USPS VS UPS

Just today, I needed to mail a package and took it to the closest UPS store. It is far easier to drive into the parking lot, get out of my car, and carry my package into the UPS store than go to the local post office to send a package on its way. While there, I decided to purchase some stamps. Four sets of twenty stamps – that’s what I asked the UPS clerk for. I got the stamps, paid for everything, and returned home.

At home, I started calculating the expense. Each set of stamps cost $23; $1.15 for each of the twenty stamps in the set. That seemed like too much. So, I asked my trusty computer what the cost of a Forever stamp is in today’s world. The answer:  a letter stamp costs $.73. Feeling that I’d been “taken” and had not been very careful with my purchase, I asked my trusty computer how to contact USPS. Perhaps, I thought, UPS has the right to charge more for a stamp than USPS.

There is a contact place on the USPS website to “chat” with an “expert” in these things. So, I clicked on that button and up popped a space for the chat. This expert was pictured and named, James.

USPS:  Welcome! How can I help with your important question? (This is probably – definitely?? – an AI thing. But, I figured, I’d give it a try.)

So I explained:  I just purchased 4 sets of 20 letter stamps at my UPS store. I was charged $23.00 for each set. That means, I paid $1.15 per stamp. And, yet, the USPS stamp cost for forever stamps is $.73. Why do you think that charge was so much more?

AI responded:  It sounds like you’re concerned about the pricing difference for the stamps. Could you tell me if the stamps purchased were special or commemorative editions?

Me:  2 sets were the standard “flag” stamps. 2 sets were the “bird with envelope” (valentine??) stamps.

AI:  Thank you for providing those details. Did you receive any additional services or products during your visit to the UPS store that might have been included in the total cost?

Me:  Although I did send a package, I was charged separately for that shipping. The stamp purchase was in addition to that shipping charge. (See how polite I’m being to this machine!)

AI:  OK. Thanks for the info. The Expert can help with your question about the stamp pricing discrepancy. Is there anything else they should know before I connect you?

Me:  No. Except that I think UPS may be adding their own charge for the stamps – which they should not do.

At this time, a small picture of a woman, identified as Pearl Chatbot popped up.  Pearl Chatbot, Expert’s Assistant

With the picture came this pop-up message:  OK, got it. Here’s a secure form to join JustAnswer for $5 (fully-refundable). While you’re filling this out, I’ll tell the Expert about your situation and then connect you two.

A second pop-up are came into view that allowed me to enter personal information about paying for this “JustAnswer for $5.”

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I DID NOT fill out the form. Another pop-up screen told me:  47 Experts are online now.
It even gave me the photographs of three of these “experts.” Their pictures were below the statement.

Note here, I couldn’t get the computer to bring in their photographs.

James Consultant  15,674 Satisfied Customers

Expert??:  Hi, we’re online right now and ready to answer your question. Get the answer you need in minutes. Cancel anytime if not satisfied.

About this time, I’m thinking – I don’t think so, Tim! And, left the site. Tomorrow, I’ll take the stamps and my receipt back to the UPS and get a refund. Still need the stamps. Will I have to go to the post office to get them?  Or, will I just wait until I go to the grocery store and get them from the person when I’m checking out. I’ve done that before and didn’t pay $1.15 per stamp.

Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.