Is the postal slowdown affecting you?

[two_bit_score]

Nothing complicated or corrupt about it. USPS must do the "final mile" deliveries less cost than any private shipper can do it or they don't get the business. Amazon, UPS, FedX would just simply do it themselves. There are always economy of scale. The more you do the less cost per unit. They are trying to get enough business to make it profitable. The Post Office is desperately trying to modernize but politicians and internal bureaucrats resist.

My source says the union’s squabbling between themselves is one of the biggest drains on the USPS.

 

[KennyG]

My source says the union’s squabbling between themselves is one of the biggest drains on the USPS.

When my father worked for the Post Office (in a very small rural facility) I would read his magazines from the Postal Union. I was amazed at how militant and "looking for a fight" they were. The restrictions on work categories and assignments were epic.

 

[lilranch2001]

That is not unusual in ANY union environment........

 

[Larry Caldwell]

But why would the board of Governors agree to losing money?

I'd gladly pay an $25 for Prime if I knew it would go to the PO.

"Last mile" parcel delivery is nicely profitable for the post office. Parcels arrive at the local post office postage paid and pre-sorted for delivery.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

This morning I had 12 orders that I put out in my mailbox to be picked up. This is a normal procedure for me. The mailman came about 3PM and had one box that would not fit in my mailbox and he put it on my front porch. He had another smaller package that he was able to squeeze into my mailbox. He did not pick up the mail I had in there. I pride myself in giving super fast service to my customers but how can I when I have to deal with idiots like that?

My understanding is that the new procedures require carriers to not pick up mail if they are running late. You may have to take outgoing mail to the PO to get it into the system quickly.

 

[Ford850]

Of the big three in my comparison, the USPS has come out in first place. I got my package quick and on time. UPS did shorten their estimated delivery date, and handing it off to the USPS for delivery which I received the following day. Fed Ex, wow. Estimated delivery 8/19 and they said I need to sign for the package so I made sure I was here all day. Never came and they changed delivery to 8/20 and they never showed again and bumped the ETA to 8/21. 8/21 came and went and now they changed the ETA to 8/24. So once again I'll be sure to stay around the house all day waiting for FedEx.

To wrap up my comparison and maybe spread the blame a little to take some heat off the USPS...
After several delays, FedEx again skipped delivery to me yesterday. Out for delivery since Sunday, and on Monday they added a note "Customer not available" which was a lie. My wife and I were both home, garage open, and watching for the truck. When FedEx delivered the package today my wife asked why they didn't deliver yesterday. The driver said "not my fault, the bridge is out". Yes there is a bridge out close to our house so all delivery routes have to come in to our road from each end to get to all the houses on each side. Been that way for 2 months. So rather than driving in from the other way which is 2 miles out of his way, he lied and noted we weren't available. My wife called him out on it and he got upset and said "well I'm delivering it now", set the box down, and walked away as my wife told him to be more honest next time. Apparently there isn't a check box for "too lazy to deliver" on their delivery software.

 

[Pixguy]

I ordered a commercial paper towel dispenser on Fleebay on 8/14 and accepted in Phili USPS on 8/15 where it sat for 9 days and then transferred to Manchester,NH on the 24th. Arrived at my local PO this am at 7am and delivered by my usual carrier at 1:30. So no complaints with my local PO this time but the local postmaster is an odd duck as we've had "discussions"

We also tip many of our local service people that are good $20 at the holidays so that might make a difference.

 

[lilranch2001]

I never did understand the tipping thing for well compensated services like PO, UPS, FED X and the like.

I ALWAYS tip servers very well, 20% and ^, but they live on tips, these other services already get paid astronomically and do not need s freaking tip, if anything they should be tipping their customers

 

[Pixguy]

Do I think the tips are needed? No, but you'd be surprised at the higher level of service you get for a few bucks.

My wife's Chewy order was delivered today after a Sunday order. Fast shipment as Chewy always is but the usual fedex doofus leaves it out at garage door instead of on covered porch 75ft away, when we're expecting storms today. Other days he's left Chewy boxes with canned food or kibble out in the hot sun. Needless to say "NO tip for you!"

 

[Doofy]

Do I think the tips are needed? No, but you'd be surprised at the higher level of service you get for a few bucks.

My wife's Chewy order was delivered today after a Sunday order. Fast shipment as Chewy always is but the usual fedex doofus leaves it out at garage door instead of on covered porch 75ft away, when we're expecting storms today. Other days he's left Chewy boxes with canned food or kibble out in the hot sun. Needless to say "NO tip for you!"

And...he will be peeing on your flowers when you aren't looking.