Lines are sometimes long because USPS saves money by cutting staff at PO branches. But my experience here is that the staff is knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I agree that the tape thing is annoying but that's the PO's rule: not the clerks being stingy.. I haven't experienced the rudeness that some reviewers point out. But I have seen customers project their frustration onto the clerks, which just adds to the stress. Instead, why not offer a courteous greeting and ask how they are when you're at the counter? These are hard working people, struggling to support their families and themselves. Treat them them with courtesy. read more

Awful. Rude and inefficient. Last 2 times I've been there, I have had one clerk decline to process an international mailing (according to the other worker, he "doesn't know how") and today, another clerk would not process a document as a letter, insisting that it was a package and wanting to charge me over $20. Completely inept and so rude. read more

Why are the people who work here so rude? The place was empty, so I guess other people avoid this place and drive 20 minutes to the Belmont P.O. like I do to avoid these argumentative jerks. I made the mistake of going here recently and, yup, they're still awful. read more

Awesome service! Told them that UPS was gonna charge me $200 to ship a package internationally, and the front desk was able to bring it down to $65! Saved me a TON of money. Definitely worth the extra walk! read more

I don't know what it is here, but the lines are always long, and while there are often two people working the counter, one of them tends to disappear for several minutes at a time. I have waited for 30+ minutes on multiple occasions. And the worst part is -- it would take SO LITTLE to make this place better -- one of those automatic machines where you can do simple mailings and buy stamps would take out a huge portion of their counter traffic. I have no idea why they don't have one. read more

The US Post Office is a scam designed to fleece the middle class. I paid about $9 for Priority Mail from Cambridge to Philadelphia. Priority Mail supposedly reaches in 1-3 business days . 8 days later their so-called tracking system reads. 'Delayed" No reason given. I called the Cambridge Post Office. I am advised I should have paid $ 26 for Priority Mail Express if I wanted guaranteed delivery. The $ 9 was not good enough for the USPS Subsequently I find out that the ail was actually delivered but the USPS forgot to update their "Tracking".. The US taxpayer is bearing the burden of the USPS whilst Amazon gets discounted rates. WHY? Can we have this monstrosity shut down? read more

Being helped (or not) by employees that clearly hate their jobs (and most likely lives) isn't fun...but this takes it a step farther. The halfwits at this USPS location do their very best to Keep you in their tiny, awful corner of the universe as long as possible. That is to say - I feel that the employees at this location have deliberately tried to keep me there longer than was necessary. Before you think that I simply don't understand the workings of the USPS or customer service industries in general, let me tell you - the USPS stores in Harvard Square, Union Square, and (to some extent) in Davis Square are all doing it right, and I'm going to write up a five-star review of the Union store in particular right after this one. I've run online businesses in one form or another (from DBA's all the way up to S-Corp's) for six or seven years in Boston, and I've done a LOT of shipping. Given the above, I ALWAYS use pre-paid labels - I go into the store to drop them off. At EVERY OTHER USPS LOCATION, when the line is busy, I've been motioned to just leave my packages there so that they can be put into the system when the employees have time. NOT SO in Porter Square. The gray-haired gentleman here even went so far as to say "oh, you need to wait in line, I think I see an issue with one of your packages" - when it was my turn to be helped, I asked what said issue was, and the guy told me "oh, I forget." Another time, also being told I had to wait in line, a larger woman proceeded to start scanning in a pile of fifteen packages from the previous customer while I waited. I asked if I could simply add my (one) package to the pile. She made some comment under her breath about how my request was "obnoxious," exchanged eye-rolls with the gray haired employee behind her, and reluctantly added my package to the pile and let me go. Excuse me? How is it obnoxious that *I* should have to suggest the solution that *you* should be proactively offering me? More generally, I've witnessed so many employee arguments and examples of poor service (and in one case, outright racism, as a couple of the other reviews mention) that I feel like this location will soon be under new management if USPS pays any attention to the reviews, on Yelp or on other platforms. In short - Avoid At All Costs. The ONLY reason I've been back here more than once is that this location is open until 5:30pm (many other locations in the area are not) and it's the closest one to my house. If I have any more time in my schedule at all, I would head over to the Davis Sq. location to get treated like a human. read more

When we arrived the guy working there was more interested in finishing his conversation with his fellow employee than serving us. The second we got in line he went "hang on a second" and ran off so he could show the working something leaving us awkwardly waiting when it obviously had nothing to do with their job. He was reasonably nice but was quite frankly unprofessional. We'll likely go to another post office in the future... the saving grace could be the parking is convenient. read more

I live close by so unfortunately have to come here sometimes. The staff is almost always rude, although there is one man who is friendly. I worked customer service jobs for years so I am pretty careful with my criticism of staff. The worst experience I've had here was when I went to mail an envelope package and had a cast on my arm. I asked the woman behind the counter to put a strip of packing tape across the envelope flap (I had just bought the envelope there so could not do this at home). I only asked because when I mail these at other post offices, they automatically reinforce it with tape. She rolled her eyes and plopped a commercial size packing tape dispenser down in front of me. Now, if you've never used one of those, they take a little practice even if you have two good arms. They are also made for boxes, not envelopes. With my dominant arm useless, I struggled in vain to put a small amount of tape over the envelope, but I could not use the blade to cut through the tape. I actually sliced my finger on the blade trying! It was dripping blood on the counter! Because the blade is jagged for tape-cutting, it really torn up my finger. The woman behind the counter only heaved a sigh of extreme annoyance and finally deigned to assist me in cutting the tape. Didn't even offer me a bandaid. This place is awful, really. read more

Living in the 02138 neighborhood. We have not had a regular mail person for years. The mail and packages get mixed up going to neighbors. After calling the Porter Square Post Office it was said that according to Union rules it goes out to bid and no one has bid on this route. So they send part timers who do not know the route. The latter was told to me by a supervisor. When speaking to the people who deliver the mail they do not know why a permanent position in this neighborhood has not been assigned. In the meantime, the US mail is getting worse by the day. read more

Perhaps the most rude and unprofessional staff I have ever encountered in a government setting (that's saying a lot). I went to mail a prepaid package today and had to stand in line for over 20 minutes while the older female clerk allowed customers to bypass other in line with no reprimand. When I got to the front to mail my prepaid package, she barked that she was "over here," and proceeded to utter an angry robotic questioning of "Do you have any prohibited items, etc." This location makes the Harvard one look like Belmont. read more

I stop by the Porter Sq Post Office at least once a week, usually with a couple of boxes of stuff I'm returning. You need to understand ...this is a very handy neighborhood facility. There may be a long line or no line at all. Everyone needs to be patient, because there all sort of issues the folks behind the counter are dealing with....from tracking down a lost package to a couple who want to pick out 200 different floral stamps for their wedding invitations! Take a deep breath, tune into the mom and little kids in front of you... We all wait, and eventually we get to the counter. I think the folks there do their best - are friendly and efficient - and deserve a smile and a thanks. They deserve it - and will be pleasantly surprised! read more

Seriously? I never thought I would review a post office, but this place is horrible... Walk 5 more minutes and go to the Davis Square branch. They are so mean here. I remember one instance where the postal worker yelled at this poor customer... He looked like he was a new student to the area and was asking a very simple question about the cost of shipping a package home - which seems an entirely appropriate question to ask at the post office! Postal worker yelled at him, threw a slip at him to fill out and screamed "NEXT"... Lovely. Don't go here, unless you are into being abused. read more

Apathetic to the point of being comical! You will get either rushed attitude or a quiet mumbling with reluctant assistance. If they tell you to go to UPS, just ask why politely and make them think a minute and then you'll get your package sent. I only go here cuz it's convenient and I know how to deal with the staff. Good luck to you newbies! read more

Easy package drop off and kind staff. Was there at a non peak time which likely helped.

* Wait time on a Thursday at 3 p.m.: L O N G (over 30 minutes) * Service at the counter: efficient * Product: it's the Post Office, so you know the deal; however, you should not count on them having Forever Stamps in stock * Parking: some street parking, but put in several quarters!!! Meter maids are quick to ticket (2 minutes late = $25 parking ticket). * Accessible to the T: only two blocks from the Red Line's Porter Square Station There was only one clerk and there were easily fifteen people ahead of me. When asked, the postal worker said he was the only clerk during a six hour period. I had only anticipated a maximum wait time of thirty minutes, so I RECEIVED A $25 PARKING TICKET right in front of this USPS location (I was two minutes late)! My transaction was simple--I had to send a certified letter and buy a sheet of stamps; however, the USPS was out of Forever Stamps! If the wait time is this long in October, this place must be a nightmare when it gets closer to the holidays. Overall, I recommend avoiding this place unless you enjoy waiting and getting parking tickets. read more

Everyone was very nice and helpful to me here, whether over the phone or in person. No one owes you a big grin if thats the problem in other comments?? They did everything possible to help me, unlike the weirdo at Davis Square. read more

I like this place. I have always been helped quickly, and when I have forgotten to fill something out, they let me stand off to the side while they help people tip I finish, then take me back to finish the transaction. Though postal workers get a bad rap, they have always been pretty nice here. There is usually an open meter within a block too. read more

Through rain, sleet, snow or hail, nothing stops the US mail! Stone's throw away from the Porter Square T stop, and I love the fact that they open at 7:30am. Made it super convenient when I swung by here after my morning workout and before work. read more

Hello! This review is about our present mail carrier in Cambridge, not our local post office in general, though I could write reviews about it as well. The other day the carrier was putting mail through the slot in our door as I was leaving. After it came through I opened the door and said hello, thinking that it would be helpful for her to hand me the remaining mail (which she was still sorting) without having to put it through the mail slot. Not once did she speak to me or even look at me. She was on a hands-free phone, laughing, saying, "uh huh....uh huh....", focusing on someone else, not with a customer. When she finally started to hand me the mail, I reached my hand out and she stuck her arm past me and threw it onto a table in our front hall near the door. Again, no eye contact, acknowledgement, "hello", or "thanks". Seriously, where do these people come from and how do they get their jobs? It's like a USPS interviewer fills one of their shoes with water, and if they dump it out, they get hired because "They're smart!" Our previous carrier was a gem, always friendly, would always say hello. We miss him. read more

RUDE AND POSSIBLY RACIST EMPLOYEE. I have to go to the post office at least around once every two weeks to ship a package because I have an online business. I've been to multiple post offices but I go to this one most often since it's the post office I live closest to. A woman who works here (I think her name is Casey) is the rudest post office employee I've ever interacted with. I've interacted with her multiple times and she always gives me a rude attitude. Today, she assumed that it was my printer that I used and told me I have to fix it because the tracking number was a little blurry even though she was able to scan my package. It wasn't even my printer that I used but I just said "okay" when I should've told her it wasn't my printer. When she had me sign a form, she judged my signature and said "that's your signature?". I just said "yes" when I should've said "yeah why?". The only reason I keep coming back here is because it's the post office I live closest to but I'm never coming back here again. I'd rather travel farther to go to another post office. I've noticed this employee has been nice to customers who are white and rude to customers who are Asian like I am so she could also be racist. If you're rude and possibly racist, you shouldn't be working in a job where you should be nice to all kinds of people. read more

I moved a few months ago and USPS has not delivered a package since. They go out for delivery and while my mail makes it fine, the package is "undeliverable" due to unknown person or address. I have called several times and either they can't figure out what's wrong or are very rude and redirect me to someone else who can't help me (after an hour on hold). Very unhappy with USPS and the rude staff at this location. The problem has still not been resolved after two months and all other carriers have no issues. read more

I go here at least 3 times a week and everyone here is awesome if you show them some kindness and respect and they work super fast and deal with some ridiculous customers with cAre and kindness read more

I went here in late 11/2017 and had a clerk who was one of the nicest people I've met in a while, who was very thorough with her processing of my package, and I'd meant to fill out one of the usps.com surveys but lost my receipt. I thought I'd commend her on here!! read more

Troy and Carol behind the counter were great. I was here with my son as he was shipping a lot of packages for his funded Puppy Wand Kickstarter project. The staff was very helpful, despite one guy in line who who complained outloud constantly that he had to wait in line (?), about how horrible and stupid everyone else was, complaining at my twelve-year-old son, etc. A real toxic loser spoiling it for everyone. The staff handled him very well and appropriately to defuse things, so kudos to them for that. So that is my take on the mixed reviews you see here. I do think they are understaffed, but the staff themselves have been great in my experience. My take is that the complaints you see here are from people waiting in line with Harvard attitudes and Somerville wallets. (Which is frankly unfair to Harvard and Somerville, but you get my point.) You want to send a big package to Singapore for $20? That's what i did. Sign me up and I may have to wait in line, especially if I come right before closing time. Too important to be the third person in line without simulating Tourettes syndrome? Then try DHL who quoted me $180, and they can pick it up from your house. Yes, I am talking to you, the fossil in the blue oxford shirt, wireframe glasses and Wilford Brimley mustache. So there you go. If you show up and there are ten people in line, you can't push to the front of line, and shriek, "Me first!" At least not if I am in line. If you see that it happens to be very busy when you walk into the post office, and you have bladder condition, do everyone a favor and leave to take care of your more pressing issues first, and return when it is less busy. More staff would be great. Automated stamp machine would be nice, for some people, maybe. Express 10 items or less at the second window? Sure, if it makes you feel happy. These are not things the staff can unilaterally implement, so don't whine to them or me about it. Things are crowded and the staff is overworked but they gave you great service? I brought them doughnuts afterward to say thank you, what did you do? read more

Charlie and Carol are the only 2 in there that are helpful when i come in. the other people in there act as if you're supposed to know which box fits what and how much it costs etc. I sent a package that took over a month and a half to get to where it was going ( i put the wrong address on it) so it was my fault. but when it got returned to me it was all broken and in pieces, the box said fragile all over it. Chris who works there told me if i didn't get insurance on it there's nothing they can do. Refused a refund and gave me some lady's number to cal. which i did several times, no answer. also, every time i go in there, they are always arguing with each other or chris is arguing with customers, totally unprofessional. I always dread going in there. plus the lines are always ridiculous with one person working usually. hate that place. read more

I've been to this post office a handful of times, and every time I've been here, I've had to wait at least 20 minutes, even if it was just to buy stamps. But that isn't the reason for this less-than-stellar review. Last week, I opened the tracking information for an item I had ordered online. The tracking info said that I should call my local post office because there was a 'delivery exception' and a note had been left at my address. I was already peeved at this because I did not find any note anywhere, but that would not be the fault of the this post office, so I won't get into that here. So, as directed, I called this post office. An employee named Mike picked up and I explained the situation. While I'm explaining, he interrupts to ask me for my address and my name, then abruptly puts me on hold. Okay...not a good start. He comes back after a few minutes and tells me that my package is not at the post office. I'm thoroughly confused as the 'delivery exception' notification was dated two days before I called USPS, and should have been dropped off at my local post office by then. I'm a little confused and frustrated because I've never seen this happen before with any packages, and then Mike goes on a RAMBLE/RANT about how sometimes delivery people don't/shouldn't leave packages unattended in front of apartment complexes, and that he would NEVER do so if he were delivering anything. (Um, why would I care about this when all I want to know is where the heck my package is? Why go on and on about why leaving packages at the door is unsafe when I'm already irritated at the thought that USPS might have lost my package?) I explain that I never received this 'pink notice slip' that he was talking about. Then he suggests that I LOST IT. Uh what? When I insist that it is nowhere to be found, he says that maybe the delivery person forgot to fill it out and then gives me a phone number to call and explain this issue. I ask who I'm calling and he says this is Management, and they can open an investigation on the whereabouts of m package. So....he kept me on the phone for more than 15 minutes when he could have just done that after he figured out that my package wasn't at the post office. During the entire conversation, I felt like he was really irritated that I was coming to him with this problem. But I live in Cambridge, and my local post office is supposed to handle these issues (or deliver my packages without any issues so I don't have issues to begin with). So I don't know why he made me feel like this was somehow MY fault... (Fortunately, I actually stepped outside to pick up that day's mail and the package in question was sitting on the porch, waiting for me...weird, but honestly I was just relieved that I wouldn't have to call anyone else from USPS about my missing package.) I do not expect amazing customer service from the post office, but I do expect that the post office doesn't make me feel worse! read more

I have a PO box here and can confirm that this is an exceptionally unpleasant Post Office. The employees seem miserable and to be honest I do not blame them. This place is small, understaffed for the volume they have to process, and not to be petty but it's just ugly and the temperature is always wrong, weirdly too hot or cold. Relevant lowlights include the time a particularly combative employee declined to give me my PO Box key after I had already paid the fee, the time they did not forward my mail and it somehow disappeared (I think they must have misplaced the form I filled out at the counter), and every time I waited what seemed like forever with lots of other annoyed people to fulfill some minor mail-related errand. To all potential customers, seriously, go somewhere else. This place is horrible. read more

I wish I could give this place no stars. Staff are horrible. I tried to make it easy by doing prepaid online shipping but because he couldn't scan the bar code he refused to take my mail pieces even though I had waited over 20 mins in line for them to deal with 3 customers. The residents of the area typically avoid this location like the plague. I should have remembered and went directly to Belmont where they are courteous and helpful. read more

Not for the easily offended!! Staff overwhelmed, anxious, and grumpy. I think they are overworked. It was not a pleasant experience and I was almost yelled it, for keeping my box on the counter where for some reason it was not supposed to be. read more

Friendly knowledgeable staff at 830am on tuesday. The woman at the counter knew why people before me were having issues and could clearly explain how to get them solved. She emphasized all the key points of different options to ship and after the customer had made a decision, summarized the key points of that choice to make sure they knew it was what they were looking for. All this while keeping the line moving quite quickly. read more

Dirty, loud, mean, sometimes closed when it shouldn't be...dirty, seriously, like its never been cleaned...go to any other post office!

Very long wait and the two men working were extremely loud and rude. Terrible Post Office

For the people who are wondering why a post office is getting such bad reviews, the answer is simple- customers are being treated rudely here. Most of us have important things to mail that we need to know will get there safely. of course we dont expect much from a post office, but the very minimum we expect is to be treated nicely. It's hot or miss here, and just too much for me to want to go back. It's like the jeckyll and hyde post office, the same cashiers are nice one day and then snotty the next. sometimes there's only one cashier and a huge line if people. save yourself some stress and go to the davis sq P.O. read more

I went here on a Saturday around 11:00, prime mailing time. I waited in line for almost 45 minutes. There was a single person working at the counter. I know that the USPS is hemorrhaging money and all, but they can't staff two people here? At least get one of those automated machines so people can prepare their own packages. Single star for USPS as a whole. The guy at the counter, a portly guy with a beard, was so rude it's almost humorous. Sort of like the Soup Nazi. I've been in there before and this guy constantly shouts at customers, ordering them around like children. One time I wanted to ship something Registered Mail and the guy argued with me about how it was a waste of money and that I should just get Delivery Confirmation instead. Such a prick. On the other hand, he did give a couple little kids stickers and a coloring book. Single star the cranky post office guy. read more

I have only ever given post offices good reviews, but this one branch is truly the earthly approximation of the post office in hell. There is always a line, no matter the hour of the day. No automated machines, even the basic ones that dispense stamps. Recently I stopped here to drop off a package that I'd pre-paid online that would not quite fit in the mailbox. There was a long line but the one guy at the counter wouldn't take it unless I waited in line. Um, I thought that was the whole point of pre-paying postage? So of course I went to the Harvard Sq office, where they were happy to take it. read more

My experience at this location was fabulous! No line at all at 9:30am on a Wednesday, huge counter top area to package up my things, and really nice customer service. I'll definitely be back and you can't beat the location right in Porter Square. read more

This place needs to have more staff. I came at noon on a Saturday and only ONE person was serving 10+ people in line. Waited for an hour to get my turn just to mail a card. Next time I'm going to get stamps. Avoid at all costs if you don't want to be in line forever. read more

So slow. I don't even understand why. It's as if they don't understand how to do things in parallel or at least use common sense. It's painful. read more

US Post Office - Standing in line for 15 minutes for one customer. What is going on here?! Never again. David square location rocks. - Post Offices Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Porter Square post office reminds me why the USPS is doomed. Last week, I went to mail a package. There were sixteen -- yes, 16 -- people ahead of me on line and there was one -- yes, 1 -- postal worker who shouted -- yes, shouted -- his questions "fragile, liquid, hazardous, potentially perishable" and yelled at customers for swiping their credit cards too soon. USPS, with customer service like this, your days are numbered. read more