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To Mail or Not to Mail...

By Jay Markanich

Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

December 18, 2008 12:01 PM

My daughter decided she wanted another book for Christmas.

I needed to get it out today.

It was wrapped and put in a USPS "Flat Rate" "Priority Mail" box.

I went to the small local post office to mail it. They are less busy and faster.

They were closed. The sign said, "Closed. Too busy. Catching up." Hmmm...

So I went to the large regional office nearby. They have lots of representatives - it should go quick.

Finding a parking space was difficult. After parking, I saw that here were people spilling out of the building and into the parking lot.

I went inside anyway. There is a machine at the door, "Take a number."

Mine said 258.

They were serving 161.

There were three reps serving all those people.

I left.

I went to another place where I have an account.

The name rhymes with "Phedex."

They accepted my "Priority Mail" package! I sent it ground.

It will get there one day quicker.

It was $4 cheaper than the USPS "Flat Rate" box.

I was in there 5 minutes, max.

I can hardly wait until they do health care...

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Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh

Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD

A doctor who makes house calls.

"Closed" "Too Busy" "Catching Up". I love it. I wish I could hang that sign up some days. Isn't it crazy - thanks for the heads up I need to send something tomorrow. I may just bypass the post office completely.

Dec 18, 2008 12:05 PM

Ellie McIntire

Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD

Luxury service in Central Maryland

What a good idea. I have 10 big enveloped to mail out and just today I was planning my strategy. Thanks.

Dec 18, 2008 12:06 PM

Portsmouth NH Real Estate Agent - Rebecca Skane, Realtor®, e-PRO®

Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Portsmouth, NH

That was a riot, loved your last line and oh so poignant.

Dec 18, 2008 12:14 PM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Stacey-Ann - I'll bet Santa never has such a sign... you should pass them up for a host of reasons.

Ellie - it will be worth every saved minute.

Rebecca - poignant yes!

Dec 18, 2008 12:18 PM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

And when they nationalize the auto industry and then you drive off the lot only to realize that you have no brakes!

Dec 18, 2008 12:21 PM

Brian - I fear that throwing all this money around will have no brakes. It's MY money!

Dec 18, 2008 12:22 PM

Connie Goodrich

Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX

CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

Good for you for not giving up and finding a much better solution. Many Realtors need to keep that philosophy in mind in regards to the challenged times and work.

Dec 18, 2008 01:09 PM

Connie - I had today! That was it! Apparently so did all those other people in line! I don't like lines!

Dec 18, 2008 01:11 PM

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

I had the same experience this week.. walked into the local "shipping place", was first in line, and walked out in less than five minutes while the post office had a line out the door!

Dec 18, 2008 01:20 PM

Silvia - why don't more take that hint?

Dec 18, 2008 01:36 PM

Katrin G

Succeed With Design - Bonaire, GA

Love your last line! I used that other company the other day - that brown one - cheaper and quicker - and no line. Cannot beat that! Thanks for the post - and especially the precise number count at USPS - made my jaw drop!

Dec 18, 2008 02:03 PM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Congratulations on getting it done! I can't even imagine being employed by the USPS during the Holidays- they just don't have enough staff to cover the busy season - they must be exhauted by the end of the day, especially working with all the crabby people that have stood in their long lines!

Dec 18, 2008 02:16 PM

Anonymous

Katrin - I know! Pick a number?! I could have left, gotten a pizza, gotten a slurpee, gotten a, gotten a - came back and still my number wouldn't be up... it's the cheaper, quicker that is most relevant.

Mary - I can't either! No crabby people at Phedex though...

Dec 18, 2008 09:59 PM

#13

Brian & Marie Spray

www.DFWAreaRealtors.com - Action Realty Group - Frisco, TX

Frisco TX Realtors

We avoid the Post office like the plague! Even on regular non holiday times there's a line and just when it looks like its going to be your turn that counter guy goes on break! I love the brown truck guys - I print my shipping label at home, pay online and just drop off my box at a local storefront! I know the guy there by name! re: healthcare - a well known businessman died in the emergency room at the govt hospital in Dallas a few months ago waiting 19 hours to be seen!!! (google herrera death parkland) Govt. healthcare - give me a break! (oh wait - I might need a doctor if anything breaks!)

Dec 23, 2008 09:08 AM

To Mail or Not to Mail...

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