I think it went little noticed by most citizens. The U.S. Postal rates went up on January 27 by an average of 3% or so and a new class of parcel post was created. I guess it wasn’t big enough news to make major news channels. I am not at all upset about the increase. It is a fact of life that all government cost continue to rise.
What bugs me the most is the quality of the service and the public attitude of a portion of the people working for the service has declined about 3%. Especially the counter service. It’s not in every post office but is very evident in 75035. Arrogance and deliberate slow service is readily apparent in 75035. In my opinion, some staff members make certain you realize they are doing you a favor to do business with them.
It’s not one sided. I have seen and waited in line behind some incredibly ignorant people who waste tremendous amounts of time once at the counter. I think after the 10-40 minute plus wait, they feel entitled to be as slow and inept as possible. But that is why they need help. It could be the first time they ever mailed something, but I doubt it. They want the public servant to take care of it.
So I will cut the P.O. staff a little slack, but they choose to be postal employees and dealing with the public is definitely part of the job description They used to be openly called public servants, changed to public service agents as “politically correct”. Unfortunately it is obvious some of them can not overcome whatever “servant” stigma they harbor.
Perhaps it is not realized every private business that faces the public for its customers is sub-servant to that customers needs and inadequacies. The postal employee is not unique.
But there are many more faults in 75035 not at the counter. The place is always dingy, dirty and poorly maintained. The front doors don’t close or work properly. Inventory of Priority and Express packaging is always in disarray and inadequate on certain sizes, and I have to search for what is available in several locations in the same room. Usually I have to go elsewhere. This P.O. is less than two miles from my house but my spouse will travel seven miles north to another (smaller rural) town where the post office and staff are wonderful. The postal problems are not universal.
I have taken to using the 75035 P.O. after hours for my package shipping because they are close, but ordering USPS supplies on line in advance. I don’t have to deal with staff. I use on line Stamps.com for paying my postage and making labels. But the inside package chute at 75035 is so poorly designed and installed that it is jammed at least 30% of the time, even when the P.O. is staffed. The space behind the chute is inadequate but again that speaks loudly of this location’s operation.
I am sure the finger will be pointed at budgets and under staffing, but how come some P.O.’s are wonderful places to visit? It’s management attitude.
By the way, my route delivery person has been fine. He even smiles and waves the few times I see him. He doesn’t interface with a lot of customers face to face.
That’s my observation…