Recently, I had to drop off a returned package at the USPS in Northbrook.  There was only one staff member behind the counter, a tall and thin middle-age black woman, whom I have encountered numerous times in the recent years.  As soon as I walked up and put the package on the counter, without any greetings to me, this woman pointed to a tablet in between her and me, and said "do the survey" in a tone that was like ordering me.  There were 3 emojis in the tablets, a smiley face, a neutral face, and an unhappy one.  I was unprepared, in a hurry, and didn't have time to think or ask, and just hit the smiley face.  She then scanned my package, gave me a receipt and said "here you go".  I said "thanks", and she said "you are welcome", and that was it.  What kind of survey was that?  How could they expect the customer to do a survey before any service was done?  What's the purpose of doing such a survey?  And doing the survey right in front of the staff member was just awkward!  It rendered the survey meaningless. This USPS used to be fully staffed back in the day.  There were a couple of friendly staff members whom I truly miss. read more

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I have seen the Northbrook USPS main office on Dundee in its heyday having four agents/postal workers staffing the counter, and I still have fond memory of one postal worker whose looks and mannerism were exactly like Mr. Rogers. I believe he has retired a couple of years ago. With the USPS's on-going cost-cutting effort, nowadays the counter is just staffed with one member most of the time (by different people), and you may see two on some lucky days. This has led to longer waiting time, and the service level varies quite a bit, depending on whom you are dealing with. One of the staff members there has the practice of asking customers to rate her service in front of her (using a "smiley face machine"), sometimes even before the transaction begins. This would create pressure for customers to give her good ratings, and this should not be the way the survey is done. To be fair, the rating machine should be placed away from the staff, near the front door exit. Fortunately, with the advance of technology, people can accomplish a lot of the mailing services online. My wife recently needed to mail a couple of CDs, and we have found a cheaper way of mailing packages. On the USPS website, you can use "Click-N-Ship" to print mailing labels and pay for the shipment. The shipping fee for one CD (4 oz) using this method is $4.50. However, if we had taken it to the post office without the prepaid label and did it with an agent at the counter, it would have been $7.20 for the same size and weight. We could either arrange for a pickup from home, or drop off the packages at the post office. Just for the peace of mind, my wife preferred to have the packages dropped off so she could ask a staff member to scan the packages. Actually, you can just leave the packages in one of those mail bins/boxes without having a staff member scanning them, because there are tracking numbers on the prepaid mailing labels. We are glad that we could save some shipping fees by using the "Click-N-Ship" online. read more

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My husband says we never go anywhere because I don't have a passport. I say I don't have a passport because we never go anywhere. After years of circuitous arguing, I decided to call his bluff and made an appointment to apply for a passport. Making an appointment online was easy and I found available times within just a few days. When I arrived about 30 minutes earlier than my appointment, I went to the door for passport appointments and genuinely anticipated waiting. The staff at the counter asked if I was there for a passport appointment; I confirmed and said I was 30 minutes early but would be fine to wait. But I didn't wait. Because Elyse came to get me right away, took me back into the office, and we quickly went through the process. I had the paperwork filled out already so she reviewed that and checked my documents. She took the photo and I wrote my checks while she was making the copies. It was super quick and easy - I was back at my house before my actual appointment time. And Elyse was genuinely kind, making small talk. Maybe more impressive, she must have noted in her processing of my documents that my birthday is coming up in a few days and as I was leaving wished me a happy birthday - that's the kind of detail and customer service that makes for excellent customer service. Couldn't have asked for a better experience, honestly Now stay tuned to see if I start writing international reviews. read more

Horrific customer service. Asked if they could tape it for me, like they usually do at my home location, they said they sell tape. They do not sell tape at this location. These people hate their jobs and you can tell. read more

Very slow during business hours. I use the kiosk a lot but after hour there is never any packaging supplies for priority mail. No envelopes, boxes etc. only express mail envelopes, like I'm going to say oh I get I'll spend twice as much because someone doesn't stock the supplies. This is why I have been going to highland park location. read more

If I share my opinion will this help to get the employees to answer the phone? Whatever time I call the phone rings about 10 rings and then it is answered (no voice) and hung up immediately. I am trying to talk to the manager or postmaster I can't even ask for them. read more

If you live in Northbrook, sooner or later you're going to have to go to the post office. In person. Like death and taxes, it's just about unavoidable. Northbrook isn't the quaint little suburb it once was, but the post office lobby remains as cramped as ever. There's only room for about two people to stand in line. After that, you're going to be waiting in the main lobby. At one time they had three agents to wait on people; I see that there are now only two counter positions. And when I came at 5 pm today, there was only one person working the counter. I suppose this is all due to budget cuts and staff reductions. In all fairness, the postal service has tried to adapt and modernize as much as possible. You can use machines for certain routine tasks like buying stamps (and you can have stamps mailed to your home if you prefer). But if you need to pick up a package or a certified letter, you're going to have to make a personal appearance if a signature is required. Today I was lucky. I didn't get stuck behind someone asking a million questions, with a couple dozen letters needing to be individually weighed (like the last time I came). The person at the counter who assisted me was efficient and helpful. I was out of there in less than 5 minutes. Unbelievable! I think the main thing they need is more space. But I don't know if that's going to happen anytime soon. read more

USPS - Front Entrance - Post Offices Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

this post office should be closed and reopened under new management. I have never in my life seen such disorganization. i am waiting fora small parcel that was mailed on oct 6th. tracking number shows it is in transit. hasn't been sorted yet because employees aren't coming towork and they are short handed. Can you believe that. with so many people starving for jobs the usps allows that. If i am waiting so long, I am quite sure there are many more people who haven't gotten their mail. when you call,if the phone is answered, you are put onhold for at least 15 minutes. The manager there is completely ineffective. So much wasted time. If you think I am exaggerating, look at the other reviews. I wish I could find out who I can speak to to change these conditions read more

Something to avoid. There's another PO with our zip code on Techny. I've not been there but it can't be worse. Personnel. Incompetent, slow, uncaring, rude, vindictive. The supervisor too. So slow, there are always lines, and 3 customers in front of you can take half an hour. Seems like the person behind the counter enjoys getting people impatient and irritated. BTW, if you need to do a vacation stop for your mail, you are in for a major disaster. The mail will keep coming while you're out of town, but it will stop after you are back. My own personal experience, so it's very important to have nice neighbors. Building. It's so old it's not even equipped with basic amenities or provide convenient ways for the disabled to come in. No ramp, no automatic doors, so even if you are an able-bodied person but you carry a lot of stuff in your arms you can't open a door on your own. Wait for one of the customers to help you, the postal worker never will. From among the positives, the place is usually fairly clean and has at least one working self service station. Did I mention that the supervisor is vindictive? No, I am not imagining stuff. After I complained a few times, they now keep my outgoing mail waiting for a scan of the tracking number from 3 to 5 days. However, maybe it's just a coincidence. Aren't they always so very, very busy? Yeah, sure. read more

Slow. Anytime of day. One person who barely speaks English and moves slower then a turtle. Avoid. read more

If you need any help, please ask for Elyse!! She is the most lovely employee at this branch and is wonderful to work with! Five stars for wonderful customer service today!! read more

The box lists specific times during the day for pick up. There are about 5. I arrived a bit more than half an hour after the last pick up time and the box was completely full. Envelopes spilling out. They are not picking up the mail from the mail boxes until after they close or whenever it happens to be convenient for them. That's wrong. read more

Worst post office in the area. I'd rather go to the one on Cherry, or even Wheeling/Lincolnshire than this place. It's so incredibly disorganized and inefficient. It's laughable, really. And the ladies behind the counter are not friendly by any stretch of the imagination. Seriously. Just gut this place... heck. Tear it down and start from scratch. On several occasions, they have outright lied about weekend Amazon deliveries. "An attempt to deliver your package was made at 8:44AM. A notice was left blah blah". Not true at all. When I go to track down the package the next day after the mailman has already passed through, they won't even bother to look up the tracking number. "It's out for delivery!". They don't care. And they don't want to listen or help. Needless to say, one of my packages is lost. Amazon will be issuing me a refund, thankfully. Avoid this PO at all cost. I only wish I could, but being a resident of Northbrook makes that impossible. read more

A typical Government institution which doesn't give a darn about the customer. Surly, non-english speaking clerks, long lines, slow service, usually only one clerk helping even though there are three service spaces. Arrogant supervisors who won't help if there is a problem and a Postmaster that is never there. They never answer their phone, so don't waste your time calling. To call them a "service" is a sick joke, like calling the IRS a "service". Take my advice, ship packages either United Parcel Service or FedEx. Your package will get there on time and the clerks are a LOT nicer. This place should be put out of business as soon as possible. The only thing they put in my mailbox is junk mail. Save yourself aggravation, time and expense and use email. read more

This post office is awesome! I usually go to the USPS of Glencoe & Highland Park, il and they are not good compared to this place. Glencoe is worst bu the way when it comes to service. Again service here is awesome and the people are friendly and helpful! read more

As far as US post offices go this one is a pain in the neck. Weird parking lot, automated post office hasn't been working, and always has long lines. read more

USPS - Post Offices Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

This review is specifically for one of the employees at this post office, Sudha. She was by far the most helpful post office employee I've ever met (I think we can all agree on the post office usually being up there with dentist visits and calls to Comcast), and I've had to mail dozens of packages over the last few years. I'd never mailed a military package before, and was unsure of the logistics behind filling out the customs information, how to get free supplies (for mailing military packages), etc. Sudha walked me through the whole process and even corrected something I accidentally omitted on the form. I also purchased some stamps for my dad (who collects stamps), and she humored me and found me a sheet without wrinkles. When I had a question, I waited for her register to be open because of how helpful she was. Thanks so much, Sudha. read more

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE!!! If you work in Northbrook and have your mail sent or delivered, plan on it never getting there! I bet 1 - 3% of our mail does not make it to us or the person we have mailed to. Also, if you work on Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook, don't leave your mail outside the mailbox as the mailperson NEVER comes in to get the inside mail! Same two boxes have been sitting there, waiting for pick-up for THREE DAYS!!! read more

The female staff there was very irresponsible at giving correct information for me to mail out one international package. The price was expensive and very poor service. A NO-NO place to gain my business from now on. read more

When you need to send something quickly, or mail your tax return this post office will do. Beware long lines that occasionally form due to crowding or indifferent employees. For boxes, use UPS instead. read more

Clean, airconditioned,well stocked....just not well manned. Line was out the door with two people working the desks!

Always busy but the employees respond very slow and environment is not clean without sunny.

The service here is terrible they keep delivering my stuff to other addresses, it has happened many times and keeps happening. Just today they did it again. I don't know what to do to stop this... read more

I use this post office a lot since it's right next to where I work. There's such a difference in customer service between city and 'burb post offices! When I go during lunch, there's a max of 5 people in line in front of me, and I'm usually out in 15 minutes! When I want to use the automated machine to mail packages or buy stamps, there's usually a friendly employee near by in the lobby in case I need help! read more

Horrendously slow. I've been twice. Each time employee wearing filthy shirt and loudly chewing gum. So gross.

I have never experienced to meet unprofessional very condescending employees mailman left my package in the grass and package stolen. The African American staff is rude and condescending I'm feeling like she is annoyed im in the post office. As rich as Northbrook they should file a protest and have the staff booted out very unreliable. Hope they should do something about this read more

Epilogue - Perhaps the problems are with the Postmaster here in Northbrook? CBS2's Dave Savini published a report on 7/9/14 about how Northbrook's Postmaster Ron Weddington typically puts in a 3-4 hour work day with lots of fast food and bank breaks in between. Explains a lot. read more

As far back as I can remember, this place has always been busy and s-l-o-w. Their solution ? Reduce the amount of available clerks down to 2. APC (automated postal center / kiosk) is unreliable. Bring your own pen, the ones at the lobby tables seem to be the same dried out / dead pens that have always been there. In recent years, I have been to countries that don't have computers at their disposal in the post offices and everything gets logged into a ledger by pen, point being is this Northbrook location has all the technology it needs to be extremely efficient, yet somehow they've never learned how to speed things up. Personally, I think they try too hard to sell upgraded services to EVERY customer. "I just need to send this parcel post" doesn't mean "offer me every available upgraded service "and hold up the line in the process. read more

Terrible. I have called twice about multiple times we have had misdelivered mail as well as torn and opened mail. I was told both times that a supervisor would call me back to discuss. Guess what. Absolutely no return calls back from the supervisor. I have lived all kinds of places and my Postal Service in Northbrook is by far the worst when it comes to misdelivered mail. And no one at this post office seems to care or even want to respond. The federal government should be aware of what terrible service this post office provides. The supervisor should be ashamed. Oh and by the way, I have the dates and times and the names of the person I spoke who assured me I would receive a call back. I will continue to keep a ledger of every time I call and I'm ignored. I'm going to also file a complaint with the US Postal Service. read more

Awful. Missing mail. The light signaling that the PO mail is finished means nothing, it more means what they were able to give you by that time. VERY slow process. Skeleton crew "working" at all times. If they have more than 4 people employed to work front counter and in back I'd be shocked. They should shut this location down due to service not being capable and very poor. read more

I was in here a few minutes after they closed. I used the self service kiosk which didn't enter the right address. I asked this lady who was in the back and she barked 'what' at me. she treated me like garbage and it ruined my day and I had to buy more postage online. would not go back until this lady moves on. read more

Four years of promises for improved service with no results. I have spoken with two postmasters about the home delivery service and I have not seen any improvement. My visits to the lobby reflect the same slow service others have mentioned. Today I went to the Villa Park Illinois post office to mail a package and had a very positive experience. In other words, the UPS is capable of good service, just not in Northbrook! read more

Sorry, sent a package priorty mail. 5 days after the expected arrival date, the ship to company never received it. Went in to check tracking number and it shows the package never left the northbrook post office. Nothing they can do. You figure the post office has a role in their own demise? Not using usps them again for important shipping. read more