The Best Invention Ever!!!

oliegirl · 12-13-2005, 01:09 PM

The automated postal machine at the post office. Instead of having to wait in a HUGE line of people mailing boxes and packages, I just swiped my credit card and got my stamps! Woo Hoo! God Bless the USPS!

Buccaneer · 12-13-2005, 01:15 PM

I have been using that exclusively for over a year now, esp. when I started selling stuff each week on eBay. The only complaint I have is that you can't get two extra services (like Insurance and Delivery Confirmation). My wife had two boxes to mail out yesterday. There were over 25 people in the regular line and only 1 in the self-serve line. Are majority of people that stupid to not know how to use self-service?

timmynausea · 12-13-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I have been using that exclusively for over a year now, esp. when I started selling stuff each week on eBay. The only complaint I have is that you can't get two extra services (like Insurance and Delivery Confirmation). My wife had two boxes to mail out yesterday. There were over 25 people in the regular line and only 1 in the self-serve line. Are majority of people that stupid to not know how to use self-service?

The only time we wait in the real line is when shipping something overseas because you can't use the machine for that. I doubt all those people were doing that, though.

Butter_of_69 · 12-13-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

There were over 25 people in the regular line and only 1 in the self-serve line. Are majority of people that stupid to not know how to use self-service?

Have you ever been to the self-checkout at a supermarket and watched people try to figure out how to use it?

The answer is: yes.

Buccaneer · 12-13-2005, 01:22 PM

But at the P.O., there is usually someone there to help. When my wife was on it yesterday, a P.O. was helping here every step of the way even though she knew how to do it. At the grocery store and at Home Depot, I have always seen an employee right there to help in case of any problems.

Butter_of_69 · 12-13-2005, 01:24 PM

Whenever I have been to the post office, there is no one to help with using the self-service thing. That kind of defeats the purpose of the machine, doesn't it?

oliegirl · 12-13-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

But at the P.O., there is usually someone there to help. When my wife was on it yesterday, a P.O. was helping here every step of the way even though she knew how to do it. At the grocery store and at Home Depot, I have always seen an employee right there to help in case of any problems.

I guess I must be really smart then, b/c I had never used one before but managed to figure it out all by myself!

PilotMan · 12-13-2005, 02:21 PM

My wife would disagree with you on this one.

Buccaneer · 12-13-2005, 02:27 PM

So, besides international shipping and multiple extra services, why aren't more using the machine? It really is very simple.

Klinglerware · 12-13-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Have you ever been to the self-checkout at a supermarket and watched people try to figure out how to use it?

The answer is: yes.

I don't mind the stamp vending machines, but for some reason, I cannot bear to use the self-checkout aisle in the supermarket. I still don't like the idea of doing the work they pay their cashiers/baggers to do and which they are charging me for as part of the retail mark-up.

If there were a discount for self-checkout I wouldn't mind so much, but utilizing self-checkout seems like paying the retailer to do their work for them...

Butter_of_69 · 12-13-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

If there were a discount for self-checkout I wouldn't mind so much, but utilizing self-checkout seems like paying the retailer to do their work for them...

I think the idea is that if you have a few items, it's faster to go through the self-checkout line... which it is if you know what you're doing. I don't think they're necessarily trying to make you do their work for them, just trying to shorten lines.

Pumpy Tudors · 12-13-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

I don't mind the stamp vending machines, but for some reason, I cannot bear to use the self-checkout aisle in the supermarket. I still don't like the idea of doing the work they pay their cashiers/baggers to do and which they are charging me for as part of the retail mark-up.

If there were a discount for self-checkout I wouldn't mind so much, but utilizing self-checkout seems like paying the retailer to do their work for them...

At the grocery store I go to, you can use the self-checkout, but they have employees to bag the stuff for you. I think that's a pretty decent deal.

Klinglerware · 12-13-2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I think the idea is that if you have a few items, it's faster to go through the self-checkout line... which it is if you know what you're doing. I don't think they're necessarily trying to make you do their work for them, just trying to shorten lines.

I know, it's just a personal issue for me. In fact, the counter-argument is that using self-checkout saves you in terms of time and productivity by not having to wait in line. (Although, I don't see much of a time difference between the self-checkout line and the 10 items or less express aisle most of the time.)

Subby · 12-13-2005, 04:51 PM

Fritz told me this was the best invention ever:

stevew · 12-13-2005, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Fritz told me this was the best invention ever:

Gotta love the hello kitty vibrator.

Mustang · 12-13-2005, 07:31 PM

I thought this was the greatest invention ever???

Hey good lookin', We'll be back to pick you up later!

Critch · 12-13-2005, 07:40 PM

The Greatest Invention Ever is TiVo. Fact!

oliegirl · 12-13-2005, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilotMan

My wife would disagree with you on this one.

Well, there are lots of other reasons that I am really smart, this is just the most recent example

Craptacular · 12-13-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

But at the P.O., there is usually someone there to help. When my wife was on it yesterday, a P.O. was helping here every step of the way even though she knew how to do it. At the grocery store and at Home Depot, I have always seen an employee right there to help in case of any problems.

The ones at Home Depot suck ... well, that's pretty much in line with the rest of their service.

ice4277 · 12-13-2005, 10:12 PM

Can you do Priority Mail at the automated counter? I send stuff out Priority quite often but haven't really looked into using the kiosk to do so.

Buccaneer · 12-13-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ice4277

Can you do Priority Mail at the automated counter? I send stuff out Priority quite often but haven't really looked into using the kiosk to do so.

Most definitely. I even done Registered Mail once.

Desnudo · 12-14-2005, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

I don't mind the stamp vending machines, but for some reason, I cannot bear to use the self-checkout aisle in the supermarket. I still don't like the idea of doing the work they pay their cashiers/baggers to do and which they are charging me for as part of the retail mark-up.

If there were a discount for self-checkout I wouldn't mind so much, but utilizing self-checkout seems like paying the retailer to do their work for them...

Now you are waiting the extra time in line and paying for the retail mark-up that they charge to cover the cost of installing self-checkout machines.

JeeberD · 12-14-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew

Gotta love the hello kitty vibrator.

I thought it was the Hello Kitty Tampon Applicator...

MikeVick7 · 12-14-2005, 09:19 AM

I think the best invention ever is the internet. Cause with the internet, I've virtually eliminated every need to go to the post office.

albionmoonlight · 12-14-2005, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

I don't mind the stamp vending machines, but for some reason, I cannot bear to use the self-checkout aisle in the supermarket. I still don't like the idea of doing the work they pay their cashiers/baggers to do and which they are charging me for as part of the retail mark-up.

If there were a discount for self-checkout I wouldn't mind so much, but utilizing self-checkout seems like paying the retailer to do their work for them...

I agree. If stores had started with self-checkout, and a fancy upscale store came out with the idea of having people to scan and bag your groceries for you, people would be raving over that and probably pay a premium for it.

Also, as a former bag boy, I like to keep the sector employed.

12-13-2005, 01:24 PM	#6
Butter_of_69 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dayton, OH	Whenever I have been to the post office, there is no one to help with using the self-service thing. That kind of defeats the purpose of the machine, doesn't it? __________________ My listening habits

12-13-2005, 02:21 PM	#8
PilotMan Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	My wife would disagree with you on this one. __________________ Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam Need an FOFC Alternative? Try the forum over in the FOFC Steam group. Look under discussions for the FOFC Steam Edition sub-forum. You have to be a member to see it and it should be the default forum for the group. Direct link to the group above or Google FOFConSteam.

12-13-2005, 04:51 PM	#14
Subby lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Shut up, rowech.	Fritz told me this was the best invention ever: __________________ Superman was flying around and saw Wonder Woman getting a tan in the nude on her balcony. Superman said I going to hit that real fast. So he flys down toward Wonder Woman to hit it and their is a loud scream. The Invincible Man scream what just hit me in the ass!!!!!

12-13-2005, 07:31 PM	#16
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	I thought this was the greatest invention ever??? Hey good lookin', We'll be back to pick you up later! __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

12-14-2005, 09:19 AM	#24
MikeVick7 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ron, Mexico	I think the best invention ever is the internet. Cause with the internet, I've virtually eliminated every need to go to the post office. __________________ Hattrick - Seattle Reign (224367)

12-13-2005, 01:15 PM	#2
Buccaneer Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	I have been using that exclusively for over a year now, esp. when I started selling stuff each week on eBay. The only complaint I have is that you can't get two extra services (like Insurance and Delivery Confirmation). My wife had two boxes to mail out yesterday. There were over 25 people in the regular line and only 1 in the self-serve line. Are majority of people that stupid to not know how to use self-service?

12-13-2005, 01:22 PM	#5
Buccaneer Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	But at the P.O., there is usually someone there to help. When my wife was on it yesterday, a P.O. was helping here every step of the way even though she knew how to do it. At the grocery store and at Home Depot, I have always seen an employee right there to help in case of any problems.

12-13-2005, 02:27 PM	#9
Buccaneer Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	So, besides international shipping and multiple extra services, why aren't more using the machine? It really is very simple.

12-13-2005, 07:40 PM	#17
Critch lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Herndon, VA	The Greatest Invention Ever is TiVo. Fact!

12-13-2005, 10:12 PM	#20
ice4277 Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Berkley, MI: The Hotbed of FOFC!	Can you do Priority Mail at the automated counter? I send stuff out Priority quite often but haven't really looked into using the kiosk to do so.

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