[RicNic]

Why does the Villages use postal stations instead of letter carriers?

[retiredguy123]

The Villages has very little to do with it. The U.S. Post Office decides the method for delivering the mail. But, postal stations or neighborhood box stations are used in many areas around the country to reduce the cost of mail delivery. The small size of the house lots makes it more likely that they will erect a common area for picking up the mail, rather than delivering mail to individual houses.

[JohnN]

it's cheaper

[twoplanekid]

Interesting thread from 2008 about postal stations when the Villages was a bit smaller.

Post Office petition

[Stu from NYC]

My understand is that the developer way back when, thought it was a way to get villagers to go out and about more

[Tvflguy]

Personally, have had both methods and absolutely prefer ours now - the postal station. Handy, more secure, effective exp since we’re out just about every day to stop by. And having the parcel locker for bigger things, great. It all works for us. Period.

Not a fan of the P.O, but if it saves a bit of $, good.

[MSchad]

Back home all new developments had free standing neighborhood mail stations at the end of each street. A single carrier can service more homes. A sign of the times.

[Djean1981]

Originally Posted by MSchad

Back home all new developments had free standing neighborhood mail stations at the end of each street. A single carrier can service more homes. A sign of the times.

Exactly, door to door delivery was phased out for newer development..

[djplong]

I have mixed feelings about it and, in general, when tallying the pluses and minuses of a place to live, it's a minus. While there's something to be said for the security, it also says you need that security (whether that's true or not). It smacks of "less service, more cost". It's one thing when it's an apartment building and you're walking past the array of boxes ANYWAY. But it's just another key to have to carry around - and I don't carry keys these days (yes, I realize that's not the norm).

I also realize that THAT ship has sailed and there's nothing I can do about it, regardless of where I might move to in retirement. That decision will have already been made.

[sloanst]

With the small footprint of our homes, could you imagine what the streets would look like with a mail box in front if every home.

[Jerry F2]

Postal Station instead of Letter carriers has been an ongoing change for the USPS for years.
Areas like The Villages, growing and growing, it would take endless new letter carriers and trucks. Almost all of the people delivering your mail (postal stations or parcels) are not federal employees. They are contractors paid to work one certain postal station. Also in many cases, someone else (or machine) will have letters sorted out for contractor to pick up and take out to the postal stations, along with parcels for that Village. This goes on many places in the country where there is a new community being built. Yes, it saves money, but it also is much more time saving. Facts are the USPS, until this newest Postmaster took over, NEVER, in 150 years EVER lost money or needed any Federal Funds to operate. The only Federal Agency who could say that. "If something is not broken, don't fix it." That does not apply to a government agency.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by sloanst

with the small footprint of our homes, could you imagine what the streets would look like with a mail box in front if every home.

i imagine hundreds of mail boxes being knocked over annually by us, delivery men and sanitation personnel. Not to mention theft of mail and arguements over fido making his presence known, along with the bird feces to decorate both the box and the driveways .

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

My understand is that the developer way back when, thought it was a way to get villagers to go out and about more

Don’t know if that was the reason, but if it really was, GREAT thinking. Gives some of us an opportunity to meet others. Can drop off and pick up mail at same location. Also co-located with pools very convenient.

[talonip]

I like the clean look of the neighborhood rather than having mail boxes in every yard. It’s like power lines. Most are underground.

[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by Jerry F2

Postal Station instead of Letter carriers has been an ongoing change for the USPS for years.
Areas like The Villages, growing and growing, it would take endless new letter carriers and trucks. Almost all of the people delivering your mail (postal stations or parcels) are not federal employees. They are contractors paid to work one certain postal station. Also in many cases, someone else (or machine) will have letters sorted out for contractor to pick up and take out to the postal stations, along with parcels for that Village. This goes on many places in the country where there is a new community being built. Yes, it saves money, but it also is much more time saving. Facts are the USPS, until this newest Postmaster took over, NEVER, in 150 years EVER lost money or needed any Federal Funds to operate. The only Federal Agency who could say that. "If something is not broken, don't fix it." That does not apply to a government agency.

Your “facts” are not facts.

The postal service has not made a profit since 2006. The current postal service was formed in 1971 but it’s roots go back to 1775. Until that 1971 reorganization they received many tax subsidies, then they were gradually phased out.