The UPS Store

(This is for the UPS Store located inside the HBG Convention Center)
I normally don’t send mail through any other location other than the Post Office, but I thought I’d give this place a shot since it was conveniently located inside the convention center (where I was attending a conference).
The staff were initially very happy to accept my postcards which already had stamps on them. However, they were hesitant to take my 6×9-inch envelopes (which had one stamp each on them) and proceeded to weigh them on the scale. This location actually issues postage using a meter (just like the PO) but they charge a surcharge. After a minute of waiting, I was told that the envelope was a «flat» and therefore required an additional 82 cents «postage» (actual postage plus surcharge) on top of the 49 cent stamp which was already on it. (This was a one-​ounce letter.) I questioned his logic because 6×9 is still considered «letter» sized (so long as you remove the metal clamp on the back of the envelope). However, I chose not to argue with him and took my letter back. I then went to the Post Office at the court house adjacent to the Alamo. The clerk did a quick weigh on the scale before accepting the letter with no questions asked.
(FYI if this really were a «flat» or large envelope, the postage would be 98 cents (or 2 stamps), so the UPS store would make a 33-​cent profit off of their stated price of $ 1.31.)
I can appreciate that a surcharge is charged as it is a non-​UPS service the UPS Store offers; however, the staff needs to be retrained on how to classify envelopes for the purpose of charging postage. I certainly hope this was not an intentional money-​grab.
Unless you’re mailing large packages, I highly recommend going to a USPS location (closest one being the court house near the Alamo) to mail your letters and small packages.