Author Topic: USPS (Read 1973 times)

john e. holliday · « **on:** December 23, 2012, 01:11:39 PM »

Can't beleive the USPS is working on Sunday. I sent a small donation to the FCM to get me a hat. The postal worker just dropped the package on the front porch after knocking on the door. Now if I can just live up to wearing it.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2012, 01:44:20 PM »

WHAT?!!! They delivered on Sunday? I think I feel the ground shaking!!!!!

Doc, you'll live up to it, remember Eph 2:8&9! That's the one I rely on. Ain't no way on my own!

Dave Holtsclaw · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2012, 05:36:45 PM »

I received a delivery on Christmas day last year. Totally amazed.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2012, 05:58:42 PM »

For all the bad-mouthing that occurs, I happen to think the USPS does a superb job. In fact I'd support a substantial rate increase for stamps if it would help keep them in business.

ray copeland · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2012, 07:47:43 PM »

What Mike said!!!!

Mike Keville · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2012, 08:03:17 PM »

Thanx, Ray. I see I'm not alone in my admiration for the USPS. Their speed and safety of delivery sure beat the heck out of United Parcel Smashers.

...and I say that based on personal experience.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2012, 08:17:21 PM »

10-4, I also prefer USPS whenever possible. When you really stop and think about it the price for most of their services is very reasonable. I've never heard of a Sunday delivery with them before though.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2012, 08:37:16 PM »

When ever I figure out how to post photos, I'll put up some evidence of the USPS ability to destroy packages. We used to ship printed matter out of our bindery, post marked and sorted by zip code, and you wo9n't believe some of the stuff I saw and experienced dealing with the on site postal inspectors. Ever see those big tractor trailers marked "US Mail" emblazoned on them going down the highway? Most of those trailers are nearly empty. I've had plenty of unpleasant experiences with the other shippers also. The main issue for damage, I think, is the fact that all the packages are handled mostly by machines that aren't operated very well. I got a kit box off of eBay recently, that I incorrectly assumed the seller would package against damage since I was buying an empty box. When I got it, it was crushed on several sides. All the seller did was wrap it in cheap paper and mark "Fragile, Do Not Crush" on it. I'm in a dispute with him right now after I asked him what made him think that the machines at USPS could read, and that the people behind the counter even cared? Sorry to sound so negative and "bah humbug" when it's almost Christmas Eve, but that has been my experiences with them.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ANYWAY!!!!
Dan McEntee

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2012, 10:34:38 PM »

In the not too distant past I had many causes to agree with Dan. However in the past couple of years the postal service here in Tucson has been outstanding.
I ship and recieve things by Priority mail in 1 to 2 days with no damage, including kits which, like Dan I had experienced less than pristine deliverys several years ago.
Maybe the postal service is getting it's act together, at least in some areas.
I don't, however, think I would agree with a big postal rate increase. At least not for normal delivery. I would say that just about everyone else has higher rates however. Of course they're not subsidized by our taxes...

Randy C.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2012, 08:28:06 AM »

I agree with Mike in that I could see an increase in the postage stamp rates. At least to keep them running. What was fun was using the automatic machine to get my stamps. The lady that was helping everyone with the new machine said it was printing my stamps as I wait after choosing and paying for them. Also how many of you carry cash anymore. I have gotten so used to my plastic card I have to tell myself to go by the bank or Wally World and get some cash.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2012, 08:31:17 AM »

Several years ago I discovered I could ship guitars cheaper by USPS than UPS, and based on a couple of very negative experiences before, started going that route. I've had zero problems with the shipping of the instruments. HOWEVER- (you knew there was going to be a "HOWEVER" didn't you?) several different postal clerks have informed me that once a package the size of mine is in the post office, they usually ship via UPS!!! I've checked this out, and on another thread here, had that verified by a couple other of our members.
So, guys and gals, shipping is still a crap shoot. Package them like Bob Hunt recommended once a long time ago - use a schedule 80 pipe and weld the ends on! I can't fit a guitar into that, but I surely cushion them a bunch!
I do shudder to think of having no mail system. When you think about it, it all works pretty good in spite of the fact that people just like me are running it!

dankar · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2012, 09:02:57 AM »

The P/O does have many good folks. I guess good/ bad and ugly. Lately they have been better and hope they do so in future.

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2012, 09:36:55 AM »

Couple of years back, we had an ice storm which shut things down for three days. PO delivered mail on Sunday after the ice melted. It is a common misconception that the post office is supported by tax money.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2012, 10:34:36 AM »

Quote from: Jim Thomerson on December 24, 2012, 09:36:55 AM

Couple of years back, we had an ice storm which shut things down for three days. PO delivered mail on Sunday after the ice melted. It is a common misconception that the post office is supported by tax money.

The postal service is SUBSIDIZED by tax money (I didn't say supported). Any time they run short they dip into the general fund to bail them out. Just because they are not a line item on the Federal budget does not mean they don't get lots of TAX money!!!
Check it out...Tax money nearly every year.

Randy Cuberly

Joseph Patterson · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2012, 11:18:13 AM »

I agree with Mike about the service, not the rate increase. My experience is that I've had less problems with damage than with UPS. I have never received a deformed box like I have on more than one occasion from UPS.
Doug

phil c · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2012, 01:14:58 PM »

I used to ship both UPS and USPS. The post office was closer, UPS was cheaper. Then their rates became equal. Then UPS trashed several packages, shipped at different times to the same place. They refused to honor the insurance because they required 4 in. of cushioning around the items inside the box. Since the damage was a forklift prong rammed into the box.

Since then I've shipped USPS exclusively. The local office is exceptionally good. In the last 10 years they lost one small package and slightly damaged 4 others. The insurance covered it.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2012, 02:21:42 PM »

I just received a swell Cajun cookbook via USPS with the flavors completely intact.

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #17 on:** December 24, 2012, 06:12:47 PM »

So far as I can find out, the only taxpayer funded subsides the USPS receives are for service to disabled and overseas voters. I think that has been the case since 1980. The USPS just runs in the red, and does so as a result of congressional mandate on funding postal pensions. I'd be pleased to learn of congressional bail outs as I do not know of any.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2012, 06:38:27 PM »

Quote from: Jim Thomerson on December 24, 2012, 06:12:47 PM

So far as I can find out, the only taxpayer funded subsides the USPS receives are for service to disabled and overseas voters. I think that has been the case since 1980. The USPS just runs in the red, and does so as a result of congressional mandate on funding postal pensions. I'd be pleased to learn of congressional bail outs as I do not know of any.

Well Jim, an apology is in order from me. There actually have been no bailouts...uuhhh until now that is. The following is a quote from "The Hill" :

"This past Wednesday, Congress officially voted to go forth with an $11 billion cash bailout plan that would delay the the end of the Postal Service system as we know it.
Recently, postal officials suggested closing as many as 3,700 post offices and over 220 mail processing plants across the nation.
However, many officials say that proposal simply wouldn't work due to the unique nature of the Postal Service operation, as its union contract prohibits layoffs."

Obviously from the many articles available it is typical Union Demand problems that create the losses.

It seems I was a bit premature, however still a lot of truth in the statement.

Again apologies for the misinformation!! Guess I'll have to wait a few weeks to make the statement.

Randy Cuberly

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #19 on:** December 24, 2012, 06:41:05 PM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on December 24, 2012, 02:21:42 PM

I just received a swell Cajun cookbook via USPS with the flavors completely intact.

Howard,
I'm surprised they weren't completely burned up from the Cayenne Pepper!!

Randy Cuberly

Perry Rose · « **Reply #20 on:** December 25, 2012, 04:55:15 AM »

My local post office is a quarter mile away. If I want an item to get to it's destination on time I'll drive 5 miles and send it through the office in another town. Strange part of that is the same truck picks up the mail at both offices. I have sent a package to Colorado that took 4 weeks, I recieved a package from Louisiana that took 10 days, priority mail, I watched the tracking and it hit the Springfield, MA sorting center a day after it was mailed and then departed and dissappeared for a week then it returned to Springfield and then to me. I tried the expensive guaranteed to bge there overnight express mail and it didn't get there. I got my money back on that one. All this from my local office. Everything I send through the other office has no problem, and I've sent several this past year. I'm told it's because of no staffing. I believe that as even the other office has different people running it every time I go in as does the local office.
But UPS has killed every package I've sent. One was opened and the item played with and put back in broken. I use the USPS in the other town.

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #21 on:** December 25, 2012, 09:28:56 AM »

I was doing my taxes and realized I did not have the 1099 from the guy who was leasing my ranch. I called him. He said his wife had mailed it the second of January, but she would send me another one. Two days later, I received two 1099s; the one mailed Jan 2 and the one mailed the day before, in March.

The post office operates as mandated by congress. I would not care to run a business under their guidance.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #22 on:** December 25, 2012, 02:06:00 PM »

Quote from: Jim Thomerson on December 25, 2012, 09:28:56 AM

I was doing my taxes and realized I did not have the 1099 from the guy who was leasing my ranch. I called him. He said his wife had mailed it the second of January, but she would send me another one. Two days later, I received two 1099s; the one mailed Jan 2 and the one mailed the day before, in March.

The post office operates as mandated by congress. I would not care to run a business under their guidance.

HHmmmmm...
As mandated by Congress or as mandated by the Union??
Difficult to tell which is worse!

Randy Cuberly

john e. holliday · « **Reply #23 on:** December 25, 2012, 05:31:00 PM »

They are run as mandated by the local postal supervisor. I went to send a kit I had sold on the bay. Was told at USPS it was too big. So I went to UPS with the kits and some smaller packages. UPS sent me back to USPS office with the smaller packages. But, would take them if put in bigger boxes. When I got back to USPS a different postal clerk told me the previous clerk probably didn't want to take the time for the kits. Also she said them and UPS take each others packages on each others trucks. Depends on the direction and city. Also I have been very lucky on packages arriving in good shape and on time.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #24 on:** December 26, 2012, 08:32:37 AM »

Overall I am happy with the service from USPS. BUTwhen the annual raise in stamp costs was approved, the raise in cost for "other" items is only clear when you go to ship something. I have about 100 boxes in stock that I have used to ship Falcons, Road Runners, etc. These boxes are now deemed too long. I shipped the first "Hobo" full kit on Dec 24th via Priority mail. I was told it was too long. The charge was $23.75!!!!!! The same box used to be approx $7.00. I will have to cut the boxes to size in the future. They won't look nice, but it must be done.

Cost of materials have gone up 20% to 40% over the last few years. Last year UPS and FedEx wanted over $400.00 to ship a $150.00 item to Australia.

With development costs, and time to create drawings, testing prototypes, and laser costs, it is becoming prohibitive to make kits. This shows when you quote prices that will barely allow you to break even, and people say it is too expensive.