Hot shipping deal from USPS!

[Glendor]

The hot deal is not about Price, it's about convenience! I took off work early yesterday to ship a package from the post office, and when I got there the line was FREAKING HUGE. I didn't have time to wait, but what did I see??? A glowing kiosk in the always open lobby of the post office with the title Automated Postal Center open 24/7! I couldn't believe it. It was like a dream come true! But wait, how does it work? I bet it's expensive, and difficult to use, or maybe you can only ship certain things there. Okay, I'll stop the melodrama.

It worked great. Just stuck my package on the scale, typed in the zip, and went through about three screens to get the postage, added delivery confirmation and insurance, inserted my credit card, and BINGO; I had my pre printed postage lable and other stickers for the front of the package.

Elapsed time: 4 minutes!

This wasn't at the post office last time I was there, about six months ago. It was so convienient that I'll be shipping most of my packages that way now.

Anyway, this isn't a hot deal based on price, but on convenience. I used to have to miss work to get to the post office before they closed, but not anymore.

Check and see if they have one installed near you.

"And we're adding more access. Already, we've rolled out 1,500 Automated Postal Centers. Customers can complete most retail transactions without standing in line. We'll have 2,500 Automated Postal Centers in place by the busy holiday season. These machines will enable more customers to access our expanded holiday window hours."

 

[ClockerXP]

This is a nice feature. Been using it for about a year. You can drop off packages any time of the day or night. Very convenient.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Damn I hope one around here has one of those! NICE!!!

EDIT If you go to http://www.usps.com and search for a PO, you can specify ones with this automated system!! W00T, one right near me!!

 

[Cardio]

My nearest Post Office in Houston has one also. Unfortunately is has NEVER worked correctly. When you enter a zip code is says "Zip Code not found please enter a correct Zip Code" It does this for 99% of locations you try even the Zip Code for that Post Office. The people working at the substation have no idea how it should work nor do they care. I stood in line for 20 minutes to ask why it doesn't work and the manager told me "they just put that in and we don't work it". This is a typical Post Office operation....the stamp machine is always out of stamps and the line is a half a block long, the coin changer, if it worked, gave change in Susan B. Anthony dollar coins (do they still make those things?) The stamp machine that gave change is now gone and you have to buy a stamp with a credit card, not bad only slightly more complicated than opening a PayPal account. The employees are very helpful and friendly naturally: after three years working there, they can transfer directly to the Drivers License Renewal Bureau. You non-large city dwellers probably don't understand that......be glad.

 

[freeguy007]

Yo- buy a scale and you can do this at your own house via the USPS website & have the mailmain pick it up or you can drop it in the package slot in the post office.

 

[Thump553]

Originally posted by: freeguy007
Yo- buy a scale and you can do this at your own house via the USPS website & have the mailmain pick it up or you can drop it in the package slot in the post office.

The trouble with a scale is that the post office has had regulations on the maximum size of a package it will accept with stamps (as opposed to traceable postage strips) ever since the Unibomber days.

 

[Inappropriate4AT]

PayPal has always offered the most convenience to me when it comes to shipping, saves me money as well.

 

[LoverBoyJ]

I have used this feature since they installed it on our local USPS. Saves a lot of time, don't know why some people still stand in line

 

[Rumpltzer]

I've used these things since they first came out in my local post offices... I see it very much the same as the self-check out at WalMart and at the grocery store. People on the ATOT have screamed that they won't use these things unless stores start to pay them, but I'm very happy to save my time with them.

...until I get behind the old lady who has no clue what she's doing!!

 

[Glendor]

Originally posted by: Inappropriate4AT
PayPal has always offered the most convenience to me when it comes to shipping, saves me money as well.

Pardon my ignorance, but how does PayPal help with shipping? I only use them for purchases. Do they have some sort of pickup & ship service now?

Glendor...

 

[htne]

Originally posted by: Cardio
My nearest Post Office in Houston has one also. Unfortunately is has NEVER worked correctly. When you enter a zip code is says "Zip Code not found please enter a correct Zip Code" It does this for 99% of locations you try even the Zip Code for that Post Office. The people working at the substation have no idea how it should work nor do they care. I stood in line for 20 minutes to ask why it doesn't work and the manager told me "they just put that in and we don't work it". This is a typical Post Office operation....the stamp machine is always out of stamps and the line is a half a block long, the coin changer, if it worked, gave change in Susan B. Anthony dollar coins (do they still make those things?) The stamp machine that gave change is now gone and you have to buy a stamp with a credit card, not bad only slightly more complicated than opening a PayPal account. The employees are very helpful and friendly naturally: after three years working there, they can transfer directly to the Drivers License Renewal Bureau. You non-large city dwellers probably don't understand that......be glad.

I lived in Houston for 30 years. Now that I am retired, I live in a small town 50 miles west of Houston. There isn't much here, but what there is is very friendly. Most of the employees at the Post Office know me by name. The regular UPS driver often stops for a minute to chat when he makes a delivery.

 

[imported_djspe]

A friendly postman introduced me to this service when I was waiting on line. I was in and out in 3 min. Great service.

 

[msi1337]

I love that machine! been using it for a while!!

one thing you might run into though... the metal handle you pull down to open the package drop sometimes gets stuck when it is full...so you may be able to buy postage, but you might not be able to send it out till the next day.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: Glendor

Originally posted by: Inappropriate4AT
PayPal has always offered the most convenience to me when it comes to shipping, saves me money as well.

Pardon my ignorance, but how does PayPal help with shipping? I only use them for purchases. Do they have some sort of pickup & ship service now?

Glendor...

When a buyer purchases through Paypal you're able to ship their products using UPS or USPS. Just put in the box weight, level of service wanted, and choose to either have the funds deducted from your Paypal account, credit card, or checking account. Once you're done with that, print out the label ( I just use regular printer paper) and either affix the label or tape the paper label to the outside of the box. Also with shipping online delivery confirmation is free. I simply print my labels and ship my packages from work or home and drop them off at the post office.