| I shipped my son's Christmas packages yesterday. We sent him some
things he's been asking for along with an inexpensive portable CD
player, a couple of Tabernacle Choir CDs, etc.. Then I went to the Post Office with the
shipping label in hand -- filled out with the standard "religious
material" in the description. Everything is jam packed in the box and
taped shut, only to find out, International Shipping Standards Have Changed!
The Postal worker weighed the box for me, handed me a brochure, and
advised that it is now easier to create the label on-line as now you
HAVE to list everything that's in the box, what it's worth, and how much
each thing weighs (bubble bursts). Sigh... So, I did as the brochure
explained and created an account on-line, took a few tries at how to
list the items and get the weight for each (which I was totally
guessing). One of the little pop-up information boxes said something
about chocolate not being allowed so I listed "Christmas candy" --
print the labels... save all my info for the next time -- seems like
it's a pretty simple program to use. Tape the box back shut again and
head back to the Post Office.
The Postal worker that helped me looked totally confused by the new
system, she was doing something with the computer and was having to
re-enter the contents I had already entered. All she really needed to
do was tuck the printed receipt labels that I handed her in a plastic
sleeve, slap it on the box and send it on its way (she didn't know, I
didn't know - new system). Now I'm so worried that what she did,
compared to what I did, might cause that package to not get there. And
it also makes me uncomfortable that I had to list everything that was in
the box. I tried to list "LDS music" -- "LDS Missionary Ties" -- "LDS
Missionary literature" -- and did list the portable CD player. Now is
my son going to know exactly what's in the box? Oh well... but also,
is that a concern that the people shipping these things can actually
read what's in the box? Oh boy. I'll be doing lots of praying from now
until that box is in his hands! Isn't the postal service making our packages
more tempting to steal?
Anyway, here's the site:
www.usps.com/clicknship
-- I liked the website -- there was an
option that said something like "notify us and we'll come pick up your
package for you" -- maybe I should have done that.
New things to learn... any of you had to do this?
MM Natalie, UT
Elder Derek, Culiacan Mexico
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