The new USPS shops - from someone who's done one

I just noticed my USPS has two open shops. One with a $20 bonus plus $5 fee and another with a $15 bonus, plus $5 fee. I thought about taking them, but as I reread this thread it sounds like they are still a headache.

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Isaiah, I have done literally at least 100 of these shops. this part is exactly the same as the prior company. It is the issue that on my phone the report keeps telling me my times are not in the correct part of the day for the shop. When I came home today and went online I saw that the time I put in on my phone showed a completely different and incorrect time online. I do not know why this is happening but now I know finally how to get around that issue.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

The help desk said it was because my start time was before the time set when I checked in. After checking in I sat in my car for a while but I did not count that as the start time for the job as in the old company the start time was when you walked in and got in line. So I changed that and I guess that was where the issue began. They kept emailing me to fix the start time but my job had been submitted somehow so I could not access it. So it is all up the air now.

Just say you get in the post office parking lot at 2 PM. Take the require pictures outside as needed and check in on the app. You walk in and wait in line for 5 minutes (Observing the lobby) (Depending on how it is set up).. You get to the counter at 2:06 PM. You leave the counter at 2:07 PM.. You get in your car at 2:08 PM.

How will you do the times in the report?

@ServiceAward wrote:

I just noticed my USPS has two open shops. One with a $20 bonus plus $5 fee and another with a $15 bonus, plus $5 fee. I thought about taking them, but as I reread this thread it sounds like they are still a headache.

Glad to hear they will go up over a $10 bonus. David told me they are not approved to go higher than $10. I would grab them if I was you. The job is not difficult. It is something with my phone i think but completing it at home worked much better for me. Today I shipped an almost 3# box to zone 4 and it came in under the max reimbursement. I think I will have to ask my zone to move closer than Zone 8.

I will only do them with a $15 Bonus, but waiting for the price to be right is the only thing that I find to be a headache. Once you do a couple on the app, its super easy. Here's a few tips:

Take a pic of the exterior, and make sure the flag is in it. If its not, take a second picture of just the flag. If the first picture includes the flag, thats all you need to upload. (Second exterior pic is optional).

If you forget to check in on the app, just upload all the pics and timing on the app, then login in to the website and submit it that way (website doesn't serve an error saying you need to checkin).

Remember to count the total number of workstations, and the number of workstations staffed. The old MSC filled in the number of workstations automatically.

The MSC responds (within minutes) if there are any questions (IPSOS eat your heart out?!) and they are approving these somewhere between immediately and a couple hours.

@ServiceAward wrote:

I just noticed my USPS has two open shops. One with a $20 bonus plus $5 fee and another with a $15 bonus, plus $5 fee. I thought about taking them, but as I reread this thread it sounds like they are still a headache.

David seems confused. I've done about 30 of these with a $15 or $20 bonus this month.

@sandyf wrote:

@ServiceAward wrote:

I just noticed my USPS has two open shops. One with a $20 bonus plus $5 fee and another with a $15 bonus, plus $5 fee. I thought about taking them, but as I reread this thread it sounds like they are still a headache.

Glad to hear they will go up over a $10 bonus. David told me they are not approved to go higher than $10. I would grab them if I was you. The job is not difficult. It is something with my phone i think but completing it at home worked much better for me. Today I shipped an almost 3# box to zone 4 and it came in under the max reimbursement. I think I will have to ask my zone to move closer than Zone 8.

Perhaps David was pulling the proverbial wool over my eyes. He told me that when he was trying to get me to do three shops at $10 bonus each. I turned him down but then he did me a favor so I took another shop he needed done yesterday to help him out. I regretted it on the interminable drive thru LA traffic.

@sandyf wrote:

Perhaps David was pulling the proverbial wool over my eyes. He told me that when he was trying to get me to do three shops at $10 bonus each. I turned him down but then he did me a favor so I took another shop he needed done yesterday to help him out. I regretted it on the interminable drive thru LA traffic.

They may not yet have had the authorization to increase the fees. Isn't this the first round? I took some when it was $10 bonuses bc I needed to mail some things. But now I am a little more selective. And I wait, if I can.

I like it when the MSC filled in the number of work stations. My pst office is set up differently than most. There is a traditional counter with 3 work stations. Then, there is a separate counter on the side opposite from the main counter that is supposed to only be for passports per the signage, but sometimes the person there will accept packages. The other MSC knew the set up and i was always good with them if i got called to that counter, even though it was not counted as a workstation. Before i take on a job with the new company, ill have email them to see how they want me to handle that situation.

Hi Cheubino3, it was just a week ago, or a week and a half before the end of the quarter when he begged me to do three shops for him at a max of $10 bonus. The $10 bonus had already been around for weeks here.

@cherubino3 wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

Perhaps David was pulling the proverbial wool over my eyes. He told me that when he was trying to get me to do three shops at $10 bonus each. I turned him down but then he did me a favor so I took another shop he needed done yesterday to help him out. I regretted it on the interminable drive thru LA traffic.

They may not yet have had the authorization to increase the fees. Isn't this the first round? I took some when it was $10 bonuses bc I needed to mail some things. But now I am a little more selective. And I wait, if I can.

Many of the many post offices around where I live have workstations that are no longer workstations and also passport stations that are used for regular customers on non passport days. I try to only count the ones that have the little Hazmat machine in front of them. I think the others were needed in busier days when the post office was built but now are used to pile up packages and things like that. I found the count incorrect often with the previous company however I liked it as it gave me the idea of how they wanted to count them.I corrected them every time.

@ServiceAward wrote:

I like it when the MSC filled in the number of work stations. My pst office is set up differently than most. There is a traditional counter with 3 work stations. Then, there is a separate counter on the side opposite from the main counter that is supposed to only be for passports per the signage, but sometimes the person there will accept packages. The other MSC knew the set up and i was always good with them if i got called to that counter, even though it was not counted as a workstation. Before i take on a job with the new company, ill have email them to see how they want me to handle that situation.

Just to add as a point of reference - In my area, the location I previously shopped for a $20 bonus, is sitting at a $20 bonus for the current round, while a scheduling restriction is currently set.

I do see the error message now:
Separation: Another shopper is scheduled for XX/XX/2024. Please schedule 18 day(s) apart. Or contact the MSP directly to schedule the shop.

@ServiceAward wrote:

I like it when the MSC filled in the number of work stations. My pst office is set up differently than most. There is a traditional counter with 3 work stations. Then, there is a separate counter on the side opposite from the main counter that is supposed to only be for passports per the signage, but sometimes the person there will accept packages. The other MSC knew the set up and i was always good with them if i got called to that counter, even though it was not counted as a workstation. Before i take on a job with the new company, ill have email them to see how they want me to handle that situation.

That extra person would be someone helping in the lobby, if they can't actually use that station to take payment on postage. Yours is not the only post office set up like this. I have seen one like this near me, also. I have also seen post offices open a divided door to assist people with packages and mail. I don't think your shop would be rejected if you didn't include it. That's part of the problem with changing MSCs.

@sandyf wrote:

Isaiah, I have done literally at least 100 of these shops. this part is exactly the same as the prior company. It is the issue that on my phone the report keeps telling me my times are not in the correct part of the day for the shop. When I came home today and went online I saw that the time I put in on my phone showed a completely different and incorrect time online. I do not know why this is happening but now I know finally how to get around that issue.
@Isaiah4031a wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

The help desk said it was because my start time was before the time set when I checked in. After checking in I sat in my car for a while but I did not count that as the start time for the job as in the old company the start time was when you walked in and got in line. So I changed that and I guess that was where the issue began. They kept emailing me to fix the start time but my job had been submitted somehow so I could not access it. So it is all up the air now.

Just say you get in the post office parking lot at 2 PM. Take the require pictures outside as needed and check in on the app. You walk in and wait in line for 5 minutes (Observing the lobby) (Depending on how it is set up).. You get to the counter at 2:06 PM. You leave the counter at 2:07 PM.. You get in your car at 2:08 PM.

How will you do the times in the report?

When I got a message saying the report was in the wrong day part, I just keep working on the report anyway, and then review the times. One time I actually had am instead of pm. Not sure how that happened. If I still get an error message, I review the times entered in the report. We can't really post screenshots, so that's my take.

Do these shops reset on October 1 and start over? That's what the former MSC had going, and what many MSCs do. I am not sure about this MSC. The bonuses aren't the highest I've ever seen on a shop. Once it was $200 for a remote location. I don't see those really big bonuses happening with this MSC and this scheduler.

@cherubino3 wrote:

Once it was $200 for a remote location. I don't see those really big bonuses happening with this MSC and this scheduler.

I don't look too far outside of my general area, but $25 may have been the highest I've seen so far.

I took some shops today because I have packages to actually ship, so I do it when I can. There was a $20 bonus. This should work fine.

I just wish someone knew if they will reset at the end of the month like with the other MSC. Not gonna worry too much as I will get 4 packages out.

None of the shops near me have bonuses yet. I am not doing them for $5. I have a package to mail but will wait until they add at least another $5.

@cherubino3 wrote:

Do these shops reset on October 1 and start over? That's what the former MSC had going, and what many MSCs do. I am not sure about this MSC. The bonuses aren't the highest I've ever seen on a shop. Once it was $200 for a remote location. I don't see those really big bonuses happening with this MSC and this scheduler.

Oh man, I checked today. And it seems like all the locations got refreshed, and if applicable, reset back to base without bonus.

As of today when I checked the guidelines, the minimum weight required is 1.5 lbs. ( from 1 lb.) That makes the $.99 16 oz of pasta a no go now. That really puts me off now.

@big_sky_thunder wrote:

As of today when I checked the guidelines, the minimum weight required is 1.5 lbs. ( from 1 lb.) That makes the $.99 16 oz of pasta a no go now. That really puts me off now.

Bruh, that's a lot of work to mail something that doesn't acktchewally need to be mailed. I mean, good for you making a few bucks. All of my packages are things I'm selling, returns, or mailing gifts to family.

I read this as it "should be" at least 1.5 lbs, but anything less that 1lb is void, so they aren't going to drop it. Sometimes I saw 1st class mail postage for packages up to 16 oz and I guess they want to make sure they avoid that. It's not really an issue since you can say, I want the insurance or I want to get it there faster.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2024 07:50PM by cherubino3.

@Okie wrote:

@cherubino3 wrote:

Do these shops reset on October 1 and start over? That's what the former MSC had going, and what many MSCs do. I am not sure about this MSC. The bonuses aren't the highest I've ever seen on a shop. Once it was $200 for a remote location. I don't see those really big bonuses happening with this MSC and this scheduler.
Oh man, I checked today. And it seems like all the locations got refreshed, and if applicable, reset back to base without bonus.

Yes, darn it!! I have a package that needs to go out which someone purchased from me on Amazon at 11pm GRR! So, I'm going to hold my nose and do on for the shipping reimbursement. Everything else that I am sending to family, I will just sit on until the end of the month. I hope others in my area feel the same!!

The MSC will call and beg, and I will just be like, oh no, I'm not going that way, sorry. Then they'll say they can bonus $5 and I will probably laugh. Or maybe it's best to just not answer or say chhhhhh chhhhhh sorry, I think we chhhhhh bad chhhhhhh connection. chhhhhhhh. Sorry. chhhhhhh.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2024 07:58PM by cherubino3.

@cherubino3 wrote:

Yes, darn it!! I have a package that needs to go out which someone purchased from me on Amazon at 11pm GRR! So, I'm going to hold my nose and do on for the shipping reimbursement. Everything else that I am sending to family, I will just sit on until the end of the month. I hope others in my area feel the same!!

The MSC will call and beg, and I will just be like, oh no, I'm not going that way, sorry. Then they'll say they can bonus $5 and I will probably laugh. Or maybe it's best to just not answer or say chhhhhh chhhhhh sorry, I think we chhhhhh bad chhhhhhh connection. chhhhhhhh. Sorry. chhhhhhh.

Stay strong! Realistically, there will be some locations claimed early because a need arises. I can't really fault someone for that. But I have a feeling this quarter is going to be worse.

For the additional weight, I do that at times to get the minimum for small items. If selling to a customer, then I will try to throw in some extra goodies/swag. Priority may be overkill at times, but the customer thinks I over-delivered. Win, win!

I would bet they get their fair share of shoppers who weighed their package at home and on their scale it weighed just over a pound but the post office scale may have weighed less than a pound. I would certainly be pretty upset if that happened to me so I always make sure i am at least 3 or 4 ounces over one pound just to be sure their scale will read over a pound. On the other end I give it a good two ounces of leeway so I do not inadvertently go over on their scale and beyond the reimbursement amt.
I am thinking there have been shoppers who have contacted them to ask for reimbursement because the scale in the Post office was not correct. So perhaps they are asking for 1.5 pounds to avoid this type of issue arising.

@big_sky_thunder wrote:

As of today when I checked the guidelines, the minimum weight required is 1.5 lbs. ( from 1 lb.) That makes the $.99 16 oz of pasta a no go now. That really puts me off now.

I asked for clarification around this, and was told its a suggestion, not a new rule. SandyF is correct above that they are trying to hedge against someone's home scale showing a pound and the USPS scale showing under a pound. Not sure you need to add a whole 1/2 pound to avoid that (especially since they didn't increase reimbursement) but thats their recommendation.

@big_sky_thunder wrote:

As of today when I checked the guidelines, the minimum weight required is 1.5 lbs. ( from 1 lb.) That makes the $.99 16 oz of pasta a no go now. That really puts me off now.

FWIW, I've had a 1lb. 3oz package weigh in at 7 oz at a nearby post office. I even questioned the clerk as to why it was so inexpensive and asked if his scale was correct. He could not have cared less and only restated the amount. Same guy, same result..at least two other times. I was paid after explaining, but that's when there was a place to explain on the form...old MSC.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

@Cassiespark wrote:

I asked for clarification around this, and was told its a suggestion, not a new rule. SandyF is correct above that they are trying to hedge against someone's home scale showing a pound and the USPS scale showing under a pound. Not sure you need to add a whole 1/2 pound to avoid that (especially since they didn't increase reimbursement) but thats their recommendation.

Get a good quality scale. Mine turned out to be quite accurate.

What drives doing these shops without a need to ship something. Is the bonus high enough? Is it altruism bc you are shipping to a food bank as the old MSC suggested?

If you do need shipping, what are you shipping?

I ship Amazon & Ebay orders, returns, and mostly ship books to my sister-in-law because we are trying to close up our storage space. It's not that much less to ship book rate and I've gotten really good at estimating how much is in there to keep it 1- 2 lbs. It's supereasy with a regular address.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2024 08:20PM by cherubino3.

Regarding the scale - In my case, sometimes the surface makes a difference. I try to keep it one place to keep it consistent, but every once in a while I'll move it carelessly somewhere else.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2024 08:23PM by Okie.

@Okie wrote:

@cherubino3 wrote:

Yes, darn it!! I have a package that needs to go out which someone purchased from me on Amazon at 11pm GRR! So, I'm going to hold my nose and do on for the shipping reimbursement. Everything else that I am sending to family, I will just sit on until the end of the month. I hope others in my area feel the same!!

The MSC will call and beg, and I will just be like, oh no, I'm not going that way, sorry. Then they'll say they can bonus $5 and I will probably laugh. Or maybe it's best to just not answer or say chhhhhh chhhhhh sorry, I think we chhhhhh bad chhhhhhh connection. chhhhhhhh. Sorry. chhhhhhh.
Stay strong! Realistically, there will be some locations claimed early because a need arises. I can't really fault someone for that. But I have a feeling this quarter is going to be worse.

For the additional weight, I do that at times to get the minimum for small items. If selling to a customer, then I will try to throw in some extra goodies/swag. Priority may be overkill at times, but the customer thinks I over-delivered. Win, win!

Duuuuuude!!! Wait till December!!! Maybe they will get more desperate.

@cherubino3 wrote:

Duuuuuude!!! Wait till December!!! Maybe they will get more desperate.

I will try! Hopefully, the fellow shoppers in my area have the same sentiment.

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