The Worst Time to Drop Off Packages at the Post Office

Although this varies from post office to post office, in general Mondays and especially the Tuesday after a 3-day weekend are going to be the busiest.  During the lunch hour usually has longer lines than non-peak hours.  Just before closing time generally sees a mad rush of last-minute customers.  This is the absolute worse time to drop off your packages - just before closing time.

Helpful Hints:

1.  Sellers should print out their shipping labels on their home/business computer and have all of their packages ready to just drop off at the post office.  Getting to the post office just before they lock the door - mailing 10 packages that need to be weighed, insured, and delivery confirmationed (is that a word?) - may give the postal worker a heart attack!  Each post office has its own closing time based on the time the mail will be picked up and transported to a distribution center.  Postal workers have a small window of time from closing time until the mail gets picked up by the mail truck.  When someone comes in with lots of packages at the last minute . . .  well, you can imagine.

2.  Talk to your local postmaster or retail clerk - find out when the best time is for your post office - not all post offices are the same.

3.  Besides having your own scale, stock up on the things you need: stamps, Priority Mail envelopes and boxes, forms, etc.

Conclusion:

Just before closing time is the worst time to drop off / pick up packages at the Post Office.