United States Postal Service — Local services in New York

My first time here mailing anything out, and it was a horrendous experience. One of the employees was extremely nasty and condescending towards me. As I previously stated, it was my first time mailing anything out and I was clearly very lost on how to go about it. I was also pretty nervous because you always hear the stereotype that USPS workers are nasty and have bad attitudes. I just wanted things to go smoothly. Apparently, I had used the wrong envelope to mail out my letters, but of course this employee had to say in the rudest way possible, cause God forbid you show anybody some respect. On top of that, she didn’t give me any proper clear instructions on how to move further. I was still confused, so I explained this was my first time here and I was still unclear on how to go about the process and that I had to go soon or else I was gonna be late to my class. She then had the audacity to laugh in my face in a very belittling, condescending manner, and told me (while still laughing), “Well, it’s not my fault that you don’t know how to do this. I don’t know what to tell you. Handle it yourself.” At this point, I was pissed and told her, “You know, you could be nicer in the way you address people.” And she had the nerve to say, “Like I said, figure it out yourself.”

At this point, I was frustrated and very distraught. Another employee could see that I was struggling and had no clue what to do. She politely asked to help and had a lot of patience with me, guided me through everything. I think I was so flustered and on edge from the previous encounter with the other employee that I kept making silly mistakes (you know when you’re so angry that you can’t think straight?), but the 2nd woman was definitely kinder and more patient about it. I was able to mail out my letters successfully (and still make it to my class on time). I wish I knew her name to publicly thank her because she was lovely (she’s the only reason I’m giving this place 2 stars instead of 1). I was so grateful for her in that moment.

As for the first woman, even if she thought I was the biggest idiot on the planet (which fine, you have the right to think that, I can’t control your thoughts), even if she was having the worst day of her life and taking it out on me, as a customer service employee, that is still no excuse to display such a lack of class and unprofessionalism. You don’t show disdain and laugh at a customer when they’re clearly struggling with a task. You don’t do that in life with people, period! A REAL professional would’ve kept those reservations to themselves and would have proceeded to help the customer, anyway. I work at a theater as a part-time usher. I would never treat any of the patrons attending one of the shows at my job in that manner. If a patron asks me where the bathroom is or which seat they’re sitting in, I’m going to repeat the directions to them as many times as needed (even if I’m losing my patience with them on the inside), maybe even walk with them to it for extra guidance if they need it. I’m not going to laugh in their face and condescendingly tell them, “Well I don’t know what to tell you, figure it out yourself!” That wouldn’t be very professional of me. My job is to help them if needed! Same applies to her and anyone else in customer service.

I read the other reviews on here and I see that this isn’t the first time this has happened with other customers. I won’t be returning if that is how majority of the staff conduct themselves. That was extremely ill-mannered of her, and whoever she is, I hope she gets fired, because if that’s how she goes about her job, then she doesn’t...

Wanted International Shipping - not urgent, small book. Line up, called to desk agent. "Oh, you'll need to put that in something. The envelopes are behind you out on the floor." I.e., I can't help until you have an envelope already in-hand. Go away and line-up again! I obtain every kind of envelope I can, esp the flat rate ones. Land on the same agent. I specify I want International Priority Flat Rate $40 or so. Agent lists the services available on the screen, where I see the $40 service. Next screen appears showing $68. I ask what happened the $40 service, and she raises her voice "That's what the computer is telling me, Sir!" I ask her to go back to the five services listed, which she does, and I insist I want the $40 service. She then turns around and takes the Flat Rate envelope off her shelf and puts the item in the envelope - I guess they DID have the needed envelope at the counter! Then the Customs Declaration needs to be filled out. Do you think they have a pen to offer you? Of course not! "I don't have a spare pen." This was after asking another agent who shrugged their shoulders and suggested "Maybe there's some pens out on the floor." Yea, really likely and helpful. Some good Samaritan offered me a pen to fill-in the Declaration. I hand it to the agent. "You need to sign it, Sir." This was after I had returned the pen, so I simply reach in and take her pen off her keyboard (again, wasn't on offer to help me). I cannot immediately see where to sign - one would think form designers tend to have signature boxes at the bottom of the form - not at USPS; two thirds down the right side, essentially in the middle. Agent keeps saying the same thing "In the gray area, Sir!" Doesn't modify or enhance these instructions as I struggle to locate the signature box. Once I see it, I exclaim, "Oh, on the RIGHT side." To which she replies "Well, you have to read it, Sir!" Nice attitude! Eventually, got through the whole miserable transaction with such a grumpy unprofessional unhelpful waste of space. This is why FedEx & UPS have a business - they are not rude and unhelpful when you arrive seeking to ship something. No pens, unhelpful instructions, awful & hostile attitude, bogus up-selling, and sending me away to get an envelope, when she knew there were envelopes behind her; what a See You Next Tuesday. Norma's the agent name, and a proud "work-to-rule" unhelpful disgrace to the USPS and all its other employees! Agents appear to be dying to find something unprepared about you, so they can send you away, rather than finding helpful solutions...

The personnel at Grand Central Station Post Office are rude and unofficial. I live near Grand Central Station so I have been going this post office for over 20 years; however, the same workers at the post office provide the same bad services over decades and I wonder why. I often stand on the very long and slow moving line for 45 min. to nearly 1 hour. When one frustrated man spoke up the line was not moving, one of the male assistant shouted at him to go to The White House and complain. They are very aggressive and offensive, so the customers have to be careful. And the assistants are often so arrogant and rude when customers ask some questions. They are especially rude to the Asians who do not speak English fluently. I saw one shy Asian woman was humiliated by one black female associate when she didn't quite understand what she was told. The associate shouted to the customer so loud, the entire post office could hear her angry voice. Yesterday, when I went to the post office with a package, I was asked by one black female associate (I don't know her name) to cover my mouth when I cough. I didn't even facing her and didn't' actually cough (I was only clearing my throat). I felt ridiculous when I heard her loud and arrogant voice, but I knew she was always unkind, so I ignored it. Then, she told me it costs $55 for my package to abroad because it is over 4 lbs. I asked what is the exact weight, and she told me it was 4 pounce and 8 ounces. I told her I will take out one item and return, then she gave me another form and told me "You need to use this." I asked her why I need two forms and why the first one is not good now. She shouted at me "I am...