What we collect!

 

Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps



What we collect!
What we collect!


General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : USPS woes

 

Author
Postings
cdj1122
Members Picture


Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

06 Feb 2013
10:26:23am
It seems obvious to me, and possibly others, that our postal authorities missed the boat years ago by ignoring the potential of managing the internets.
I've been watching them do one stupid thing after another, some minor missteps but others, doozies.
The over production of trite souvenirs compounded by limiting the availability of printed stamps is one. Virtually surrendering the parcel delivery system to Fex-Ex and others is another.
Building large underutilized postal facilities in rural areas and letting needed facilities become annoyingly crowded, another.
Today there are stores all over town offering copy services, FAX machine transmissions and of course reception, parcel packaging and wrapping and even Notary services, all of which could have, and should have, been folded into the mail delivery system.

Example of stupidity.
For years most of the post offices in this area had one of those number dispensers near the entrance and displays of products, including Hallmark Greeting Cards, around the room. A customer could enter and after taking the slip with the number could roam about the displays, choosing things that were wanted and possibly even making an impulse purchase.
In one very busy outlet there were benches where customers could sit down and wait their turn. Then some genius decided to remove the number dispensers and patrons are required to stand in line, which is often quite long at several places. If they even bother to notice the displays, they are far enough away from the cases that an impulsive walk over to a counter would cause a loss of place in line.
Then, once sales in displayed items dropped they were removed for lack of interest.

So we see the withering and possible demise of what was once a vibrant postal system, and that was before Congress loaded up the pension system with an unbelievable escrow payment for pensions or health care that originated in other departments.
So now we will cut Saturday mail delivery. What else is new.
Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

06 Feb 2013
11:00:44am

Auctions
re: USPS woes

Charlie, i believe the biggest mistake was ceding package delivery to UPS and FedX. It would have required them reinvisioning how they did business, but most of the infrastructure was already in place and, as long as you're delivering stuff anyway, you might as well charge more than 46c to do it.

incidentally, they did try to have a web-based delivery system in which messages were coded as part of a proof of delivery system. It went nowhere, but they made an effort. I'm in no position to comment on how well it was conceived or executed, but it was tried.

And, yes, the blunders are far more numerous than one could imagine a single organization to make and still exist.

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
Les
Members Picture


06 Feb 2013
05:12:37pm
re: USPS woes

Actually, I think that the real problem was the Congress' insistence that the Postal Service pre pay the federal retirement and medical care of its employees. No other business in the United States is required by law to fund the retirement of its current employees. And in many cases the Congress has allowed its cozy business partners to actually shift its agreed upon pension payments to the taxpayers. The leveraged buyouts of the 1980's were fueled by the ability of the corporate raider to seize the pension funds of the targeted company and shift the responsibility to the Federal Government Pension Guaranty corporation.

Mail service should be a function of government.

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Logistical1
Members Picture


06 Feb 2013
08:28:55pm
re: USPS woes

I agree with Les, mail delivery should be a function of the government and not a quasi-government agency unable to compete directly with UPS and FedEx. PAC's for these large package delivery systems have thwarted any attempt by the USPS from competing with them in any way that would be disadvantageous to their business. I suspect there is more to the pension funding issue than what we know.

The next move will be to close all but a few post offices and to charge a fee for home delivery on any day.... watch

UPS announced that the UPS Stores were voted the number one franchise opportunity for 2013 by some business magazine. These are a great place to go to pick up your mail

Like
Login to Like
this post
SteveRiggs

06 Feb 2013
10:34:32pm
re: USPS woes

Two things that bothered me is the Post Offices removed all vending machines making their lines longer. If you're trying to sell more stamps you don't take away a selling tool! They said the vending machines broke down too much. If true, then you buy machines that don't break down. Coca Cola probably knows a good vending machine company!

Number 2: How many times do you get messages, advertising, and prompts to GO Paperless, save a stamp, etc. The Post Office should advertise using persuasion that using stamps saves computer time, reduces chances of computer fraud and identity theft, no worry about passwords, etc. They don't point out the benefits of using stamps and the drawbacks of doing private accounting on line.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
CapeStampMan
Members Picture


Mike

06 Feb 2013
11:57:06pm
re: USPS woes

That, plus the fact that probably 25% of the stamped mail doesn't even get cancelled and people have been reusing the stamps, probably since the Penny Black was introduced.

They do occaisionally inspect some of those Media Mail packages for contraband. I received one that the sender had sent me a bunch of books and a silver dollar that I had also won, that the POD had opened. When I contacted the seller she told me the POD informed her of the violation and just gave her a warning.

Mike

Like
Login to Like
this post

"It's been 7 years now, since I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet..."
michael78651

07 Feb 2013
09:22:30am
re: USPS woes

A few points:

- Under federal law, the USPS has a monopoly on first class mail in the USA.

- Until about 5 years or so, federal law prohibited the USPS from being competitive with the UPS, FedExes, etc. in the package delivery service. That law was repealed, and you see USPS advertising and other things in place by the USPS to try to increase its market share on the package service.

- Regarding media mail, once warned, your name goes into the computer, and future packages mail be opened and inspected for continued violations. Improperly franked mail following the warning can be confiscated, and additional action taken against the mailer. Under the law, it is considered to be fraud to misrepresent the mail service class, and a felony. Small fry mailers probably won't have much happen to them for isolated incidents, but getting your packages opened may make customers uneasy seeing that, and the mail could be kicked back for improper postage, delaying delivery, also not making some customers happy. A fact that many don't realize is that if the package weighs less than 9 ounces (5 ounces for a package), it is cheaper to send it via first class than media mail. That covers alot of items.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Logistical1
Members Picture


07 Feb 2013
05:35:19pm
re: USPS woes

I work for the brown company in supply chain management and logistics and one of my customers is the USPS and I can tell you from firsthand experience most of the small packages that USPS tenders across their counters end up on a brown or orange and purple plane or truck.

As far as mail goes most of the high volume customer's presort mail is processed in a third party location before it ever sees the USPS to reduce customer costs with the USPS. When it comes to setting rates and service levels the USPS is sometimes their own worst enemy.

Unless the USPS can free itself from the last mile delivery or significantly increases their last mile delivery volume they will never be profitable.

There are some interesting white papers put together at Georgia Tech about the USPS I wish I could find links to them on the web. They painted a dim future for daily home delivery of the mail and postal rates.

Like
Login to Like
this post
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

08 Feb 2013
05:39:55am

Auctions
re: USPS woes

Michael, are you saying that mail is PROCESSED at third party locations? I thought internal processing was the a major expense

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
Logistical1
Members Picture


28 Feb 2013
11:31:36pm
re: USPS woes

There are lots of companies that provide pre-sort services. All mail is delivered to a USPS location for processing eventually. Per-sort customers enjoy a discount because the postal service doesn't have to do it.

Like
Login to Like
this post
michael78651

01 Mar 2013
02:13:07am
re: USPS woes

Pitney-Bowes runs third-party sorting of mail, and it has a big, sharp operation. I saw their facility in Dallas. It actually saves USPS money, because the mail is delivered to USPS all sorted and ready to go. Pitney-Bowes charges the mailers for the service, not the USPS.

When I was managing a mail center contract, the company (based in Dallas) that we used to print, stuff and mail our documents did the same for us. It was cheaper for us to use that company rather than PB.

In fact, if a company wants to enjoy lower postage rates, there are many requirements that it has to follow. The third-party mailing companies make sure that those are met, and let you know when changes are coming and helps you update everything so that your mail remains compliant. The less that USPS has to do to process your mail, the more savings it passes on to you.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Rhinelander
Members Picture


Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society

04 Mar 2013
08:24:52pm
re: USPS woes

Required reading: How the US Postal Service is Being Gutted

Best I have read in a long time on the three common myths surrounding the demise of the USPS.

a) Myth 1: The USPS' losses show that it's not a viable business
b) Myth 2: Everyone knows that snail mail is dead, so USPS can't survive
c) Myth 3: Privatized mail delivery would be cheaper and more effective


Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
philb
Members Picture


26 Jun 2021
11:37:58am

Auctions
re: USPS woes

Here we are in 2021 and still have Saturday mail. Why ? I for one can wait until Monday for a delivery of stamps or a Spectrum bill.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
1938324
Members Picture


26 Jun 2021
04:30:59pm

Auctions - Approvals
re: USPS woes

I find all of this Discussion very interesting. Our mail has just been delivered. Only problem, it's NOT addressed to us!!!

Like
Login to Like
this post
d1stamper
Members Picture


26 Jun 2021
04:38:38pm

Auctions
re: USPS woes

Canada has not had Saturday delivery since the early 1970's.

I did not miss it them and still do not miss it.

How many countries get mail delivered 6 days a week?

Like
Login to Like
this post
Jansimon
Members Picture


collector, seller, MT member

26 Jun 2021
04:45:14pm

Approvals
re: USPS woes

We had 6 days but for some time already it has been reduced to 5. No delivery on Mondays.
Back in the old days, there used to be 2 or even 3 delivery rounds per day.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.etsy.com/nl/shop/itsallmadeofpaper/
hfbaker
Members Picture


26 Jun 2021
05:02:41pm
re: USPS woes

Another major obstacle to the competitiveness of the USPS is the subsidy of mailings from non-profit organizations. Non-profits enjoy a 40% discount on first class mail rates. At least 80% of my incoming first class mail is from non-profit organizations. The excessive frequency of the solicitations and the inclusion of unwanted material such as notepads and address labels only adds to the Postal Service's losses from this burden.

Like
Login to Like
this post
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

26 Jun 2021
06:26:21pm

Auctions
re: USPS woes

Harry,

I was looking for statistics that show the PO loses money on non-profit mail, and I couldn't find any. Can you share your source.

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
cdj1122
Members Picture


Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

26 Jun 2021
07:20:21pm
re: USPS woes

" ... Only problem, it's NOT addressed to us!!! ..."

Details, details, dtails.

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Strider
Members Picture


26 Jun 2021
07:22:16pm
re: USPS woes

Hmm... We have delivery on 6 days here in UK. But Monday's is always just junk mail, and occasionally international stuff - ie from you guys.

Like
Login to Like
this post
cdj1122
Members Picture


Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

26 Jun 2021
07:40:33pm
re: USPS woes

" ... Why ? I for one can wait until Monday for a delivery ...."


I can wait as well, but I would rather receive a Saturday delivery,
just for the fun of it.
For instance, today there is an envelope from one of our astute SoR
members who sent it to the Texas address I moved from a bit over
seven months ago, despite the fact that the Florida address is,
and has been, on the invoice that was enclosed since late November.
Fortunarally, it is my son's home in Panhandle, so he put it in a
correctly addressed envelope, and here it is. With my somewhat shaky
memory, I did not even miss the sender's envelope anyway.
But as the Bard of Avon once wrote, "All's well that ends well.".

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
hfbaker
Members Picture


26 Jun 2021
10:02:39pm
re: USPS woes

"I was looking for statistics that show the PO loses money on non-profit mail, and I couldn't find any. Can you share your source.

David"



I believe that first class rates are set at a level which covers the cost of the service. A 40% discount from a breakeven rate would produce a loss. If non-profit rates don't produce a loss then regular first class rates would produce a substantial profit.
Like
Login to Like
this post
angore
Members Picture


Al
Collector, Moderator

27 Jun 2021
06:02:53am
re: USPS woes

Getting rid of Saturday delivery is not going to solve the USPS financial situation.

DeJoy's proposal now slows delivery so cross country mailings would take up to 3 days more at higher rates. The hidden goal may be to get some to use priority mail rather than first class for anything time sensitive mailing.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

27 Jun 2021
05:24:21pm

Auctions
re: USPS woes

Harry,

there's a certain logic to that, and yet....

there are subtle differences between 1st and discounted mailings: on 1st class, it's a single letter, handwritten, which needs to be rekeyed to enter it into the system. so a there's a lot of effort to move a 55c letter from Pittsburgh to Portland. But in discounted mail, that work is esseentially done for every letter in a given batch, which might be 25 or 100 or 1,000 pieces, and the sorting might already be done down to carrier routes. That's a lot of effort not expended. All of which costs money for first class but not for discounted mail.

In addition, in the more highly discounted rates, it's not treated like first class; it's treated more like the old third class: no forwarding, no RTS, get to it when you can, and no guarantees of delivery, much less when.

There's a reason it's discounted.

We should also remember there are fixed costs: the carrier is coming whether he delivers one or 100 pieces to your mailbox.

Anyway, I'm not saying your wrong, but I would be very interested to see a fuller exploration of cost and services before a conclusion is drawn.

David

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
hfbaker
Members Picture


27 Jun 2021
11:27:42pm
re: USPS woes

David,
I understand the rationale of the discounts offered for commercial mailings which require fewer services. For an "apple to apples" comparison I compare the USPS Marketing Mail
rate to the USPS Marketing Mail Nonprofit rate for Commercial Letters, Nonautomation, No Entry Discount, Machinable, Mixed AADC. The non-profit rate is $.19 vs $.311, a 40% reduction in revenue for the same service.

Harry

Like
Login to Like
this post
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

28 Jun 2021
08:48:51am

Auctions
re: USPS woes

Makes sense, Harry; thanks for the explanation

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
cdj1122
Members Picture


Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..

29 Jun 2021
04:47:29pm
re: USPS woes

" ... I would be very interested to see a fuller exploration of cost and services before a conclusion is drawn. ...."

We don't need no stinkin' facts !



Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
        

 

Author/Postings

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
06 Feb 2013
10:26:23am

It seems obvious to me, and possibly others, that our postal authorities missed the boat years ago by ignoring the potential of managing the internets.
I've been watching them do one stupid thing after another, some minor missteps but others, doozies.
The over production of trite souvenirs compounded by limiting the availability of printed stamps is one. Virtually surrendering the parcel delivery system to Fex-Ex and others is another.
Building large underutilized postal facilities in rural areas and letting needed facilities become annoyingly crowded, another.
Today there are stores all over town offering copy services, FAX machine transmissions and of course reception, parcel packaging and wrapping and even Notary services, all of which could have, and should have, been folded into the mail delivery system.

Example of stupidity.
For years most of the post offices in this area had one of those number dispensers near the entrance and displays of products, including Hallmark Greeting Cards, around the room. A customer could enter and after taking the slip with the number could roam about the displays, choosing things that were wanted and possibly even making an impulse purchase.
In one very busy outlet there were benches where customers could sit down and wait their turn. Then some genius decided to remove the number dispensers and patrons are required to stand in line, which is often quite long at several places. If they even bother to notice the displays, they are far enough away from the cases that an impulsive walk over to a counter would cause a loss of place in line.
Then, once sales in displayed items dropped they were removed for lack of interest.

So we see the withering and possible demise of what was once a vibrant postal system, and that was before Congress loaded up the pension system with an unbelievable escrow payment for pensions or health care that originated in other departments.
So now we will cut Saturday mail delivery. What else is new.

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
06 Feb 2013
11:00:44am

Auctions

re: USPS woes

Charlie, i believe the biggest mistake was ceding package delivery to UPS and FedX. It would have required them reinvisioning how they did business, but most of the infrastructure was already in place and, as long as you're delivering stuff anyway, you might as well charge more than 46c to do it.

incidentally, they did try to have a web-based delivery system in which messages were coded as part of a proof of delivery system. It went nowhere, but they made an effort. I'm in no position to comment on how well it was conceived or executed, but it was tried.

And, yes, the blunders are far more numerous than one could imagine a single organization to make and still exist.

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
Les

06 Feb 2013
05:12:37pm

re: USPS woes

Actually, I think that the real problem was the Congress' insistence that the Postal Service pre pay the federal retirement and medical care of its employees. No other business in the United States is required by law to fund the retirement of its current employees. And in many cases the Congress has allowed its cozy business partners to actually shift its agreed upon pension payments to the taxpayers. The leveraged buyouts of the 1980's were fueled by the ability of the corporate raider to seize the pension funds of the targeted company and shift the responsibility to the Federal Government Pension Guaranty corporation.

Mail service should be a function of government.

Like 
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
Logistical1

06 Feb 2013
08:28:55pm

re: USPS woes

I agree with Les, mail delivery should be a function of the government and not a quasi-government agency unable to compete directly with UPS and FedEx. PAC's for these large package delivery systems have thwarted any attempt by the USPS from competing with them in any way that would be disadvantageous to their business. I suspect there is more to the pension funding issue than what we know.

The next move will be to close all but a few post offices and to charge a fee for home delivery on any day.... watch

UPS announced that the UPS Stores were voted the number one franchise opportunity for 2013 by some business magazine. These are a great place to go to pick up your mail

Like
Login to Like
this post
SteveRiggs

06 Feb 2013
10:34:32pm

re: USPS woes

Two things that bothered me is the Post Offices removed all vending machines making their lines longer. If you're trying to sell more stamps you don't take away a selling tool! They said the vending machines broke down too much. If true, then you buy machines that don't break down. Coca Cola probably knows a good vending machine company!

Number 2: How many times do you get messages, advertising, and prompts to GO Paperless, save a stamp, etc. The Post Office should advertise using persuasion that using stamps saves computer time, reduces chances of computer fraud and identity theft, no worry about passwords, etc. They don't point out the benefits of using stamps and the drawbacks of doing private accounting on line.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
CapeStampMan

Mike
06 Feb 2013
11:57:06pm

re: USPS woes

That, plus the fact that probably 25% of the stamped mail doesn't even get cancelled and people have been reusing the stamps, probably since the Penny Black was introduced.

They do occaisionally inspect some of those Media Mail packages for contraband. I received one that the sender had sent me a bunch of books and a silver dollar that I had also won, that the POD had opened. When I contacted the seller she told me the POD informed her of the violation and just gave her a warning.

Mike

Like
Login to Like
this post

"It's been 7 years now, since I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet..."
michael78651

07 Feb 2013
09:22:30am

re: USPS woes

A few points:

- Under federal law, the USPS has a monopoly on first class mail in the USA.

- Until about 5 years or so, federal law prohibited the USPS from being competitive with the UPS, FedExes, etc. in the package delivery service. That law was repealed, and you see USPS advertising and other things in place by the USPS to try to increase its market share on the package service.

- Regarding media mail, once warned, your name goes into the computer, and future packages mail be opened and inspected for continued violations. Improperly franked mail following the warning can be confiscated, and additional action taken against the mailer. Under the law, it is considered to be fraud to misrepresent the mail service class, and a felony. Small fry mailers probably won't have much happen to them for isolated incidents, but getting your packages opened may make customers uneasy seeing that, and the mail could be kicked back for improper postage, delaying delivery, also not making some customers happy. A fact that many don't realize is that if the package weighs less than 9 ounces (5 ounces for a package), it is cheaper to send it via first class than media mail. That covers alot of items.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
Logistical1

07 Feb 2013
05:35:19pm

re: USPS woes

I work for the brown company in supply chain management and logistics and one of my customers is the USPS and I can tell you from firsthand experience most of the small packages that USPS tenders across their counters end up on a brown or orange and purple plane or truck.

As far as mail goes most of the high volume customer's presort mail is processed in a third party location before it ever sees the USPS to reduce customer costs with the USPS. When it comes to setting rates and service levels the USPS is sometimes their own worst enemy.

Unless the USPS can free itself from the last mile delivery or significantly increases their last mile delivery volume they will never be profitable.

There are some interesting white papers put together at Georgia Tech about the USPS I wish I could find links to them on the web. They painted a dim future for daily home delivery of the mail and postal rates.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
08 Feb 2013
05:39:55am

Auctions

re: USPS woes

Michael, are you saying that mail is PROCESSED at third party locations? I thought internal processing was the a major expense

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
Logistical1

28 Feb 2013
11:31:36pm

re: USPS woes

There are lots of companies that provide pre-sort services. All mail is delivered to a USPS location for processing eventually. Per-sort customers enjoy a discount because the postal service doesn't have to do it.

Like
Login to Like
this post
michael78651

01 Mar 2013
02:13:07am

re: USPS woes

Pitney-Bowes runs third-party sorting of mail, and it has a big, sharp operation. I saw their facility in Dallas. It actually saves USPS money, because the mail is delivered to USPS all sorted and ready to go. Pitney-Bowes charges the mailers for the service, not the USPS.

When I was managing a mail center contract, the company (based in Dallas) that we used to print, stuff and mail our documents did the same for us. It was cheaper for us to use that company rather than PB.

In fact, if a company wants to enjoy lower postage rates, there are many requirements that it has to follow. The third-party mailing companies make sure that those are met, and let you know when changes are coming and helps you update everything so that your mail remains compliant. The less that USPS has to do to process your mail, the more savings it passes on to you.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
04 Mar 2013
08:24:52pm

re: USPS woes

Required reading: How the US Postal Service is Being Gutted

Best I have read in a long time on the three common myths surrounding the demise of the USPS.

a) Myth 1: The USPS' losses show that it's not a viable business
b) Myth 2: Everyone knows that snail mail is dead, so USPS can't survive
c) Myth 3: Privatized mail delivery would be cheaper and more effective


Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
philb

26 Jun 2021
11:37:58am

Auctions

re: USPS woes

Here we are in 2021 and still have Saturday mail. Why ? I for one can wait until Monday for a delivery of stamps or a Spectrum bill.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
Members Picture
1938324

26 Jun 2021
04:30:59pm

Auctions - Approvals

re: USPS woes

I find all of this Discussion very interesting. Our mail has just been delivered. Only problem, it's NOT addressed to us!!!

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
d1stamper

26 Jun 2021
04:38:38pm

Auctions

re: USPS woes

Canada has not had Saturday delivery since the early 1970's.

I did not miss it them and still do not miss it.

How many countries get mail delivered 6 days a week?

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
Jansimon

collector, seller, MT member
26 Jun 2021
04:45:14pm

Approvals

re: USPS woes

We had 6 days but for some time already it has been reduced to 5. No delivery on Mondays.
Back in the old days, there used to be 2 or even 3 delivery rounds per day.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.etsy.com/nl/shop ...
Members Picture
hfbaker

26 Jun 2021
05:02:41pm

re: USPS woes

Another major obstacle to the competitiveness of the USPS is the subsidy of mailings from non-profit organizations. Non-profits enjoy a 40% discount on first class mail rates. At least 80% of my incoming first class mail is from non-profit organizations. The excessive frequency of the solicitations and the inclusion of unwanted material such as notepads and address labels only adds to the Postal Service's losses from this burden.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
26 Jun 2021
06:26:21pm

Auctions

re: USPS woes

Harry,

I was looking for statistics that show the PO loses money on non-profit mail, and I couldn't find any. Can you share your source.

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
26 Jun 2021
07:20:21pm

re: USPS woes

" ... Only problem, it's NOT addressed to us!!! ..."

Details, details, dtails.

Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
Strider

26 Jun 2021
07:22:16pm

re: USPS woes

Hmm... We have delivery on 6 days here in UK. But Monday's is always just junk mail, and occasionally international stuff - ie from you guys.

Like
Login to Like
this post

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
26 Jun 2021
07:40:33pm

re: USPS woes

" ... Why ? I for one can wait until Monday for a delivery ...."


I can wait as well, but I would rather receive a Saturday delivery,
just for the fun of it.
For instance, today there is an envelope from one of our astute SoR
members who sent it to the Texas address I moved from a bit over
seven months ago, despite the fact that the Florida address is,
and has been, on the invoice that was enclosed since late November.
Fortunarally, it is my son's home in Panhandle, so he put it in a
correctly addressed envelope, and here it is. With my somewhat shaky
memory, I did not even miss the sender's envelope anyway.
But as the Bard of Avon once wrote, "All's well that ends well.".

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
Members Picture
hfbaker

26 Jun 2021
10:02:39pm

re: USPS woes

"I was looking for statistics that show the PO loses money on non-profit mail, and I couldn't find any. Can you share your source.

David"



I believe that first class rates are set at a level which covers the cost of the service. A 40% discount from a breakeven rate would produce a loss. If non-profit rates don't produce a loss then regular first class rates would produce a substantial profit.
Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
angore

Al
Collector, Moderator
27 Jun 2021
06:02:53am

re: USPS woes

Getting rid of Saturday delivery is not going to solve the USPS financial situation.

DeJoy's proposal now slows delivery so cross country mailings would take up to 3 days more at higher rates. The hidden goal may be to get some to use priority mail rather than first class for anything time sensitive mailing.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
27 Jun 2021
05:24:21pm

Auctions

re: USPS woes

Harry,

there's a certain logic to that, and yet....

there are subtle differences between 1st and discounted mailings: on 1st class, it's a single letter, handwritten, which needs to be rekeyed to enter it into the system. so a there's a lot of effort to move a 55c letter from Pittsburgh to Portland. But in discounted mail, that work is esseentially done for every letter in a given batch, which might be 25 or 100 or 1,000 pieces, and the sorting might already be done down to carrier routes. That's a lot of effort not expended. All of which costs money for first class but not for discounted mail.

In addition, in the more highly discounted rates, it's not treated like first class; it's treated more like the old third class: no forwarding, no RTS, get to it when you can, and no guarantees of delivery, much less when.

There's a reason it's discounted.

We should also remember there are fixed costs: the carrier is coming whether he delivers one or 100 pieces to your mailbox.

Anyway, I'm not saying your wrong, but I would be very interested to see a fuller exploration of cost and services before a conclusion is drawn.

David

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
hfbaker

27 Jun 2021
11:27:42pm

re: USPS woes

David,
I understand the rationale of the discounts offered for commercial mailings which require fewer services. For an "apple to apples" comparison I compare the USPS Marketing Mail
rate to the USPS Marketing Mail Nonprofit rate for Commercial Letters, Nonautomation, No Entry Discount, Machinable, Mixed AADC. The non-profit rate is $.19 vs $.311, a 40% reduction in revenue for the same service.

Harry

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
28 Jun 2021
08:48:51am

Auctions

re: USPS woes

Makes sense, Harry; thanks for the explanation

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...

Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
29 Jun 2021
04:47:29pm

re: USPS woes

" ... I would be very interested to see a fuller exploration of cost and services before a conclusion is drawn. ...."

We don't need no stinkin' facts !



Like
Login to Like
this post

".... You may think you understood what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you think you heard is not what I thought I meant. .... "
        

Contact Webmaster | Visitors Online | Unsubscribe Emails | Facebook


User Agreement

Copyright © 2024 Stamporama.com