Why the USPS is going out of business.

[Firefighterchen]

I am probably preaching to the choir...but this just drives it further into me, that government programs/jobs have a real problem that needs to be solved (not that everyone didn't all ready know this).

I ordered 4 items from amazon on 2/24/2012. Leatherman MUT, Bit set for the MUT, Knight armor pen/flashlight combo, Maxpedition holster for their bags.

The MUT and Pen/Flashlight were shipped from KY via UPS.
The bit set was shipped from IN via UPS.
The holster was shipped from Kent, WA via USPS.
All items shipped 2/28/2012.

I live in South East WA. Amazingly, the three items sent halfway across the nation made it to my doorstep today. The holster that originated from my home state, is estimated to come tomorrow...maybe...

Evil capitalism private companies getting me my junk from farther away faster than the government mail system...sigh...

No wonder they are loosing days of the week...and offices everywhere...

There was talk about shutting down the main post office in my town, which would have caused all our mail to go to Spokane, and back, just to be delivered across town...luckily someone with some intelligence stopped that from happening.

I know I am being impatient...but if UPS can do it...why can't USPS?

Vent over.

 

[PAcarrier]

"...but if UPS can do it...why can't USPS?"

I think the issue is true accountability. UPS at least has shareholders to keep them "honest" about their practices.

I feel your pain - been waiting on a client check from your neck of the woods for about a week now. I was told it's "in the mail." LOL!

 

[Tucker's Mom]

You know...the Australian government at one stage cannot keep some government offices open. They were losing money (due to technological advancements, e.g., internet, email, etc.) That was over 10 years ago. They sold stocks, etc. It worked for a while and then they began losing money along the way. Governments do not know how to handle businesses, so they ended up selling the whole post office system to a private group who now runs the post office as a franchise. It is a booming business not only for the operators but also because of privatization. Some post offices that have moneyed franchise holders, especially the ones that are in the city locations have booming business...they almost have a mall-like establishment in there plus the post office. Maybe it will be more cost effective if the Post Office here is privatized too? Government, as soon as they see money, they will want to spend it; with private holders, they invest the money and have more stuffs to sell and staffs earning a living. That is the difference. And your snail mail comes 6 days a week plus 2 x a day during the Christmas seasons...

For those that do not know, I can make a differenciation between these two countries, the US and Australia because I still have a house there.

 

[santa]

Dont forget one of the 5 biggest lies in the world is "The check is in the mail".

 

[towboater]

They are shutting down the distribution hub in my town.

 

[Seeya]

"...but if UPS can do it...why can't USPS?"

I think the issue is true accountability. UPS at least has shareholders to keep them "honest" about their practices.

I feel your pain - been waiting on a client check from your neck of the woods for about a week now. I was told it's "in the mail." LOL!

Are we the people not the shareholders of the USPS?

 

[LogosVeritas]

USPS is a joke. Not only are their rates crazy inflated, they are continually looking for more ways to penny pinch from US, the citizens. I agree with Seeya, who needs shareholders with the all US Taxpayers out there?

On a more personal note, I dont think i have ever gone into a Postoffice and actually seen anybody smiling. Is it standard procedure to be a bunch of D-Bags? I'm sending a letter, you dont need to look at me like i just slapped yo momma, this is your job.

Anyway, i appreciate this thread, been waiting to bash on the postoffice for a while haha.

 

[bootsdeal]

Let em go bust - who cares. Their employees are the worst workers in the United States, simply because they know that they get paid for being worthless. I'm sorry, but when you go to the counter at the post office, it's kinda like being at a zoo - blank expressions on everyone's face, and absolutely no desire to help their customers. Look at the local "mom & pop" pack & mail business. They're going strong, hiring people, and making money because they know that to make it, all they have to do right is offer good service, offer a good product, be honest in their dealings, and be accountable. And just think, our government says they can handle the health-care system. Lord help us!

 

[jhodge83]

Are we the people not the shareholders of the USPS?

no, because the USPS does not use funds from the government for it's business. do we end up paying for the retirement for it's workers after they leave? that i do not know, but wouldnt be surprised.

 

[mspt_99]

Totally what I say all the time. The government can't make delivering pieces of paper work and THESE SAME PEOPLE think they can take care of our health??
Whatever!!

 

[Firefighterchen]

Update on my 4th item (holster). USPS.com says it has been out for delivery since 8:05 am 2/29/2012. Just had a bunch of junk mail in my mailbox...no holster. Maybe they forgot? Lost it? Gave it to someone else? Sigh.....

 

[PAcarrier]

Dont forget one of the 5 biggest lies in the world is "The check is in the mail".

LOL - I said that as the joke that it is. I followed up today and found out that accounting misunderstood the urgency, so now the check really is in the mail based on cc by the president of the company.

"santa", should I believe in that as much as I believe in you? <insert sarcasm with a friendly smile here>

Still, accountability, much as Mom and seeya stated, is to our advantage, should the great state of USPS declare to be subdivided, might have an opportunity to reveal. I really hope that we might progress to the Reagan era of privatizing the system.

 

[Caribou]

The USPS (United States Postal Service) is a private corporation. Many years ago the United States Post Office closed shop and its assets and employees were assumed by the USPS. This private corporation has a contract in which the federal government guarantees USPS a profit. If memory serves the profit is set at 17 percent though it may only be 11 percent. Either way the the less efficient they are the more it costs us and the more they make. There are a handful of these special corporations, another one that comes to mind is the Federal Reserve.

 

[Tucker's Mom]

Update on my 4th item (holster). USPS.com says it has been out for delivery since 8:05 am 2/29/2012. Just had a bunch of junk mail in my mailbox...no holster. Maybe they forgot? Lost it? Gave it to someone else? Sigh.....

When I do not receive any bill/s in the mail, I always say it is a happy day...:biggrin: Your holster will come today, so be happy...no envelope with windows? Happy day!

 

[Tucker's Mom]

The USPS (United States Postal Service) is a private corporation. Many years ago the United States Post Office closed shop and its assets and employees were assumed by the USPS. This private corporation has a contract in which the federal government guarantees USPS a profit. If memory serves the profit is set at 17 percent though it may only be 11 percent. Either way the the less efficient they are the more it costs us and the more they make. There are a handful of these special corporations, another one that comes to mind is the Federal Reserve.

That is interesting...I learn something everyday...thanks for the info. I think for a customer service oriented private corporation, it had become too big for its shoes...As for the the Federal Reserve I think is a big Bernie Madoff.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Thank you caribou, I did not know this as well. If it is a private corporation, how is it a federal building under federal law?

In any case...updates.

02/29/2012 10:01:00: USPS claims its delivered.
03/01/2012 10:43:00: No package, called USPS, they left a note for the driver and will call me back.
03/02/2012 12:00:00: No mail, no message, no call back.
03/03/2012 12:45:00: No mail, no message, no call back. Will not answer my phone calls.
03/03/2012: USPS is still failing...and will never choose to deliver through them. Time to flush the toilet with this company.

03/03/2012: Contacted amazon. They researched, and found the package is now missing. Resent via UPS, est delivery 03/05/2012. (AMAZING Customer Service)

 

[Tucker's Mom]

Thank you caribou, I did not know this as well. If it is a private corporation, how is it a federal building under federal law?

In any case...updates.

02/29/2012 10:01:00: USPS claims its delivered.
03/01/2012 10:43:00: No package, called USPS, they left a note for the driver and will call me back.
03/02/2012 12:00:00: No mail, no message, no call back.
03/03/2012 12:45:00: No mail, no message, no call back. Will not answer my phone calls.
03/03/2012: USPS is still failing...and will never choose to deliver through them. Time to flush the toilet with this company.

03/03/2012: Contacted amazon. They researched, and found the package is now missing. Resent via UPS, est delivery 03/05/2012. (AMAZING Customer Service)

I met a guy who is a member of the board of our flying club last night. He just retired from the Postal Service short of two weeks ago now. I asked him about this and he said that the postal office is not a private corporation and was established by the government under the Constitution so this means it is fully funded by the government. He doesn't received any of his salary via a private corporation either. He said the reason why the post office is losing money is because the government saw it as like an open bank ang get money out of it like as if they own the money being generated by the Post Office. As for services, they have good services that makes money. Oh I fought with him on length about most of the postal service employees being rude sometimes and uncaring and he said that those people are only a drop in the bucket of how many really do their job and can do their jobs...well amongst other things we talked about. I believe he had a good position in the postal service before he retired. We do not like the guy much because he's duff really. We are glad he has only till June of this for him to stay in our board. But our feelings about him has nothing to do with the topic on hand so I will not expound on his character here.

 

[glocknload]

Are we the people not the shareholders of the USPS?

Treated more like sharecroppers I would think.