December 2023 by Tierra Auchmoody
It is of great trepidation that I feel so compelled to share the highly unprofessional customer service and personal experience I had today with Palo Cedro Post Office. Specifically with its Post Master, Kao Salle, and Staff Employee, Sean. Unfortunately, if this were a one time experience, I would most likely have let it go. However, it is not the first time, nor the second time, that I have been treated rudely, and with total disrespect when trying to ship a Christmas package and having to ask questions about the process and its direct cost to ship.Last week it was when I was asking why the quote was increased by $20.00, and make a call to my family to make sure we could pay the extra amount, that I encountered the utter disrespect from this office. I had stepped out in the lobby and while returning to the counter, Sean, was coming out of the doors. He abruptly turns to me and makes a snarky rhetorical question, "are you going to actually ship it this time?" Needless to say, I was taken back by his disrespectful and extremely rude behavior. When I reach the counter, the Post Master remarks with same tone, "oh, UPS wasn't any cheaper?".Today, I went in to mail a Christmas card and asked to retrieve mail from my PO Box.,The Post Master, Kao Salle, I was told that my PO Box had been closed.It was at that time, Sean, announces across the busy lobby, my box had been closed due to non-payment...Wow, I was really surprised as I had just rented it over Summer and thought I had prepaid for the year. He then loudly announced in front of everyone that I had prepaid for 6 months only. That they had given me a notice inside my box letting me know it was up for renewal. However, I rarely use the PO Box and had no idea I had 6 months, not one year, and it was cancelled within the 10 days of notice. A notice that I had not actually received.The embarrassment of having personal business announced through out the Lobby filled with other Community Customers, would have been upsetting for the lack of professionalism and customer service on it own. However, the fact that I had been expecting numerous Christmas Cards from family and friends, along with a very special Christmas present, and was informed by a very rude USPS employee explaining the process that all my Christmas cards and gift, had been returned to sender was beyond comprehension. Granted it is the time of year where emotions run high, as mine certainly did. As I grasp to understand the magnitude of the situation, it became clear I had to renew the PO Box as I was also expecting another important document within the month.It was again that the situation escalated when I was told in addition to the 6 month pre-paid fee, I would be charged and additional $25.00 late processing fee. When I asked if this could be waive due to the circumstance, I was told no by the Post Master himself. He actually tried to say it was a system issue, then admitted that he could do so but chose not to.The arrogance, rude attitude, lack of empathy, and customer care of the Post Master, and subsequently, his staff, created a negative experience throughout the Christmas season. I understand that he is a Federal Employee with many years of service, and I suspect, very tired of his job, especially during a peak Christmas Season. However, it is no excuse to ruin someone else's Christmas because of his own personal grievance.The fact that I have even taken the time to write this lengthy scenario it indicative how disturbing the experience is and has been with the Palo Cedro Post Office. Believe me when I say, I am not first, or only, person to have similar negative experiences at this Post Office location.Fortunately, this is not the customary culture that the Palo Cedro Community and businesses at large. Unfortunately, it is that this type of disrespect towards the very people who pay t their salaries has been tolerated. However, at Christmas, it is unequivocally unconscionable.
