Post offices push modern solutions to help you lick stamp-and-go holiday traffic
‘Tis the season for mailing heavy packages and standing in lines at post offices across the Treasure Coast.
But U.S. Postal Service officials say the wait often could be cut to next-in-line length if more customers used services available on home computers or at the self-service machines at many post offices.
Postal services now are available online at www.usps.com and other Web sites, said Postal Service spokesman Joseph Breckenridge. Last year, 22 percent of the service’s revenue came from Internet, compared with 9 percent in 2004.
It’s part of an effort that includes phasing out old, coin-operated stamp dispensers — the ones that look like candy machines. The postal service says they are too costly to keep up. As a result, most people have a choice of going online, standing in line, or, at larger post offices, using an automated, self-service machine when the lobby is open.
BEFORE YOU STAND IN LINE, CONSIDER GOING ONLINE
Your home can be a post office via the U.S. Postal Services www.usps.com Web site.
With a computer and printer, you can print postage labels on regular paper and have your package picked up if you don’t want to drop it off at a post office.
You must register to use services that cost money. One option for printing postage is to go to the upper right of the Web site’s front page and click on Sign In for printing shipping labels, scheduling a pickup and more.
You can also visit PC Postage at www.stamps.com and print out postage at home.
MAILING TIPS
Avoid the lines by visiting post offices during quieter mid-morning and mid-afternoon periods. The busiest times are at opening, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 4 p.m. until closing.
Use automated postal centers. Larger post offices have self-service machines open during lobby hours, generally 24 hours a day. Most postal transactions may be done on those machines, which have weight scales. Payment is by debit or credit card.
Visit contract stations. The U.S. Postal Service has outlets in retail stores. A Postal Service Web site, www.usps.com, lists all facilities, hours and locations.
