Thread: The *&%$@# USPS fails again.

Originally Posted by gugi

But USPS has monopoly on first class mail. Even with USPS if you ship that same business envelope as package it'll cost you about $5 or more.
UPS and Fedex compete with USPS in the packaging services so those rates are not that far off from each other, but usually you need volume discount to make UPS/Fedex cheaper.

Usually it's the rural customers who insist on USPS for the simple economic reason that they essentially get free money at the expense of the urban customers. But back in late 18th century government control over postal service was deemed important enough to put it in the constitution and it's stuck so far.

Granted but conditions are not such that there must be a monopoly like with the electric/cable/gas etc. The Gugi mail service could start up tomorrow! As to rates, "Not far off" is a vague margin. If I check rate for packages and envelopes sent through premium services by the available carriers, there is a difference of 50-100+% to use a carrier other than the USPS. I call that more than "not far off." I can send a razor to Roy insured for $15 or so through USPS. UPS and Fedex are near $30 for the same service.

Keep in mind USPS has contracts with the other private carriers for transporting mail from city to city. That USPS priority 2 day was probably in the custody of Fedex most of the time. Also both Fedex and UPS and DHL have services where the actual item is delivered by USPS and Fedex home delivery is delivered by a contractor with their employees making not much more than minimum wage.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

All packages are xrayed now, so it surprises me we don't have more show up missing. I always insure any more, not worth it not to.

Not all, only high risk areas like DC and such.

Originally Posted by ProudMarineDad

Not all, only high risk areas like DC and such.

According to my mail lady, the only packages that aren't xrayed are the ones interoffice like if I were to mail a check to my neighbor who uses the same post office. Otherwise they all get xrayed...just passing on my postmasters word, I'm too close to "going postal" to be a postal worker.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

According to my mail lady, the only packages that aren't xrayed are the ones interoffice like if I were to mail a check to my neighbor who uses the same post office. Otherwise they all get xrayed...just passing on my postmasters word, I'm too close to "going postal" to be a postal worker.

I was just passing on what my friend in TN told me. She is almost the post master in her area so I don't know.

I asked our local postmistress Ms largebottom and she just has a couple bloodhounds sniff all the parcels.

More information than most of us want to read concerning the state of the USPS.
USPS News

Originally Posted by Wirm

More information than most of us want to read concerning the state of the USPS.
USPS News

You should compare to the same for the alternative companies.

The person who writes the articles above wrote the following:

In any instance, whether you enjoy good service or bad has less to do with which company you patronize, and more to do with whether you’re assigned a good or bad delivery person.

Originally Posted by Wirm

I won a W&B 8/8 last week and on monday of this week it was scheduled to be delivered along with another package containing 6.8 oz Guerlain Vetiver EDT. Tracking shows that both packages were delivered,but all I had in my mailbox was the infamous "Sorry we missed you" card. I contacted the local USPS supervisor, who informed me that the driver on that day was a substitute and could not find my address and mis-scanned the items as "delivered". They have no idea where the items are now. I contacted the sellers and poured myself three fingers of scotch. Things are much better now !

I hope the scotch was glenleivet (keep in mind I can't spell but you know what scotch I mean)