A Post Office Scam????

Well, I tried one more time. Took another package
to the Post Office today armed with a printed out
copy of the criteria for "NON-MACHINABLE PARCEL
POST" as published on the United States Post Office
web site.
Again, I was hit with the charge. Box measured 13
and 3/4" X 14" X 14" and weighed 2.75 pounds. The
box did not meet any of the criteria for applying
the extra charge.
Again, I was not given the choice of NOT
having the fee applied and maybe going with
Priority Mail. What I was given was the FACT that
the fee HAD to be applied unless I used Priority
Mail, in which case the total would be lower (but
still more than Parcel Post). Either the fee
would be applied if I insisted on Parcel Post, or,
I could send it Priority Mail, or, the box would not
be sent via USPS. Period. The fact that
the fee should not be applied does not even enter
into the clerks brain or conversation. [Call for
a supervisor and you will hear a quite different
story. You will be told that he/she was trying to
tell you that you had a choice! They just didn't
say it right. Unless, of course, the Line Supervisor
is joining the 'plus sale' team.]
I picked up the box, told the clerk that "It's ok. I
will ship it UPS" and said "Thank you." The clerk
responded promptly with "NEXT!" (This clerk has done
this before.)
I will not bore you with the telephone conversations
that ensued from this incident (and why would a Line
Supervisor need my name and address instead of the
'from' ZIP code, the 'to' ZIP code, the weight and
the size of the package to solve a problem by
telephone? Is the word going out and am I going to
be a target now? Time will tell.).
For an organization such as the United States Post
Office, the conversations do not bode well for the
public. Perhaps the name "UNITED STATE POSTAL
SERVICE" should be changed and the flag removed
from their service advertising. Maybe?

Letters... I will drop off in a box somewhere or take
them over into one of the neighboring states, if that
becomes necessary.
Stamps.... I will order over the internet or by phone.
Boxes..... I will ship UPS, DHL or FedEx.

I've had it with the Post Office. It's really a
shame because I have felt toward the Post Office
as toward a friend these past 47 years. But then,
friends come and friends go. I have a new friend
now.

So public, BEWARE! The Post Office is joining
Macdonalds, Burger King, convenience stores and
any place of business where "plus selling" is
not only in effect but enforced.

One must remember that the United States Post
Office is NOT a government department. It is a
private organization who answers to no one and
can do whatever it deems appropriate to make a
sale, even if that means fleecing you!
(Not as dubious sounding as scam, is it?)