US Post Office

My neighbor asked if I’d like to run some bike errands with her, saying she was headed to the library and post office. It just so happened that I had a package I’d been meaning to mail to my friend in England, so I grabbed some bungee cords, strapped the box to my rack, and away we went.
Living near the Walker Theatre, I was under the impression I would have to drive to a post office, since the beautiful downtown building marked «U.S. Courthouse and Post Office» is now the «Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse» and no longer handles mail. I was surprised not only by the fabulous location on Meridian-​just off the cultural trail and totally bikeable-​but also by the jovial service — it’s always a good sign when there’s laughter behind the counter. Well, unless it’s maniacal laughter. There’s a reason «going postal» entered the lexicon, but this crew seem to be surviving the long lines and paperwork with humor.

Can’t deny this is my post office given the convenience of location and parking. However, I usually feel like a criminal in the lines as the environment is super stressful and not friendly. I have seldom received a smile back from the staff members.
I sent a package via standard delivery to my friend in San Antonio, I checked it’s tracking number after 10 days to discover the package is heading back to Indianapolis! How weird is that! I got to figure it out. One advice, ask the staff how to write the address and where exactly they want the to and from addresses written.

Horrifically inefficient post office location – with only one person working behind a register, it’s no wonder the line doesn’t move. Also contributing to this office’s inefficiency is its lack of an automatic machine for buying stamps and mailing packages. I thought that was de rigueur at post offices by now (especially those in busy downtown locations like this one), but I was apparently mistaken.
Do downtown Indy a favor and get a ²⁴⁄₇ USPS machine!

I have to mail a ton of birthday and Christmas gifts (yes, it’s like well into February right now) so to avoid paying half a mortgage at fed-​ex, I’ll go to the post office. Considering the distance this is a great location.
However, the customer service is less than efficient. In fact, you could take a nap, do your taxes, play hopscotch, and beat four levels on candy crush all while waiting in a line of two people. The mail clerks (attendants? Cashiers?) are all very kind and completely unenthusiastic about what you’re sending to gran gran. Not that they necessarily have to be jumping for joy, it’s just obvious their thusies are gone.
Do not expect in and out service, put at least a quarter in the meter if you have to. Please have all your stuff together before you reach the counter.
Having your items ready to be mailed seems to help you, the clerk, and the overall flow of things!

There was no line and the two workers were super friendly. The lady at the counter provided me with free tape to make sure the book didn’t fall out of the envelope. It was almost faster (and easier) than sending an email! Ok, not really, but a welcome change from my local post office in Denver!

The Meridian Street Post Office is up there with the BMV –the kind of places I’d rather scratch my eyeballs out than go to. So, I’ll keep this short and tart to save you the pain.
–the lines are long — almost all times of the day — avoid at lunch time
–I can’t quite put my finger on it but I always seem to feel like a fool by the time I’m done figuring out which package is which and how to seal it and how to properly label and so on and so forth.
–The friendliness of the mail staff is hit or miss — I most often get the vibe that these folks loathe their jobs. However, there is one woman who stands out as having patient and quick service. (yes, I said patient and quick in the same sentence)
–Lastly, I must note, no matter how much I want to avoid going here — this will continue to be my post office due to it’s prime location. I’ll be back — scratched eyeballs and all.

This post office has had some bad reviews in the past but the current counter staff is very efficient and helpful. I ship packages (on average every 1 – 2 weeks) and have noticed an improvement in staff. I like this location as an alternative to the larger South St. Office which is less convenient location-​wise). I would try to avoid the 12 – 1 lunch rush that seems to occur here. So glad this office exists for those of us on the north end of downtown.

They have the machine now so you can mail packages without going to the counter. I have to go here often to pick up packages… I’ve never had an issue with customer service… other than they are pretty slow sometimes. There was a long line and they didn’t seem to care. One guy was like «I can’t help you, I have to get off the clock.» No one has ever been rude though. Then again, if the post office was efficient, it probably wouldn’t be losing millions a year…

Nice people, always have the stamps I like.

I dread going to this post office. On the rare occasion I need stamps, I stop at a USPS on the north side, where I can use one of the kiosks. But if I have a package to pick up? Uggggh. Saturday, my mail carrier tried to deliver a package and left a slip for me. First thing Monday morning, I was at the post office to claim it. The desk clerk couldn’t find it so she got hte manager. 25 minutes later, I had my box. Sigh. That’s par for the course. There used to be a guy who worked there who seemed stoned all the time but he was, oddly, the most efficient worker there. Now it’s a surly, uninspired group. I’m sure most people don’t grow up, dreaming about working for the post office … but, for Pete’s sake, don’t take your misery out on your customers!

this post office has went downhill, i’m missing several former Favorite clerks
How many people does it take to fix one station & put him on a working station!!!
it averages 1 clerk to about 6 people in the lobby
although i do love using those big overnight boxes, i sent ears of corn to a friend in Boston

Customer service at this location definitely leaves more to be desired and they don’t have an APC, so you’re stuck with going to the counter for any and everything you need.
Usually don’t have to wait too long in line though.

My trip to the BMV for new tags was faster. I’m not kidding.
Located at the corner of Meridian & Michigan, an ideal spot for a U-​shaped drive-​thru /​drop-​off section, there is only inside access to delivering mail here. Then, the sidewalk between the parking lot & the building is dug up and blocked off by their construction so we must risk walking in the street to get to the door.
Once inside, I did appreciate the attention to detail in their door placard language. The exit door did not just say «exit,» it said, «no entry,» just in case us rebels feel like we should be entering the «exit» door. Then, after the wait, when I really want to rebel, they frightened me away from using the entry as the exit with Sartre-​ian use of «No Exit.» Nooooooooo… I’m trapped in an elevator with strangers!
While waiting, 1 window open, 3 workers stand around. Eventually, after 10 minutes, and my espresso fully quaffed, she readies the window. So, I have a brick of thank you holiday letters to send out. «I’d like these sent first class please.»
«D’you count ‘em?»
«Would you like me to?»
«How am I supposed to know how many stamps I’m sellin’ you?»
So the USPS doesn’t have one of those nifty first-​class, zip thru quick machines? I have to hand count them? Shouldn’t you hand count them? Oh, wait, no, you stand around and wonder about your next hair color, I’ll count ‘em. But don’t think this strange moustached man is not going to fill your ear with strange news stories & conversation, I am engaging you while counting.
Oh, sweet, then you’re just going to have me put all the stamps on, too.
I totally could’ve done this at home!
This was just a bizarre experience.
It just bothers me when government-​paid employees aren’t employing their obligation to work. It’s just so damn emblematic of waste. There the FedEx Guy and UPS Guys literally sprint to & fro from truck to door, and there you are… fit to be feckless forever. And, here we are, being nickel & dimed on our time & dimes. Not cool.