I know we all encountered frustrations at customer service
counters at local grocery stores. One grocery is a satellite USPS mail provider. It is
convenient to post mail after the main office is closed especially on Sundays
at the satellite providers. What I have
found is there is a lack of professionalism and ethics at the store I have
used. Being an optimist I always look
for the humor in the situation. Let me
share with you my recent encounters.
I have joined a social network of Scrapbook.com to share my
love of papercrafting. I have joined
several swaps and challenges. I am in a
monthly birthday card swap. My first
adventure to the satellite office with 2 envelops of handcrafted cards resulted
in the following transaction.
Me: I need these
envelopes weighed and metered with the correct postage.
CSR: But they are thick and puffy
Me: I know that is why I wanted them weighed and metered
CSR: But this is puffy and going to Canada.
Me: I understand we still have fair trading rights with
Canada
CSR: But it is to Canada
Me: (heavy sigh) You think that is a problem why?
CSR: It will cost you more
Me: (smile lost.. heavy sigh.. assertive announcement) I don’t
have a problem with paying more for a puffy envelope going to Canada. Why are
you having a problem with me sending a card to Canada? Just weigh it. I will pay for it.
CSR: muttering indiscernible words
The next month ran
with the same results except on envelop was loosely stuck together.
Me: Oh I didn’t see that the envelope was not sticking can I
have a piece of tape.
CSR: This envelope is puffy.
Me: Yes it is the design of the card.
CSR: But it is puffy
Me: Since the envelope is loosely sealed did you want to
open it and look at the card.
Unbelievably she said yes emphatically until her associate
told her she couldn’t open my mail to see anything.
So MY LAST encounter,
I went in with 2 birthday cards, 2 manila swap envelopes and one puffy swap
envelope that contained 9 Art Trading Cards and a thank you card for the hostess
of the swap. I left it open so I could
add a self addressed stamped envelope.
Me: I need you to weigh this envelope going to this address
and put the exact postage on this envelope addressed to me.
CSR: All metered stamps have to show so I will not meter an empty envelope.
Me: Fine. Just sell me enough stamps to cover the
postage.
CSR: I can’t help you. I am calling my supervisor. (one sided call) I have this lady wanting to
send an envelope in an envelope. I don’t know what is in the envelope. Let me
see (she put her hand in the envelop to remove the contents)
Me: Don’t remove anything. They are art trading card
CSR: (continuing her phone conversation) See what I mean ..
They are trading cards of some sort.
Supervisor comes out in a hostile gait and unsmiling and accusatory tone of
voice
Supervisor: What can I help you with?
Me: (equally unsmiling and assertive) I am sending 9 art trading cards to this address on the
envelope. She will send me back 9 ATC in
this SASE. So I need you to weigh the
outgoing mail and place the same amount of postage on this SASE.
CSR: I told her we can’t meter an envelope that is inside an
envelope.
The supervisor took the envelope behind the counter and
shook out the contents. And walks back to me
Supervisor: The metered mail will not work from Indiana to
Indiana. You have to put a different return address on the corner.
Me: That is why I
told you to weigh the outgoing envelope with ALL OF THE CONTENTS and place the
same amount on the SASE. I am sending
stuff to this state and that state is sending stuff back to me.
He worked at metering the envelopes... All 6 envelopes since the CSR couldn't help me.
Supervisor: Like this?
And do you want me to put it in here in this envelop?
Me: Yes and please include ALL OF THE CONTENTS you removed.
OMG!!! Ethics!!!! That was my LAST visit to the satellite
office. I will go to the main office where I can complain about the parking but never complain about the ethics. They would never reach into an envelope and remove the contents. They are trained professionals. And when I go, I will thank them. I think I will make them a large puffy thank you card that I want them to open.
