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Disclaimer – this is another postal post. But I can’t resist writing it because I 
am completely amazed.
Those of you living in the States full time are probably accustomed to such miraculous service, but I am left with my mouth agape, saying Gee Whiz over and over again.
I had five Christmas boxes to mail off, and dreaded going to the Post Office. When I went to the USPO web site to research what it would cost to mail my packages I discovered that I wouldn’t have to go to the Post Office at all; the Post Office would come to me.
That’s not quite true; I had to go to the Post Office to pick up Priority Mail boxes in which to ship the goodies. But they’re free – which means I didn’t have to stand in the long holiday line to pay for them. I simply walked in, took what I needed and walked out. I have to admit, I expected bells to ring and policemen to run out to arrest me for stealing. But no.
AND there is a flat rate for mailing these priority-rate boxes. A large box costs $12.50 to mail to a US destination, and a smaller box $9.30. It doesn’t matter how much it weighs, as long as it’s less than 70 pounds (you couldn’t get 70 pounds in those boxes unless you’re mailing gold, which I don’t recommend).
So I packed my boxes, went online, printed mailing labels and postage, paid online with a credit card, attached the labels to the boxes (I used plain paper and clear packing tape), made an online request for pick-up and that was that. This morning I put the boxes by my front door and when I returned from errands they were gone. In their place was a receipt from the mail carrier. They will be delivered from California to Vermont and points in between in 2-3 days. And I can track them.
The only way they could improve the service, I think, would be to do the shopping for me and pay for the presents. Maybe next year?
n.b. Reader Giovanni sent in a very useful comment which said, in part,
“Shall we tell to ours readers that in Italy we have a PostaCelere? You go to the Post Office buy your standard package and send it for a 10-30 euro. Your package will be delivered in 24-48 hrs in any civilized location worldwide.”
I didn’t want this very helpful information to be buried in comments. I had no idea this service was available in Italy and am happy to know about it.
An Ex-Expatriate 
Giovanni, I didn’t know about PostaCelere, and am VERY happy to have learned about it. Thanks.
I had too many things to mail to drag them all to the Post Office. Besides, the whole point is to avoid the loooong lines (especially at holidays) at the PO, something common to both countries.
The post woman is here every day anyway delivering the mail, so it’s very easy for her to take away the boxes, saving a long drive back to the Post Office and a long wait in line. Fuel savings, effort savings… I like both.
and you don’t have Art Post Office down there, do you? ha. http://www.strudelwahoo.com/post_office.htm
Nah – you’ve got me there. That’s one beautiful strawberry. Here it would probably be a federal offense to paint on the post office. Although back in the 1930’s there was a huge federal program that hired many, many artists to paint murals, etc., in public buildings, especially post offices (http://www.wpamurals.com/). Many, alas, have since been removed or painted over.
ehy Ms. Butterfly, this reminds me of Uncle Joe Belino, the emigrant. – Oh, you cannot believe, in ‘Merica you insert a coin in a slut and get a bottle of coke. – Shall we tell to ours readers that in Italy we have a PostaCelere? You go to the Post Office buy your standard package and send it for a 10-30 euro. Your package will be delivered in 24-48 hrs in any civilized location worldwide. Okay, they don’t come to pick it at your home, but why in the hell you don’t pack at the Post office, once that are you there to pick up Priority Mail boxes ? Giovanni
I had no idea they do that! Thanks for sharing. I wish other awesome services were better advertised too, like public transportation. Or library services. Oh well. How long will you be in the US, I thought you live in Italy? Happy Holidays!
Amen to public transport and library service… in fact you’ve just given me an idea for something I want to talk about – thanks! We’ll be in the US for a couple of months, then back home to Italy where we live most of the time. Happy holidays to you, too. Thanks for reading and commenting.