TAKING CREDIT FOR CONVENIENCE

The U.S. Postal Service has joined the ranks of businesses accepting credit cards.

Postal patrons can now use their American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA card to pay for all retail postal purchases except money orders, passport applications and COD charges.

And ATM cards can be used for money orders and COD charges.

The Cape Girardeau Post Office is charging ahead with the customer conveniences, said Postmaster Michael Keefe.

"Accepting credit and debit cards makes it easier for customers," said Keefe. "That's the main reason we are introducing these new payment options."

This is the largest credit and debit card acceptance program in retailing history, said Keefe. By 1997, customers will be able to "charge it" at every post office in the nation.

Debit and ATM cards that will be accepted include Interlink, Maestro, MAC, NYCE, PACE and MOST.

More than 50,000 card processing terminals are planned for 33,000 post office sites nationwide. More than 100,000 postal retail employees are being trained to provide the payment option.

"Our employees have been trained in operation," said Keefe. "We started taking credit cards Tuesday afternoon."

Postal patrons overwhelmingly want the option of using cards, Keefe said. Research at 550 pilot sites during the past two years showed that more than nine of 10 customers were satisfied with the speed and ease of card transactions in the test post offices, citing convenience, quicker service, better record keeping and the fact that they don't have to carry cash.

"We're listening to our customers," said Keefe. "Many customers prefer the convenience of credit and debit cards."

The Post Office Department was organized by Congress more than 200 years ago, in 1775, with Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general. The official name of U.S. Postal Service was adopted in 1971.

During its first 100 years, the post office accepted cash from retail customers. During the second 100 years, it was cash and checks. "Now we'll have four payment options -- cash, checks, credits cards and debit/ATM cards," said Keefe.

During the first year of the implementation, credit card convenience will be available only at larger post offices. During the second year, card services will be extended to all post offices.

Once all the offices offer card payment convenience, the Postal Service will be the largest acceptor of credit and debit cards in the nation.