I gave up looking for the logic in the operation of our Fayetteville Post Office. I quit trying to figure out why one person would work the lobby writing down on note tabs the nature of the patron’s business, rather than opening up a position behind the counter.
Maybe the concept was that the line would move faster if the counter agents did not have to look at the customer. I accept that some of the counter agents don’t want to be there and they resent having to talk to me, but today was the worst of the worst.
The last update on my USPS package was Aug. 29, 11 business days ago, and I felt I had waited an adequate time for the package to arrive. Instead of receiving help I was told to contact the sender to initiate a claim.
I struggled through the employee’s accent and when she made it perfectly clear she was not going to help, I thanked her for her time and asked for the next person in charge. To avoid sounding libelous, I’ll refer to the person representing her supervisor as Mr. X. He did not introduce himself and at the end of our futile conversation I asked for his name.
Apparently Mr. X. had been briefed and arrived with a print-out of the same information my home computer had. He also had no time to listen to me, which caused me to ask if he would let me finish before interrupting again. Apparently he is not accustomed to having his rudeness addressed.
In true fashion to those certain government employees who feel empowered or in a position of authority, he spent more time trying to get rid of me than taking a few minutes to help. Having retired after 30-plus years of a public contact job, I knew not to argue and never raised my voice. Mr. X. was immune to discussion.
When I returned home, I looked up the post office of the little town in Michigan (population 6,226), where the package was shipped. The person that answered asked for the USPS number, looked it up, told me the problem, apologized for the problem and told me it appears to have been corrected in Grand Rapids. I was off the phone in three minutes.
Why such a disparity in service between the two post offices? I can only assume Mr. X. was not properly trained in researching a problem, inexperienced in people skills or possibly promoted beyond his abilities. At no time did he accept any responsibility on behalf of the post office, yet adamant about, “It never arrived in Fayetteville.” His own turf and exercising his authority was the only thing important.
This is not a problem at all locations but it is blatantly a problem in Fayetteville. The only thing that will solve our problem and avoid post office(s) from complete financial ruin will be privatization and a man like the late Truett Cathy. At the risk of having the rest of my mail lost or destroyed, I sign
Mike Loyd
Fayetteville Ga.
