The local one will get you to the office, the toll-free one will send you to national customer service, which is not as informed on daily procedures at the local office.Īnother restriction to keep in mind is size- while your local office is happy to accept your mail-forwarding package, maybe even your new InstantPot, they may not have the room to accept your solar panels, lithium batteries, pet food order, etc. Again, we emphasize using the local number on the USPS website, not their toll-free number. Restrictions may include handling fees, additional postage, registering in advance to receive mail, etc. ![]() While you have their attention, ask if there are any special circumstances related to General Delivery. How do you avoid this surprise? Reach out to the post office location in advance and speak with their postmaster to confirm that they do receive General Delivery. These are not consistent across all locations, so it can be alarming to find out that you cannot have your mail until you fulfill additional requirements set by that particular location. Some locations apply fees and/or restrictions to use of their General Delivery service. You’ve used the USPS website to find a location, confirmed they do actually receive and distribute General Delivery mail, AND it’s near your campsite! Perfect! Now it’s time to go pick up your mail. Save yourself some time by confirming this information before you arrive. In smaller towns, where staffing is often lighter, you may only be able to pick up in a 2-3 hour window. While most post offices are open 8:00 AM to 5:00PM, they may not have staff on-hand to manage pick-up services all throughout the day. That initial phone call is also a great time to ask if that location limits pickup to certain hours. If you’re there during morning rush hour, lunchtime, or afternoon rush hour, make sure you allow yourself ample time and patience to navigate traffic, and maybe pack a snack for your ‘hike.’ In larger cities, such as Austin, Texas, you have to drive into the heart of downtown, drive in circles looking for street parking, give up and pay for parking in a private lot, then find your way back to the post office to wait in line and pick up your mail. In smaller towns, this may mean just driving a mile or two, parking, and walking in. However, they then route General Delivery mail to a central location, often the hub of that city, where addressees can retrieve their mail. In more populated urban areas, most post office locations DO accept General Delivery. You’re probably thinking “Come again?! Why wouldn’t they?” ![]() We specify the local number because calling the 1-800 number routes you to the national customer service line, which may not have the information you want.Ī mistake made by many travelers is assuming that a location which accepts General Delivery also holds it for you to pick up. Even though a location states it offers General Delivery services, you will want to call their local number and ensure that is truly accurate.
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