Self-serve U.S. Post office review - thumbs up

[+RangerG]

I stopped by the downtown post office today and the line was insane. However, I remembered that I saw something in the mail about the new self-serve post office station, and I figured that the bigger post office would have one. Well, the line at the bigger post office looked about 45 minutes to an hour long, but the new self-serve kiosk sat alone and unused to the side. About one minute later I was in my car home and the package was on the way. The system is great, easy to use, etc. It only takes credit card or debit card and the area you put the package in wouldn't fit anything like a tv monitor, but all smaller packages work great. There is no option for media mail, but I couldn't find any other flaws. Use it while you can because once people find out about it, you may be waiting behind people as they try to figure the thing out and it then may not be worth it to you.

[dvdguy]

I dont use the system itself, but I do love that big new metal bin that's next to them because now i can drop off all my prepaid stuff overnight.

[Albert]

My local post office has one of these machines and they have been pushing it very heavily to try and get people to use it. Ever since it's been installed, there are always people waiting to use it when I go the the post office, which is nearly every day. Usually there is a postal employee nearby or helping someone out. My post office is understaffed and too small for the number of people that use it, so I'm hoping it helps out.

 

I have not tried to use the machine yet myself since I print all my postage and labels with Stamps.com and can just drop my packages off. The only exception is international packages, which still have to go through a clerk, but there is a "Business Card" that you can get that allows you to go right to the front of the queue for the "Business Card" window.

 

Btw, I saw an article on Slashdot a few days ago about how these new kiosks take your picture when you use them..

 

..Al

[dvdguy]

Btw, I saw an article on Slashdot a few days ago about how these new kiosks take your picture when you use them..

 

Wait... what? Why?

[Albert]

Btw, I saw an article on Slashdot a few days ago about how these new kiosks take your picture when you use them..

 

Wait... what? Why?

 

Probably to catch those darned Terrorists! Thanks to 9/11, you generally cannot mail packages over one pound without giving it to a clerk. You can mail fairly heavy packages with this automated kiosk, but they obviously want to be able to stick a face with each transaction in case someone does mail a bomb or anthrax or whatever. I think it's over the top--if someone is going to terrorize people through the mail, they are very likely to take great care to make sure their packages are mailed anonymously.

 

You can read more about it here.

 

..Al

[deathtrappomegranate]

In the UK, we don't have the option that exists in the US of USPS picking up your domestic packages. Everything that doesn't use a standard postage stamp has to go through the post office. Unless, you're a business, with a franking machine, of course.

 

My local post office is prone to flooding, and, even when it's open, always has huge queues. Fortunately, I've found one half a mile away that's always quiet.

 

However, because of the current administration, it'll probably last about a week before it's closed.

 

The British post office used to be a source of pride in this country. After all, it was one of the first such services, and pioneered postage stamps. The government appears to be determined to privatise it, though.

 

Call me a Marxist if you like, but I think that there are some things which should be under state control...and mail is one of them.

 

Having said that, I'd be very happy to have the USPS services available here. Although I'd prefer that Royal Mail just got on with it.