Jen has been in Macedonia for almost two weeks. We all are learning and adapting at a rapid rate. She has regular food and water, internet service, healing blisters, Vesna, an office, students, the BIG 10 Network, Shakespeare, and is learning and procuring more foundational pieces each day!
One of the great pieces of knowledge we have been researching is an understanding of the MAIL. How do we ship? How does it arrive to her? How dependable is it? What choice will produce our desired outcomes?
What are my desired outcomes?
Dependability - I want what I send, mail, and ship to get to her. This may be way out of my control. So, I will have to develop of some level of acceptance of this desire. Hope to learn how to make the best choices to produce the greatest likelihood of dependability.
Expected time of delivery - There are all sorts of options, but cost will be a huge factor in determining which I choose. Sorry Jen, but I am not going to spend $687 for overnight delivery of 4 pounds which is expanded delivery within 3-5 days! OUCH! There is a lot to learn in this world on international mail.
Delivery to Jen, not held at the post office - I am searching for the method of mailing that allows for delivery to her office. Transportation, language and dependence upon others are factors Jen is still learning and mastering. I don’t want her to have to leave campus, find the post office, and fetch her mail. I want it to come to her office.
Postage and fees prepaid - We hear that if there are fees or postage not PREPAID on mailings to Macedonia, then you have to go to the post office and pay to receive your mail. This is not what I hope for the mail I send to Jen. It is not much fun if the packages from the U.S. cost you to receive them.
So there you have it, those are my desired outcomes. Oh my word, how do I accomplish these?
Well, we continue to ask various Macedonians on the SEE University staff. I have researched online with USPS, UPS, and FED EX. And now am ready to go to my closest USPS station and ask. I can read and have read thoroughly the international mail and shipping information, and I find what I think serves to most likely produce my desired outcomes; but I want to go to the professional and make sure I am making the best choice.
At my local postal station I am greeted and served by a gracious, and in all my measures, capable and effective clerk! THANK YOU! He carefully listened to my desired outcomes and then walked me through the different options, their delivery times, costs, weights, customs, etc. What a wealth of information! He helped me write on the various postal envelopes and boxes the options and costs of each. He assisted me with the various labels and forms. I had examples to take home and use as references for the coming months and the various types of mailing and shipping I might prepare. WOW! I felt ready and able to write the International Shippers’ Handbook! What great customer service. I now felt informed and assured enough that I could ship to Jen and experience my desired outcomes!
A courteous and competent customer service professional is a gift!
Thank you to an awesome USPS clerk!
No comments:
Post a Comment