JS
Johnnie Sanchez
Sep 22, 2026
I visited the Bath Beach Post Office today, September 22, 2026, to return two packages.
The clerk (#05) who assisted me instructed me to lift the glass door and place my first package inside the booth so that she could scan it and provide me with a receipt. After she completed the transaction and gave me my receipt, I informed her that I had another package to return.
When I lifted the glass door and placed the second package inside the booth, she responded in a very rude and condescending manner, asking me why I had not placed both packages inside at the same time.
I explained, politely, that I did not want to confuse her by putting both packages in at once. She then told me that I needed to be more aware of what I was doing. I responded, respectfully, that I apologized, but that I did not believe it was that serious.
She then asked me, “What did you say?” I repeated that I did not believe it was that serious. At that point, she told me that she was not going to serve me, said that she “didn’t need this,” and walked away from the counter.
I was left standing there without assistance. I then observed another clerk, a red-haired woman, finish assisting a customer. I asked whether she could help me, and she told me that she was only handling passports and could not assist me with my package return. Shortly afterward, I observed her assisting another customer and speaking to him in an equally confrontational manner regarding his passport photographs.
After approximately ten minutes, the original clerk returned to her station. I approached her again and asked whether she was now willing to assist me. I also apologized if anything I had said had made her uncomfortable.
Instead of simply completing the transaction, she told me that I needed to understand that lifting the glass doors was “very heavy and a lot” for her to do all day. While I can appreciate that employees may have physical limitations or job-related concerns, those issues should be addressed with management rather than taken out on customers.
What concerns me most is the manner in which this entire situation was handled. I made a simple mistake by not placing both packages inside the booth at the same time. Instead of calmly explaining the procedure, the interaction escalated unnecessarily, and I was ultimately refused service.
Customers should not have to tolerate hostility, condescension, or an employee walking away from them because of a minor misunderstanding. If an employee is experiencing difficulty performing a routine physical aspect of the job, that is something that should be addressed through the appropriate management channels and should not become the customer's problem.
I am requesting that management review this incident, including the conduct of Clerk #05, and determine whether additional customer-service training is necessary. I would also like this complaint documented and would appreciate a response regarding how this matter will be addressed.
Location: Bath Beach Post Office
Date: September 22, 2026
Clerk: #05