Statistics show that one out of every ten people who buys stamps spends 15 minutes making that crucial decision. For some, the decision is easy but for others, it’s the most stress they will experience all week! The study was conducted by the Krueger Foundation after positioning ‘fake’ post office customers in post offices in major cities across America to monitor ‘real’ customers making stamp purchases. The study was conducted over the period of 4 years in post offices located in Topeka, Ocala, Chattanooga, El Paso, Boise, Key West and Buffalo.
Customers were most troubled with their decision on which stamp purchase to make because many said, ‘there are too many stamps to choose from.’ Others couldn’t decide between the square stamps or the rectangular ones. Many customers were trying to decide which stamp would make the envelope look nice. ‘It’s these little things that really matter’ one post office patron said.
Patrons of the post office that were behind the stamp stumped customers were the ones really suffering. Many just turned around and left without conducting the business they came in for. One person in line at the post office in Key West said ‘Dude, it’s just a stamp. C’mon already!’
When the Krueger Foundation polled random people on the street, most said they only buy stamps once or twice a year. Many saw it as a means to an end. ‘Who cares what’s on the stamp!’ said one elderly lady.
The highest density of stamp confused customers came during the holiday season. Santa Claus or Snowflakes? Obviously too many choices, so little time to make them.
With fewer and fewer people mailing anything in the mail, the numbers of ‘stampers’ as they are known should drop significantly.