Today I went to the PO to mail a package. I wanted to mail it parcel post not priority because of the cost issue and the woman was trying to tell me that all APO must go priority. I told her that this is not true and that I don't need it to go priority to NY and have it sit until it gets on a plane to Iraq and that I have sent many boxes this way. She was arguing with me and a women behind me stepped up and agreed with me. She was also sending a package to her son in Iraq by parcel post. Finally the worker backed down and sent it the way I wanted. If not for this forum and  my experience in sending packages I wouldn't have known any better. I saved about 2 dollars in postage. Every little bit helps

I'm glad it worked out for you.  The first box I sent went parcel post and the USPS worker wrote the letters S.A.M. across the front of the box. Any idea what that stands for?  She explained it meant the box would only be picked up if room was available but I'm wondering what the initials mean. Oh well, another mysterious government acronym. 

SAM means "Space Available Mail."  Not to worry though -- from what my contacts have told me, once it reaches the APO/FPO handling areas in the U.S. it gets handled just about the same as priority mail -- like one said -- the mail flies when the planes do --

--Marilyn

Brooklyn Born:

 If not for this forum and  my experience in sending packages I wouldn't have known any better. I saved about 2 dollars in postage. Every little bit helps

SO TRUE! If it wasn't for this wonderful site and wonderful people that make up the forum - I would not be as wise to soooo many things!

I'm sorry you had a bad experience at the PO. If she had kept arguing with me, I would have asked for a supervisor. It's a shame that so many postal workers interpret (or misinterpret) the rules. 

So, since I'm already in NYC, should I just send everything via parcel post? I send some boxes parcel post, if the difference is 10-20cents or more. The post office lady acts like I'm a real cheap skate. She told me that parcel post will take weeks (maybe 4-6 weeks) to get there. I just feel really confused.

ABCgal:

. The post office lady acts like I'm a real cheap skate. She told me that parcel post will take weeks (maybe 4-6 weeks) to get there. I just feel really confused.

The 4-6 weeks sounds ridiculous if you are shipping to a 'AE' address from Queens.  The processing facility can't be too far away from you.  Ship it however you want.  It seems like every tenth postal employee has an axe to grind, but most of them are helpful (in my experience). 

Coniston:

ABCgal:

. The post office lady acts like I'm a real cheap skate. She told me that parcel post will take weeks (maybe 4-6 weeks) to get there. I just feel really confused.

The 4-6 weeks sounds ridiculous if you are shipping to a 'AE' address from Queens.  The processing facility can't be too far away from you.  Ship it however you want.  It seems like every tenth postal employee has an axe to grind, but most of them are helpful (in my experience). 

 

I agree.  I've shipped parcel to Afghanistan and it's arrived within 7 to 14 days (not business days either!) and, I'm in Pittsburgh.  Maybe it takes that long if it's not going APO/FPO -- (giving the clerk the benefit of the doubt here). 

The fact that she's *copping a 'tude* with you, though -- I mean come on -- frankly, it's none of her business   Maybe time to find another, friendlier post office?  It makes SUCH a difference when the clerks are friendly and helpful!

--Marilyn

Yeah, I think I will start shipping from Manhattan. Manhattan post offices are so super busy that they don't have time or energy to be giving any attitude. lol.