USPS proposing to cut Saturday deliveries

[e-man67]

http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/news/economy/usps/index.htm?hpt=T2

than sucks...

[elderboy02]

:td

I like getting stuff on Saturdays.

[kenstogie]

Does this mean no delivery's of Cigars on Saturday??

[e-man67]

Does this mean no delivery's of Cigars on Saturday??

Of anything....

[NCRadioMan]

They talk about it every few years. This time, looks like they may do it.


http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24711&highlight=USPS

[GreekGodX]

I heard something about this before. Definitely sucks but makes sense financially for the PO.

[elderboy02]

Screw the USPS. When I buy stuff online and have the option to choose between USPS and UPS/Fedex, I pick USPS b/c of the Saturday delivery. If they eliminate Sat delivery, I will support UPS/FedEx b/c they actually let you track items.

[e-man67]

Screw the USPS. When I buy stuff online and have the option to choose between USPS and UPS/Fedex, I pick USPS b/c of the Saturday delivery. If they eliminate Sat delivery, I will support UPS/FedEx b/c they actually let you track items.

Shut up Dan!

[Razorhog]

Screw the USPS. When I buy stuff online and have the option to choose between USPS and UPS/Fedex, I pick USPS b/c of the Saturday delivery. If they eliminate Sat delivery, I will support UPS/FedEx b/c they actually let you track items.

:tpd:

I think it's pathetic that the USPS continually takes a loss. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised because it is run by the government. But damn, someone needs to whip it into shape. (I support the USPS and have relatives who work for them. Still find it pathetic.)

[Kreth]

I'll expect to see a 16% reduction in fees to reflect the reduction in service. :rolleyes:
Posted via Mobile Device

[kenstogie]

Screw the USPS. When I buy stuff online and have the option to choose between USPS and UPS/Fedex, I pick USPS b/c of the Saturday delivery. If they eliminate Sat delivery, I will support UPS/FedEx b/c they actually let you track items.

Gotta agree with Dan on this one.

[GreekGodX]

I pick USPS because they are cheaper for the most part. This Saturday delivery loss doesn't bother me.

[ucla695]

I'll still use the USPS, but someone has to go in there and trim the fat to whip it back into fiscal shape.

[Mikes]

Screw the USPS. When I buy stuff online and have the option to choose between USPS and UPS/Fedex, I pick USPS b/c of the Saturday delivery. If they eliminate Sat delivery, I will support UPS/FedEx b/c they actually let you track items.


AMEN! I don't know how the USPS stays afloat with the crap ass service they provide. At least when I go into a UPS or Fed Ex store I am treated in a courteous manner by someone who cares and is not just counting the days till they retire and draw a pension. I can care less about Saturday delivery, and can't wait to see what they decide to 'cut' next year when this doesn't work and or what kinda hand out they get to stay open.

[chenvt]

I'll still use the USPS, but someone has to go in there and trim the fat to whip it back into fiscal shape.

I'll still use them because they're the most cost effective.. However, they need to treat it more like a private corporation than a government entity. For example, stop making it free for federal use. Federal agencies get budgets, make them pay for their use of the postal service. Non profits too.

[Starscream]

I heard something about this before. Definitely sucks but makes sense financially for the PO.

:tpd:

It's no biggie to me. If it saves money, then go for it. I wish the rest of the Federal gov't would try to make some cuts.

[shilala]

I'll still use them because they're the most cost effective.. However, they need to treat it more like a private corporation than a government entity. For example, stop making it free for federal use. Federal agencies get budgets, make them pay for their use of the postal service. Non profits too.
The USPS is a private corporation. Actually, it's a public corporation. Or neither. It's the only entity that operates the way they are forced to operate (that I know of), and it's way screwed up. But it works.
The goverment does not own them, but they are forced to operate by guidelines that are set by the government.
They take those guidelines and do the best they can to not turn a profit. For many, many years they operated in the black, mainly because of their volume. That surplus kept rate hikes from happening. With the advent of email, they've taken huge shortages in volume and have really wrestled to stay solvent. The rise in fuel costs put a beating on them, too.
Problem is, when they need a rate hike, they have to go to Congress to get it approved. Usually it's too late, because they have to operate to a non-profit budget, and they're always heavily in the red before they can get a rate increase passed. Then they need another rate increase by the time the last one passes.
The good thing about this structure is that the same congress who dictates the crappy rules to which they operate also happen to be the ones who decide if there's mail on Saturdays.
Right there is your answer as to whether it'll ever happen. I can't imagine there's a congress member who's willing to vote that they don't get mail on Saturday.
I'll put ten bucks on Saturday mail staying just the way it is. :tu

[Christoff]

Personally, less bills coming in on Saturday means less headaches for the weekend. I agree with several posters' opinions in this thread.
Mainly:
1. General cuts in federal spending are paramount at the moment, we are going broke faster than a crack addict.
2. Why in the hell Government agencies get free postage is beyond me. Congressional Members send out hundreds of thousands if not millions of pieces of Junk mail requesting donations or support on our dime. That needs to go.
3. It is still a very cost effective way of shipping items but the service is generally worse than most other companies who have a vested interest in return customers.

However, that being said the 3 Billion that would save the USPS by cutting saturday mail is a drop in the bucket. From what I have read the USPS is running a 7+ billion dollar short fall this year. So clearly there is more that needs to be done. :2

[CigarNut]

I'm not happy about losing Saturday delivery and I certainly have my compliants about the USPS, but if you look at the shear volume of mail (letters, packages) that they move, I think the prices and service are pretty good.

Could they be better you bet? Could UPS or FedEx do a better job? Maybe, but the fact is UPS, FedEx and others are not allowed to compete with the USPS for letters.

Instead of griping about the loss of Saturday delivery, higher costs of USPS, or poor service from the USPS you should gripe at your congressional representatives and your senators. Get the government out of the mail delivery service. Allow the USPS to operate the same as any public corporation (sell stock, even) and allow full competition. :2

The government could even get out of the postage stamp business (most people pay cash for mail these days), but that is a rant for another time.

** End of Rant **

[CasaDooley]

I like USPS. Click -N- Ship online, free boxes (they will even deliver them to your house), fairly inexpensive, delivery conformation and for me have always proved to be faster then UPS or FedEx. I'll miss Saturday deliveries, but I can live with that. :ss

[bobarian]

I like USPS. Click -N- Ship online, free boxes (they will even deliver them to your house), fairly inexpensive, delivery conformation and for me have always proved to be faster then UPS or FedEx. I'll miss Saturday deliveries, but I can live with that. :ss

:tpd: I am quite happy with the service of the USMail. Sure I have had my problems with lost packages and late deliveries, but dropping Saturday deliveries is hardly the end of the world. :2

[ucla695]

The USPS is a private corporation. Actually, it's a public corporation. Or neither. It's the only entity that operates the way they are forced to operate (that I know of), and it's way screwed up. But it works.
The goverment does not own them, but they are forced to operate by guidelines that are set by the government.
They take those guidelines and do the best they can to not turn a profit. For many, many years they operated in the black, mainly because of their volume. That surplus kept rate hikes from happening. With the advent of email, they've taken huge shortages in volume and have really wrestled to stay solvent. The rise in fuel costs put a beating on them, too.
Problem is, when they need a rate hike, they have to go to Congress to get it approved. Usually it's too late, because they have to operate to a non-profit budget, and they're always heavily in the red before they can get a rate increase passed. Then they need another rate increase by the time the last one passes.
The good thing about this structure is that the same congress who dictates the crappy rules to which they operate also happen to be the ones who decide if there's mail on Saturdays.
Right there is your answer as to whether it'll ever happen. I can't imagine there's a congress member who's willing to vote that they don't get mail on Saturday.
I'll put ten bucks on Saturday mail staying just the way it is. :tu

Antiquated business model. I can't imagine that Congress will take away their own free postage either. Kinda like voting to give yourself a pay cut...hardly ever happens.....especially in D.C.

[e-man67]

I had several small issues but all got taken care of in the end with USPS...I just don't wanna see folks losing jobs.

[markem]

I've heard that bulk mailings and other services to companies subsidize the rest of the operations. Anyone know how true this is? Based on my mailbox, there are many less mass mailings and catalogs being sent around in the past 2 years, which could help explain the large shortfall.

[neoflex]

I've heard that bulk mailings and other services to companies subsidize the rest of the operations. Anyone know how true this is? Based on my mailbox, there are many less mass mailings and catalogs being sent around in the past 2 years, which could help explain the large shortfall.
You also have a good percentage of people paying bills through the web nowadays too, which I am sure hurts the bottom line for them also.
I can't wait until we have portals like the Jetsons so when we order cigars on the web , they show up roughly 30 seconds later.:r I would be so broke if it worked that way. Would smoking your sticks as soon as they arrive than be referred to ROOTP?(Right Out Of The Portal):D (insert banned smiley)

[wayner123]

:tpd: I am quite happy with the service of the USMail. Sure I have had my problems with lost packages and late deliveries, but dropping Saturday deliveries is hardly the end of the world. :2

:tpd:

[adampc22]

welcome to my world lol if it wont fit into the walking mailmans bag thay wong bring it on satadays lol its a letter only day

[Addiction]

I don't really care. I mean once you subtract packages how much of what you get in the mail really needs to be delivered physically. Books, bills, letters etc should all be electronic anyway. Except for packages we don't actually really need a post office. And if they only did packages then they could make a profit.

[shilala]

I think the Post Office would be better off if they delivered on Sunday. They'd clean house, being as no one else does it. The overtime must be too killer, or not enough demand.

[kelmac07]

I like my Saturday mail delivery.

[Resipsa]

Could they be better you bet? Could UPS or FedEx do a better job? Maybe, but the fact is UPS, FedEx and others are not allowed to compete with the USPS for letters.

Could UPS or FedEx do a better job with letters and junk mail? I'm not so sure about that. In fact, Im no economist but maybe it's the mail and junk mail that is killing the USPS. it seems to me it's a lot more cost effective to deliver one package to one address that cost $14.00 to ship, than 30 letters to 15 different addresses for about the same price (at the cost of a 44 cent stamp)

[captain53]

It will not save a dime as they will simply piss it off some other way but I could care less about Saturday delivery. 80% of the mail I get is junk that goes to the grinder unopened and the balance is mostly bills which I don't want to see on Saturday anyway.

Help us all by making the junk mail the same price as 1st class. I don't know about everyone else but I get no less than 12 or 15 "postcard" type advertisements a week in addition to all the 3rd class envelopes all of which go in the grinder unread.:td:mad:

[etznova]

I like USPS. Click -N- Ship online, free boxes (they will even deliver them to your house), fairly inexpensive, delivery conformation and for me have always proved to be faster then UPS or FedEx. I'll miss Saturday deliveries, but I can live with that. :ss

Its funny you say that because the USPS is UPS's largest customer how else do you think your overnight and two day letters and packages get accross the country. the USPS doen't have planes so thats why they use UPS. So just a little fyi those that avoid UPS and go with USPS are more than likely still using UPS.

[icehog3]

I like USPS. Click -N- Ship online, free boxes (they will even deliver them to your house), fairly inexpensive, delivery conformation and for me have always proved to be faster then UPS or FedEx. I'll miss Saturday deliveries, but I can live with that. :ss

:tpd: I am quite happy with the service of the USMail. Sure I have had my problems with lost packages and late deliveries, but dropping Saturday deliveries is hardly the end of the world. :2

I'm with the two wise men above.

[CasaDooley]

Its funny you say that because the USPS is UPS's largest customer how else do you think your overnight and two day letters and packages get accross the country. the USPS doen't have planes so thats why they use UPS. So just a little fyi those that avoid UPS and go with USPS are more than likely still using UPS.

:hm PM sent

[drob]

:tpd: but dropping Saturday deliveries is hardly the end of the world. :2

Except to the thousands (we're talking 5 digits) who will become unemployed.

[CasaDooley]

Except to the thousands (we're talking 5 digits) who will become unemployed.

I believe Bob was referring to, as I was, those of us that look forward to Saturday deliveries of "certain items". I am sure all of us hate to see anyone lose their jobs or suffer a reduction of income due to budget cuts.

[DPD6030]

Well I know I gave them a ton of $ in 2009 and have backed off in 2010. I can go without mail on Saturdays.

[massphatness]

http://www.georgelois.com/images/Milestones/milestones%20images/I%20want%20my%20MTV.jpg

emotionally, i'm attached to saturday delivery -- live without it? of course. like the prospect of not having it? nope.

[Wharf Rat]

Personally, less bills coming in on Saturday means less headaches for the weekend. I agree with several posters' opinions in this thread.
Mainly:
1. General cuts in federal spending are paramount at the moment, we are going broke faster than a crack addict.


Its not Federal spending... Check Shilala's post. They're controlled but not supported by Washington.

But, they are rotten marketers. Saturday delivery is their only unique service. Take that away and they've got nada.

[spectrrr]

:tpd:

I think it's pathetic that the USPS continually takes a loss. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised because it is run by the government. But damn, someone needs to whip it into shape. (I support the USPS and have relatives who work for them. Still find it pathetic.)

THAT folks is what happens when you have too much regulations. Any business, if they are to survive, MUST have the flexibility to change their business model as the years and times change. UPS does it, FEDEX does it, the number one rule of business is innovate and change, or DIE. Only problem is, the USPS is burdened with too much red tape that prevents it from changing very easily. Thus you get exactly what you have here.

[elderboy02]

I wish USPS would let you ship ammo.

[blugill]

The last time I used the USPS was on lunch several months ago.
I had to get a parcel letter, there was a long line of people. One person helping all of us at a very slow rate.

There were lots of other people milling around that could man the counter but had no interest or desire to do so. Contrast that to when I go to a UPS center, I've had top notch service, fast, efficient, and helpful!

I will always pay by bills online and never, ever buy another stamp if I can help it.

[captain53]

I think the Post Office would be better off if they delivered on Sunday. They'd clean house, being as no one else does it. The overtime must be too killer, or not enough demand.

The killer is their rediculous Healthcare and Retirement plans combined with the unproductive employees that benefit from them --- hmmmm seems just like the GM/Chrysler story doesn't it?:fl

[blugill]

I like the reasoning I read that they will be raising stamp prices again, always a great solution to a failing business is to raise prices on your product.

[SinPena!]

I like the reasoning I read that they will be raising stamp prices again, always a great solution to a failing business is to raise prices on your product.


We need to start paying our bills online and watch the stamp disappear!

[rhmalone]

You're all missing the larger issue... has someone told Santa yet? If this goes down, he's gonna need to know.

[nayslayer]

I almost never use the usps, i get cigars and bills from them. I pay all my bills online, and most bills are online only, no paper. There really isn't much need for them anymore. There isn't anything that can't be done online that usps can do. Just deliver packages, and UPS and Fedex do a fine job, even better than them. I'd be surprised to see them around in 10 years.