Copyright: fuzzbones / 123RF Stock Photo
Let’s face it, there’s a couple of places that most people dread going to. Two of those places are the Department of Motor Vehicle and the Post Office.
What’s said here is my own personal experiences when dealing with these two agencies.
Once a week, I mail out subscriptions for the paper at the Perth Amboy Post Office. Every single clerk that I have encountered at the window has always been consistent in three things when dealing with me: They’re courteous, efficient and always leave me with a smile on my face.
While standing in line waiting to be served, I am always aware how they treat the customers they serve before me. In my experience, they have been very patient and helpful, especially when customers are bringing in large boxes or items to be mailed.
The only small complaint I have is that there are not always enough clerks on duty during the busiest time of the day. It could be because of a smaller workforce.
One time I went to Keasbey to mail out the newspapers and they had a sign on the door that they were closed for two hours. Unfortunately at that location, they only have one clerk working there. I was so shocked they would close down for two hours during their working hours. I only hope it was for that one particular day. All in all I have to give kudos to the clerks in the Perth Amboy Office. They have to service a large population that still prefers the human touch over mailing online.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is one operation that I or most people don’t depend on that much unless you buy a new car every single year. I am one of the lucky ones who is eligible to renew my license every four years by mail. This year, I decided I wanted a new photo and went in person. On Thursday, March 24, 2016 when I arrived at the Rahway Office, the line was ridiculously long. A short time after I arrived, one of the workers came out and made an announcement: “The computers statewide are down.” They had no idea when they would come back up. Just what I wanted to hear.
The next day was Good Friday and all the DMV Officers were closed. He also told the people standing outside that the DMV Office would be open on Saturday, but the previous Saturday, there wer 180 people standing outside waiting to be serviced.
So yesterday (3/28/16) I decided to venture to the Rahway DMV again. The good news is that the computers were working; the bad news was the line was just as long as when I was there on 3/24/16.
My sister who had driven me to Rahway suggested we go to the Edison DMV instead. The line there was half as long and it moved very quickly. An employee came outside to apologize for us having to stand outside, especially because the weather was bad, but there was plenty of coverage. Once I was inside, I was pleasantly surprised. There is a system where there is a screen where you input your name, you cell phone number and then up top you touch on the screen why you’re here.
They called you by the last four numbers of your cell phone. If you don’t have a cell phone you are provided a ticket with the number. Inside of the waiting area, there are two screens which display the numbers that are about to be called and the line that you would go to. There is also an employee who calls out the same information on the PA system.
As added convenience they will send you a text on your cellphone the estimated time you have to wait to be serviced. Every employee that I encountered that day was courteous, efficient and had a smile on their face. On the way out, I thanked each one I encountered. C.M.
