US Postal Service Belly Up?

**brennasmom** · 09-06-2011, 03:13 PM

And Now The U.S. Postal Service Is About To Go Belly Up? | Daily Ticker - Yahoo! Finance

Interesting....sure wouldn't help the unemployment numbers...

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-06-2011, 03:29 PM

I really don't think we need service 6 days a week. Cut one or even two days to save operating expenses; I can't for the life of me figure out why that idea was turned down by the government.

**brennasmom** · 09-06-2011, 03:32 PM

I agree. Even 3 days a week would be fine.

**pollypurebred39** · 09-06-2011, 03:44 PM

I hope they find a way to fix this problem without reducing the workforce. I get sick right in the pit of my stomach every time I hear of a another person out of work, or another business going under.

**Telephus44** · 09-06-2011, 03:50 PM

When labor costs are 80% of their costs - I would find it hard to believe that the problem can be fixed without people losing their jobs.

**pollypurebred39** · 09-06-2011, 04:44 PM

I think given just how tough it is to get a job that does not require the phrase, would you like fries with that, I'm betting if given the option most would gladly take a pay cut. better to have a cut in pay than to lose everything because you can't get a decent job after getting canned from the USPS

**brennasmom** · 09-06-2011, 04:51 PM

If they cut back service at least some of the workers could keep there jobs. There just isn't as much mail anymore...

**ShadowMom** · 09-06-2011, 05:39 PM

My brother works for the postal service, he is only a couple years away from retirement. I don't know how he would make it if he lost his job and retirement.

**Nishu** · 09-06-2011, 05:53 PM

I'm sure they'll get rescued by congressional action. They've been having trouble for years though, so even if they get bailed out something has to be done to fix them. Someone is going to end up with a bum deal.

(Btw, lately reading the news makes me think of that Modest Mouse album "Good news for people who love bad news." Anyone? Anyone? )

**pollypurebred39** · 09-06-2011, 06:07 PM

Oh ShadowMom, I'll be praying for your brother's job security. That's just way too close to retirement to recover.

**mommy4ever** · 09-06-2011, 06:18 PM

Truthfully, it isn't a surprise to me. They charge so little compared to any other country for their postal services. I've often wondered how they can afford to operate, so now I know how it worked, it ran at a deficit big time. It's very unfortunate that so many people may lose jobs or have cuts...

Hopefully some thing happens and the service continues.

**brennasmom** · 09-06-2011, 07:18 PM

I wonder how it would work.... would they just privatize the mail service?

**Jeanna** · 09-07-2011, 08:30 AM

I agree that they could cut the days of service. I also think they should go up on the price. You consider that in years past people wrote letters and of course they sold more stamps. Now it is so easy to just shoot off an email that they are trying to keep the same level of service but are actually losing money because of it. I may be simplifying it but you get the picture. As far as cutting service getting mail 3 days a week would be fine by me. If there is something that I need delivered faster than that there are other services I could use.

**savvy_sniper** · 09-07-2011, 09:43 AM

The USPS has not kept up with the times, read the handwriting on the wall, etc. I have been selling online since 2003.

I can tell you that the USPS has completely priced themselves out of the PACKAGE market for anything that weighs more than 3-4 lbs. Add to that the fact that people don't mail cards, letters, bills like they used to and you have a recipe for disaster.

I have SEVEN full service post offices within 5 miles of my house! You can buy stamps, postage, and mail packages at my local Ace Hardware. You can buy stamps at the grocery store, online, etc. There is no longer the need for as many post offices.

I was so happy when my local Ace Hardware opened a post office staffed by Ace employees. They are friendly, kind, courteous, seldom have a line and happy to serve you. Unlike the post office which has long lines, slow moving, downright surly employees that act like they are doing you a favor to wait on you. I also find my local FedEx employees to be friendly, helpful, and aim to please.

Earlier this year I read that the post master general wanted to start selling other things in the lobbies of the post office like cell phones, life insurance, etc. He said they do it in other countries.

A postal employee calls me from time to time to see if they can get more of my business. He could not believe that I could ship packages over 3-4 lbs MUCH cheaper, WITH insurance and online tracking with FedEx. I had to have him figure postage for a package using the USPS and I did the same exact package with FedEx. He was shocked; said he didn't know, and that they couldn't compete with that.

The USPS used to get ALL of my business. Now they get about 50%.

**Contrary Housewife** · 09-07-2011, 10:07 AM

Yes, SS you are right the USPS has not kept up with the times. That is why they are having trouble. Like a lot of businesses they are still using the business model from the 1950's and wondering why they are losing money. Sales patterns have changed, service needs have changed. Buyer expectations have changed.

They do need to get rid of some people, as you say "surly employees that act like they are doing you a favor to wait on you". There's lots of kids out there with a happy attitude who can sell me a stamp or weigh out my packages. USPS needs to cut the dead weight.

I disagree that they should cut back delivery days. Lots of services operate 6 or even 7 days a week. Doing less business will not help them. They need to expand their hours, and be open in the evenings and on weekends when working people can get to the PO without taking time off.