I had to return an item I bought from a secondary seller on Amazon (important to the story-the seller instructed me on how to return the item because they were going to pay me back for the shipping costs.)
The seller paid $3.99 to ship it to me and wanted me to return it "standard shipping." A little vague since there's no actual "standard shipping" rate as defined by the Post Office. But I figured they probably didn't want to pay more than the original shipping costs to get it back.
The first issue she had with me was the shipper's zip code was wrong on the label. They provided the label and I just printed it. She said I put the wrong zip code on the label. I advised her that I didn't make the label or type the address on there. The way she put it was clearly accusatory.
I work in customer service all day long. In fact, I take escalations and deal with customer complaints. I NEVER accuse the customer of doing anything. She could have simply said, "The zip code is incorrect, can you please change it?" Instead of coming out accusing me and putting me on the defensive. Then she digs her heels in and continues accusing me after I let her know that the error was actually on the seller's end. This clerk has zero customer service skills.
Then she automatically gives me the most expensive shipping method, which was around $36.00 over night. "No, just standard shipping."
She keeps going down the list from most expensive onward. Why?? I clearly asked for "standard shipping." Granted, I understand that wasn't the correct verbiage, but I also let her know this was a return for an item I bought on Amazon and the seller was paying me back for the shipping. Where in asking for "standard shipping" did I indicate the seller would be willing to pay me back for the most expensive shipping rate? Was she doing this to just annoy me? It was puzzling. But I communicated to her that the choice in shipping really wasn't up to me, I had to follow the instructions given to me by the seller.
She finally settles on first class for $7.95. I begrudgingly agree and she prints off a label. But I start thinking about it and ask if I can use "media mail." I tell her it's a vinyl record and remind her the seller is paying for the shipping back so I don't want them to give me any static for using the wrong method and paying more than they were willing to cover. I figured to be safe, go with "media mail" since that clearly would be lower than $3.99.
She claimed vinyl records don't qualify for media mail.
I said, "What's is a vinyl record if if's not media?"
She said media mail includes sound recordings. My response was, "A vinyl record is a sound recording."
She still refuses to allow me to use media mail. She points to a sign behind her that reads, "Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs." According to her, the ONLY audio recordings that will qualify for media mail are CDs and DVDs. Forget that the policy as they have written off lists them as examples "such as."
At this point, I just cannot. I am not going to get into an argument with this fool. I have to get out of there at this point. I admit I get a bit testy and snap a little when I tell her to take the label off the package and I will go to another post office. But I don't get personal with her.
She started yelling at me for being "disrespectful" to her. I was upset, yes, but never went after her personally. I never called her out for her obvious error or stood there to continue arguing with her. I wanted to get out of there and get the help I needed from somebody who knew how to do their job. She needed to take a long look in the mirror because how she handled the error with the zip code and her passive aggressive way of going from the most expensive shipping down may not have had any testy or angry words directed at me, but her passive aggressive nature was on full display and her disrespect towards me as a customer was obvious.
And, for the record, vinyl records are included in media mail.
https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm
I later talked to a supervisor from the location who apologized for her attitude and handling of the situation. He said she's been a clerk there for a long time. Well, if she has the experience he claims, then she knew vinyl records were included in media mail and chose me to screw around with that day out of spite and hate for whatever reason.
Avoid this horrible place. Go to another post office or Hy-Vee instead get great customer service. It's clearly not here. The employees here hate their job and their customers. read more
