USPS your thoughts on how they should fix it?

[Mr Slugger]

It's been in the news lately that the postal service is losing lots of money, and of course they're trying to come up with a way to stop the bleeding. So I'm kinda curious as to if you guys & gals have any thoughts as to how they should fix it?

The news channels around here have done some stories on it and how there's some small towns that have more post offices than big towns, stupid leases, etc.

Personally I think in major cities there's not a whole lot the can do differently. In part because the density of people really make it workable. But when it comes to smaller cities there's alot of room to improve. For instance around here there some houses that the post office still delivers to the door, yet the houses have these long walkways to the door, long driveways, etc. Then there are small towns where they deliver to every single house.

So to me (at least) I think it would save time and thus money if in smaller cities the mail boxes were required to be at the street, small towns on a busy street still deliver to but side streets should probably have those giant mail boxes where you have to pick it up from that. Then small towns say 1,000 or less people you have to get your mail from the post office. Then cut the amount of post offices. I mean for instance here there's some towns that have 1 post office for every 5,000 people. That's more post offices than dunkin donuts. Right there I think you could save tons of money

[Fashion Lad!]

The news channels around here have done some stories on it and how there's some small towns that have more post offices than big towns, stupid leases, etc.

Weird... I thought it was 1 post office per zip code? At least that's how it is in the city I live in.

I think the post-office just needs to work on beating the competition. Customer service and quality seems to be 2 areas that they could improve on to try and beat the competition.

[joe hx]

In order to fix things the problem must first be identified. What is the problem with the post office?

[BroomJockey]

What is the problem with the post office?

I dunno. With all the bitching about UPS and FedEx on CS that I see (and elsewhere, too), I can't imagine how the USPS could be worse than them. We're fairly lucky, Canada Post is fairly solid.

[kiwi]

In BC the more rural areas and any new subdivisions get a community mail box. It looks like like the one below. The home owners are issued keys and it cuts down on the mail delivery time. They also have a slot to mail stuff into so you don't have to go to a post office.

They should be cutting down service as e-billing and email become more and more common. Most post offices around here are part of another store, in the pharmacy or supermarkets, it means they are smaller and need less man hours. Very few people get mail every single day, why can't they deliver twice a week instead.

They need to trim the fat somewhere.

[guywithashovel]

Could they be losing money because people just aren't using the post office as much as they used to? I mean, a lot of people now pay bills online, get their bank statements online, and do other things online that once involved postage. That could result in lost revenue. Here in my city, I believe they're going to stop delivering mail on Saturday for reasons like this.

If this is the case, then there probably isn't much to do rather than find ways to adapt to new times.

[Daskinor]

Honestly I don't think there is anything that can be done. You can cut delivery days increase cost of mailing letters. But in the grand scheme of things you don't need to mail letters anymore.

[BroomJockey]

But in the grand scheme of things you don't need to mail letters anymore.

No, but there are still things that need to go through the mail. I've given it some additional thought, and I've figured out what they need to do. They need to recognize that FedEx and UPS are their direct competitors. The big things for mailing in the US now are probably EBay and Amazon.com. They need to work on becoming the go-to shipper for people using those. If it means adopting a nearly courier-like attitude with packages, then fine. Here's my proposal, actually.

Regular post goes on MWF. That's everything being shipped. Letters, packages, junk mail, everything. Tuesday/Thursday, they focus on packages. And they do it right. Knock/ring doorbells, attempt to contact. Push the service aspect. Throw Saturdays in too, if people will pay extra for it. Allow people to select delivery windows as well. Morning, afternoon, evening. If people can become assured that they're going to get their package on a priority basis, at a time they want, then that will entice them to use the service.

But Broom, how will that save them money? Easy. While packages are larger, not as many people get them, and not on as regular a basis. On those 2 days, you run fewer people, covering a larger area. With more people choosing USPS for packages, and reduced cost for those two days, that should work well to help decrease the operating shortfall.

[protege]

Could they be losing money because people just aren't using the post office as much as they used to?

I'm probably going to sound like an SC when I say this... but if they'd open up additional lines on busy times, probably more people would use their services. Seriously, most Saturdays, they'll have a line out the door...yet they can't be bothered to open up more lines, even though about a dozen employees are standing around doing nothing.

Also, what's the deal with mail delays? Seriously, I've had mail (CS Christmas cards, in fact!) get to *Australia* faster than bills get across *town!* Pittsburgh's not that big, folks!

[jackfaire]

Don't have my packages on the truck. I am fine if you just put a card in my mailbox letting me know I have to come down to the post office. I prefer it actually because that way I don't have to worry if the postal worker will check if I am home. I can get the notice then hop the bus and get my package that day without having to worry about waiting for it to be returned to the post office.

[HYHYBT]

They could halve their routes, delivering to some MWF and others TTS, at least in areas where there are few businesses and people are more spread out.

You may prefer to pick up packages yourself instead of having them delivered, but most people, if forced to do that, would stop having them sent by USPS entirely.

I actually have never had any problems with their service. The one person I know in Real Life who complains about it is Dad. He says the're being arrogant by insisting on delivering packages to his house when that's the address on the box, rather than dropping them off at his office where someone can sign for them like UPS and FedEx do. He didn't like my suggestion of having them addressed to the office in the first place, either.

Meanwhile, I'm annoyed at Fedex and UPS because they deliver *my* packages to *his* office as well, when I put my own address on them for a reason.

[jackfaire]

I was saying have it as an option. I am not saying everyone has to be the same I am saying give me the option to insist you don't deliver my packages.

[HYHYBT]

Oh, that's different then. Then I'm all with with you... but handling everyone the same is probably cheaper.

[jackfaire]

Oh, that's different then. Then I'm all with with you... but handling everyone the same is probably cheaper.

In this case I really don't see how. I mean you would think that not having to get out of the truck to walk up to my door to find me not there would save time and money.