the teller will be like "What's this for?"....um, none of your business?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

When I sent my diamond to be set I had to use a PO near work and didn't know anyone there.

The clerk was calculating the cost and put in the wrong insurance amount ($4,000 vs the $7,000 I had written down.) I quickly and nicely corrected her, not wanting to send something at almost half the value- I was nervous enough sending my diamond across country . She got snotty and said "So what is it, a diamond ring?" I just gave her a shrug and as I was leaving she said to a co-worker "Let me go take care of the hope diamond now."

Ugh, so rude!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I'm sure they aren't supposed to but they do. I get large checks from time to time and at the bank the teller will be like "What's this for?"....um, none of your business?

I've heard of people saying bank tellers have asked questions like that, but that's never happened to me. Once in my early 20s, I went grocery shopping and spent $140...lol...and the clerk had the nerve to ask me if I had realized all the food was going to cost so much and he wondered if I had enough to pay for it all. I cannot believe the crap I let slide back then. If that happened now, I'd have gone straight to the manager and complained.

 

[junebug17]

I've been asked the past several times I sent a package with UPS what was in the box, and with different clerks. I got the impression it was a standard question, and not just curiosity. I thought it was strange, and it caught me off-guard. And I don't really get the point of doing it, people could just lie. In my case, it wasn't a big deal, just clothing I was sending to my daughter in college, but if it was a valuable item, I might not want to share that with the whole store.

I've never been asked by the post office, I just get the fragile/potentially hazardous question.

 

[E B]

Thanks everyone! The question has always come after the hazardous/fragile question(s), and always after I give the amount I want to insure it for. They never take down the information (in front of me), so I'm pretty sure it's because they're curious. I wasn't particularly worried, it just struck me as odd. If I were a postal employee, I don't know that I'd ask because if it DID go missing, I'd be suspect #1.