Is it me, or is USPS actually doing a good job? Have they turned it around?

[jhynesrockmtn]

I heard an interview around the holidays with a rural carrier. She was *****ing and moaning about the volume of packages and the negative impact Amazon was having on her life. No recognition whatsoever that it was probably the only thing keeping her employed.......

[GH85Carrera]

We have rotten service at home. They often deliver other people's mail to our address. We are lucky if we get a delivery by 5:00 PM. I have all packages delivered to my office. They usually deliver only every other day at work.

UPS likes to drag everything behind the truck for several miles then walk on it several times.

The Amazon prime packages that are light and small come in great via USPS. We have great luck shipping out a package via USPS and priority mail.

Overall I would say USPS is very hit and miss.

[sand_man]

Very interesting mix of comments and experiences.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

We have rotten service at home. They often deliver other people's mail to our address. We are lucky if we get a delivery by 5:00 PM. I have all packages delivered to my office. They usually deliver only every other day at work.

UPS likes to drag everything behind the truck for several miles then walk on it several times.

The Amazon prime packages that are light and small come in great via USPS. We have great luck shipping out a package via USPS and priority mail.

Overall I would say USPS is very hit and miss.

Tell 'em all to just stay off your lawn.

[tcar]

Just heard...

USPS just LOST more than $200 million this last holiday season.

They have now lost money for 10 years straight.

Mostly due to pension stuff.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by sand_man

Very interesting mix of comments and experiences.

I think USPS is like going to chain store... it all depends on the employees/management, one chain auto parts store will treat you like ca-ca, long lines, clueless about car parts... same store in a different part of the city, courteous hard working intelligent employees.

Our favorite post office in in a section of old town run by the women's assistance league, run by all volunteers!

Don't ask me how that works but everyone is very polite (even people waiting in line).

[cashflyer]

USPS is doing an excellent job.

They have reported operating losses at $15.9 billion dollars in 2012, $4.8 billion in 2013, and $5.3 billion in 2014. They most recently reported a loss of $1.57 billion for the "three months ending June 2016" and a loss of $586 million for the same period of 2015.

They like to claim that they receive no "public assistance" in the way of taxpayer funds, however a public study shows that although they may not receive direct funding, they certainly do benefit at the expense of taxpayers by receiving loans directly from the US Treasury at 1.2% interest, receiving a tax free status on all business activity, and receiving a legal monopoly on mail delivery.

The U.S. Postal Service posted increases in revenue and shipping volume but still reported a significant loss in the third quarter of the fiscal year.

The Postal Service on Tuesday reported a net loss of $1.57 billion for the three months ending June 30, compared with a loss of $586 million during the same period last year, highlighting the need for Congress to overhaul the long-struggling agency.

"We continue to post double-digit gains in package volume and are well-positioned operationally for further growth,” said Postmaster General and CEO Megan Brennan.

"Despite the encouraging numbers, net losses continue to mount,” Brennan said.

[sand_man]

Well color me stoopid. Looks like I'm eating a turd sandwich with a side of crow.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

This^^^
Since UPS has gone to a 'drop and run' program USPS is just as good (or the same) and cost less.

I'm lucky to have three post offices in my town and I have Mondays off so I can usually dodge the lines.

Ironically the two small post offices are usually less crowded that the huge one.

I would rather UPS or FedEx drop the package at the house than run into town to get it. I would be happy if USPS would but the carrier leaves a note that we weren't home even though my wife has been home at the time. Lazy daughter of a

[stevej37]

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

They do a great job in my area...very happy.

[Nickshu]

Profitable or not USPS is a bargain with flat rate boxes and basically guaranteed 2 or 3 day shipping w/ Priority mail. You can ship coast to coast in 2-3 days for roughly $15. That same service with UPS or FedEx with a similar sized box will cost you $50-70.

If they need to improve their bottom line they could increase the cost by $10 per package to roughly $25 and still be light years cheaper than the competition.

[stevej37]

^^^ agree

[varmint]

i'm not complaining. but i find it strange that i can order motorcycle parts from the Ukraine, which is a war zone, and have them show up sooner than stuff from california.

[rusnak]

Timely post.

I need to ship a box full of parts as soon as I can find all of the bits scattered between home and office. I'll use USPS.

[rwest]

Love the flat rate boxes. US Postal has always done right by me.

Private shipping by UPS is exorbitant, I think they ream the public to make up for the cheaper shipping that businesses pay.

FedEx is about half what UPS wanted on the last package I shipped.

[Alan A]

New employees aren't unionized.
I wonder if that's why the quality went up.
Nah - coincidence, right...

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by flipper35

I would rather UPS or FedEx drop the package at the house than run into town to get it. I would be happy if USPS would but the carrier leaves a note that we weren't home even though my wife has been home at the time. Lazy daughter of a

UPS has left a note to pick up at their hub (about ten miles away) after a few tries to deliver.

USPS office is about 2 miles away from my house.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Alan A

New employees aren't unionized.
I wonder if that's why the quality went up.
Nah - coincidence, right...

Is that one of the "alternative facts" that are so popular now?

[Alan A]

No. It's taken from the local paper where they are trying to hire at $22 an hour without benefits.

[JackDidley]

I live in a very small town. We get personalized service. The carriers knows everone in town. There is a lady at the PO that has to be 80 years old. She has been known to open up on Christmas day to to make sure people get their gifts.