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I think I know why the USPS is losing money

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HaRuMaN:
I'm switching all my packages to FedEx from here on out:

I priced online a 9 pound package to my cousing in NC (I'm in AZ).

$25 USPS Standard Post, ~ 8 days with subpar tracking.
$15 FedEx Home, ~4 days with good tracking.

RandyT:

--- Quote from: HaRuMaN on March 13, 2013, 11:45:01 am ---I'm switching all my packages to FedEx from here on out:

I priced online a 9 pound package to my cousing in NC (I'm in AZ).

$25 USPS Standard Post, ~ 8 days with subpar tracking.
$15 FedEx Home, ~4 days with good tracking.

--- End quote ---

Economy of any particular method can depend a lot on not only weight, but size.  A few years ago, I sent a 60lb box, flat rate priority.  Cost less than $10 and went across the country in 3 days.  The same box is about $14 now.  Finding the best value really depends on what you are shipping.  Also, the mailman will take the package at your doorstep for no extra charge...if you happen to be there when he rolls through.

Xiaou2:
The problem with the Post Office, is the cost of upper management.   Most PO workers make great money as it stands... but the MGT?  Make unreasonable salaries:

http://www.savethepostoffice.com/it-was-very-good-year-salaries-usps-executives


 As for Fedex...  firstly, its not related to any part of the Govt.  Its as Federal as the Federal Reserve.

 Next.. Fedex is comprised of many private 'Route Owners'.    You can purchase a route, then you buy / rent trucks...
and take employees from the base office hires.  As a Route owner, you dont actually have to run a route yourself.  Some do.  I believe the route owner decides the rate of pay, as well as the hours you work.  A Percentage of the money made from each package, is sent to the route owner.  A sort of commission system.  With that money, you need to pay the employees, as well as truck payments, fuel, and repairs.

 The routes make Mega $.   However, the workers themselves... not so much.  And these guys work very long hours, and are running and lifting heavy stuff all day and night long.   Im not even sure that many of the guys have health care.

 I believe this private ran stuff keeps a lot of the expenses away from the corporation, which allows them to keep the prices of shipments much lower.  It probably screws over the general workers however... depending on the Route owner.


 I think UPS is ran completely corporate, rather than with individuals purchased routes.  As such, its probably more expensive than Fedex.  I dont trust UPS, due to their losing a 37" lcd tv.  How do you misplace a box that big?!


 USPS, is a govt. agency..  and like anything Govt..  theres huge payouts to upper MGT, corruption like you wouldnt believe, lax attitudes about getting things out, schemes to cover things up, and more.

 

ChadTower:

--- Quote from: RandyT on March 13, 2013, 11:12:38 pm --- Also, the mailman will take the package at your doorstep for no extra charge...if you happen to be there when he rolls through.

--- End quote ---


This is not always the case.  Where I live mailboxes are on the street which is good way away from your front door.  We're not allowed to leave packages by our mailbox and the mailman will not get out of his jeep.  If we get a package that can't be easily attached to the mailbox with rubber bands then we get a package slip and have to pick it up.

If you try to talk about this with the mailman or anyone at the Post Office they just throw up their hands and say "Union rules" and refuse to discuss at all.

danny_galaga:

--- Quote from: Ed_McCarron on March 13, 2013, 10:53:18 am ---
--- Quote from: danny_galaga on March 12, 2013, 03:58:52 am ---
--- Quote from: ChadTower on March 06, 2013, 10:20:38 pm ---
--- Quote from: Howard_Casto on March 06, 2013, 03:56:16 pm --- Nobody is scrambling to get rid of pennies. 
--- End quote ---

There have been people trying to get rid of the penny for many years now.  Canada actually did it.


--- End quote ---

Got rid of them in Australia years ago too. The US needs to do this too. It is such a useless (yet expensive to maintain) denomination nowadays. Honestly, it's an easy thing to let go of compared to a postal service. There are at least two Dutch guys here. Let them tell you about the THREE or so private companies running their postal system now. One of those companies (TNT) used to be Australian, but is now a Dutch/Canadian conglomeration. So not even really a Dutch company!

--- End quote ---

How does this work?  Tax calculation won't always match to the nickel... Do you just round up/down?

--- End quote ---

It just works (",)

But yes, if prices included odd cents (like petrol at the pump) then 1, 2 or 3 cents is rounded down usually (free fuel! :woot) 4 cents rounds up.

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