postal service troubles

Early last year we realized that the Chinese postal service was "loosing" LOTS of packages. After a few very frustrating months and many fruitless calls to the Chinese postal service, Matt's dad figured out a fool proof way to insure packages - and have them really show up! [Some friends still send stuff the un-insured route, and it seems to have a variable success rate.]

We usually choose not to use the Chinese post to send stuff the opposite direction - it's pretty easy to find someone who is headed back to the States and have them hand-carry stuff out for us. Then, once they get to America, they can drop the package or letters in the nearest mailbox. But, we don't know anyone leaving for a month or so, and I have a few things I'd like to send to friends in the US. No problem, I thought, I'll just head down to the local post office and see what they can do for me.

The post office is a three-stop bus ride away from our apartment. I haven't been a consistent bus rider since Lydia was born (have you ever ridden a Chinese bus with two young children?? I can pretty much guarantee you would not be a big fan of the experience.) But, before Lydia, Julianna and I rode pretty frequently. It was actually kind of nice to ride with just one kid, since I was almost always offered a seat and Julianna was entertained by the other passengers.

Julianna has been asking to ride the bus again, so I figured the post office would be a perfect trip. It was Matt's day off, and the four of us decided to make it an outing. Unfortunately, when all was said and done, Julianna was the only satisfied member of our little party. The bus ride went just fine. The post office experience was a colossal waste of time and energy.

We arrived at the post office with four little packages, one envelope and one postcard. We left the post office with four little packages and one envelope, the postcard was the only thing that we actually managed to buy postage for and send on its way across the Pacific.

It's a long story as to why the packages didn't go, but the most frustrating part was the following dialogue:

Me: How much is it to ship this to the US via ground service? (We had already determined that airmail was going to be ridiculously expensive.)
Post office lady: I'm not sure.
Me: Well, can you find out?
Post office lady: That depends on what kind of packaging you want to use.
Me: I really don't care that much, I'm sure whatever packaging you suggest will be fine, can you just tell me how much it will cost?
Post office lady: Ok, well, if you use this box, it will be 97 RMB.
[I look over at Matt. The price she just quoted was about 13 dollars, and it didn't sound like quite enough to either of us. Matt decided to join the conversation.]
Matt: Recently we've had some trouble and not received a lot of packages that were shipped ground service. Can you guarantee that the package will get there?
Post office lady: Well, they usually get there.
Matt: Is there a way to get a tracking number or something?
Post office lady: No. Don't worry, I think it might get there.

Hmm, now, stop here and think. What if someone at the USPS told you to "not worry, I think it might get there." Not exactly the stuff that advertising slogans are made of, know what I mean?
We decide to abandon the package idea. We'll figure out another way. So, we turn to the one envelope.

Me: What about this? How much to send this envelope to America?
Post office lady: You want to send an envelope?
Me: Yes. Can I do that?
Post office lady: Well, that's the wrong kind of envelope.
Me: Ok, I'd like the right kind of envelope. Can I buy one here?
Post office lady: Yes.
Me: I'll take one envelope please.
Post office lady: Sorry, I don't have that kind of envelope right now. Can you come back tomorrow or maybe the next day?

Me: Forget it. What about this postcard? Can I send this to America?
Post office lady: A postcard? [She picks it up and examines it closely. Considering she works at a post office, she was remarkably intrigued by a postcard.]
Me: Yes, I just want to send this postcard to America. [At this point the whole family is hot and frustrated. Lydia - in the backpack - is getting really fussy. Another customer has arrived with a small yippy dog that is snarling at Julianna. I am having trouble remembering why I thought this was a good idea.]
Post office lady: Sure thing. No problem. That will be 3 RMB.

I look back at Matt. Not quite 50 cents? He shrugs and hands over the money. Matt picks up a grateful Julianna (the dog was still a yipping and blocking her exit) and we head back to the bus stop for our trip home.

Success? Well, the four little packages and envelope are still in my possession and I have no idea if the postcard will actually arrive at its intended destination. But, I did write a few more postcards. Julianna and I are thinking about another bus ride down to the post office. I might take the envelope too - wish us luck!