My Post Office's scale gives readings that are way too high!

[brucerf]

The weight scale at my local post office is incorrect and giving readings that are way off. This had happened last year on a few occasions and although I pointed it out nothing changed. They did push a button on the scale to re-set it or calibrate it but that didn't change the readings. So I stopped using that PO. And then I spoke to an employee some time later there and she said that others had complained and they got a new scale. So I was very surprised last week when I returned there for the first time in a long while, and the problem was happening again. Examples from just yesterday:

   A 1#11oz package was read as 2#14oz! A 9 oz package read as 14 oz. These are serious errors. Is the problem with my digital scale at home? Not at all - I have a series of marked weights which I use to test my scale, and Iast week when this happened at my PO, I didn't ship my package and took it to two other PO's, and their weight scales both agreed with mine! Also I have been in the habit of checking the package weights before shipping in the past year, and my readings at home have been in agreement with other PO's in my area.
  So what is going on here? Have other people experienced this problem? I spoke to my local PO's postmaster about this yesterday. He didn't know where his calibrated weights were, so he took my phone number and said he would call once he tested his scale. (Another PO knew exactly where their calibrated weights were when I asked about this.) As of today I still have not heard from this Postmaster.
  I would like to hear if others have had this problem and how was it dealt with. I plan on bringing some of my weights to my PO to have them check their scale, but don't know if they will cooperate (I may have to package them and then ask them to weigh them.)

Any suggestions on what can be done?

[stuff-from-jewel-and-the-gang]

all "measuring" devices for public "use" are routinely calibrated by our weights & measures office .... scales, dryer times at laundrymat, gas pumps, grocery scales ...

you could report if you have such an office ..

[nobody*s_perfect]

Your Postmaster clearly isn't doing his job; perhaps deliberately.  You need to complain over his head, to the USPS 

https://www.usps.com/help/contact-us.htm

Meanwhile, it really isn't necessary for a local PO to be checking the weight of a package in the first place.

[johnrj1226]

"Meanwhile, it really isn't necessary for a local PO to be checking the weight of a package in the first place."

Please  clarify what you mean by the above . 

My local PO always puts my "prepaid" packages on the  scales to make certain I have paid the correct postage amount and/or have not exceed the max weight limits.

[sam9876]

I dump my packages in the bin.  No weighing required.

[plumbingspecials]

Are you weighing your items before you package them?

Because there's Item Weight and there's Shipping Weight. Big difference.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@johnrj1226 wrote:

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 ... My local PO always puts my "prepaid" packages on the  scales to make certain I have paid the correct postage amount and/or have not exceed the max weight limits.

In addition to not calibrating their scales, your PO is not up to date on current USPS pocedures for dealing with underpaid postage.

https://www.usps.com/business/verify-postage.htm

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/ship-smart/ebay-shipping-partners/avoid-extra-postage-costs....

You can drop your packages in the bin, or order Carrier Pickup.  Do they think that carriers bring a scale to the door when they pick up your packages and scan them in?

[johnrj1226]

Yeah, our PO "used" to have package bins many years ago.  Now the bins are limited to packages  up to 13 oz.  All other packages  must go inside to the counter.  Plus the drop bins will only accept  a  certain size box.  Guess the new APV system will catch the drop & go  folks that try to short sheet the USPS.

[iaintdoingit]

The PO has their own weights for calibration -- they don't need yours.  Ask them to calibrate while your at the counter.  Seems pretty easy for me.

I've even gotten the POs weights to calibrate my scales.  15 minutes round trip and everything was good!

Maybe I'm just lucky with fantastic mail service both at my street address and at the Post Office.

[brucerf]

Yes I understand the difference. The weights I'm talking about are the weights of the packages once they're sealed and ready for shipment.

[sam9876]

The 13 ounce rule only applies to packages that are paid for with stamps.

[johnrj1226]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@johnrj1226 wrote:

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 ... My local PO always puts my "prepaid" packages on the  scales to make certain I have paid the correct postage amount and/or have not exceed the max weight limits.

In addition to not calibrating their scales, your PO is not up to date on current USPS pocedures for dealing with underpaid postage.

https://www.usps.com/business/verify-postage.htm

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/ship-smart/ebay-shipping-partners/avoid-extra-postage-costs....

You can drop your packages in the bin, or order Carrier Pickup.  Do they think that carriers bring a scale to the door when they pick up your packages and scan them in?

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Our PO is certainly up to date on  current procedures and our  home scales alway seem to agree with theirs within an ounce or two.  But the are required to weigh pre labled packages the come in to the counter.  Yes they do have certain times where they  by pass that procedure - like Christmas time  high volume & long line periods, etc.  Now with the new APV system will have a better chance of catching the 'short sheeters'.  And yes it is certainly understandable that mail carriers with trucks or even those carriers  that delivery mail on foot do not have  to weigh the packages at pick up time - our carriers do scan our package pick ups.  But your comments wasn't about the carriers it was for the B & M PO folks.

[brucerf]

Hi.  As I mentioned, the Postmaster didn't know where his calibrated weights were when I asked him to check the scale. He did say something about "maybe they're in the basement". It was not encouraging...

[brucerf]

I don't print out shipping labels or have an arrangement where the postage is paid from my home. So it's off to the PO with each package for them to weigh and tell me how much for shipping.

[iaintdoingit]

The Postmaster must have their head up  .  .  .  .  .  .  .!  Just back from our PO and was told that each Post Office 'is' required to have weights available at all times.

For me, I know where the weights are visibly stored and do know several on-line sellers that request to use them for calibration.  My name is on the sign out sheet.  Got 30 minutes after weight pickup to "get er' done"!!!!

So sorry you are going through this.