[Carlsondm]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Who would deliver the junk mail? When was the last time you received junk mail from UPS or FedEx? Most people need to go to their mailbox every day to pick up their junk mail and throw it in the trash. I only go to my mailbox about every 2 weeks.

The most ridiculous argument the Post Office makes to justify their existence is that their operating expenses should not include retirement and other benefits of the employees. But, many Federal employees receive more money during retirement than they receive while working.

There is a reason for that. Most government employees often earn less than the private sector. They negotiate for more benefits and pay fewer taxes because of lower income. It’s a trade-off. In our office only the clerical made incomes equivalent to the private sector.

[Aacosner]

Originally Posted by bmcgowan13

I’ve always wondered why we didn’t switch to three times a week. Half the town getting mail on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and then the other half on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Fully agree. I've thought this for a long time. It could be enacted easily, and then get rid of half the delivery vehicles, and terminate half the mail carriers. The annual savings would go on forever.

[Birdrm]

Twice a week mail would be just fine with me as I only get my mail every 4-5 days anyway as 90% of it is just junk mail anyway!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

USPS is not more convenient than UPS. There are plenty of UPS drop boxes and other locations where you can send a letter or package without waiting in line.

There used to be lots of blue USPS boxes all over the country. They get removed now and then. DeJoy removed a whole lot of them, and he removed sorting machines.

For less than a dollar, you can send a document that needs to be notarized anywhere in the US. Or, you can spend over $10 for the same document by UPS or FedEx. Don't bother with DHL, it'll take three weeks to get there.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

So, Denmark is around the size of two Massachusettses. It has 6 million people in it, give or take a few thousand. The United States has 340 million people.

Correct, Denmark is urbanized and everyone has access to wired high speed internet. It’s much easier for them to transition to a digital delivery system without leaving rural citizens disadvantaged who would be left behind without wired internet access.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

American citizen soldiers, embassy workers, federal agents and employees overseas wanting to vote during elections, anyone who can't make it to the polls - they need to be able to vote by mail. If their mail is only received twice a week, it's possible the window would be missed and their vote wouldn't qualify.

Something that WOULD have arrived on time, might end up arriving late. There's already no sunday delivery, and several mondays, and thanksgiving, and various other holidays where there's no mail delivery.

They've also lightened up on their "all weather" rules, and will hold delivery during major storms.

So - somewhere between 1/7 and 2/7 of the year, there's already no delivery at all and the post offices are closed.

I think that's enough.
The Post Office is a non-prof service, NOT a private business. Its existence, machinery, the buildings, the staff, are paid for by our tax dollars. Our postage stamps and fees pay to keep it all running. It's not supposed to turn a profit. There's no "profit" or "loss" with the Postal Service.

[TeresaE]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

Could we get by with only getting mail twice a week? Denmark is closing their mail service entirely at the end of this year. Other than the carriers losing their jobs what else would we lose?

Let’s just start with ending Saturday delivery and see what happens.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

American citizen soldiers, embassy workers, federal agents and employees overseas wanting to vote during elections, anyone who can't make it to the polls - they need to be able to vote by mail. If their mail is only received twice a week, it's possible the window would be missed and their vote wouldn't qualify.

Something that WOULD have arrived on time, might end up arriving late. There's already no sunday delivery, and several mondays, and thanksgiving, and various other holidays where there's no mail delivery.

They've also lightened up on their "all weather" rules, and will hold delivery during major storms.

So - somewhere between 1/7 and 2/7 of the year, there's already no delivery at all and the post offices are closed.

I think that's enough.
The Post Office is a non-prof service, NOT a private business. Its existence, machinery, the buildings, the staff, are paid for by our tax dollars. Our postage stamps and fees pay to keep it all running. It's not supposed to turn a profit. There's no "profit" or "loss" with the Postal Service.

The USPS is obsolete. Any of the situations you described can be managed by ingenuity and there hasn't been a reason to examine a workable alternative yet. It is time to do so.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

American citizen soldiers, embassy workers, federal agents and employees overseas wanting to vote during elections, anyone who can't make it to the polls - they need to be able to vote by mail. If their mail is only received twice a week, it's possible the window would be missed and their vote wouldn't qualify.

Something that WOULD have arrived on time, might end up arriving late. There's already no sunday delivery, and several mondays, and thanksgiving, and various other holidays where there's no mail delivery.

They've also lightened up on their "all weather" rules, and will hold delivery during major storms.

So - somewhere between 1/7 and 2/7 of the year, there's already no delivery at all and the post offices are closed.

I think that's enough.
The Post Office is a non-prof service, NOT a private business. Its existence, machinery, the buildings, the staff, are paid for by our tax dollars. Our postage stamps and fees pay to keep it all running. It's not supposed to turn a profit. There's no "profit" or "loss" with the Postal Service.

Breaking even would be nice

[Driller703]

Good Lord!!!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by CigarMaster

Odd story, thank you.

A quick search showed that Denmark has embraced digital mail more than any other country, so much so, that the mail service can no longer be supported. They are actually removing mailboxes and giving refunds on stamps.

I suppose the Danes found a way to make it work for them, but the downside was the loss of thousands of jobs. Of course it is a small country, so restarting the service wouldn't take that long.

Imagine the US trying to restart the postal service. I guy would have to find a uniform in an abandoned truck, meet Ford Lincoln Mercury who can convince some kids to help him deliver the mail around the country as a barter service, maybe meet a famous singer operating a dam. Almost sounds like a good movie.

He used to be...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

Wrong…. the Postal Service is generally self-funded. This means that no tax dollars are used to keep the lights on at its many facilities across the country. The Postal Service, instead, relies on the revenue it generates from the sale of stamps, products, and services to fund its operations…. But we as a country hate Americans. Fire them all!!!!!

Wrong...

Per the "Google Machine", the USPS loses $Billions every year...

Actual results show a net loss of $950 million from operations in FY 2022 and a $6.5 billion net loss in FY 2023. While actual revenue was higher than DFA plan projections, actual expenses exceeded expense projections and actual revenue in both years.

There was a $9.5 Billion loss in FY 2024 and a projected loss of $6.9 Billion in FY 2025...

does the usps lose money - Google Search

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by CigarMaster

Odd story, thank you.

A quick search showed that Denmark has embraced digital mail more than any other country, so much so, that the mail service can no longer be supported. They are actually removing mailboxes and giving refunds on stamps.

I suppose the Danes found a way to make it work for them, but the downside was the loss of thousands of jobs. Of course it is a small country, so restarting the service wouldn't take that long.

Imagine the US trying to restart the postal service. I guy would have to find a uniform in an abandoned truck, meet Ford Lincoln Mercury who can convince some kids to help him deliver the mail around the country as a barter service, maybe meet a famous singer operating a dam. Almost sounds like a good movie.

Why would we want to reincarnate the USPS if it's retired from service? We didn't bring back horses and buggies, kerosene lamps or the ice box. It's called progress and I think a subscription service for the few that want postal delivery would be ideal. Then make the whole thing a private enterprise. Win-win.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

What lack of timely delivery? Any time I've paid attention I've found my mail has been delivered in less than a week and usually in about three days.

My office manager mailed me a check (from DC) on Friday 2/28. It didn't arrive to TV until Thursday 3/06...

I've sold guitars and shipped them cross country in half that time...

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

My office manager mailed me a check (from DC) on Friday 2/28. It didn't arrive to TV until Thursday 3/06...

I've sold guitars and shipped them cross country in half that time...

Five business days. What's the problem?

And yes, overnight delivery is a thing - a thing that costs far more than a $0.58 stamp.