FureverFurryRIP Daphne: 3/12/05 - 6/19/12 Premium Member join:2012-02-20 49xxx Zoom 5341J ARRIS WBM760 Vonage VDV-21
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[Rant] USPS customer NON-serviceStopped in at a local USPS mailing facility with the intention of picking up the "Express Mail International/customs declaration". This is a new-ish form that combines both the Express Mail form AND the customs declaration.
So ... form isn't with the lobby mailing supplies. Inside, the customer service line was at least 15 people with ONE employee working. A second employee was perched on a bench not doing a bloody thing -- just sitting there. I caught her eye and said "I need to ask WHERE you have the special form for ...." and before I could finish she says, "Ask them" (and points to the line).
Now when I asked her WHY I should ask fellow customers, she said "Because they're in line ahead of you." WTH ?? Asked her why I had to wait to get a form they didn't put out with supplies and she reiterates "...just get in line".
And she continued to sit on her perch not doing a d*mn thing. I wound up driving 12 miles to another facility to get that form and mail my UK parcels. |
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Msradell Premium Member join:2008-12-25 Louisville, KY |
Msradell
Premium Member
2014-Dec-11 11:09 am
She was probably on break and of course "Union Rules" prevent her from doing anything during that period.
Or, she could be just lazy like most post office employees! |
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FureverFurryRIP Daphne: 3/12/05 - 6/19/12 Premium Member join:2012-02-20 49xxx Zoom 5341J ARRIS WBM760 Vonage VDV-21
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said by Msradell:Or, she could be just lazy like most post office employees! I'll vote for that answer . I know many are really hard workers but that particular location seems to excel in Stupid and Lazy. |
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2 recommendations |
to FureverFurry
It has to be per post office.
The contract PO I use even fills out the damn customs form! (usually homemade items) If there's a legal workaround, they tell me. |
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FureverFurryRIP Daphne: 3/12/05 - 6/19/12 Premium Member join:2012-02-20 49xxx Zoom 5341J ARRIS WBM760 Vonage VDV-21
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Yeah, the one I wound up driving to is great. They were able to get a couple of peculiar UK addresses entered in the "main" USPS system for their guaranteed delivery a couple of years ago.
Now the one I was/am ranting about is in a nice part of town but has a security guard because of problematic customers. With service like they give, I can see the reason, lol. |
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Wily_One Premium Member join:2002-11-24 San Jose, CA
1 recommendation |
to Msradell
Yup, you can thank your local APWU. "Lazy employees" in unions is the rule, not the exception. |
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to FureverFurry
I know several USPS employees in the 3 major food groups: Mail carriers, Clerks, Bulk mail sorters.
I'm sure there are some bad apples as with anything.
But the folks I know really do work quite hard.
Staffing had been cut way back. My local office here has 3 service windows but these ways there is usually only one person working.
And that guy---usually the same one---works his tail off. He is hopping all day.
My post office doesn't even have a postmaster anymore, they share with a couple of nearby towns.
The regular people are good. The management---that's another story.
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The employee you describe may be lazy, or maybe she was there for a different job. For example, having arrived to pick up the outbound mail sacs to go to the sectional sorting facility.
If they are supposed to go out at 1:00 PM for example, and it's 12:50, she has to wait. She may have no idea where/what the forms are.
Just one possibility. Of course if so she could have explained it.... |
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KrKHeavy Artillery For The Little Guy Premium Member join:2000-01-17 Tulsa, OK Netgear WNDR3700v2 Zoom 5341J
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to Msradell
Actually, probably not on the clock and therefore not allowed to do anything or face disciplinary action.... but in that case, she should have remained out of sight of customers to prevent this exact situation. By sitting there in uniform, she only perpetuates the "lazy, rude, uncaring" stereotype and impression amongst waiting customers. |
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KrK |
to Wily_One
Yes, yes, we all know the conservative talking points on Unions and their American workers: Lazy, overpaid, do nothings that destroy American business and the economy and force patriotic companies to move to Vietnam, India or other countries where labor can be exploited for dirt cheap.
Give it a rest. |
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Wily_One Premium Member join:2002-11-24 San Jose, CA |
Wily_One
Premium Member
2014-Dec-12 1:38 am
Ever been to the DMV? The only time they move fast is when it's getting close to 5 o'clock and they want to go home. The rest of the time they don't give a shit, regardless if all the people in line are conservatives or socialists. |
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KrKHeavy Artillery For The Little Guy Premium Member join:2000-01-17 Tulsa, OK |
KrK
Premium Member
2014-Dec-12 1:42 am
I go at least once a year, or more, if selling vehicles or renewing licenses and such. I've never had a problem. Are they super fast? No, but they also aren't hateful or rude. |
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nonymous (banned) join:2003-09-08 Glendale, AZ |
to Msradell
said by Msradell:She was probably on break and of course "Union Rules" prevent her from doing anything during that period.
Or, she could be just lazy like most post office employees! Why go on break in public view? |
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(I don't really want to say that.)
To the OP: Ask a Canuck how they feel about their privatized mail service. |
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dave Premium Member join:2000-05-04 not in ohio |
to Wily_One
Not in my neighborhood. The Mass RMV long had that sort of poor reputation, and it was more-or-less true up until something like a decade or so ago. Now, however, I find my local RMV employees to be just fine to deal with. It also helps that you can conduct routine business (registration renewals, etc) online - so the in-office load is less. The "expected wait time" indicator on the web site is also useful and I think it seems reasonably accurate. |
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dave |
dave to KrK
Premium Member
2014-Dec-13 9:49 am
to KrK
I'd say that the uncaring style of response that the OP reported might just be perpetuating the "rude, uncaring" part of the stereotype.
Sure, she might be off the clock, but I don't think politeness is likely to be against the rules. |
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Scene in a Brooklyn restaurant:
"Waiter, do you happen to know the time?" "I'm sorry, this ain't my table!" |
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