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Residents who need to post a package or pick up stamps before or after work are no longer tugging on a locked lobby door when they reach their local post office.
The U.S. Postal Service, vying for more market share in the global delivery business, is expanding operation hours at hundreds of high-traffic branches around the country.
In the north, northwest and western Chicago suburbs, 34 branches extended their weekday lobby hours at the start of September. Some post offices are also open later on Saturdays. A handful of stores are now opening at 7 a.m., an hour earlier than before.
At least 25 Chicago post office branches have done the same and another wave of stores is expected to follow in October.
The branch at 450 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, is open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays; the branch at 1255 Gannon Drive, Hoffman Estates, is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; the branch in Woodfield Mall is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; the branch at 611 Landmeier Road is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Increasing face-time with customers is one of several customer-service initiatives the U.S. Postal Service is unrolling around the country.
Bob Tosby, supervisor for customer service at the Schaumburg post office, said the flow of evening traffic is increasing as customers learn of the stores new hours, until 7 p.m. at that store.
"It's certainly going to increase as we head into the holidays," Tosby said. "Especially from people who normally get off work at 5, when we used to close."
Last year, 2,500 post offices were equipped with automated kiosks that let customers weigh packages, look up zip codes, send Express Mail and buy stamps with their credit or debit card.
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Although this really doesn't affect me, I do believe that it's about time!
Cheers
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Mine's now open until 6 p.m. M-F, but I would prefer an earlier start time (currently 8:30'ish). Opening at 7 a.m. would be MOST helpful!
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I guess they've been cutting back the hours at all the rural post offices so they'd have enough payroll money to fund these. (sour grapes.... )
But actually I think it's a good idea! And I'm glad it works for those of you in those areas.
I just hope those of us who don't generate as much $$ business (and never will due to lower populations) don't lose too much more in services... In many ways we are MORE dependent on good postal service than those in higher population areas.
Elaine