>From 12/20/07 Johnson City (TN) Press (http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=LOCALNEWS&ID=60949):
------------------------------- Stamp of disapproval - Patrons irritated over discontinued postage machines By James Brooks Press Staff Writer The grinches are back, and this time they've taken over the U.S. Postal Service. At least that's what Dale Webb believes. Like many others he went to the East Main Street post office in Johnson City to buy stamps for his Christmas cards and found the line going out the door. Like himself, he found many others in the line who were there to buy stamps. The stamp machines that were in the lobby are no longer there, so self-service was not an option. Instead, Webb had to drive across town to buy his stamps at the service counter at the Walgreens on North Roan. "I can't believe that they don't sell stamps at the post office," Webb said. Postmaster Rusty Field said the stamp machines that once graced the lobby were taken out at the end of the summer. "It was a decision made at the national level," Field said. "The vending equipment is old and they decided to go with the alternative of selling stamps at the convenience counters of retail outlets." When asked if the Postal Service is coming out with newer vending machines, Field said the Postal Service has decided to get out of the vending machine business in post office lobbies, except in remote locations where residents don't have a local store convenience counter. The remaining machines are to be cannibalized for spare parts. Field is aware that this is not a popular decision. "Please, don't call the postmaster. Call the Postal Service 800 number," he said. A call to (800) 275-8777 brought the following dialogue with a recording device: "Do you wish to buy stamps over the phone?" "No." "One moment and a representative will be with you." Pause. "Due to the heavy volume of calls we suggest you place your call at another time." "It seems that common sense has left us," Webb said. "This is a stressful time of year for a lot of us. It took me a good half hour at the post office after I had driven across town to Walgreens to get stamps." Field said that the Carroll Reece station on North State of Franklin Road does have an automated postal center, but it does require the use of a credit or debit card. U.S. currency won't do at the post office automated center. With plastic a person can also buy stamps online or over the telephone, and those who don't have anything in their wallet but cash can still wait in line and buy stamps from a postal clerk. Field said the purchase of new vending machines for stamps is a capital expenditure that takes a long time to work through the budgeting process. "I hear they are getting a lot of complaints on this issue," he said. ------------- Even though some folks might be a bit bent out of shape over this, I for one am pleased that our government isn't doing business with a slot machine. Don Good (I'd write a letter but don't know how I'd mail it.) _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
