Stamp prices to rise by 2 cents

Associated Press ^ | November 2, 2005 | Randolph E. Schmid

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you for delivering the mail. 'preciate it.

Generally, over time, I've had good service (both ways) from the post office.

[A-10]

As people rely less and less on 1st class mail,

95% of my mail is people wanting me to assume more debt. If I wanted, I could sign up for a quarter million a day on average (Yeah, I got bored and calculated a 3 week average)

[Eagles Talon IV]

I agree. Email is not appropriate for birthdays, Christmas and such.

[Serb5150]

Dammit... I just loaded up on these.

[RightWhale]

They're the ones have to 'splain everything to the public.

They get irate customers every day. People expect the PO windows to be open around the clock, and they don't expect to show ID to pick up certain packages. The clerks do very well to handle this, and seemed relieved when they get a polite customer.

[fatnotlazy]

"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."

***

I've been lucky -- I live in a small town and have had few problems. I've had mail delivered even where the address was not even close to being correct. I think I've had the same mailman for the last umpteen years and he knows everyone. The only time things go wrong is when he's on vacation or out sick.

One year around the December holidays, I received a whole pile of mail, most of which was addressed to my neighbors. The substitute mailperson had dropped everything in my mail slot. Like a sap, I went up the street from house to house and delivered it all to my neighbors. Next day, I received another pile of mail, most of which again was for my neighbors. Finally dawned on me that all of the neighbors to whom this mail belonged had houses that sat up huge flights of steps away from the street. I guess the sub didn't want to climb all those steps, so he thought it was ok to leave the mail for me to deliver (my garage and driveway are level, so no steps to climb).

I took the mail down to the local post office and told the clerk what happened. He just shook his head. Apparently, for the holiday season, they had hired some college kid who just wanted the paycheck, but didn't want to work. But once I complained, I had no more "wrong" deliveries after that.

[ASA Vet]

You can not mail a handgun even to the manufacturer unless you are a FFL holder.
Long arms are mailable by anyone if they are not loaded.

[Route797]

Thank you for delivering the mail. 'preciate it. Generally, over time, I've had good service (both ways) from the post office.

Thanks for the thanks! Most of us really try to do a good job.

[Big Giant Head]

So, in your opinion, would it be profitable for the post office if everyone sent back those junk mail envelopes?

Uh YEAH. prepaid return envelopes cost the company that sends them when they are returned. The post office makes that money only when they provide the service.

so, yeah, continue returning them. Help put off the postage increases!

[ASA Vet]

With the rise in gas prices

USPS has the worlds largest non-military vehicle fleet. Gas prices are a huge consideration.

[old and tired]

Not if it were taken over by private business. I cannot remember the last time I went to the P.O.

I can - it was hellish. My daughter needed something mailed. Whoever was receiving it lived in a rural area and requested that it be sent via the US Postal Service.

Anyway, to make a long story short, the people behind the counter were rude and sarcastic to the 10 or so people in front of me. And, just before it was my turn, I snapped. I began ranting and raving that I couldn't wait until they were privatized out of a job. "No wonder everyone uses UPS and FEDEX," I said. "They're the most overpaid, grouchiest, unskilled workers I'd ever seen in my life." As I was storming out of the place, one man began clapping. One other guy chimed in Amen, brother! And the rest just stared at me like I was some sort of loon.

[Big Giant Head]

Finally dawned on me that all of the neighbors to whom this mail belonged had houses that sat up huge flights of steps away from the street. I guess the sub didn't want to climb all those steps, so he thought it was ok to leave the mail for me to deliver (my garage and driveway are level, so no steps to climb).

Don't automatically assume the worst. Please note that you had better service after notifying the PO of the error. Honest mistakes happen, especially to newbies.

[RedWhiteBlue]

Yet another reason I should start using on-line bill paying. Do any of you do that and what service do you use?

I just use my bank's online bill payment service. It is free, easy, and so far has worked without any hickups. I log in, click on "pay bills," then it takes me to a page that lists everyone that I pay that way. I put a checkmark next to the ones I want to pay, then the next page allows me to enter amounts and the day I want the payees to get the money. Just a few clicks and entries, all on one page, and you're done. Adding a new payee to your list is simple -- just a click to a page where you can input the payee's name, address, and your account number.

You can probably go online to each of the places to which you pay regular bills (utilities, cable, internet, mortgage, credit card) and set up automatic or electronic payments through each of their websites, but I'd rather not give a third party permission to access my bank accounts. It is easier just to handle it all at one website -- that of my bank.

[ASA Vet]

Smokeless powder as used in loaded ammunition isn't gun powder (black powder.)

According to PUB 52:
Black powder is not mailable
Lead (elemental) isn't listed so is mailable. (Bullets are mailable.)
Smokeless powder is not mailable.
Cartridges are not mailable.

[babble-on]

we use one called Paytrust.com There's a fee, but its less than the avoided postage from not having to mail all the checks. Its helped us avoid careless missed payments, plus we never miss a bill when we are travelling. We like it just fine.

[Big Giant Head]

Oh, while we're all complaining about how that two cents is going to break our banks and send us all into bankruptcy in order to mail a letter, here's a previous thread from 9/27. Note the title of the thread:

Postal Service expects $2 billion deficit in '06

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1492294/posts

[fatnotlazy]

Don't automatically assume the worst. Please note that you had better service after notifying the PO of the error. Honest mistakes happen, especially to newbies.

***

A stray piece of mail, I don't mind, but a whole pile of it? And twice in two days? And all of the allegedly mistakenly delivered mail was for addresses with a lot of steps to climb? No, this wasn't an honest mistake.

But yes, you are right...it's good to complain. And if you don't get help at the local level, talk to someone higher up.

[jwfiv]

I have a lot of stamps I just bought a couple of month ago ... guess I'll need to buy some 2 cent ones now.

Great portrait of the Gipper on that stamp.

[fatnotlazy]

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.

***

Even my employer is going with e-holiday cards this year.

[JasonC]

Because they want to make us buy 2 cent add on do-hickies that lionize assorted communist heros and notorious felons...