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Brien · Jul 7, 2010, 04:38 PM

If the USPS gets their way, first-class stamps are going to to go up to 46 cents. They're also wanting to axe Saturday service, reduce post office hours of operation, and close about 700 post offices around the country.

Good think I stocked up on those Forever stamps.

The Final Dakar · Jul 7, 2010, 04:45 PM

I don't even know the price of postage stamps anymore.

-Q- · Jul 7, 2010, 04:46 PM

Me either. If it weren't for ordering stuff from Amazon, I don't know that I'd be aware people even mailed stuff any more.

rickey939 · Jul 7, 2010, 04:48 PM

I blame the iPhone 4.

SpaceMonkey · Jul 7, 2010, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by -Q-

Me either. If it weren't for ordering stuff from Amazon, I don't know that I'd be aware people even mailed stuff any more.

Not surprisingly, those most vocally against the proposed increase are direct-mail marketers and charities.

Laminar · Jul 7, 2010, 04:51 PM

I'll be ticked if Saturday service gets axed.

SpaceMonkey · Jul 7, 2010, 04:53 PM

I'd rather they deliver mail once a week to save postage costs. Need something there by a particular day? Pay separately for express.

sek929 · Jul 7, 2010, 05:17 PM

Sweet, let's close the Post Office on the one day that normal working hour types can actually make it to the Post Office.

Brien · Jul 7, 2010, 05:17 PM

Well, maybe they should cut down on staffing. I used to work at a mailing center and I can't tell you the amount of times there would be 10+ people just sitting around for something to do.

Laminar · Jul 7, 2010, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Brien

Well, maybe they should cut down on staffing. I used to work at a mailing center and I can't tell you the amount of times there would be 10+ people just sitting around for something to do.

I'm sick of waiting in line because only one or two of the four counters is open. Thank goodness for the APC, I use it whenever possible.

imitchellg5 · Jul 7, 2010, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Brien

Well, maybe they should cut down on staffing. I used to work at a mailing center and I can't tell you the amount of times there would be 10+ people just sitting around for something to do.

They've already cut down on staffing a ton.

Eriamjh · Jul 7, 2010, 06:22 PM

Try this: raise co-pays and health costs for all employees and retirees instead of raising stamps.

The Post Office is run like any gov't business: piss poor with an endless amount of cash to burn

hyteckit · Jul 7, 2010, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Try this: raise co-pays and health costs for all employees and retirees instead of raising stamps.

The Post Office is run like any gov't business: piss poor with an endless amount of cash to burn

Because private companies never lose money or raise prices.

hyteckit · Jul 7, 2010, 06:36 PM

They should keep Saturday delivery. Axe Thursday delivery instead.

mduell · Jul 7, 2010, 06:51 PM

Close about half the post offices, increase customer service staffing at the rest to reasonable levels.

ghporter · Jul 7, 2010, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by sek929

Sweet, let's close the Post Office on the one day that normal working hour types can actually make it to the Post Office.

I don't think they said they'd close the post offices on Saturday, just discontinue Saturday delivery. That's like a 12% reduction in work hours-and thus payroll-for letter carriers, and all the sort and bag folks in the back.

andi*pandi · Jul 7, 2010, 10:06 PM

I like getting mail on Saturdays, and since I'm mailing fewer letters/bills, I can't complain about rate increase too much. Evite and Billpay are your friends.

As for reducing staff, whenever I do go inside and can't use the APC machines, the lines for the counter are really long and usually only 2 out of 4 are staffed.

The folks there were really nice and helpful when we were clueless about our kids passport applications. We forgot one kid's original birth certificate and thus had to spend TWO saturday mornings at the post office.

olePigeon · Jul 7, 2010, 11:39 PM

USPS is the only place you can send a package on Saturday that doesn't cost 10x more than Monday-Friday. I hope they keep Saturday delivery, I'd hate to have to start using UPS or FedEx.

hyteckit · Jul 7, 2010, 11:39 PM

The worst times to go to the Post Office.

1. Lunch time
2. Around 5PM

Big Mac · Jul 8, 2010, 06:24 AM

I have to give marginal credit where it's due to the Post Office administrators, who at the very least don't completely ignore their budget deficits.

andi*pandi · Jul 8, 2010, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by hyteckit

The worst times to go to the Post Office.

1. Lunch time
2. Around 5PM

And Saturday morning.

subego · Jul 8, 2010, 08:33 AM

If you ask my carrier "how's it going", 1 in 10 times you can expect a rant about how ****ed up the post office is.

I have to admit, he makes it sound really ****ed up.

It's impossible for me to avoid, because he parks and sorts mail right outside my door. Of course, the switch to making him sort in the field is one of his bigger rants.

He's really nice though. I don't want it to seem like he's all postal-like.

osiris · Jul 8, 2010, 09:24 AM

I'm going to buy up those Forever stamps.

But damn, the PO is the bane of my existence for far too many reasons to mention.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2010, 09:34 AM

They should offer a premium service where they root out all junk mail before it gets to you. This idea is worth it for the corporate backlash alone. Also, this means I would get close to no mail.

-Q- · Jul 8, 2010, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

They should offer a premium service where they root out all junk mail before it gets to you. This idea is worth it for the corporate backlash alone. Also, this means I would get close to no mail.

This would be spectacular. Especially during election season.

ghporter · Jul 8, 2010, 01:13 PM

My nearest post office is a district hub, and while it can get pretty backed up at times (they also do passport applications), I seldom have much of a wait to get served for things that need service. The package/mail hold pickup window is completely separate from the front counter, which helps a lot. I send most of my packages by Priority Mail, and I can make the labels and pay for them online, so all I need to do is to drop them off.

But there are a bunch of POs near me. There's one in a flower shop up the road a ways. There are a total of 5 less than 5 miles from my house, and three of 'em handle passport applications. Not too bad in terms of availability.

Laminar · Jul 8, 2010, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

I send most of my packages by Priority Mail, and I can make the labels and pay for them online, so all I need to do is to drop them off.

I'm the same way. It's a problem, though, when I'm using non-USPS packaging that they have for sale, because that means that I HAVE to wait in line, even if I've pre-paid for postage.

jokell82 · Jul 8, 2010, 04:22 PM

I can't believe that people actually want Saturday delivery. It's completely useless and unnecessary IMO. Want to keep the post offices open? Fine. But I can't see any reason that Saturday delivery of standard mail needs to continue.

Also, don't buy forever stamps:
Is it a good idea to invest in "forever" stamps? - By Nathaniel Rich - Slate Magazine

Laminar · Jul 8, 2010, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by jokell82

I can't believe that people actually want Saturday delivery. It's completely useless and unnecessary IMO. Want to keep the post offices open? Fine. But I can't see any reason that Saturday delivery of standard mail needs to continue.

Easy - I order something awesome online. If I can choose between getting it at 11AM on Saturday and having the rest of the weekend to play with it or getting it on Monday morning, when I'll have to wait all week for the next weekend, the choice is clear. I couldn't care less about getting bills, junk mail, or wedding invitations a couple days later, though.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2010, 04:47 PM

I'd rather ditch Wednesdays, a la shitty banks.

torsoboy · Jul 8, 2010, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by jokell82

I can't believe that people actually want Saturday delivery. It's completely useless and unnecessary IMO. Want to keep the post offices open? Fine. But I can't see any reason that Saturday delivery of standard mail needs to continue.

Also, don't buy forever stamps:
Is it a good idea to invest in "forever" stamps? - By Nathaniel Rich - Slate Magazine

It is nice to get mail on Saturday, but I agree that it is not necessary.

Forever stamps might not be good investment, but if you have stamps that are left over when the new rate comes into play it is much more convenient to continue using your same stamps than to have to go buy $0.02 stamps to go along with your old ones. If you buy any stamps, buy the forever version. But don't stock up on them to save money.

Laminar · Jul 8, 2010, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

It is nice to get mail on Saturday, but I agree that it is not necessary.

What day couldn't you say that about?

-Q- · Jul 8, 2010, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

What day couldn't you say that about?

Any day I get a bill.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2010, 05:23 PM

Wow, Leno quality humor there.

-Q- · Jul 8, 2010, 05:51 PM

So's your face.

Better?

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2010, 05:53 PM

Meh, I've heard better.

jokell82 · Jul 8, 2010, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Laminar

What day couldn't you say that about?

Monday through Friday.

Laminar · Jul 8, 2010, 07:38 PM

"It's nice to get mail on Wednesday, but it's not necessary."

I just did it.

The Final Dakar · Jul 8, 2010, 08:12 PM

I already did.

Dork. · Jul 8, 2010, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by jokell82

Is it a good idea to invest in "forever" stamps? - By Nathaniel Rich - Slate Magazine

I didn't know that the USPS can't increase prices faster than the rate of inflation. No wonder they're losing money.

ghporter · Jul 8, 2010, 09:15 PM

The problem isn't rates, it's structure and economy. The USPS IS a business (unlike DoD), and it can and should be run like one. But manpower in the Post Office is structured on an archaic, though quite competitive system. And the structure of the PO system is outdated, though they're improving that slowly. By embracing modern distribution, much of the PO's problems could be minimized. But I think that there is a specific and essential feature of the postal system that must be maintained, whether it's solvent or not: security. We trust the postal system to securely deliver materials that have to be delivered, without loss. We need that.

Dork. · Jul 8, 2010, 09:30 PM

More than just that, we rely on the Post Office to deliver to every address in the US, even the inconvenient ones, for the same rates. It was important enough that the Constitution specifically empowers the government to run a Post Office. If it ever went bankrupt, the Constitution says we'd need another one.

olePigeon · Jul 8, 2010, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Meh, I've heard better.

That's what she said.

Arty50 · Jul 9, 2010, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

We trust the postal system to securely deliver materials that have to be delivered, without loss. We need that.

I don't trust them to send spit. I had a letter mailed to me on the 1st of this month and it's still not here...despite the fact it was mailed from a city that is only a 3-4 hour drive away. I'm beyond pissed. They've taken their sweet time before, but nothing like this.

Upon complaining to one of my coworkers today, he told me about a package that he once received over two years late.

Yet despite all this, junk mail shows up in my box like clockwork and they'll do nothing to stop it.

#$#@ the USPS.