All I can say is wow. I don't expect to be treated kindly at a post office, especially around the holidays, but I've never had anyone respond so rudely to a simple question as I have here. Who are you hiring and why do they hate your customers so much? read more

Cleric forced me to mail package despite the fact that I requested, twice, to review and reorganize the contents. He wouldn't give it back to me. I didn't care if it got mailed that day or not- My concern was the presentation of the interior. In transfering my items into a priority mail box, the cleric jumbled the contents, yet pretended that he hadn't just carelessly shoved the treasured present into another shell. I insisted that I wanted the box back. He refused. How mean, awful and enraging. Worst post-office ever. read more

Firstly, you should know a few things about me before disregarding this post because it doesn't mimic the majority of the negative reviews. 1. For a lazy millennial, I frequent the post office regularly. Yes I know there's apps that will package and ship stuff for you on demand. 2. But I'm EXTREMELY picky and strategic about how items are shipped and packaged-- which is why I'll trust 24/7 "on-demand medical healthcare" from an iphone app but will not let my outgoing mail be picked up by some hipster courier who puts a 0.8lb scarf in a LARGE-priority box because he doesn't know that shipping by weight instead of flat rate can be the better choice in that case. **Also fun fact and life-trick: You can save money by folding a flat-rate envelope into a pouch (you can google how-to since I'm getting off track). This method fits more than a standard small flat-rate box and almost as much as the medium flat-rate. #YoureWelcome 3. Although I am retail/customer's service's worst nightmare with my princess attitude, high expectations of service, friendliness, helpfulness, etc-- You're welcome to check my other Yelp reviews and Twitter rants for proof of my inner retail-diva. But I am also an empathetic person, especially to government employees who work in the armpit of downtown Berkeley where USPS regulars range from college students, mothers and business professionals, to homeless men that urinate on the property, and the hippie bandwagoners "protesting" outside in tents. Depending on what hot button issue is relevant that week, some of the "demonstrations" from the tents outside can be pretty noisy. People claim that the employees here are rude. No. They are helpful and give adequate information but friendly conversations or becoming too close with patrons is discouraged for their safety. USPS employees here not only have to explain the same tedious procedures to impatient patrons in a crowded, hot building, but they also politely deal with homeless locals who have known to come in and cause chaos, As if there patience isn't worn thin already, The employees here are also kind and helpful to the "princess type" people (like me, but in appropriate public/retail scenarios) who obnoxiously cut lines because they're in a hurry (aren't we all) and fail to get a number, read the big posted signs, sigh loud and rudely, and then slam their package on the counter next to a fragile elderly woman who has been patiently waiting and following social order. However, the employees and the service offered at this location are nothing short of efficient. If you go to the Fedex Ship and Print across the street, this USPS will feel like the Buckingham Palace in comparison, and you'll feel like Queen Elizabeth herself. I've been going to this location for the past three years. This office has never lost a shipment of mine, I've never had an employee show me any frustration or rudeness-- even on Fridays and before Christmas Eve when the place is packed. The people working here are actually really friendly if you take the time to treat them like humans. Many times I have put items to ship in my own boxes. Instead of accepting the package and shipping it by weight, the employees here take the time to explain cheaper options and delivery services. I can recall at least 4 separate times in the last year when I went to USPS literally less than 5 minutes before closing and had to ship by weight. After looking up prices, the employee(s) told me that it would cost less and be delivered quicker if I shipped through priority flat-rate mail. Even though it was well after closing time, each single time the employees helped me pack my items from the original boxes into their selection of flat-rate boxes--- which are always in stock at this particular location. Also during one of these 4 occasions, I saved $40 when I was trying to send books because the employee was kind enough to tell me about media-mail. $40 as a college student is honestly a week of groceries. If the employees were rude and didn't care about providing a fair, quality service then they would just take my package and ship it normally instead of explaining media mail and helping me pack heavy books into a new box. I am very pleased with the structure of this USPS-- a number system like at the DMV is efficient and fair, The flat rate and express shipping supplies are always fully stocked so customers can help themselves while they wait, this location offers passport services and hold mail, The full service kiosk in the back of the building is helpful for people who only have a small errand like buying postage and printing shipping labels or even mailing a package. USPS exceeds standards considering the location. Most importantly, they get my mail where it needs to go. If you're expecting royal treatment then you should send a "peasant" to fetch your mail because this is a government agency run for and by the people, not an elitist class running on wine and corruption. read more

If you choose to visit this post office, you can time and space travel...to the Eastern Bloc circa 1970. Don't believe me? Come with me! First, we walk up the steps and see what appears to be a historic building, perhaps once a stately old bank before the Kremlin took over all the banks! However, in true Eastern Bloc fashion, it is depressing, dark, tired and dingy inside. Despite the fact that there are multiple open service windows and it is mid-morning Tuesday, there are dozens of people waiting. Some people are shoving others, and yet others are milling around in confusion. Everyone here could use some Vodka. A few customers and employees are, frighteningly, begging for Kalashnikovs. We notice a machine dispensing tickets with numbers but it is jammed. However it isn't out of numbers today, like the last two times we were here! We must be in luck. Like Russian bears, we wrestle with the machine until we get a mangled ticket. We are 48. Unlike the DMV, this post office has no board or intercom system to let you know which number they are currently on (Yes, I just pointed out that the DMV is more user-friendly than this place. Chew on that). Well, let's make sure we have our mailing supplies, then. All we find is a few tiny and disorganized displays that are *supposed* to hold things like delivery confirmation forms and flat rate envelopes. However, this post office is always out of domestic and international priority mail envelopes and flat rate boxes, or most anything else you might actually need to communicate with the outside world. In Soviet Russia, letters mail you! We wait and wait and wait but they only make it up to number 7. Finally, we decide to see if we can get a passport. We have an appointment, but nobody is in the passport office. We eventually discover that the one person in charge of passports takes lunch daily from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Of course, since this is the USSR and what is mine is yours and what is yours is mine, our tax dollars are paying for this extended lunch break. Everyone we speak to is at best indifferent and at worst flat-out rude. Well, let's go back and see if we're any closer to having our number called. Nope, still on 21...looks like we'll be here another hour. Now you know the *real* reason why this town is called the People's Republic of Berkeley. read more

Ugh I try to be understanding that the USPS has a difficult job, but I've seriously become fed up with how horrible this office is! I've had so much trouble with packages coming my way thru USPS...and finally today was the last straw! I had a package coming to me ...which first of all took three weeks to be delivered. It was thru Fedex which then transferred the package to USPS to deliver. Expected delivery date was January 26. I kept checking the tracking info, and finally it said delivered! So I went downstairs to check my mailbox, and what do you know...nothing! So I waited the next day to call the post office. After the phone rang forever, someone picked up, and when I started talking he HUNG UP on me. I called right back and no answer of course. Finally 10 minutes later, someone picks up to help me. I explain my situation, and the guy told me that the package was probably delivered to my leasing office downstairs, but he recorded my tracking info to check in the system to see what's going on. He said he'd call me back. I asked him to make sure to call me back, because in the past, when they told me they'd call me back, they never do! (this has happened to me three or four times already at this office.) He rudely told me that he was new there and this was the first time he was dealing with me so that I should just wait for his call back. Whatever, I waited. Thankfully he called back and told me that the driver would deliver the package today. Uhm WHAT? Why would you enter in that the package was delivered if you never even delivered it!! Isn't that illegal or something? Anyway, I asked him "where would the package be delivered since I knew it wouldn't fit in my mailbox" and I heard him asking the deliverer where, he replies "the leasing office". I then respond asking him to just leave the package at the post office for me to come pick it up, since I honestly did not want to wait a whole day for the package again. He proceeded to tell me that the driver left already, when I clearly heard him talking to him about my package in the background!!! I was so angry. They were probably too lazy to go through the packages to find mine to pull out. I am just so dissatisfied with the fact that they told me the package was delivered, when it obviously wasn't! I understand the post office probably gets a lot of complaints with people trying to get their packages. But honestly...these employees are never apologetic, they are always rude and grumpy--making the experience even less tolerable. read more

If it were even humanly possible to give zero stars, I would. THE worst post office in the Bay Area. Opening at 9am is a suggestion. Having one clerk during the holiday season is customary. The clerks are clearly waiting for retirement and have given up the facade of working and caring. Avoid this location at all costs. read more

Horrible place - takes the longest time. They are highly inefficient, and incredibly rude. Try to especially avoid the african american woman that is on the first window on the left. she will answer your questions very impolitley and rude and as if you're bothering her. Terrible service. Would put 0 stars if I could. read more

Ok usually when I come here the black girl who work in the postal is really good but this time there is this Asian old lady in postal and about 20 mad customers waiting in line, the lady is doing her job but she's so slow and it's taking for ever while there is peoe who are waiting. This white kid with long hair is supposed to be at the front desk helping with the ligne while he's actually playing with his phone, in the back. Seriously? You don't get paid to play candy crash in your phone, you get paid to pay customers like me and other! If you don't wanna work your lazy add please there are a lot of people of want to get your job! I mean more than 1 hours in line is not acceptable! They need to get a manager to manage these employees cuz they seem to be doing what they want! read more

Personally, I like the take a number system. It leads to absolutely no confusion. My 2 hour wait to pick up my package was very relaxing. There was only one employee working on Thursday afternoon between 4pm and 6pm, and I found her effort heroic. I understand that she had to move slow in order to pace herself. Also, I'd like to think of her attitude as "saucy". A terrific experience, though I prefer the DMV by a slight margin. read more

Do you enjoy long trips to the DMV? Perhaps you have a package to mail and you also have 45 minutes or so that you just don't know what to do with. Maybe you came to America from a communist country and have become nostalgic for a good old fashioned breadline. Don't worry comrade, the People's Republic of Berkeley offers you an opportunity for a guaranteed trip down memory lane. So come on in and grab a number. While the few dozen or so people ahead of you gradually get called up you can marvel at the stunning efficiency of the two charming employees on duty and be filled with appreciation for whomever gets overpaid to run this place. read more

I thought about giving this a 2 star rating but seeing as that would improve the Yelp weighted average rating, I'm downgrading my rating! The employees here are just horrid. Dear Ms. Rita, USPS employee, if it's 11:45am and there's 5+ people waiting in line for YOU to provide us service, please don't waste OUR time chatting up the old lady in front of you about how you wish you could be retired a while ago and start discussing your medical problems. I don't have a problem if there's no one waiting in line, but I parked outside in 10 minute parking and I'm waiting for YOU to provide service to me. And did you remember I PAY YOUR PAYCHECK? Sheesh! Lazy federal employees!!! I've seen many other USPS employees who are far more efficient than you are! read more

I live a couple blocks from this place but don't even bother going here unless I'm forced to pick up a package because I wasn't home. Even then, I dread the experience and have to prepare myself mentally and spiritually with some silent contemplation and prayer before the short walk into this living nightmare. Long story short, go here if you want to (1) experience the worst customer service on the planet (2) feel like getting verbally abused for no reason (3) and interact with angry women who seem to hate their own life and want to go out of their way to make you hate yours. It's unfathomable that some of the women here are allowed to hold a job when they would be fired on the spot anywhere else. I vote Democrat and understand the intention behind why unions were originally formed; however, when unions protect people with that level of incompetence and guarantee them a pension on tax payer money, I completely understand the Republican side of the argument as well. Please do your sanity a favor and go to the post office about a half a mile up on Shattuck Ave (between Vine and Ceder). Besides saving 20 mins on average, you'll be a much happier and better person for it. read more

This place is the epitome of inefficiency. I came here to mail an important document, only to be inundated by a disorganized throng of people all waiting to be served by a lonesome disgruntled clerk, who somewhat helpfully shouted at us to try using the self-serve kiosk instead if we weren't there to pick up packages. Unfortunately the kiosk was not any better. I needed to mail my document, but had absolutely no idea which options to choose - no explanations of the many different mail services were given, and with vague names like "Priority Mail", "Priority Express Mail", and "First Class Mail", I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I probably could have just Googled them all on my phone, but mindful of the growing queue behind me, I just gave up and walked a few blocks down to the FedEx store, where a very friendly employee was able to get my documents mailed properly in a matter of minutes. read more

Woriest post office I have never been. The people working there are rude and unhelpful. The Africa American lady showed me her unhappy face and asked to buy a whole roll of tape for my mini box. I am not surprised for those services will be disappeared soon and those workers will loss their jobs soon. read more

If I could give zero stars I would in a heartbeat! My husband and I needed to get our four month old a passport. When we tried to call the number to verify their passport offices hours, the phone just kept endlessly ringing.Their information online, where they tell you to go for business hours and information, stated that the passport office was open on Saturdays. So long story short after making the drive from Walnut Creek with our infant we see a terribly unprofessional sign taped over another sign with duct tape stating the passport office hours are only Monday-Friday until 3:30pm. Awful communication of information and terribly inconvenient hours for those who work during the week. But it's the government, so what can you really expect. read more

Unfortunately, this post office is an example of all of the things people dislike about going to a post office. Generally, there is a long line, even though there are plenty of counters. They are either unattended, or the post office employee sitting there tells you she is closed. But the worst thing about this post office is that there are employees there who are very unprofessional and have poor work ethics. I hate to say it, but some of the employees at the counter live up to all the stereotypes: lazy, poor service, bad attitude, power tripping. It makes you feel bad for the ones who work there who aren't like that, and it makes you wonder why people in charge don't demand better performance from the employees or fire the ones incapable of professionalism. If you can go elsewhere I recommend doing so, because if you have the misfortune of having to deal with one of the employees who lives up to all the stereotypes, you may find that after having waited fifteen minutes, instead of getting the service you need, you are subjected to bad attitude and abuse. It's just not worth it. Avoid this place until (and if) management demands professionalism of its employees. If you have to use this post office, try to avoid an obese female clerk approx 55 years old, with short dark hair and dark complexion. Her poor attitude toward work and toward the public can be a real downer. read more

This used to be the place for passports. They had a separate office and the woman who ran it was knowledgeable and efficient. You could make an appointment. They took photos. It was great. Those days are gone. Maybe she retired? Don't waste your time trying to get a passport here. I needed to renew my daughters passport which entails bringing her in personally since she is a minor. I didn't want to take her out of school unnecessarily. I called and called (for days!) but they don't answer the phone so I took off early and went in to check it out. After a LONG wait (these people move SLOW, some of them don't move at all) i got to the passport window. The woman gave me a form. She said she couldn't make an appointment but assured me they would be open on Monday. The website says they take passport photos but good thing I asked because they don't anymore. On Monday I took my daughter out of school, waited in line forever and was told the passport person "didn't show up to work" and "maybe she'll be here later" When I asked "What time later?" a different employee YELLED at me "NO PASSPORTS TODAY!" omg... who treats people like that? if you want nice, professional, quick, knowledgeable passport service go to Berkeley Rec Sports where the old UCB Stadium used to be Phone: 510-642-7796 Email: recsports@berkeley.edu. (They were recommended to me by the guy at the passport photo spot, who also told me NOT to use the Post Office but I learn the hard way). If you want incompetence and to be treated like crap use the Berkeley Main Post Office passport services. read more

If I could give this place negative stars, I would. Bring a coffin and your patience because you're gonna be here forever

Terrible service. I feel sorry for any soul that has to come here to retrieve a package, because the service is slow and there is only one person (maybe two) working at a time, and they take their sweet time in the back while my meter is running. read more

I have relied on the downtown Berkeley post office for more than twenty years and I'm sorry to report the service there seems to have reached a downward spiral; not enough help, apathy towards the general public, and amazing incompetence in deliverables missing or arriving opened when they do show up. It's too bad that the random bad employee does enough damage as to outshine the others who work so hard. A recent example had an important package I was tracking arrive in Berkeley from Hayward only to be immediately "missent" back to Hayward and from there even further away from my mailbox to San Jose. read more

This is the worst post office I've been to. The workers take forever to assist you and they start conversations with the clients so they take twice as long when you're at the counter. Some of them are rude and lack customer service skills. On multiple occasions, the lines have been extremely long and while there are 3 or 4 workers at the counter, only one window is open!! Just bad experiences all the time. read more

This post office does not even deserve one star. Horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible customer service. No amount of friendliness on your part will make them be any nicer. The two people working today at the counter were rude to everyone. And slow. Granted, it was a busy Saturday, but I had time to go across the street to the YMCA for a workout, a sauna and a shower and they still hadn't called my number when I got back. When it was my turn, the woman at the counter had no idea whether or not my small packet overseas needed a customs form; she asked her co-worker, who said, "I don't know! Whatever you think!" I could have done this by myself if their scale in the lobby had been working; it's been broken for at least a year. I will always go out of my to go elsewhere from now on. read more

They straight-up don't answer their phone. It just rings endlessly. The Berkeley Post Office should be the posterchild for the movement to abolish the Post Office and just let private firms handle mail services. read more

I wish I could give a lower rating but I can't. They have terrible, unnecessarily inefficient service. Mornings are busy for everyone so shouldn't you try moving faster than 1 person every 20 minutes... read more

They took forever to do something so you have to wait at least an 45 minutes to pick up your package or send mail ... ×(

I would like to give zero stars but that's not an option. The non-profit I volunteer for has had a P.O. Box at the Main Berkeley Post Office for decades. The last 4 times I've gone to pick up our mail from the box it has been completely empty, so I've gotten in line to ask what's going on. Tony, one of the workers and apparently a Supervisor, told me each time that everything was fine and that we probably just weren't receiving any mail. Weird response because we ALWAYS have mail in our box when I open it. Finally just last week I asked another worker and was told that we needed to pay the annual fee but didn't, so the box was closed, the mail was being returned to senders, and we'd have to get a new box if one is available. What? I have the P.O. Box key, so does this mean if they give our box to someone else I'll be able to open the box and take their mail? So our supporters and vendors have been getting their mail returned? So we may have to change our stationary, website, everything? What about just letting me pay the renewal? NO says Tony. It's too late to let you do that. This doesn't make sense, and what's really horrible is that he doesn't admit that he's the reason this happened. If he had just taken a minute to see why our box was empty those times I asked this wouldn't have happened. I'm very angry and sad that a Post Office employee is so negligent and uncaring. Very sad. read more

Wow, this really is the worst post office. My wife and I pull a number and walk up to the counter, she to mail a letter and I a package. The lady at the counter tells me I need my own number, making me wait through the line twice. I got to experience the customer service of both postal employees and they both were rude to me. read more

Unacceptable post office site with only two staff scheduled on a busy Saturday with over 20 people waiting. The visit was so awful, I waited 45 mins and did not get to send my boxes!! I sent one in the very slow kiosk though the receptacle was broken or full so figured out where to place my box. For the same price I will start using fed ex or ups. read more

If you need a passport DO NOT COME HERE!! Passport nazi works here!! I cannot believe her antics and what she put most of us (several other families in line) through to get a damn passport. One gentleman was told by this lady that the picture of his son was not appropriate (rules that apparently none of the businesses that do pictures are aware of) and sent him back to get them redone....rather than offer to take the pictures there, at the post office!!!! I waited in line for almost 3 hours, had the woman offend my sister (she expected immediate responses to her questions, which left my sister floored, to which this jerk asked "does she speak English?"). Ego trip on your own time lady, I need to leave the country so, yes, I am at your mercy, but do not think that karma will not come and bite you in the ass. That's right, act condescending and arrogant and sure take your sweet time (because thanks to your union you get overtime), but let me tell you what you are doing just is wrong on so many levels!!! read more

really i can't say more than has already been said. unfortunately because i live three blocks away this is the branch i must go to for picking up packages. i can't count how many times they've claimed they've lost a package, only to find it weeks later, or once when they actually did lose one. once i had a sender contact the regional center in west oakland, and i don't know whose balls they busted in downtown berkeley but they found my "lost" package the very next day. every single one of the clerks is fucking no help at all. they blame almost everything on their manager-- tried to buy post card stamps, was told the manager doesn't order them. tried to get a small priority mail box-- was told the manager doesn't order them. they blame package losses on the carriers. other than that, they are rude, slow on purpose (not just taking their time, but... slow on purpose) and just downright nasty. if the manager is the person that occasionally skulks around asking the people waiting if she can help-- well she's equally of no help because no matter WHAT YOU NEED her response is "wait in line." durrr no shit? when you submit claims for lost packages (that you have the fucking slip for, that are being HELD IN THE FUCKING BUILDING YOU ARE STANDING IN) you are told to call the manager at like 6am because "her desk is a mess and she won't see your claim slip" and then to keep calling back to "remind" her to look for your shit. are you fucking kidding me? on how many levels is that wrong? i really, truly believe this is some sort of dumping ground for crappy employees. i actually love the post office. they send stuff really cheap if you write letters or postcards. as a government employee i know how bogus the "my taxes pay yr salary" shit is so i won't fault them for that. but they are so, so beyond any stereotypical government employee criticisms. by god if i could go somewhere else and be happy i would! read more

What kind of Post Office doesn't have regular stamps? This one. Terrible customer service across the board. Avoid this Post Office at all costs!!! read more

NOTE: If there was a 0 stars option, I would've opted for that. That said, this is far and away the worst post office I've ever been to. Wait times are excruciatingly long, and the staff is incompetent at best. Your "best" bet is to get there right when they open, contingent on the assumption that they actually open on time; even then, you better set aside a better part of 30minutes of your day. Be sure to bring something to do during the wait. My best advice would be to avoid this office at all costs. Mail packages to work. Send them to a friend or relative's house and pick them up there. Anywhere but this sorry excuse for a post office. read more

This is the worst post office ever. I've been trying to call hundreds times and the phone just keep ringing. It's just ridiculous how people ignoring service. Someone should try to fix things out. read more

I am writing this review specifically about PASSPORT RENEWAL and not regular post office service. This is by far the best place to issues/renew your passport. I attempted to do this @ the Alameda post office and it was a nightmare. Other places would not answer the phone or had no appointments for a month or more. This office has no appts., you come between 9-3, and that's it. The lady at the counter (didn't get her name), is old school, direct, thorough, but super sweet. The process can be a bit slow, but it's worth the wait. She will make sure everything is in order. I highly suggest you got to www.travel.state.gov first to get instructions first. Good luck and safe travels. read more

I've had a PO Box in every city I lived in for over 30 years. I have always had a professional relationship with the employees. In some cases, I even knew the Postmaster. This office is by far the most unique and interesting post offices I've ever seen. But something lingers in the air. I believe the employees are stressed and need new leadership. This office has the potential to do much more and has clearly been mismanaged. We can complain on Yelp forever, but nothing has more impact then https://www.usps.com/customer-service/customer-service.htm I support the USPS. I hope their financial problems are soon in the past, but management needs to go. Policies are outdated, low employee moral has obviously created a poor work environment. It is time for a change. read more

This post office is one of the worst offices of any kind, anywhere. Every time I must go in there I feel like killing myself, which I'm sure the personnel there would love. The web site, email, and phone service is disgusting and vile beyond belief. I deal with this office only when absolutely necessary; when some unsuspecting merchant has sent me a package or I try to hold mail. The MAIL-CARRIERS are uniformly courteous, competent, and helpful. Work with them whenever possible. read more

Avoid this place like the plague. If you need passport service DO NOT GO HERE. Unless you like wasting hours of your life and getting bad attitude from clerks to boot. You can get passport service by making an appointment with the Berkeley city clerk at 2180 milvia, right across the street. That's right - passports by appointment ARE NOT AT THE BERKELEY POST OFFICE. Go to the berkeley city clerk (by appointment) at 2180 milvia read more

DO NOT GO HERE. Seriously. Unless the business you have can absolutely be handled nowhere else, don't come any closer to this place than admiring the architecture from the YMCA across the street. They are the WORST I've ever dealt with in every way imaginable. 'Nuf said. Go the extra mile to the one on San Pablo and Allston. They're great. read more

The workers there are extremely rude and impatient. Infinite long line. Never want to come back but sometimes you have to.

All this effort put into keeping this post office open and I supported it, too. It's a beautiful building and it should be preserved, but I think we'd be better served if it were all automated. It's the worst service I've ever encountered aside from SF DMV. read more