7 Genius Ways to Save Time at the Post Office
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Even though technology has made errands like running to the bank a less frequent necessity, the post office remains one service that requires in-person trips. Unfortunately, no matter if you’re stopping in to pick up stamps or send off a few packages, the entire process can sometimes take a lot longer than you’d hope. But if you’re looking to keep things brief, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind to expedite your next visit. Read on for the genius ways to save time at the post office, according to the USPS.
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Everyone knows that the most important part of dropping a letter or parcel in the mail requires having all the necessary information on the envelope or box. However, you may end up wasting time at the post office if you do it incorrectly, a spokesperson for the USPS told Best Life in an email.
Besides printing addresses clearly, it’s also important to remember to put the “to” and “from” information on only one side of any package. The agency also stresses that having no zip code on an item is actually better than guessing and writing the wrong zip code. If you’re unsure, you can use the Quick Tools section of the USPS website to look up the information.
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Even though you’re physically sending a package, you can still save yourself a trip to the post office using your phone or laptop. Experts suggest using the Click-N-Ship feature on its website, which allows customers to order free Priority Mail boxes , print shipping labels, pay for postage, and request a next-day package pickup at any time.
“Typically, there’s a large bin where you can drop pre-packaged and pre-paid shipping items, so you won’t even have to wait in line,” says consumer expert Andrea Woroch . “But just remember you will need accurate measurements and weight for the item when paying for postage online.”
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Sometimes, the most challenging part about shipping an item is finding the right packaging to send it in. But according to the USPS, it’s probably best to use the free flat-rate boxes it provides customers. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to take the time to repack everything at the post office.
But don’t try to shave off too many minutes: The agency warns that reusing mailing boxes is a bad idea since they weaken during the shipping process. Pick yourself up a fresh one instead—even if that means taking a few home with you to pack ahead of time.
RELATED: See a Sticker on Your Mailbox? Don’t Touch It, USPS Says .
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Lines can get pretty long at the post office when you’re waiting to speak with an associate. Fortunately, you can move things along by using a self-service kiosk to complete your tasks, including buying stamps, weighing packages, and printing shipping labels.
The best part? Many of them are even accessible 24/7. Customers can also use the USPS website to locate their nearest kiosk if they need service right away.
But if you’re planning on sending out any items, make sure you come prepared: Even though they provide free boxes, the agency says you’ll still need packaging tape to seal everything up for larger items.
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Stamps may have been in use for centuries, but there are still some limitations to what they can do for your parcels and letters. The agency warns that any “mail and packages weighing more than 10 ounces and/or more than a half-inch thick cannot be dropped into a collection box or left for a carrier to pick up if you’re using stamps for postage.”
Before you end up with a “return to sender” situation and wasting precious stamps, the agency suggests taking the package to an associate to have it weighed and paid for correctly.
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Your closest available access to USPS shipping might not actually be your post office. According to Woroch, some office supply stores like Office Depot can help you save time and even provide longer hours than traditional branches.
“These stores have shipping centers that ship via USPS and generally have shorter lines—or at least as long as you don’t go during the after-work rush hour,” she tells Best Life . “Plus, in my experience, they don’t charge me to use their shipping tape to finish packaging a package like USPS does!”
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Sending items internationally always takes a little extra time and effort. Usually, this involves filling out paperwork before sending things on their way. But thanks to the USPS website, you can fill out the required customs declaration right from home so everything is ready when it comes time to ship it off.
The site also includes information on what can be shipped to specific countries. And once you’re done, the agency says you can often even save yourself a trip to the post office by requesting a pickup online.
See a Sticker on Your Mailbox? Don’t Touch It, USPS Says
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Your mailbox serves a very simple purpose: receiving mail and leaving outgoing mail for a carrier to pick up. Still, some of us enjoy sprucing up our mailboxes, adding personal flair, color, or even decals to help an otherwise standard mailbox stand out. But if you notice a paw print sticker on your mailbox that you didn’t add, don’t start peeling it off just yet—it’s likely part of a program run by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to help keep carriers safe. Read on to find out what these stickers mean and why you shouldn’t remove them.
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In 2023, more than 5,800 Postal Service workers were attacked by dogs while delivering mail, up from 5,300 in 2022, according to a USPS press release.
Larger cities had the highest numbers of attacks, with Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, St. Louis, and Cleveland claiming the top five spots.
“Even though a customer’s dog is friendly to most people, it can always have a bad day,” said letter carrier Tara Snyder . “I know, from experience, even when a dog is in the house, customers need to make sure their door is secure so their dog can’t push it open and bite the letter carrier.”
To her point, the USPS writes that “all dogs can bite, even those perceived as nonaggressive.” In fact, many of the attacks that letter carriers report are by dogs whose owners told them, “My dog won’t bite.”
Such an attack can result in consequences for the homeowner, too. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555, the USPS states.
“When a postal employee suffers an injury, the owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee,” they explain.
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To combat dog bites, the Postal Service shared tips on how pet owners can “support safe mail delivery.” These include keeping dogs inside the house or behind a fence, away from the door or in another room, or on a leash.
“Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier as the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child,” they state.
Mail carriers also follow protocol to keep them aware of areas where dogs might be present, and they’re equipped with scanners to remind them of possible dog hazards, as well as dog warning cards that are added during mail sorting.
In 2020, the USPS added another preventive measure: the PAWS Program . First introduced in Pennsylvania, the program uses mailbox stickers to keep carriers safe.
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The PAWS Program uses color-coded stickers affixed to mailboxes to inform mail carriers about dogs in the area. An orange sticker with a black paw print tells carriers that there is a dog at this home, while a yellow sticker with a black paw print tells them there is a dog at the next house.
Citizens are informed ahead of time that the stickers may appear on their mailboxes. In a notice sent to Lakewood, Ohio, residents, the Postal Service wrote, “Carriers will soon be placing a paw sticker on mailboxes to indicate that a dog or dogs live in the area —yellow indicates dog nearby/orange indicates dog at residence. The sticker will act as a reminder to the carrier that they should proceed with caution, especially when delivering packages to the door.”
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Removing these stickers may do more harm than good, as your mail service can be halted if your carrier feels unsafe. Not only does this affect the home of the dog owner, but it also applies to the entire neighborhood, the USPS said in a previous press release . Service isn’t restored in these instances “until the aggressive dog is properly restrained.”
At the end of the day, these stickers are put in place to “reduce the risk of dog bites and attacks that occur while delivering mail,” which is just another reason you should leave the sticker on your mailbox.
“We all love our dogs,” Kimberly Tilley , acting postmaster for Winston-Salem, told WGHP. “We love our animals, but we … have to take responsibility to protect the carrier and the people around us as well from our animals.”
Tilley added that dog bites are more common than you think, and they can be traumatic for carriers. “Once a carrier has been bit, it sets some fear in them long term for the rest of their life,” she told the outlet.
However, although these stickers are strongly recommended, if you object to having a sticker placed on your mailbox, you can opt out , Kyle Stevens , Southwest Carrier Annex station manager in South Dakota, told KELO in 2021. To do so, the first step would be to contact your local post office.
This story has been updated to include additional entries, fact-checking, and copy-editing.
