August 10, 2010

White Dog and Quinn had shopped very carefully and wrapped and packaged their Paw It Forward gifts in tissue to provide additional play value when the box was opened. They excitedly made sure nothing was left out when we taped shut the boxes. They followed me to the computer to generate Postage Online tags for the packages.

Oh no, a snag! One of the boxes goes to Ginger Jasper who happens to live in England...you cannot do International mail online (according to the site). No problem, I reassured the now nervous pups, we'll call our Post Office and find out all the details.

Well you can't just call your neighborhood USPS anymore; at least not easily. The number on the website connects you to a centralized USPS information site.

White Dog has been with us here in New Mexico long enough to have learned that many Americans outside of the Southwest are geographically challenged. They think we are not part of the USA but rather citizens of Mexico...OLD Mexico! This happens more often than one might think. And so it was with the Customer Care representative that attempted to "help" us get GJ's gifts to him.

White Dog and The Other White Dog heard me give our address and then say, "yes that is our zip code...we ARE in the United States...I said NEW Mexico, it IS a state, we have a zip code..." By this point White Dog was lying down eyes closed and Quinn was having fits over the fact that his first Paw It Forward encounter was heading off the cliff. "What do you mean I need to talk with the Postal Service in Mexico for International rates to England? The package is going from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA to England...yes FROM the United States!" WD muttered, "just give up and have dad take it to our post office, I hope they'll know we are one of the States!" One last try and when the CSR offered to try and find an 800 number for the Mexican Postal Service, I gave up.

As we ended the call my misinformed government worker said (as I am sure she is scripted), "Was I able to help you with your question today? Are you satisfied with my assistance?" From my feet came White Dog's reply, "¡Usted tiene que embromar!" (you have to be kidding!)

Don't worry our handsome orange feline friend, somehow someone at our Post Office is going to help us get your package to you...