Great, now the Post Office is in a financial crisis.

[Givebac]

Postmaster General John Potter said Wednesday the financially strapped U.S. Postal Service will run out of money this year without help from Congress.

The only lingering question, Potter told a House subcommittee, is which bills will get paid and which will not. He did say ensuring the payment of workers' salaries comes first. But Potter also said other bills may have to wait.

Potter's appearance came as the agency, which has lived on a reputation of serving through wind, rain and all sorts of obstacles, seeks permission to reduce mail delivery to five days a week. It also wants to change the way retiree health benefits are amassed to save money.

"We are facing losses of historic proportion," he said. "Our situation is critical."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_go_ot/postal_woes

I like my Saturday delivery. If they stop Sat. delivery that's going to mess up my whole Blockbuster online system.

[tata]

"rant" Argh!!! @#$%!!!!!! :mad:

Prices at the post office have went up and up and up in the past several years. This is complete BULLSHIT!!! :tantrum:

[Coconuts71]

Compared to other countries, our rates are very low. I read that if they do take out a day, it's likely to be a tuesday, or wednesday so that there won't be two days in a row without service.

[CatSoup]

Dh works for USPS. He says it will be Saturday that gets cut. Monday and Tuesday are the busiest days. You would think the PO would be doing well considering the increase in online shopping over in-store shopping.

[jessiehannan]

My MIL works at the Post Office, and she will be accepting the early retirement . She is going to take quite a bit of a cut in her retirement fund, but she has medical reasons.
Also, have you noticed a decrease in junk mail? I have, and it is what keeps the post office going.
Also, when gas prices went up, they were not allowed to charge more to make up the difference, and were operating at a HUGE loss! If a one cent gas price increase costs them $8 million, think of how much a $2 increase costs them!

[Coconuts71]

Dh works for USPS. He says it will be Saturday that gets cut. Monday and Tuesday are the busiest days. You would think the PO would be doing well considering the increase in online shopping over in-store shopping.


Very rarely do I get something from an online purchase from the USPS. It's usually fed ex or UPS. Both, off which are far superior in tracking and customer service in my opinion.

[CatSoup]

Very rarely do I get something from an online purchase from the USPS. It's usually fed ex or UPS. Both, off which are far superior in tracking and customer service in my opinion.


I'm kind of addicted to online shopping unfortunately. It's too damn fun to get fluffy (cloth diaper) mail. :p
Anyway, only about 10% of my packages come from FedEx or UPS.

[jessiehannan]

Most of my packages are delivered USPS. I think that UPS and FEDEX are too pricey, so unless I must use them, I don't.

[still_me]

I don't see a problem with cutting out mail on Saturday. If that is what will help then great.

I don't have a problem with rates going up either. Getting a letter out to California in 3-5 days and it only costing me 42 cents is pretty great, IMO. We can't have it quick and cheap.

He estimated that delivering mail five days-a-week instead of six would save $3.5 billion per year.

And Congress is against this why? Because people *might* get laid off because of it? For Pete's sake...

[Pamire]

They've been talking about this issue on the news here for a while now. They say it will likely be a weekday that gets cut--probably Tuesday if they end up doing it.

[Babyblue]

usps can not find my house, dispite written directions, color photos and complaining to the post master several times. they may get letter mail in the mail box, or it may end up down the road. I have never recieved a box safely (on time/delivered to the correct address/not smashed)thru usps.

[tata]

I'm just really pissed about the possibility of more bailouts (in case it wasn't obvious). I'd much rather see a skipped day of mail than the government handing out more money.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I'd rather the government to bail out the post office than all the other "capitalist" fuckers they've bailed out.

[Tweet]

I'd rather the government to bail out the post office than all the other "capitalist" fuckers they've bailed out.


Me,too! However, I'd rather they just cut Saturday out. It will suck, but it's better than a Tuesday when you're waiting for mail that's supposed to be there in 5 business days.

[JudyJudyJudy]

It would suck for mailing bills, though. I pay most online, but there are a couple that I can't pay online.

[Suzzzz]

We don't have Saturday delivery. Everyone would get used to having no mail on the weekends.

[vulturemom]

Well they were probably feeling left out. Everyone else gets a financial crises why not them.

[tata]

I'm feeling left out, too. Can I have a million dollars? That's a fraction of what they've given some companies.

[EvilAmy]

Aren't they also raising mail rates again next month?

I'm not to worried about the lack of mail checking on Saturday, our is only open till 10 am on that day.

[alejorge]

Aren't they also raising mail rates again next month?

I'm not to worried about the lack of mail checking on Saturday, our is only open till 10 am on that day.


What? Please tell me you are joking about mail rates going up again.

I sent a very small package to my SIL and it didn't even weigh 1lb and it still cost me $5 to send it.

I can't afford to send anything anymore:) Just a stamp is what .42cents now.

I think I can handle no mail on saturdays. Just don't make mail go higher up in price.

[jessiehannan]

Mail prices are going up, but shipping prices on packages is determined more by size than weight.

[EvilAmy]

Sorry it's in May.

http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm?from=prices&page=NewMay09Prices

[JudyJudyJudy]

Stamps were 10 cents when I was in third grade.

[still_me]

I'm really not getting the dismay of rate prices going up. You know how much it would cost for all of us to fly to see my Mom? Over $600. You know how much it costs to send my mom a box filled with treats and pictures? $15 for the shipping and around 30 for the package. $45 dollars is what it costs to surprise my mom and give her a smile without me leaving our town. It isn't the same as us being there, but it works.

ETA: People go out for a steak dinner that costs them $65 dollars and they could make it at home for half that price easily. Have you ever broke down the price of a drink at a restaurant compared to a drink at home? You can buy a whole bottle of liquor and not even drink it in one night compared to 4 drinks out. No one complains about that, but to send a letter or package to the other side of the country for bare bones is disturbing?

[JudyJudyJudy]

What it boils down to is inflation sucks, and, no, I certainly can't go out to a steak dinner right now. Honestly, though, I don't understand the comparison between a live human flying in a seat and inanimate boxes flying all stacked up on top of each other.

[CatSoup]

I'm really not getting the dismay of rate prices going up. You know how much it would cost for all of us to fly to see my Mom? Over $600. You know how much it costs to send my mom a box filled with treats and pictures? $15 for the shipping and around 30 for the package. $45 dollars is what it costs to surprise my mom and give her a smile without me leaving our town. It isn't the same as us being there, but it works.

ETA: People go out for a steak dinner that costs them $65 dollars and they could make it at home for half that price easily. Have you ever broke down the price of a drink at a restaurant compared to a drink at home? You can buy a whole bottle of liquor and not even drink it in one night compared to 4 drinks out. No one complains about that, but to send a letter or package to the other side of the country for bare bones is disturbing?

No kidding!

[still_me]

What it boils down to is inflation sucks, and, no, I certainly can't go out to a steak dinner right now. Honestly, though, I don't understand the comparison between a live human flying in a seat and inanimate boxes flying all stacked up on top of each other.


Who said I was comparing humans and boxes? That isn't even close to my point.

My whole point is that I can send my mom a package fairly quickly for a reasonable rate.

[tata]

My point is that if rates are going up, up, up (and they have increased pretty regularly since the internet and email), I don't think they should be given more money by the government to continue operating. Want to quit delivering on Saturdays (or whatever day) to save a few bucks, fine by me.

[still_me]

They aren't only asking Congress for money. They are asking them to change the way the function to save money. If we kick some money their way, then great. If not, Congress should at least allow them to change the way they function. IMO, it is pretty messed up that they don't get money from the government, but they have to plead to them for changes? That is screwy.

The reason why I don't care if the rates have risen is because customers are their only way of keeping open. Either the government helps them out a little (which they already should be doing) or they cut ties with them and a private company buys them up. Problem is, who is to say that company will be American. I much rather see our money go towards The United Postal Service (something that effects me daily) than a bunch of windbags at a bank.

[madelsmama]

I'd be supportive of the Saturday cut. I'd even be supportive of raising the price of stamps a little if needed.

Yes, the price of stamps has quadrupled since we were kids, but good grief, it only costs $0.42 to mail a card. And $5 for mailing a small package isn't that extreme, IMO.

[pawprint]

I'd be supportive of the Saturday cut. I'd even be supportive of raising the price of stamps a little if needed.

Yes, the price of stamps has quadrupled since we were kids, but good grief, it only costs $0.42 to mail a card. And $5 for mailing a small package isn't that extreme, IMO.


ITA.

[Givebac]

Maybe they could compromise and not deliver mail on Saturday but still have the offices open for outgoing mail.