USPS/Hallmark

The front door says the office opens at 10 AM. I waited until 10:10 along with 4 other people. The office never opened. This is the second time I attempt to drop off a package at «opening.» Please update your hours so your customers don’t waste their time.

I’ve been going to this location for years and I like it very much.
I have no idea what locations the other reviewers are comparing it with; I usually have a longer wait at the official USPS locations in Alexandria and DC. It’s true that it is a small business with limited hours, and there is usually only one clerk, so if multiple customers show up (lunchtime is bad), the line backs up. And once they didn’t open on time, I assume because the clerk was late. (edit — currently their weekday hours are 10am to 5:30pm, not 9:30 to 5:30pm). But I always get a smile from the clerks — they never ignore me – and they give me whatever rate I ask for; I have never encountered any pressure to ship things at a higher rate. If I ask for USPS boxes, they give them to me, unless they’ve run out of the size I want (if you want a lot of flat rate boxes you should go to a USPS location, although they often run out too).
Bottom line: I’ve used this location many times over the past few years, I like it a lot, and I haven’t experienced the problems the other reviewers describe. I wouldn’t drive out of my way to go here, but only because parking in the area is a pain.

As stated by others, this is not a USPS post office location. It’s a contact unit. You should only come here to drop off prepaid packages only.
The individual who I’ve encountered most here has a habit of talking on the phone while serving you. Another reviewer below indicated that the person here has fallen to «USPS standards.» Truthfully, I’ve never seen anyone at a real post office do this. So if you think negatively about post office folks, this is going to be worse. If you think well of post office folks… this is going to be way worse.
And then there’s their actual business practices. The individual who runs this place has a habit of offering you the more expensive shipping option when less expensive ones are available. I’m unsure if this is intentional or if he just defaults to the easier (but considerably more expensive) option but there you go.
Technically unrelated to shipping costs, but still on the topic of their business practices, the individuals who run the place also have a habit of charging you for boxes when free USPS supplies are available. I guess it’s a fine (though not ideal) business practice but they actually don’t tell you that they’re charging for the boxes beforehand. It just shows up on your receipt and you notice it as you’re walking out.
In terms of shipping, packages can be dropped off but are not actually taken by USPS until the next day even though you dropped it off in the AM. (USPS tracking shows your package at «acceptance» but not actually picked up or in processing.) I think this might have something to do with the place closing early sometimes but I can’t say for sure.
So… Yeah. There you go. Or rather… Don’t. Just don’t go here.

little spot in Alexandria. Staff was nice but the lines get long in this itty bitty place! They do have a wide selection of cards (hallmark) and packing & shipping supplies towards the back. Parking on these busy streets is a hassle, you could pay to park in the garage as well but I’d probably go to a different location with it down parking lot unless I was in the area already parking to go somewhere else near by. Don’t forget street parking you still need to pay for! Parking authority is swarming around here!

I go to the post office because it’s right in front of my house. I think I’ve gone there four or five times. Every time they try to overcharge me for sending packages. You have to tell them that you want to send it in a cheaper way. When I go there now I make sure that they charge me the cheapest because if you don’t they will definitely scam you.

Came by today at 10:02AM (32 minutes after it says it should be open) and the doors were locked

Overall: Great if you live within walking distance, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to use this particular location.
This is a small, independent business contracted to work with the USPS. Honestly, I’m not quite sure what that means — all I know is my box will make it in time for Christmas!
There generally aren’t many people working there so you may have to wait a little while, but nothing excessive.
They carry some greeting cards and small gifty-​type items as well.

This is a contract postal outlet meaning it is not staffed by USPS employees. Normally that would be AWESOME, but I think this guy has fallen into the USPS standards. Don’t expect much help or a nice person.

This is not really a post office. It is a contract unit. Someone opened a business and is contracted to act as a post office (sell stamps, etc…).
The store sells Hallmark cards and shipping supplies. You can bring your mail to this facility and have it sent via US Mail.
I haven’t really used the mailing services (other than buying stamps), but I have purchased a few cards.
I’d like to give 2 ½ stars. The place is convenient for greeting cards and for shipping, however, the owner has a sign by the register that says that an $ 8 minimum is required to use a charge card. This is actually against the policies of MC, VISA, AMEX, and Discover. If they just happened to find out, this guy could lose his merchant account.

This tiny post office is never busy. There is a greeting card section and a small selection of gifts.
They are open 9:30am — 5:30pm Monday — Friday, 10am-​2pm on Saturday.