Why do people complain about the Post Office

[kb01]

I don't hate the post office. Where I live, the USPS is typically easier to deal with than UPS or FedEx. It's cheaper for sending documents and I'm a big fan of the flat rate envelopes and boxes. I use UPS for larger packages and have never really had a problem with them either.

The USPS is just very convenient since every town has a post office and the UPS Centers can be hard to find and have terrible hours. The UPS stores are more common but they're very expensive. FedEx isn't too bad either, though I've had problems with FedEx Ground.

I've just never had any problems with the USPS. Compared to the customer service nightmares I've had with Bank of America, Comcast and Verizon in the past few years, the USPS provides very good service.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: andrewg
I asked you a question....didn't say you said 'only right wing extremists'. You did say however that MOSTLY those that dislike government are the ones complaining. That's a statement one can assume comes form an opinion that reflects my question.


Well then, here's my answer: no I am not an authority, and no I don't believe those who hate governments are closet conservatives. I do believe they are whiners that will complain no matter what the government or the USPS did, regardless of the service isn't good enough for the money or the service is too good for the money (i.e. losing their tax payers' dollar).

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: Tempest
Quote:
The Postal service is NOT, I REPEAT NOT subsidized by the federal government or TAXPAYER MONIES.

Not quite correct:

"However, unlike other private businesses, the Postal Service is exempt from paying federal taxes. USPS can borrow money at discounted rates, and can condemn and acquire private property under governmental rights of eminent domain.

The USPS does get some taxpayer support. Around $96 million is budgeted annually by Congress for the "Postal Service Fund." These funds are used to compensate USPS for postage-free mailing for all legally blind persons and for mail-in election ballots sent from US citizens living overseas. A portion of the funds also pays USPS for providing address information to state and local child support enforcement agencies, and for keeping some rural posts offices in operation.

Under federal law, only the Postal Service can handle or charge postage for handling letters."

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/uspsabout.htm

Not paying taxes as well as other advantages that come from being a government agency surely are "subsidies" when private organizations don't get the same benefits.


Tempest, you can think of them as non profit organization (that doesn't means they are not out to make a buck, just not distribute it back to the organization owners). That meets the classification you have.

 

[Steve S]

I have no complaints about the post office . I tell the post office lady that for $0.45 I can drive from Calif to New York and back for less to deliver the letter.

 

[Herz]

I hate the post office, worthless employees, leaving my packages in the middle of the friggin streat. You complain the manager does nothing. and it is not a dollar and some change for good service your getting taxed for it, remember that.

 

[Steve S]

The local post office here is Great!!! It must be how the local management leads the employees.

 

[oil_spaz]

I think the USPS has made some strides over the years. No longer the complete basket case it once was. I think there have been some honest efforts to improve efficiency and the people in our local office are personable.
It still has issues though. For ten years our office had a stamp machine in the lobby that was never worked from the day they put it in. The thing was built like a bank vault and must have been really expensive. They finally took it out. At least there is more room for the line you have to stand in to get one stamp.
When I built a new house five years ago I got no mail for a week and a half. The post office had my new address so no problem there. The supervisor finally talked to the carrier (an old lady who looked to be a hundred years old) and she told him that my mailbox was one inch to low. She measured it and simply refused to put mail in it. No note, phone call or anything. I told her I raised it - even though I didn't - and there were no problems after that.

 

[simple_gifts]

I'm run into some winners at the USPS, but as a whole they provide good service IMHO.

 

[labman]

I don't know. Maybe they aren't all that bad. The internet is putting the hurt on their volume. Our local post office is wanting to close their one branch. It isn't in the most affluent end of town, and it may not be easy for many to get to the main office. Some banks have closed offices in that end of town too.

When I go to the post office, the people seem friendly and competent. Of course having my puppy with me may add to the friendliness.

 

[1 FMF]

... because they suck.

when they ask what's in it if you say oil they freak and think it's hazardous, and more than one time i've had the person not want to listen to any explanation to the point it's obvious he/she doesn't want to do their job. it could have been the class/type of people and the area i was in, but still i was at the post office.

and i recently stopped to ship something out via their flat rate box i see on tv so much, they were out of the two small sizes and made zero effort to look for any. wait till this quality of service carries over into health care.

 

[Pablo]

I don't give a fruit what people say, and I don't care that I'm sponging the system, but dang it the USPS is pretty great to my company. Medium flat rate boxes made our company. $10. Any weight. Anywhere in the USA, PR and Guam. $10.

There is nothing touching that. 15 pound box to OR from WA UPS will be more than $10.

 

[Tempest]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Originally Posted By: Tempest

"However, unlike other private businesses, the Postal Service is exempt from paying federal taxes. USPS can borrow money at discounted rates, and can condemn and acquire private property under governmental rights of eminent domain.

Under federal law, only the Postal Service can handle or charge postage for handling letters."


Tempest, you can think of them as non profit organization (that doesn't means they are not out to make a buck, just not distribute it back to the organization owners). That meets the classification you have.

That is NOT a normal non-profit...

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
I don't give a fruit what people say, and I don't care that I'm sponging the system, but dang it the USPS is pretty great to my company. Medium flat rate boxes made our company. $10. Any weight. Anywhere in the USA, PR and Guam. $10.

There is nothing touching that. 15 pound box to OR from WA UPS will be more than $10.


I thought the flat rate maxed out at 70lbs?

 

[Shannow]

Glad I don't have your postal system.

Our Postal service is trying to make themselves more user friendly every day.

Can buy printers, paper, memory sticks, computer games, get my passport photos and interview done there, and when one of their delivery contractors started taking parcels home, they sorted our part of it out promptly, efficiently and very courteously, including an apology letter.

 

[crinkles]

we are 100 metres from the local postie, yet they can';t find our place... a bit disappointed.

on average, good service within Australia; lost about 50% of my packages sent to my country of origin. that could be the others country problem though.

 

[JustinH]

There seems to be quite a lack of use among the 20-30 year old crowd.

At least this is the case in my circles.

I pay no less than a dozen bills per month, all online using my bank's online bill pay.

I have even started to have the companies stop mailing me a bill, because I have already paid it online before it arrives in my mailbox.

I get very little mail, most of it is junk mail from the previous owner of my home.

We bought a book of those "forever" stamps well over a year ago, and over half are left.

My only use for the post office is to ship ebay items, and that is becoming more infrequent, UPS and Fedex are sometimes cheaper.

I still joke with my father, while he writes physical checks every month, and mails them.

 

[tonycarguy]

I like the USPS for letters and small packages. But for things over 4 lbs, Fedex is cheaper.

My complaint is, I always get my neighbor's mail a few times a month. I suspect they're getting mine, too.

The quality of delivery service seems to depend on your particular mailman. Besides mis-delivering mail, mine is a lazy slob. When he has a package that requires my signature, he rings the doorbell once then quickly takes off. If I'm not at the front door in 4 seconds, he's gone. I was at a friend's house, and the mailman was delivering a package that required a signature, and that mailman patiently stood around much longer and rang the doorbell a few times.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

I don't have much of a problem with USPS. There is a little hole in the wall P.O. near my house. Very short waits, if any. Folks are nice. The main P.O. that delivers to my house is a nightmare, long lines, etc.

The main reason I use the USPS is to ship stuff to my family that are serving overseas. Nice big flat rate box for like 12.00 and will be in Afgahnistan in 6 days... or in Japan in 5-7.

Dave

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Pablo
I don't give a fruit what people say, and I don't care that I'm sponging the system, but dang it the USPS is pretty great to my company. Medium flat rate boxes made our company. $10. Any weight. Anywhere in the USA, PR and Guam. $10.

There is nothing touching that. 15 pound box to OR from WA UPS will be more than $10.


I thought the flat rate maxed out at 70lbs?


I think you are correct, and 20 pounds for international. But for all our apps we aren't stuffing 70#'s in a small box. Try sending a 50# box across the country. Flat rate is a super bargain. Plus it's faster.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Pablo
I don't give a fruit what people say, and I don't care that I'm sponging the system, but dang it the USPS is pretty great to my company. Medium flat rate boxes made our company. $10. Any weight. Anywhere in the USA, PR and Guam. $10.

There is nothing touching that. 15 pound box to OR from WA UPS will be more than $10.


I thought the flat rate maxed out at 70lbs?


I think you are correct, and 20 pounds for international. But for all our apps we aren't stuffing 70#'s in a small box. Try sending a 50# box across the country. Flat rate is a super bargain. Plus it's faster.


Oh I agree. The flat box is heaven for people who order loading components like bullets which weigh a lot.

Nothing like a small 69lb box full of bullets for less than $11. My local Post office will not deliver them, they put in a call slip and I have to go get them. But that's okay. Can't beat it.

Bill