My daughter decided she wanted another book for Christmas.
I needed to get it out today.
It was wrapped and put in a USPS "Flat Rate" "Priority Mail" box.
I went to the small local post office to mail it. They are less busy and faster.
They were closed. The sign said, "Closed. Too busy. Catching up." Hmmm...
So I went to the large regional office nearby. They have lots of representatives - it should go quick.
Finding a parking space was difficult. After parking, I saw that here were people spilling out of the building and into the parking lot.
I went inside anyway. There is a machine at the door, "Take a number."
Mine said 258.
They were serving 161.
There were three reps serving all those people.
I left.
I went to another place where I have an account.
The name rhymes with "Phedex."
They accepted my "Priority Mail" package! I sent it ground.
It will get there one day quicker.
It was $4 cheaper than the USPS "Flat Rate" box.
I was in there 5 minutes, max.
I can hardly wait until they do health care...
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
"Closed" "Too Busy" "Catching Up". I love it. I wish I could hang that sign up some days. Isn't it crazy - thanks for the heads up I need to send something tomorrow. I may just bypass the post office completely.
What a good idea. I have 10 big enveloped to mail out and just today I was planning my strategy. Thanks.
That was a riot, loved your last line and oh so poignant.
Stacey-Ann - I'll bet Santa never has such a sign... you should pass them up for a host of reasons.
Ellie - it will be worth every saved minute.
Rebecca - poignant yes!
And when they nationalize the auto industry and then you drive off the lot only to realize that you have no brakes!
Brian - I fear that throwing all this money around will have no brakes. It's MY money!
Good for you for not giving up and finding a much better solution. Many Realtors need to keep that philosophy in mind in regards to the challenged times and work.
Connie - I had today! That was it! Apparently so did all those other people in line! I don't like lines!
I had the same experience this week.. walked into the local "shipping place", was first in line, and walked out in less than five minutes while the post office had a line out the door!
Silvia - why don't more take that hint?
Love your last line! I used that other company the other day - that brown one - cheaper and quicker - and no line. Cannot beat that! Thanks for the post - and especially the precise number count at USPS - made my jaw drop!
Congratulations on getting it done! I can't even imagine being employed by the USPS during the Holidays- they just don't have enough staff to cover the busy season - they must be exhauted by the end of the day, especially working with all the crabby people that have stood in their long lines!
Katrin - I know! Pick a number?! I could have left, gotten a pizza, gotten a slurpee, gotten a, gotten a - came back and still my number wouldn't be up... it's the cheaper, quicker that is most relevant.
Mary - I can't either! No crabby people at Phedex though...
We avoid the Post office like the plague! Even on regular non holiday times there's a line and just when it looks like its going to be your turn that counter guy goes on break! I love the brown truck guys - I print my shipping label at home, pay online and just drop off my box at a local storefront! I know the guy there by name! re: healthcare - a well known businessman died in the emergency room at the govt hospital in Dallas a few months ago waiting 19 hours to be seen!!! (google herrera death parkland) Govt. healthcare - give me a break! (oh wait - I might need a doctor if anything breaks!)