Nasa Postal Blog

Recently, a good customer came into the store to ship a box he purchased, several years ago, at flea market.  The box contained about 20 military medals of a paratrooper earned during the Viet Nam War.

The customer, a retired law enforcement officer, had during the last several years attempted to find the recipient, reaching dead ends each time.  Continued networking via various Veteran organizations, the investigator was able to find out the town where this quiet hero now resides.  Reaching out to a local veteran, also a law enforcement officer, this gentleman went to the home and told the man about the box.  The quiet hero was stunned and so very pleased that the medals had been found.  He was also delighted to learn that he would be receiving them soon.
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We sent the box on Friday and received word that the medals arrived on Monday.  It was a very happy day for all of us!  And we are thankful that this quiet hero’s medals are home.

I did not know how prices had increased until recently when I ordered shipping box inventory replenishment.  Rate increases in January and April resulted in a 30% increase in the cost of a shipping box just from last December.

Then earlier this week, I looked at the UPS website and saw that their small mail boxes were $30 a month.  We are 30% less than that.
And we notify you when a package or bar coded item arrives, sign on your behalf so you don’t have to stand in line at the Post Office to receive your item.  You have 24 hour access and can pick up parcels after hours if arranged in advance.  We also let you know when your box is up for renewal, so you don’t have the inconvenience of cancellation.

​I just can’t imagine paying more and getting less.

Earlier this week, a lady came in and inquired about shipping a laptop to an African country. I suggested that she also investigate the postal system in the country and customs or duty on an electronic device as some countries require an internal ministry / office to authorize the import of that item. Sadly, some counties, in all areas of the globe, make the receiver jump through hoops to receive the item, charging onerous duties, taxes and copies of visas or other documents exhausting the receiver who just gives up and abandons the item. Published rules are subject to change without notice.

Many times, we suggest that the sender just wire the money and let the receiver purchase the item locally. We also sometimes suggest that the sender visit the country and take the item as a personal possession leaving it with the host upon their departure.

The beauty of going to visit a friend in a remote country has many benefits: you spend time with someone you care about; you get to see firsthand how they live and work; you have a chance to see the local artist produce their craft and when you purchase that piece of art, you are giving money to the producer who then buys food and medicine for their family. And when you return, you have firsthand stories of your trip, your experience and the local craft. Travel is a wonderful way to share and build bridges. It deepens our understanding and compassion of the world.

While some shipments go smoothly, many times the well-intended gift gets lost or arrives with some items missing. It is beyond our control or ability to mitigate. Ship carefully and cautiously.