Question: Please, please, please do a column to enlighten people that mailing labels for U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail packages can be printed at home from a personal computer and charged to a credit card. You can access this by setting up an account at usps.com. Once your package is ready to ship, the Postal Service will pick it up, or you can take it to a postal bin, without waiting in line. I go to the post office frequently to pick up registered mail and am always amazed at the lines of people trying to mail U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail items, especially at Christmas time. I’m also amazed that virtually none of the people I’ve talked to while standing in line to collect my business mail have any idea that this service is available. They don’t believe how great it is, they’d rather stand in line. Even Postal Service employees seem unaware, or perhaps choose not to mention it.
Answer: You’re referring to the U.S. Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship service, and it is as convenient as you describe, for customers with a credit card, email address, internet-connected device and printer.
Lest anyone suspect otherwise, you are not an active or retired postal worker. In fact, you wrote to Kokua Line to spread the word because you believe the Postal Service has failed to effectively do so.
For the unaware, here’s how it works: After creating an account online, users can pay for and print shipping labels on plain paper, using tape or mailing glue to affix the labels to the boxes. Use a flat-rate box from the Postal Service, or fill your own, weigh it and purchase the correct amount of postage. Once the package is ready, use the online tool to schedule free pickup on your next mail delivery date or later. Or you can drop off the package yourself, going straight to the postal bin and avoiding the line to the counter.
As for the people you’ve encountered, we can’t imagine why they’d rather stand in line, assuming that they have the necessary tools at home. Perhaps they generally avoid using a credit card on the internet. Some USPS databases were hacked in 2014, disclosing personal information, but Click-N-Ship was not affected, according to news reports at the time.
On a related note, the Postal Service suggested that first-class and Priority Mail to the mainland be postmarked no later than today for the best chance of delivery by Christmas. Items mailed via Priority Express should be postmarked by Thursday.
Q: I thought you could only bring a service dog on TheBus.
A: No, that’s incorrect. “Small animals in a cage or carrier than can be placed under a seat or on the passenger’s lap without inconvenience to other passengers” also are allowed, according to rules posted on TheBus website.
To be clear, such pets are to remain in the cage or carrier for the duration of the bus ride. We’ve heard a few complaints about people who take their pets out of the cage or carrier as soon as they sit down and the bus driver isn’t looking.
Mahalo
Mahalo to the people who helped me when I fell at the Honolulu City Lights. I fell flat on my face and injured my front teeth, busted my lip and scraped my knees and toes. Thank you to those who helped me get up and gave me tissues and ice water. I didn’t get a chance to express my gratitude. I’d like to say “thank you very much.” — Grateful senior citizen
Mahalo
Mahalo to Tripler Army Medical Center for its annual lighted Christmas tree display that extends the season’s joy to its community. It is an annual exhibit that I look forward to and immensely enjoy. — Grateful neighbor
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
