United States Postal Service – Brief Postal Mailing Scenario

Are you a first-time mailer, or have you been to a United States Postal Service lately? In this post, I will be outlining a brief scenario of what you can expect when you come to mail your package. It’s going to be a somewhat interesting experience for a first-time mailer. The scenarios in this article will make you at ease knowing that your parcel will be sent in a prompt and safe manner to its final destination.

The brief scenario: Lobby

With your package on hand; all taped up and labeled, off you go inside the lobby. You would immediately notice the line of customers waiting to be served. Don’t panic about this because the postal service has a 5-minute wait time rule. Window clerks are well aware of this and will get you in and out in no time at all.

Glancing around the lobby you will see neatly stacked shipping supplies. All your domestic and international shipping needs are readily available in the lobby.  Envelops, boxes, tapes, greeting cards are displayed for easy access for sale plus form required for mailing are available as well.

You will also see displays of the various stamps and posters showing when they are available for sale. Additionally, the different types of mailing and services are displayed behind the counters with their corresponding brief description and rates.

At this juncture, you most likely next in line for service and be called upon by the window clerk. He or she greets you with a great smile. The clerk will then examine your package for security and proper labeling. He will also check for hazardous material markings while he sets it on the postal scale.

Brief scenario: Actual mailing

He will then ask you this security question: “Anything fragile, liquid, perishable or potentially hazardous materials in your package?”. You will be asked to declare the contents for yes answer and the clerk will mark the package as such (fragile, perishable or hazardous). (Note: alcohol is never allowed for shipping with the Postal Service).

The next question is for the type of mailing you wish your package sent. The clerk would say something like “would you like your package sent express mail for overnight service; it comes with $100.00 insurance, tracking and guaranteed delivery” (US mail only). If you say no, he would continue on to recommend priority mail for 2 to 3-day delivery service but not guaranteed.

If you still say no because you want the cheapest mailing; then he would go on for the parcel post service which is by ground transportation hence longer delivery time (6 – 9 business days).

But let’s assume that you were going for the priority mail service. The clerk will then ask you if you would like to add insurance against damage or lost package. They will also ask if you want to add delivery confirmation to confirm the date and time of delivery.

Brief scenario: The up sell

The window clerk will offer upsells when the package is stamped and ready for mailing. Postal products such as packaging materials for future mailing and post office for mail security. In addition, they will offer their passport services for future travel, money orders, and stamps. You are finished with mailing in 5 minutes or less!

So if you are a first-time mailer, or you haven’t been to a United States Postal Service lately, you are in for a great US mailing experience. The postal clerks are very well trained about their crafts. They will ensure your package is mailed in a prompt and safe manner.