Today, again, I remembered why I hate to go mail packages during the holiday season.
I arrived at UPS at 3:00pm. (Bad time of the day I realize, but with Gdog sick I needed to wait for backup to arrive.) I plucked my number from the "take a number" dispenser and went to the side to wait with my packages--which were too cumbersome to hold for the 10 minutes. After a few minutes, and a customer finished and left, I realized that they were NOT using the number system, and since I was not in "line" I had no idea where I was in the "helping order".
Another customer left and the lady next to me asked "Were you ahead of me?" Only I didn't know if I was or wasn't! Aghhh.
The cashier working behind the counter, instead of waiting on the person who was next, selected a person and "invited" them to come up.
Now the UPS phone rang (I kid you not) and one of the 2 people in the backroom didn't answer it--you guessed it--one of the cashiers stopped "cashiering" and answered the phone.
At this same time, the other cashier was ready to "invite" someone forward (because the lady she was helping needed her stuff packed and taped and someone in the back has taken it to do it.).
My form was filled out, addresses on packages and I had cash in my hand. I am as ready as I can be....(PICK ME, PICK ME! I scream silently in my head.!!) When she asked me I knew I had won the lottery--the shipping lottery! (You didn't even know there was one did you?)
Now the other cashier was trying to talk on the phone and continue to help the lady in front of her--which was NOT working because she was gesturing with her hands.
How could this worsen you ask?
Que lady waiting behind me.
This woman starts talking loudly about how rude it is to answer the phone and not help the customers who have taken the time to come down to the store. Now I agree, but this lady needed no additional encouragement, and there was already rumblings of agreement behind me. I was afraid it might come to blows, and I needed to get out of there!
Next my cashier informed me that both my packages will cost the same to mail (one of them is 1/2 the size and 1/4th the weight.) "Strange" I said, "I guess I really don't understand the formula for shipping costs." And I smile. Truly wanting to just get out. The cashier said "I can re-weigh them if you want but they are the same cost to ship." (Momentarily forgetting my need to leave I said "that would be great." Only the lady who was before me...her package was now finished and she was waiting for me to finish--so she can finish.
Five more minutes and 2 weighings later the cashier informs me that one of them will be $4 less, because the scale must have miss-weighed them. --Wow! I think to myself, they really don't weigh the same? Shocking!
I throw down the cash and bolt for the door.
As the door closes behind me I hear "Who's next?"
2 comments:
Can I just say I truly, truly, absolutely prefer the US postal service???? There are a few reasons why I have come to this conclusion.
1. Priority shipping. Half the time it's cheaper than regular shipping. If you use their packaging it's a flat rate.
2. They deliver on Saturday. Back in college I paid extra (more than the present inside was worth) to ship next day, trying to get a present sent home for my moms birthday. Little did I know at the time that next day for UPS on a Friday, means Monday - very logical right? If I would have just stuck a stamp on it it would have gotten there the same time.
3. If you find the right Post Office, they have this wonderful machine where you can weigh, pay, and mail your own package. Even during the holidays sometimes I can get in and out in less than 5 minutes.
Ok. I know, you didn't ask for a long reply, but I just can feel your pain! I've learned the hard way, to avoid UPS :)
Glad you survived!
What would the holidays be without some kind of shipping nightmare. Now that that is behind you, seems like it's all uphill from here!
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