OT: Another PO Question

[Buythatcard]

Everyday I drop off my packages at a nearby PO. But it's not always the same PO. If I am driving to work, I will drop it off at the one that is in the same zip code as where i live. If I am working form home, I will drop it off at another one that's just as close but easier to get to.
The other day, I brought about a dozen packages up to the window of the PO that was in a different zip code. No big deal because I have done this over a hundred times over a 13 year period.
All packages that I drop off already have a shipping label on it that I printed via eBay.
The woman working behind the counter looked at my shipping label and she asked me to change the zip code of my home address to the same one of the PO. She went on to say, this way the PO would get credit for the mailing. Since I was in a rush I just nodded my head and said that I would take care of it. While driving away I said to myself that makes no sense. Wouldn't that be a problem if they tried to return the package to my home address.
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Makes no sense to me.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

Everyday I drop off my packages at a nearby PO. But it's not always the same PO. If I am driving to work, I will drop it off at the one that is in the same zip code as where i live. If I am working form home, I will drop it off at another one that's just as close but easier to get to.
The other day, I brought about a dozen packages up to the window of the PO that was in a different zip code. No big deal because I have done this over a hundred times over a 13 year period.
All packages that I drop off already have a shipping label on it that I printed via eBay.
The woman working behind the counter looked at my shipping label and she asked me to change the zip code of my home address to the same one of the PO. She went on to say, this way the PO would get credit for the mailing. Since I was in a rush I just nodded my head and said that I would take care of it. While driving away I said to myself that makes no sense. Wouldn't that be a problem if they tried to return the package to my home address.
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Makes no sense to me.

Sounds like Wells Fargo took over!


But seriously, I'd just say, 'No, thank you'. - and do so very politely.


.

[D. Bergin]

Sounds ridiculous.

I always take my packages to the next town over. It takes about half the time and less traffic then if I went to my local P.O.. Always with pre-paid labels.

Should I change my return address to a different town to?

I understand the getting credit part, as I've heard that before....but I would think the Post Office would have a better system to credit their various hubs then changing your ship from address.

[buymycards]

Here is the deal. When you use eBay to print a label, one of the options is "shipped from". This normally defaults to the zipcode that is used on your return address. Let's say that your zip code is 53805. If you plan on taking your package to a PO that has a zip code of 53807, you click a button on the eBay shipping label page and change the "shipped from" zip code to 53807. Your return address will remain the same, but the label will show that you mailed the item from a different PO.

The individual PO's are always being pushed to increase their revenue to make their numbers look good. If your shipped from zip code is 53805 then the postage revenue from that package is credited to the 53805 Post Office. If you mail the package from 53807 then 53807 is doing the "work" but they don't receive credit for the postage revenue.

Since the actual work consists of putting the package on the scale and scanning the barcode, it really doesn't amount to much. It really doesn't matter what "shipped from" zipcode you put on the package. The Post Office has to accept the package no matter what zip code is on it.

I wouldn't worry about it. Just nod your head and smile and do what you want to do.

Rick

[cubman1941]

I sent this to my son who is a PM in a small town in Wisconsin. If he replies I will post his response.

[buymycards]

Hi Jim, that is interesting. I am also the PM in a small town in Wisconsin. There is a good possibility that I may know your son.


Rick

[cubman1941]

Rick,

His name is Dan Boushley.

[Buythatcard]

Rick, thanks for your explanation.

I will just nod by head.

[tjb1952tjb]

It's all in the "widgets"..............I deal with it every day at my job. The manager's are rewarded with bonuses based on the "widgets" produced per employee work hour. And, yes...........Wells Fargo Bank is a very good example when it's taken unscrupulously too far.

[Jewish-collector]

Howard - Tell the person at the post office the same thing that Tom Cruise said in the movie Risky Business, "Sometimes you gotta say WTF". No, but seriously. Why use the pre-printed labels ? Do you save money ? Would she have said that if you hand written the return address ?

[buymycards]

Nope, I don't know Dan.

Thanks, Rick

[cubman1941]

Rick,
If he ever answers I will ask him what town he is in, I don't remember off hand although he lives in Oshkosh.

Jim

[irv]

Originally Posted by tjb1952tjb

It's all in the "widgets"..............I deal with it every day at my job. The manager's are rewarded with bonuses based on the "widgets" produced per employee work hour. And, yes...........Wells Fargo Bank is a very good example when it's taken unscrupulously too far.

We have the same thing at our company, only they call them "Beans". Get "X" amount of work completed and write off/close out the work order on or a head of time and they get their Beans.

Mngr's push even if parts, manpower, etc, are not available to write these off but when you put in your work report, "As per Mngr's request, job is not completed, but was requested to close out task" they quickly change their tune when they know if sh*t hits the fan, they will be held accountable.

Most of the time, it is their lack of planning, foresight that is responsible for these tasks not being completed on time.

Like most politicians, I question how these people got to these positions in the first place!

[asoriano]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Howard - Tell the person at the post office the same thing that Tom Cruise said in the movie Risky Business, "Sometimes you gotta say WTF". No, but seriously. Why use the pre-printed labels ? Do you save money ? Would she have said that if you hand written the return address ?

Have you ever considered just making that your sig line? No, but seriously.

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Howard - Tell the person at the post office the same thing that Tom Cruise said in the movie Risky Business, "Sometimes you gotta say WTF". No, but seriously. Why use the pre-printed labels ? Do you save money ? Would she have said that if you hand written the return address ?

They are not actually pre printed. They are printed thru eBay when I receive a payment from the buyer. I am not going to hand write my labels because it takes too long and my handwriting sucks.
Yes, you do get a discount if you print your labels via eBay.

BTW, how are you? I don't remember your name but we sat next to each at a Net54 dinner I believe in Cleveland.

[cubman1941]

From my son in New London, WI --


The clerk gave some bad info. It does not matter where the packages are dropped off. When a customer prints a prepaid shipping label the return address is where the (credit) goes. That is where the getting credit came from but just changing the zip code on a prepaid package makes no difference. He is correct that it could delay a return or worse get sent to the mail recovery center. As long as they can read the original zip it still would have a chance to get returned.