What is a Postnet?

Most people know what a Best Buy is. They know what a Target is. What is a Postnet? A few people have noticed them, they're small shops found in shopping centers, often near wally world, a grocery store or a home improvement place. But aside from the fact that they seem to like the color red and have little boxy lighted signs in their windows, why are they really here and what do they really do? What do they want from us?

What are those boxy little signs all about? Time to actually read them.

Shipping

Neon signs advertising the various shipping and mailing companies identify Postnet as a place to ship or mail stuff. (One radio commercial claims they ship everything from pies to pianos. Nice to know if you want to send Aunt Mae's piano to Cousin Dorothy.)

Mail Boxes

Private mail boxes. Those are the kind that give you a street address where packages can be delivered but don't give away where you actually live. So if you wish to hide from the world or are so busy seeing the world in an RV that you can't check the mailbox, you can rent a private mail box at Postnet and know your mail and packages are safe.

Printing & Copying

Sign says copies, poster beneath it says printing. Printing could be anything from posters and flyers to letterhead and business cards. Apparently Postnet can provide printing services. Copying - that's an easy one. Even in our ever-digital world, there are times when copies are necessary. With the price of ink, it's probably cheaper to pay for professional copies than it is to use a desktop printer.

Faxes

Faxing is another easy one. Banks, Mortgage companies and Insurance companies seem to love making customers send them faxes. It's nice to know there's somewhere it can be done quickly and easily.

Notary

Notary services don't seem to be something the average person would need often. However, finding a notary is often like trying to find someone to help you in a busy department store. They're everywhere until you actually need them. Then they seem to vanish into thin air.

Internet Access

Wifi or broadband? The small sign doesn't say but one can deduce that there is some sort of internet service inside. Nice to know in case the computer at home crashes or the internet at the office goes down. (Imagine that!)

So What is Postnet?

It appears that Postnet has services to offer both individuals and businesses. Individuals could make copies, have some name cards or address labels printed up, ship out gifts, overnight mortgage papers and more.

Theoretically speaking, one could use Postnet as a virtual office. Rent a private mail box, use their rental computer to connect with customers, design and print letterhead or promotional flyers, etc., get contracts notarized, fax confirmations, even ship out physical products (ebay or other-wise) and receive faxes and/or packages.

Hmm. Sounds good. Wonder what the catch is? Are the clerks horribly rude? Do you really get the service you pay for? I'm not crazy about standing in line at the library to use their copiers and computers. (Nor am I crazy about other patrons looking at what I'm doing. My tax return is none of their business.)

Maybe it's time to actually stop in and see what's behind those boxy signs.