Hey Hope:
The PO is now offering a "click and ship" option. You can pay for your postage (priority or express) online, print out your label, and *gasp* drop the package in the box (or give it to your carrier, I assume)! And, delivery confirmation is free with this. You can also just print out the priority labels (with free d/c).
https://sss-web.usps.com/ds/jsps/index.jsp
Also, if you just want to print priority labels with free d/c, you can use shipper tools:
http://www.shippertools.com
I was being charged at my local po when I used the self-printed labels, and would have to argue with them everytime. There is a postal memo that you can refer them to that explains that d/c is free with
the electronic label option. The packages don't get scanned at the originating po, but are scanned on delivery. Also, the label generated by shippertools has a blip about d/c being free with the use of that label.
hth,
Josephine