OT: I think it's so funny how....

[mudder17]

You can go to the post office and have trouble finding a parking spot (it's a large lot and there was one spot left, but I had to scootch into it carefully), go into the post office, see that the line is all the way inside and to the inner door (so looooong line), there are some people being helped in the lobby for a passport....















...and the self-serve, electronic mailer thing has no line! Guess what I used. :)

edited for clarity...

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png
Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz

[linsei]

uh, UPS? FedEx?

:)

Linda

http://b2.lilypie.com/xz6em5/.png[/img][/url]

[mudder17]

Snort! I would have spit out my water if I had been drinking it! Okay, I suddenly realized why you said that. No, what I meant was that there was no line on the electronic mailer thingy. I just thought that was funny since I figured people would have gone to it when they saw how long the line inside was!

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png
Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz

[DebbieJ]

I always use the machine. The clerks at my PO are brain dead. They take FOREVER to help you. I can't believe how many people stand in line. I have even offered to help people with the machine and they STILL stay in that long line at the end of which they are going to have to deal with a stupid clerk. I just don't get it!

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[linsei]

Whew, for a second I though I was having a blond moment. ;)

I, like, totally get it now!

Linda

http://b2.lilypie.com/xz6em5/.png[/img][/url]

[Moneypenny]

Huh? What is this machine you speak of? I don't think we have one of those, only the self-serve stamp vending machine which only sells the ugly stamps and requires exact change in quarters, as if I routinely walk around with $7.40 in quarters.
Susan
mama to my cutie pie, Avery
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]
We made it to a year!

[DebbieJ]

oh no, it's not a vending machine. It's a machine with a scale and a touch screen that you can use to mail letters, large envelopes, maybe even small packages (not sure), and buy stamps of ANY type and denomination. It takes debit and credit only.

LOVE IT!!!

There is another local PO that does not have one and I hate going there and standing in line.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[Moneypenny]

Okay, we definitely don't have one of those. I want one!
Susan
mama to my cutie pie, Avery
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]
We made it to a year!

[mudder17]

Yup, it's the greatest invention! I'm fortunate that the PO that is 2-3 minutes away has one of these. The first time I saw it, I nearly did a double-take. There was a line inside and no one was standing next to it and I had no idea what it was. But I figured--eh, I'm not in that much of a hurry, I'll play with this fun-looking machine. I couldn't believe how easy it was and when I finished, the people were still standing in line...suckers! ;)

ETA: But I would drive 10-15 minutes away if it would save standing in line, especially around this time of the year!

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png
Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz

[sidmand]

I've never seen one of those PO machines either, but would LOVE it.

The same thing happens at the movies. Each teller (not the right word, but you get the gist) has a HUGE line and there is no one at the self-service ticket booths. So we go there all the time. Of course a couple of times I have been behind a person who apparently has never used an ATM machine before in their life ('cause it's pretty darn similar) and that's very frustrating, but most of the time you just walk up and in.

Ah, technology!

Debbie

Mom to Sawyer!
http://lilypie.com/baby1/060607/0/3/1/-5/.png[/img] ([img)

[kath68]

Just did this yesterday (used the machine, not stand in the crazy-long line). I had no idea the machine even existed, but my secretary told me about it as she saw me leave for the post office. Way cool. And it takes debit/credit cards, too!

[elliput]

Good thinking! I have seen those machines, but haven't used one yet. I instead opt for the complete lazy persons way - Click-N-Ship! https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do

[trentsmom]

I love that machine! The first time I used one, I was so excited about it that I came home and told DH all about it. He hates dealing with people, so this type of thing is right up his alley.

Our city has two post offices. The bigger one has the machine, but the smaller one in the old part of the city is not nearly as busy and has really nice clerks. Now I feel like I have a good choice of post offices. Geez. The things I get excited over. ;)

[mommyj_2]

I've never seen one of those at the Post offices near my house. There usually aren't long lines, so maybe they don't have them.
I recently bought a postal scale, and plan to mail most of my packages from home using click n ship postage. The scale weighs things up to 10lbs. I decided it was worth the money after my last 2 trips to the post office with DS. He hates standing in line.

ETA:
It is funny how people won't use the self check out in stores. A lot of times there will be no line in the self check out, and huge lines everywhere else, and people still won't try it. I do have to admit to being self-checkout impaired, and almost always needing the assistance of the person overseeing the self checkout area, but it's still faster than waiting in a long old line. I think most people are creatures of habit.

[karolyp]

Same here...I LOVE that machine.

But what about the clerks who go on lunch break just when the post office is getting slammed bc all the people who are on their lunch break come in!! That just kills me!!!

[karolyp]

Unfortunatley the people in my area have caught on to the self-check outs in the stores (esp in Wal-Mart). In fact they'll bring their stuffed-to-the-brim cart up to these lines....ughhh!!

And I do like these machines, but hate that they have to weigh everything you purchase!