After today, I am thoroughly convinced the war has nothing to do with oil and everything to do with the PO reaping money for all the people who now send email.  I just sent 8 boxes to the hospital and paid over $160.  Why, because 2 of the boxes were "deformed".  I couldn't squish them any more.  Now we are not talking about I had to stick another piece of cardboard on them or anything, we are talking like an 1/8 to 1/4 inch.  Now you would think when something is mailed to an APO/FPO they would let it slide, but no, it cost $31 and a second one cost $28.  the ones with the soap and laundry detergent in them.  And I got a great deal on towels, but guess what, cost 12.90 to send and I can only get like 4 in the box.  Why not do a real 12 x 12 x 12 box.  I had forms filled out and everything, and the postal clerk still wasn't happy.  She said if I had come by the post office I could have written in the insurance forms numbers myself so I didn't hold up the line over lunch.  Hold up the line.  I had to stand in line to get to the front and when I did one of the clerks went to lunch, so it was my fault the line was slow?  I already had my boxes all brought in and on the dolly.  Like she couldn't see

I think the goverment (who I work for) should open the bx/px/commisary to mail orders, where we can get on line and only send to APO/FPO.  That way we could get the people who need it, and it gets to them and the PO can stuff it.  Jeez I am glad it is Friday.  LOL I need to go play WoW for a while.

Lisa

I didn't follow your note exactly, but $28 and $31 is more than I would pay to send packages.   Maybe you can explain what you were sending and from where and some of the kind folks here could suggest ways to mail your packages less expensively.  The new rates are kind of difficult to figure out, but it's worthwhile to do so and/or calculate postage online before heading to the PO.

Oftentimes, I order my oversized items online and pay shipping (or get free shipping!) from the sites - saves me money!   For example, although not oversized, I just ordered a 12-pk of washclothes for Cpl Mayra Brown's request from kohls.com.  I have their credit card so I used a 15%off code and a free shipping code to send the washclothes for $3.39 shipped.  They aren't the BEST quality, but not bad, and you can't beat the priice (codes: SAVE15MAR & MVC3785 for MVC cardholders)

 http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/bedandbath/towels/solid/PRD~184880/Home+Classics+Solid+12pk+Washcloths.jsp

 ETA: Can use the same codes to ship these towels for $3.39 each:

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/bedandbath/towels/solid/PRD~c3963/The+Big+One+Solid+Towels.jsp

 cj/

Thanks, CJS, it was my own darned fault.  I should have taken a tape with me to the store and measured.  I'm in Alaska, so anything I have going out, is going to be expensive.  And it was one object that was making the boxes too big in both cases.  I got concentrated laundry soap at walmart and the bottom of the bottle is like 5 1/2 inches, or 6 inches and I had to take the measuring cap off (and tape the heck out of the top) to get it in the box.  There is no other way to put it in the box and sticking it in another box would be the same price.  And because it was too big on one side, they charged me full price from Alaska to the APO.  Is for the hospital stuff in Qatar.  There is just no other way for me to send stuff.  I just think, I could have sent 3 boxes for that, and then does it matter...no.  I would send it anyway.

Sometimes I just get irritated...like I got a great deal on the towels at walmart, they are all on sale for $1.73.  They aren't pretty, nor could they be used for a hotel, they are camping towels, just towels, but even rolled and squashed, I was lucky to get four in a box with some other stuffings, so add $12.90 and they double in price.  It just frosts me.  I so suck at shopping, and I was so thrilled to actually find great deals and then the post office spoils it for me.  LOL  I hope they all develope bad body oder.

Lisa

Lisa, You just got a bad worker on a bad day honey. Got another post office nearby? Mostly they're VERY VERY helpful. Right to rant, you got shafted.

Here's a story to help ya feel better... http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/t/2472.aspx?PageIndex=1

Shelly

 I agree with you Shelly, I haven't had a bad encounter yet at the post offices, I've used. Just very long lines. One of the workers always asks about "my soldiers" and my son. She tells me ways to send more cost effectively. She's a real sweetheart. But I do know how you feel Lisa. I don't use FRB usually because it costs me more but one Marine contact was at a FPO and a zip that I should have used the FRB because it cost me fifteen dollars instead of 8.95. My postal lady offered to give me a FRB  to repack but I didn't want to hold up the line. I should have done it and regretted it afterwards.  Diane

 Lisa,

Sounds like your PO is picky. I agree that they could have let it slide - but if they wanted to charge me $31.00 I would have taken it home and repacked it.

I only send heavy things in the flat rate boxes. I sent 39 pounds of pizza fixin's before Christmas to some guys in Afghanistan in two $8.95 boxes.

I get a rice crispy box - or something similar - and send light stuff like towels, beanie babies, pajamas, pillows - the box is big and holds a lot but doesn't weigh too much.

The girls at my post office are great. They always want to know what I'm sending and ask if I get any letters back. 

Last time I was in the post office with a multi shipment there was one person in line ahead of me and no-one behind me. I had all the documents filled out - as you did - and by the time the clerk checked in my four boxes, the line was to the door.

She could have called for another assistant - but she didn't.

I looked at all these glowering people and made an announcement. "I am NOT an ebayer - these packages are going to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan".

- and they all cheered! 

I really think that the post office should be sending these packages for free. We are underwriting the expense of the items enclosed - and with all the money the country is spending on this frigging war, the least they could do is pay the postage for us to get things to the kids that they aren't providing.

Give me a break - sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, flack jackets, sunglasses, gloves, watch caps to keep them warm. The world has changed a whole hell of a lot since WW2, Korea and Vietnam when they lived from hand to mouth and portapotties and showers, military cots and bunk beds would have been a luxury.

For combat troops I'm sure this is still the case - but most of these kids are pen pushers and the military can't provide the basic necessities? I'm not angry - my son is a navy flier - it just amazes me that they can spend twenty thousand on a toilet seat for the space shuttle (or whatever it was) and not supply their fighting men and women with the things they need for daily living.

Sounds like we both need a day at the spa for a massage and a facial.

Throw in the manicure and pedicure too. I can't wait for the @^%*&)(@$#^%*

snow to melt so I can paint my toenails and wear sandals. Maybe by JUNE! 

 Judith.

Oh, honey...  {{{hugs}}}  what an ordeal.  I hate the feeling of getting screwed, even though the feeling is slightly less bitter when it's for a cause I believe in.  Although that amount of money would definitely make me cry, what's done is done-try not to think about it, and just know that you have done a wonderful, wonderful thing.  We often say that the feeling of showing support to our soldiers is worth a million dollars... well, in this case it just happens to be worth $160.

Lisa Hello!

I am sorry you had problems with the shipping.

I want to thank you for shipping to the hospital in Qutar.

I told Jerry that kind people like you would be right on it and not let him down.

Thank you very much for helping him, door

I'm so sorry that you had such a horrible experience at your post office. I would definitely try another one if you have one close by, if not... well maybe you could go at a different time to avoid that particular postal worker OR you can make a complaint to her supervisor. Honestly, I think that they should let us mail things to an APO/FPO address for free as well. It kind of defeats the purpose of getting a great deal on something when I have to pay more than twice the cost in postage. I can't say I've ever had a bad experience with a postal worker though. They have always been helpful with me.

 On a side note... I was on the phone w/ my FMIL and she was telling me about a person in her county who send things to troops who are specifically from their county. Anyway, she was thinking about submitting my fi's name and I thought "how sweet of this person to send people things" and then I realized, "wait a second... that's what we do on anysoldier." I have to tell you from my personal perspective - it makes me feel really good that someone is sending him things especially at a moment where I can't. At least he knows he is being thought of, and not just by his family. I'm sure that somehow, lol, he's getting things from someone here at anysoldier - whether you realize it or not... so thank you. All your trials and tribulations at the PO  - are worth it and your packages really do make a difference to not just only the person receiving the package.
 

Awww, you guys are the best.  Thank you and hugs. I just get so tired sometime, when I do things, then I get frustrated.  I need to do 1/2 and have a better time at it.

Thanks Door.  Please tell him I put some fancifuls in there too.  Some silk flowers and about 100 post cards with a bunch of dumb jokes.  I know they need the necessaries but I thought the other stuff might make them feel better.

 Thanks guys.

Lisa

I just avoid the people at the post office.I pay and print my labels on the computer and then my mailman picks up the boxes and the customs forms right at my front door.Saves gas money too.

                                                            Lorraine

jetakai:

 I hope they all develope bad body oder.

Lmao!!  

Here's my P.O. horror story for you: 

One time I had to mail a box while I was at a conference in Oregon for school.  It started out bad: I lost my wallet the night before and had to shut off my ATM card and had just enough cash to scrape together for postage (no credit card at the time).  I also didn't have a car and not enough money for a cab, so I had to walk almost 3 miles through Portland to get to the P.O.

So I got to the P.O.... I was mailing a special box with a homemade gift (for a Marine's birthday- a lot of work had gone into it) and the Postal Clerk was soooo incredibly careless taping it up (usually I do this at home beforehand but I couldn't that time because of the special circumstances) and man was she mean, crazy, and hateful towards me!!  I even asked for her name (to write the Postmaster a complaint about her) and she wouldn't tell it to me!!   I left the P.O. and literally called my mom in tears!!  I was afraid my box wasn't going to make it intact (as it turned out, it did) or that she was going to do something to it after I left! (I'm not paranoid- this P.O. clerk was really that bad!)  I'm so thankful for my P.O. here at home where they're all really sweet and helpful!!

Suggestion:  try a different post office. I've found that different clerks enforce any 'rule' differently.  I've sent some STUFFED flat rate envelopes that begin to resemble a box, and none of my local POs have rejected them.   Good luck.

Sorry to hear some people have had bad experiences at the Post Office. Mine has been helpful (mostly).  But today I went at 10AM and there were at least 30 people in line! (and only 3 clerks).   Is it because tomorrow in tax day (4-15)?.  I can't wait in line for an hour to send my package

I don't wait in line.I have my mailman pick them up right at my front door.It doesn't cost anything. All I do is pay for my shipping label on line print it out attach the customs label and then arrange the day I want it picked up.It saves me time and gas money.

                                                                        Lorraine