USPS - Another problem.

[artistjillian]

USPS is about to announce deliveries will only be 5 days a week, cutting one day. This means there is potential further for us getting our stars dinged under 'shipping time'. :( http://www.auctiva.com/edu/entry.aspx?id=USPS-Warns-of-Delivery-Cutbacks -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[poozybear]

What makes me nervous is that they've been talking about dropping Tuesday delivery. I wish they'd drop Saturday instead. I think that people would be more willing/able to accept no mail delivery on the weekend than on Tuesday. A weekday without mail seems unnatural (for lack of a better word). Most foreign countries do not have mail delivery on Saturday. To my knowledge, Canada has never had it (there was so Saturday delivery when I was living there). If the USPS adopted "normal" business hours of Mon-Fri for deliveries, I think people would get used to it pretty quickly, but having that gap mid-week will definitely be a problem for eBay sellers. Actually, it doesn't seem fair for ANYONE running a business to be without mail service on a Tuesday, but we'd survive without Saturday. -- Kathy

[sunshinesketches]

Canada doesn't have Saturday delivery. As far as I know, UK still does. It doesn't make sense to drop Tuesday, when many/most offices aren't open Saturday. That would be the logical choice, one would think. I wonder if that means post offices will/would also be closed?

[poozybear]

I think the PO will still be open, it's just carrier service that they plan to eliminate. Saturday definitely seems like the most logical choice. Like you said, most business offices are closed on Saturday. It doesn't seem fair to cut those businesses off from mail service on Tuesday. My last job was at a talent agency in LA, and the mail was incredibly important to us. All of the actors' checks came through the mail, and we would sit waiting for the mailman hoping there would be money (kinda needed it to pay the bills). We would to take our commission from the checks, then race to forward the money to the actors, who wanted it yesterday. I was constantly running to the mailbox trying to catch the day's pickup. For a business like that, eliminating service for a day would be devastating. It seems that they're thinking too much about the private sector, rather than the impact this will have on businesses. If they kill service on Tuesday, a lot of businesses will start using FedEx and courier services, and the PO will lose more money. Stoo-pid. -- Kathy

[flags!]

If someone purchases something on Friday night etc, I immediately send them an email and explain that it is the week-end and that the mail will not go out until Monday morning (or Tuesday). Especially if it is a holiday week-end and the Post Office is closed on Monday.

[artistjillian]

There is no Saturday mail delivery in Australia - been like that for ages. But it can cause a problem for us if people don't realize and compare. I think the article talks about canning Saturdays? I only glanced over it. -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[poozybear]

From what I've heard on the news, they're trying to decide between Saturday and Tuesday, but are leaning heavily towards Tuesday. I heard an interview with a USPS rep on NPR yesterday, and he was saying that people like to get mail on Saturdays, that working people never get to meet their mailman, and so on. Again, there seemed to be no consideration for businesses. Their main concern was in pleasing the private sector. Just my opinion, but I think that's a mistake, since most of their money probably comes from businesses. -- Kathy

[artistjillian]

Working people take vacation leave at home, and are home sick at times. They would get to meet their mailperson at some stage. And here, on the ranch, it would be better if she wasn't 'met' as I know someone who would like to biff her one! *lol* As I said Aussies have had it a LONG time, with NO adverse effects. -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[poozybear]

Speaking for myself, I couldn't care less if I ever met my mail carrier. Why does anyone need to know their mailman? My mailbox isn't real close to my house. We have a cluster of boxes on the main road, I guess to make it easier on the carrier. The only time he ever comes down to the house is to deliver something with signature required, and it isn't always the same guy. The days of door-to-door delivery are gone. When I was a kid, we had a mailman that walked from house to house with a mailbag. These days, most people have community mailboxes and the carrier just pulls up in the truck, throws the mail in the boxes, and drives off. I don't want the mail carrier to be my best friend, I just want my mail delivered. -- Kathy

[artistjillian]

:) Yes, you're right. -- ~Jillian artist, Jillian Crider ... google me!

[sunshinesketches]

I was at the Post Office today (whoa, I actually sold something on Etsy), and spoke with one of the clerks there. She seems to think this is not a done deal by any means. From what she'd heard, it was because Tuesday was the lowest-volume day of the week for some reason. As for getting to know your postal delivery person? Ludicrous! It's not like they stop to chat. Sure, we wave hello if we're in the yard when they come around, but everyone around here does that, even if it's a stranger.

[angelacmoore]

No delivery in AU Saturdays, as Jillian says, and I don't remember Sat deliveries in the UK after the twice daily deliveries stopped - mind you, I left in 1969 and as a student I didn't get much mail As for "meeting your mailperson", forget it, though it might apply in remote country areas. I see someone on a motorbike in the right uniform in my street, I wave, maybe, but it's whoever's assigned to the run.

[poozybear]

Karen, I sense that some of this is just a threat. The USPS asked for a huge amount of bailout money, and have yet to get any, so the immediate response was "Well then, we'll just have to cut your service. Narni narni narni." So, we'll see. Angela, I also say say "forget it" to meeting your mailman. On the few occasions that I've have chatty mail carriers, they've been people that I really didn't want to chat with. -- Kathy

[flags!]

I must live in hometown America because one of the Postmen wears bermuda shorts and walks the route. But not my house - we live out of town and I have a Post box and no mailbox at my house because I don't want junk mail at my house too. People use to know their postmen and give them tips at Christmas etc -- but most people work now. Its irrelevent. You can figure if the Government wants to screw us up, they will pick Tuesday of course!

[cottagegardenstudios]

I see my postman daily!! He is a gem - I had a large envelope going to Canada (a sale on E..y TOO)- he came back after his route was done and told me I needed more postage. He had weighed it and come back on his own time!!!! I would much rather loose Sat. - I don't see how Tuesday's even became a choice!!!!! -- A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. -Eleanor Roosevelt