Post Office Experience

I went to the post office here in the University District in Seattle this afternoon to mail several letters, including payment for one of 1775mac's stamp packets for sale here. I thought I'd ask if I could get circular hand cancels on the stamps rather than the automated squiggly cancels that are as common as the forever bell stamps.

I was a bit nervous because you never know how someone will respond to special requests. When I asked, the lady at the counter brightened up and looked like I had just made her day. She pulled out her cancel stamp, tested it, and handed it over for me to do it myself! My memory could be fogging over, but I swear that she put her hand on mine in a touched sort-of way. I've never cancelled a stamp before, but it was kind of fun; I hope it turned out alright, 1775mac!

Everyone here is just a bad influence! Just look at all the horrible experiences I'm putting myself through to fit in!

Clark

Clark, If you are single ask her out next time, if you are married, just tell her the postman let you cancel the stamp.
That's cool!

Mike

That is cool isn't it. The ladies at the post office where I go let me cancel my own stamps also.

Dianne

Dianne, but do they put their hand on yours in the same sort of way?

Nice experience..... and, we'll continue to be a bad influence for as long as you let us.


Butch

In site of all the complaining we do about the USPS there are still some very customer friendly clerks and mail carriers out there. You might consider writing a nice note to the Postmaster.

Clark that is great. Yes, there are still caring postal people. Just do not look for them at my Macdonald post office. I always get asked do you want signature, insurance, priority, and on. When they finish I always reply "No fries with that." I bet it is required but it usually makes their day.

If you do write out a nice note to the Postmaster, don't mention that she let you use her CDS, just mention that she was extremely courteous and very helpful.

The reason? Well, I don't know what the USPS regulations state, but the Canada Post regulations state that a clerk is not allowed to "lend" their date stamp to a member of the public.

You don't want to be getting her into trouble...

hahah I can just see what will happen to me if I request to cancel my own stamp here. I want to continue being a member here and I am in no hurry to leave planet earth so I wont even try :D

Make sure you use "general" terms and be skimpy on the details. Just focus on how courteous and friendly she was, and her professionalism.

What she did is actually contrary to what the powers that be at USPS are trying to do. There is a reason why there are so many grumpy postal employees, especially in the larger cities.

I wish there were more postal employees like her! Let's give them a boost, but let's not unintentionally get them into trouble, either.

k

warrehouse: I am married, so no new love connection here.

1775mac: There are McDonalds that double as post offices?!?

I didn't even know or think writing to the Postmaster would do anything. All of you are trying to be bad influences again...

Clark

I remember a time in the early 80's. I went into the post office and asked to purchase some postage due stamps. I knew they would not be sold much longer as they were getting rid of them. The lady looked at me strange and went into the back. She came back a few minutes later and told me that the postmaster said she could only sell those to stamp collectors. Like, why would anyone else purchase postage dues stamps? I ending up buying a full set of sheets from 1 cent to 50 cent.

Modern

No they don't put their hand on mine. But they are always happy to see me and very helpful.

Dianne

nice read

At Ian Kimmerly stamps, we are across the street from the Main Post Office. When we walk in with a stack (25+) large envelopes being mailed out, plastered in stamps, the clerks hand us the canceller and the ink pad and we do it ourselves.

David

I need a memory jog again. Today some place on the forum I read of another Post Office doing a good job and they even had a lady that catered to Internet orders. Anyone else know where this topic is?