Sep/10

How to Get a Human at 1-800-ASK-USPS

11 Comments · Posted by nickg in Craigslist Tips, Other Tips

This post will teach you how to get a human being on the phone when you call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). Surprisingly, it is actually quite easy to talk to a human on the phone when you call the USPS 1-800 number.

I recently shipped an item through the United States Postal Service and the package was lost. To make a long story short, I could not get a real person on the phone to help me with the situation. All I heard were repeated automated messages, which were not helpful. Then, I decided to try a few things to get a human on the phone since I had already wasted an hour using the automated system.

UPDATE: Thank you for your comments! I guess USPS has changed their automated system and my method described below no longer works. The newer method can be found at: Get Human.

This is what worked:

First, dial 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) during their normal business hours.

M-F 8:00am-8:30pm ET

Sat – 8:00am-6:00pm ET

Sun/Holidays – Closed

After you dial the 1-800 number, the recording will thank you and then ask if you want Spanish (para Espanol). Do not speak and do not push any buttons. It will then say “Main Menu”. At this time, push 0 (zero).

Then the recording will say, “You’ve asked for customer service”. Do not speak and do not push any buttons yet. Wait until the recording says, “You can say”. At this time, push the 0 (zero) button on your phone. Do not speak into the phone.

You will then get another message saying, “Would you like to hear the USPS privacy statement”. Push 0 (zero) again. Do not speak into the phone.

Then you will be connected to a real live person! You might get a message telling you that all of the customer service representatives are busy, but it is better to wait for a real person than to go through their automated system. Trust me!

Here are the steps simplified. ** Remember, do not speak into the phone and 0 (zero) is the only button you need to push! **

1. Dial 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777)

2. When you hear “Main Menu”, push 0 (zero)

3. When you hear “You can say”, push 0 (zero)

4. After you hear “Would you like to hear the USPS privacy statement”, push 0 (zero)

5. Talk to a real person!

UPDATE: Thank you for your comments! I guess USPS has changed their automated system and my method described above no longer works. The newer method can be found at: Get Human.

Check out my free tips to selling online with Craigslist! Or learn how to sell on eBay.

My Google Profile: Nick G.+

get human usps · speak human online · talk to human being ask-usps · talk to human online · talk to human usps

11 comments

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mike · September 17, 2010 at 12:49 am

nice work. i went through the automated system at least three times trying to talk to a real person. this was easy and i got a person on the phone!
Jason · September 17, 2010 at 3:55 am

I hate the 1800 ASK USPS tracking number system. It always misses a number and you have to start over. Thank for these tips, I pushed 0 after each message and got a real person!
Jake Willis · November 17, 2010 at 2:37 pm

This worked great – I ship often for my job, and you just saved me about 10 minutes of frustration on every call. Thanks for sharing it
Jenna · December 16, 2010 at 2:36 pm

This worked like a charm, and rescued me from rapidly elevating blood pressure. Thank you!
Lisa · April 19, 2011 at 5:19 pm

I just tried and I finally got a recording that said the office is closed and to call back during their regular business hours. It’s 1:20 on a FUCKING Tuesday afternoon. I hate the USPS!!!
Tess · September 27, 2011 at 3:18 pm

It worked!!! thank you!!!! I am beyond irritated with them right now!!!
John · October 22, 2011 at 3:37 am

This will work for many automated systems, not just the USPS. Just wait til the recording starts and hit zero repeatedly and you will usually be put through to an actual person.
awwwww · December 20, 2011 at 5:07 pm

This worked last week for me perfectly, but now this week they changed the menu to not accept 0. I’m clueless as to how to talk to a human now. USPS.com has changed and now will not display any relevant information or it’s actual current status… kinda weird because I can log into Amazon.com and see updated tracking status from there. But the USPS site can’t tell me? After the rumors of shutdown a couple months ago, they’re now making things worse!
here it is! · December 20, 2011 at 5:46 pm

I found different directions that will still work since this method is now obsolete.

http://gethuman.com/USPS__US_Postal_Service_/phone-number_customer_service_1512_no.html

As the main menu is being given to you, press 6. Then 4. Then 0, and 0 again.

I was just unlucky and didn’t get to wait in line for a rep., I was booted out of the system because of “high volume”. Looking like the worst 4th quarter they’ve ever had.
Anon · March 9, 2012 at 6:14 pm

Oh, thank you! Worked exactly as described.

You don’t know how many circles I went around trying to get a human on the line. “This is the best information available. Hang up if you’re finished.” Arrogant little automated system refuses to let you talk to any operator once you’ve put in the label number.