Am I The Only One Who Doesn't Hate My Post Office?

[Laurajean]

I'm just curious. I in no way mean to diminish the problems others have had, as far as losing chicks, hatching eggs, etc. That's sad and just wrong and of course very frustrating. But I can't help to notice that every month or two there's a "I hate the USPS" thread. I always read them, and while I feel badly of course, it reminds me each time how lucky I must be. My post office is wonderful! When I moved here a year and a half ago, I left a note in the mailbox, which is located in a line of boxes at the end of my dirt road, introducing myself as the new resident. I found a very nice note in my box later that essentially said "Welcome! My name is Jon and I'm your regular carrier. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask!".

When I ordered chicks, I was VERY nervous, and called the P.O. a day or two in advance to give them a heads up that they were coming, and they promised to call me immediately. And they did. It was 6a.m. and I went flying down there like I was picking up an adopted child. I got there and they had them set aside, with the box open and under a lamp! The guy said it was chilly and he hoped I didn't mind, but he thought he better open them and put them under a lamp! I was thrilled and thanked him profusely. I suppose he could have gotten in A LOT of trouble for opening my package, but I was grateful that he thought of it. He said that him and the other lady who works there had been "soothing" them while they waited.

On several occasions I have received package notices in my box and I don't find them until late in the day, and they always tell me to come on down, even though they are closed, and to knock on the side door, and give me my packages. Just the other day I had an important package overnighted, but they don't deliver on my road. I opened my door and was shocked to see the box on my porch, because it's a private and very bumpy dirt road and they don't EVER deliver onto the road. I called to thank them and the guy said "Oh yeah, Jon knew your Jeep isn't working, and it looked like something important, so he drove it up".

Kinda funny that my mail guy knows my Jeep isn't working, goes to show the gossip of this little town, but I was still very grateful.

I just wanted to share a couple of good stories about my local post office, because they are just wonderful people. Does anyone else have any GOOD post offices????

 

[gogoalie]

I LOVE the Flat Rate mail! I know other AKans & HIans probably do to...business that WON'T ship to AK or HI, or charge higher rates, are livin' in the 80's...I LOVE MY PO!!!! (disclosure warnin'...my SO works for the USPS...)

 

[chickened]

I like my PO and the people there. I just think the whole system is ran poorly and like other businesses when automation comes in you need less people and unlike the private businesses the PO just keeps working people and there in lies the problem.

I have had good results with the mail service in my town but in the other towns not so good.

I really think it is the individual people and the managers of each office that make a good business... not the Unions that is for sure. (read the post about the Canadian PO.

Most folks are willing to pay for good service and with live critters I for one will pay what it takes.

I bought some eggs from BYC Auction and when they arrived on time at my local PO they called me left message, sent a receipt to pick them up, and I could not make it there until after it closed so I went around back where the days' mail was being loaded and they gave me my eggs a 1/2 hour after closing. No PO in Portland would have done that and the gal was very happy and did not treat me as if I was bothering her.( some have at other PO's)

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

Our local is TERRIBLE, where DH works is normally wonderful, just had one problem recently, but I also know the office may be closing soon, so it's a mess.

 

[TheBrumstead]

If I have to mail a package, I will take it one town over. They are freakin awesome! It's a newer post office, so they have the package drop and a station to weigh and print your own postage without having to take it to the counter (I usually print online, but it's nice!).

 

[acid_chipmunk]

My PO is pretty awesome. So are both of my mail carriers. They regular weekday guy will chat with us about the chickens if he has to bring a package down and the Saturday lady gets nervous if we get eggs that aren't marked for us to pick them up. If she sees that, she delivers to us first, so that nothing happens to them.

The ladies at the PO ask questions all the time when we come in. We had to educate them about shipping eggs, which they have remembered and handle them very carefully. They aren't thrilled with live chicks, but we don't ship them, so that isn't an issue.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I love my PO as well but with all the eggs ordered I have always had problems when my eggs come from GA for some reason. This last box I got from a friend was smooshed on one end like someone stood on it

Eggs broken inside and then there was also two holes in the box as if someone jabbed a screwdriver or something small into the box twice. Got a box from NY yesterday from Mcspin and it was in perfect shape...not even dirty so looked like the po took good care of it. Not one egg was broken

Have several more orders coming in yet so hope they are all in good shape!

 

[NoseyChickens]

I love my Post Office! The main one for us is on base and then we have a tiny privately operated one here in town. They are both fantastic. Two weeks ago I ordered my first older birds through the mail coming from Ohio. I was watching the tracking number and saw they arrived here in California so I called to find out what time they would get there. Turns out we only get one Express shipment in a day now. So they were on their way to our sorting facility an hour and a half away. The lady at my PO called all over to find out exactly where they were, could she get them delivered closer to me. She called me back twice to keep me updated. I did wind up driving out to get them just because I had the time and DH didn't want me to stress about them over night. But I really thought they went above and beyond. And even if my number is not on the box for shipped eggs, the usually still call me for pick up. They rock!

 

[Dunkopf]

Our PO delivers chicks on Sunday to make sure they're okay. I think the noise drives them a little batty too. In 52 years I've never had a problem with a PO other than a surly attitude sometimes. I've found that if you are real friendly it helps the niceness to come out in even the surliest PO or DMV worker. I have heard of people having letters damaged because it is mostly automated and if the letter has something in it beside paper it can get damaged going through the automated equipment.

Overall a very good system.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I LOVE my local post office. It's run by the sweetest ladies.

The overall postal service has some serious issues.