Latest wrinkle from the Post Office

[Adaycj]

Some issues could be regional, not that it helps if your origination is always the same.
Here in MI UPS is amazing, near 100% perfection. FedEX make excuses on every other package. USPS pretty much is worthless.
USPS is playing a new game too. We have 6 day a week delivery, but I noticed that 5 days each week we only get junk. One day, Wednesday in my case, we get everything else. Like everyone else we are changing the way we do things to avoid getting burned by USPS' inabilities. I'm pretty much down to Government and Medical only in the mail because my options with them are limited. If I really need something quick, a situation I try to avoid, I make sure it isn't shipped in a way that involves USPS.

[TeachTexas]

Originally Posted by Adaycj

Some issues could be regional, not that it helps if your origination is always the same.
If I really need something quick, a situation I try to avoid, I make sure it isn't shipped in a way that involves USPS.

It's getting harder to avoid that last statement. Both FedEx and UPS have last mile agreements which involve the USPS. You could have something shipped by either one and it still ends up with the post office.

[Adaycj]

Originally Posted by TeachTexas

It's getting harder to avoid that last statement. Both FedEx and UPS have last mile agreements which involve the USPS. You could have something shipped by either one and it still ends up with the post office.

FedEx's Smart Post and UPS's mail innovations are options that a shipper can choose. If a shipper is honest with you before they ship the package, you shouldn't get caught by surprise with these services. I've noticed that most vendors that use these services label their shipping generically. Much in the same way that USPS doesn't seem to lose or massively delay as many Amazon packages, they also seem to have better success rates with UPS and FedEx packages.

[TeachTexas]

Originally Posted by Adaycj

FedEx's Smart Post and UPS's mail innovations are options that a shipper can choose. If a shipper is honest with you before they ship the package, you shouldn't get caught by surprise with these services. I've noticed that most vendors that use these services label their shipping generically. Much in the same way that USPS doesn't seem to lose or massively delay as many Amazon packages, they also seem to have better success rates with UPS and FedEx packages.

While true, almost every package I have received that used the last mile option there was no notice that it was being used by the shipper. I have noticed that it seems to be smaller companies that use this option but not always.

[markandkim]

Originally Posted by PJStough

LOL I would like to see some evidence of what you say, but I know it doesnt exist. For years when I worked there the USPS was on a three year plan. Whenever they raised rates they raised them enough with the expectation that they would make money the first year, break even the second year, and lose what they made the first year the third year, and the cycle would be repeated as costs rose.

However, in 2006 the US Congress passed and the President signed a law that required the USPS to make a payment of about 6 billion each year to the US Treasury for future retiree benefits, even to the point where the payments would cover the retirement benefits for 75 years into the future. Not only did the law do that, but limited rate increases.

They average a loss of about 9.7 billion a year. As a business they would be have been gone years ago. But we'll keep paying to keep them around. I know you have a special interest in them, I understand that.

[MrMark52]

I used to work for a company that manufactured equipment that was used in the USPS P&DC’s - their bulk mail processing centers. Early ‘90’s.
The public has no business being in a P&DC.

They had big banners hanging “we are a self-sufficient business, we take no tax dollars ”. When I asked “If the business is self-sufficient and you take no tax dollars, then why is it all the vehicles used have US Government license tags on them?”.

Crickets.

[Barbaraok]

Originally Posted by jrpend

Ok. What a pain. Instead of the family member dropping the package into the 24 hour 7 day a week package bin at the local post office while on the way to work school etc, they now have to stop during business hours, get into the long line at the post office (our local post office is always busy).

Just of word of warning to those travelers out there that use a similar system.

Regards and Safe Travels

To use Priority Mail each package must have a unique address entered at the time the mail is sent. Just use the Kiosk at the Post Office, type in the address where it is going (after selecting appropriate Priority Mail size) and the kiosk will print out the Label. You can put in ink the name above General Delivery on the address label. Then dump it in the bin for packages. Works very well, have the receipt sent to whatever email you want.