It's time I showed my local post office a little love here on Yelp! I'm admittedly a bit a USPS fangirl (my godfather was a carrier, so I consider it in the family, so to speak), and the rates we pay for postage are far lower than in many other countries, with pretty reliable service all around. I've been coming to the Portland branch at 400 Congress Street since I moved here last year, and it's not an exaggeration to say that it's always an uplifting experience. All the staff are super knowledgeable and helpful (even the slightly grumpy guy), and when I was in a transient status for my first few months here they were especially great at helping me finesse multiple mail forwarding/PO box/re-forwarding stages (which can get all kinds of complicated). Sure, there are lines sometimes; even when I've had to wait here, they move things along at a good clip (and don't forget that USPS isn't funded or staffed up as much as it could be, which isn't the fault of the employees). It's the little interactions that make daily life better, and coming into this branch is one of them. read more

This was the most wretched post office experience I've ever had. Ten people were just waiting in line, which is no fault of the clerks usually. However, one clerk came out to help the other, then suddenly said she was not available to help. This resulted in 25 minutes of waiting in line to buy stamps. 25. No exaggeration. The one clerk, Lindy, was great and running the show on her own while several other employees popped their heads out, saw the growing line, and disappeared again. While standing and waiting, six people joined the line, waited, and left after seeing how poor the service was. This seems like a place where service is not valued. Except Lindy. You go, Lindy. read more

The staff Couldn't be nicer and more helpful. Neat and orderly. What else could you need from your local USPS.

Always a line with rude customer service at times (other times they are perfectly friendly!). There isn't a "mail it yourself" machine here, a big disappointment when the line is very long. The only pro is the free parking, but most people can't even figure out how to get in and out of the tiny lot, so even this is a frustration. read more

I'm always shipping little gifts to my parents, my SO, and my friends back home in California, so I'm always here. It doesn't go above and beyond any other post office, but the staff is nice. My second time there the worker remembered me and remembered my shopping preferences. I really appreciated that. I love that there's a parking lot in the back because we all know downtown parking can be a bear. read more

I've had a good experience using this post-office branch. Very helpful staff.

I was at this branch at 3:45pm on 12/18/18. I typically have a reliably mundane experience at this branch which I have been using for 15+ years. However, today I had such a ridiculous exchange with the woman working the desk that I have to write a review. I waited in the long line and listened to the clerk apologize to each person for the wait as they approached. When I stepped up she said nothing. Then I asked if she had tape to tape up the box I was purchasing to mail an item. She said no, pointed to the back and said I could buy tape. Okaaaayyy. I said that I would need to leave and come back (I live near by and figured I could just go home and come right back) and asked if I would be able to jump the line when I returned. She said yes. I repeated myself as I was paying for the box and another package I was mailing reiterating that she would allow me to jump the line when I returned and she snapped at me and angrily said "yes, I just said that." Fine. I leave. I come back at the above time and she finishes with the woman at the desk and then disappears for several minutes without telling the line of people anything. She comes back and calls up the next person in line. I stepped forward to ask her about what she had said earlier and she denied saying it. She flat out said that because I left the building I had to wait in line again. I called her out and said "no. I asked you twice and you told me I would be able to jump the line." I was the only person of color in the branch at the time. I am thinking this exchange was motivated by something other than her having a "bad day" since I listened to her interact with several other white people with patience and professionalism. I was furious and will be making a call to the main office after writing this review. read more

This is an awful branch. Insane lines, the male staff is so rude, and my favorite surprise is the mail that isn't addressed to me (or my PO Box #) that I receive on a weekly basis. I anticipate my current wait will be at least half an hour as only one person is behind the counter.My box is locked; they have a habit of stuffing it full of junk then locking it when it's too full. During the holidays this happens weekly, and you get to stand in this fabulous line to fix. Another thing you can expect is one, last minute notice that your box fee is due. Then it's locked and a HUGE charge must be paid or you cannot check your mail. This happened to me right after I gave birth. I wasn't in often enough to empty my post office box of junk mail. I can't change to the other post office down congress st (near CBD) as all my business mail goes here and changing is actually a bigger pain. But maybe I can save you the pain by warning you to stay away if you need any type of service from humans. Also if you are reading this there is a chance I passed out in line from hunger as I have been here for so long. Please send food or let my family know to pay the parking ticket and box fee. read more

okay, so while many of staff are total grumpsters, there are a couple of really nice ones. still not worth the gamble to me, tho.