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Package deal: long lines, but happy customers Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming Jody Dwyer, of Central Point, waits her turn in line at the downtown Medford post office to mail holiday packages Friday afternoon. Postal representatives advise last-minute mailers to have their packages properly packed and addressed. Mail Christmas presents Monday at latest, P.O. says By Meg Landers Donna Bachek had one thought as she entered the Medford post office Friday and saw the line: "Oh no. Why didn�t I come earlier today?" Arms stacked with Christmas packages going to Ohio, New York and Arizona, the Medford resident admitted this was not the end of her postal mailings. "I�ll have some Monday morning," she said, "to go to San Francisco." This time of year, parcels processed through the Medford branch of the U.S. Postal Service increase from the normal 7,000 to 9,000 pieces per day to 30,000, said Skip Weaver, supervisor of customer services. Weaver expects the letters, which normally number from 110,000 to 120,000 per day, to reach 300,000 Monday. The consequence: longer lines. Catherine West, sporting a Santa hat, didn�t have any complaints. "I think the line�s moving pretty fast," the Eagle Point resident said. "Our one concern is we have breakable items, and we�re hoping the Postal Service will take a little TLC." "This is my 12th or 13th package," said Art Stoltz of Medford. With seven children and 11 grandchildren to send gifts to, and with postal fees totaling $88, Stoltz was a satisfied customer. "I was at the post office yesterday and the day before, and everyone�s in a good mood," he said. Weaver explained that this time of year, more clerks are available to help customers. "We try to get (the customers) through in five minutes. It�s possible it�s going to be 10 to 15,"said Weaver. "Monday could be a totally different story." Weaver, who will give away free cookies and candy on Monday until supplies run out, had this advice for those who still have Christmas presents to mail: "Mail this weekend. Monday at the latest." Weaver recommended using priority mail for anything going out of Oregon. He said mailing a package may take five to seven days because of volume this time of year and factors such as weather. Package conditions can make a difference, too, said Lori Mayfield, Postal Service manager at Black Oak Pharmacy. "Packages not being wrapped and addressed properly may hinder the transit of the mail piece," Mayfield explained. Hers is one of four postal contract stations in Medford. Of these, only Mail Boxes Etc. provides a packaging service. "People expect us to pack their mailings," said Mayfield. "They need to have these things done before they get into line." This week, that line has been out the door, said Mayfield. In addition to padding gifts with bubble wrap or newspaper, Weaver suggested removing batteries from toys. "Some of those things make sounds, or tick," he said. Talk about delayed packages � noisy parcels are not taken lightly. The Medford postal clerks have dealt with such situations. "We�ve called the police and had them check it out," Weaver said. Here are some additional Postal Service do�s and don�ts: Use strapping tape (contains filament), not masking or Scotch tape. Run tape entire lengths of edges and seams. It�s OK to reuse boxes, except those marked with hazardous-materials labels or liquor boxes. Do not use string; it gets caught in equipment. Cover address label in clear tape so it won�t fall off and ink won�t bleed. Make sure the ZIP code is correct � initial sorting is done by ZIP code. It�s OK to put stamps on the packages yourself, but the parcels still must be taken to a postal clerk to double-check postage. Packages must not contain alcohol, firecrackers, ammunition, gasoline, flammable nail polish remover or fire extinguishers. U.S. Postal Service holiday hours Medford Post Office 333 W. Eighth St. 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday Black Oak Pharmacy 2620 E. Barnett Road 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday West Main Pharmacy 2355 Jacksonville Hwy. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday Mail Boxes Etc. (two locations) 711 Medford Center 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday 1314 B Center Drive 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.