Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

First of all thanks to each and every member of this group who has contributed! I am greatly benefited from this forum, which helped me keep upto date and take informed decisions. And would like to reciprocate and help others! So here it goes..

I was debating between filing my extension through USCIS versus going for a fresh stamping, and through extensive research on the internet and talking to folks, weighing my options, I decided to go through a fresh stamping (quicker decision/processing being one of the main reasons).

I had my initial stamping done from London 2 years back and the questions were standard and straight forward (nothing much has changed in the format/questions asked) - # years in the company, role, and # people reporting.

Appointment Booking:
I wanted Vancouver but obviously there was no availability as a lot of others in this forum have observed/stated.. so I saw a lot of suggestions to change the answer to the particular Q on "Are you travelling from outside Canada?" from YES to NO to find better availability of slots. I would urge everyone to be honest and NOT risk your fate and future (after all you have worked so hard to be up to this stage.. why risk and leave your fate to luck?).

I selected Calgary and booked appointment for a date that was available (although it did not suit me). I then made an expedited request putting my case genuinely to change location to Vancouver and to a preferable date that was in the next 3 weeks. And promptly the very next day, my request was approved.

Had my appointment for Feb 14th. Found the staff to be very polite and helpful! Was asked to retake the photo as the background had a slight tint of cream. The lady there was very polite and considerate.. she informed me upfront that the background may turn out yellow in the scan but yet will give her best shot. Apologetically came back and had to step outside to take a new photo and go through the security check again. That was the only taxing part of the whole stamping process. One piece of advise to everyone - ensure your photo background is pure white and you should be set!

Went through the biometrics and was finally standing infront of the Visa Officer (VO) for my interview.

Again the VO was polite and cheerful. Qs asked:

1) Did I have the same visa earlier (I think she intended to know if I was extending the same visa type). My answer was yes.
2) Number of years spent in the company. I am with my employer for more than a decade now.
3) Highest level of education. Had MS in Computer Engineering from Europe.
4) My Role.
5) Number of reportees. Of them how many were Direct?
6) Working for Company or Client? I think you should carefully answer your question depending on your case. There is no right or wrong answer to this but be as honest as possible and clearly state the Employer-Employee relationship.. who generates your payroll/gives you the salary?

And then she stated that my Visa was approved and should receive in 3-5 days. I had follow-up questions, which again she politely answered. My company had given multiple sets of I-129S and I asked if I could have multiple copies stamped. She enquired with one of her peers/supervisors and came back to say that as per their SOP they would provide me with only one stamped copy and that too will come through post along with the passport. She handed me the workers rights booklet as well.

The status of my Visa changed from Administrative Processing to Issued the very next morning and was in transit by afternoon. The day after being the weekend, I had to wait until Monday morning (18th) 9.30am to receive the package to the designated Post Office that I had selected. I picked up the documents from the PO and headed straight back to US.

Hope this is helpful guys and all the best on your cases!