Posted on 11/03/2005 10:44:31 AM PST by kingattax
Well shucks - that shoots down my theory. I've been sending back all those junk mail "postage paid by addressee" envelopes (either empty or filled with cr*p from their competitors)thinking that would help support the post office so they wouldn't raise rates, plus it might inspire junk mailers to cut back on the stuff they send me and thus save a few trees. How naive. Oh well, I'll keep doing it though, just to be ornery.
The post office is financially mandated to stand on it's own. It's expected to be like a free business, and show a profit. Why do you think they advertise?
Keep in mind, like any other business, they have been cutting back, increasing work loads, decreasing the number of employees, etc. I'm a part timer, and I get NO benefits, and am expected to show up unfailingly.
Is it a good paying job? Yes, in my part of the country. The pay is the same in a big city as it is in a small town, so in a big city, it's not so hot.
There is a lot of misinformation among Freepers re the post office.
Not if it were taken over by private business. I cannot remember the last time I went to the P.O.
"Still it's one of the best postal services in the world..."
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I will agree with you there. I've had to deal with postal services in other countries. Some of them are just plain awful.
My late mother used to send holiday cards and packages to some family members in the "old country" (Italy). She would mail them in October, and they still wouldn't arrive until sometime after the first of the next year. No, the problem was not here in the U.S. -- her mail would just sit around somewhere in Italy until someone got around to delivering it. In addition, the postal service, at least at one time, used to go on strike about once a week, and that would delay deliveries even further. There were horror stories about postal workers who, around the end of their shift -- if they had more mail to deliver -- would simply drop the mail down the sewer.
Compared to some countries, our postal service is rather good.
I hope I didn't sound like I was anti-USPS. I think they (you) do an admirable job - efficient and timely. So, in your opinion, would it be profitable for the post office if everyone sent back those junk mail envelopes?
If its trash day, and the garbage can is by the curb, Junk mail goes form one container straight to another container , never entering the house.........what a waste!.......
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My mail comes through a slot in my garage door. Inside the basement adjacent to the garage is a trash receptacle. That's where my junk mail goes. On trash day, I just lift the trash bag, tie it up and put it out in the alley (where my trash is picked up). No fuss, no muss.
No, it's not just you. When postage goes up, it goes up in January. It's a big headache for postal employees who have not yet recovered from the Christmas holiday, and then the big mailings of W-2s, other year-end stuff like statements. They're the ones have to 'splain everything to the public.
Does your bank have a bill payer service? If so why not use them to send the check to the utility company. If it is like mine the service is free, no postage or check charges.
The best way by far to mail to APOs, FPOs is using the flat rate priority boxes, $7.70 postage no matter the weight. The size of the boxes is ideal for sending to troops, also. Large oversize boxes are not recommended.
Unfortunately my junk mail has credit card offers and even checks from credit card issuers, so I have to open up the envelops and shred the stuff that identity thieves use.
Just one one more reason I have to be highly irritated with the USPS. Around here its nothing but a bunch of incompetent fools....and thats putting it nicely!
I moved about 13 minutes down the road in mid Oct, I put in my request to have my mail forwarded, I even received 3 confirmations of my request via mail and email...so why is it ALL of my mail is still being delieverd to the WRONG address!! Grrr! Think I'm going to start paying all my bills online and give up on the post office.
The last time I used a stamp was yesterday when I mailed a letter to a deployed soldier.
I love regular mail and lament that e-mail has become more common, to the point that even some of my best friends prefer to send an e-birthday card rather than a real one. Sad.
I've been with USPS for 22 years. If it were to close up, I'm sure I would receive some sort of financial settlement, and the chance to do something with my life that would be less physically grueling than my present job. I know my back would like it!
Maybe you can get a truly cushy government job with Lew Rockwell.com. They mostly work for the government in public schools in soft academic jobs and generally trash hard working postal employees when they aren't spewing out vile slander toward out great Abraham Lincoln.
I live in rural Florida and mine is great. My rural carrier is really friendly and also competent.
Unfortunately my junk mail has credit card offers and even checks from credit card issuers, so I have to open up the envelops and shred the stuff that identity thieves use.
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A good thing we all should do. Thanks for the reminder. :)
Off topic but I worked @ UPS a while back and there was one thing that always perplexed me.
Gun powder = Haz Mat, special handling, extra forms,No air, etc.
Lead = Haz Mat, special handling, extra forms,No air, etc.
Put the 2 together with a little brass - No special considerations / restrictions!!
It just seemed odd....
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