Postal Service paying fewer workers to do nothing

Washington Post ^ | August 29, 2011 | Ed O'Keefe

[muawiyah]

I told you, just start shouting out ~ loudly ~ that you want service. They'll "get to you".

Maybe you could leap over the counter and help yourself.

[RetiredArmy]

Okay DUer. I do it like you dimocrats do it. Thug style. Sure. AH.

[muawiyah]

I think I saw you barging ahead of line at the automated checkout at the Safeway recently.

Just can't wait your turn eh!

Was the scanner too slow for you or something?

[GraceG]

Wow I am goign to have to move all my bills to online bill pay.

[PapaBear3625]

Yes, the person working the PO counter deals with cash and accountable stock. Meanwhile, I can buy stamps at my supermarket for the same rate that the PO sells them, so once a year or so I buy a big package of "forever" stamps at Costco, which lasts the year. Money orders could also be subcontracted to supermarkets (where the customer service desk already deals with Western Union money transfers). The main thing I need a post office clerk for is to weigh and stamp oversize envelopes and packages, and if there was a line for that which just accepted credit/debit cards, then there would be no need for a cash drawer there.

My local Staples has a UPS package drop-off counter. I'm sure they could also deal with packages for the Post Office.

[muawiyah]

The big business at the counters consists of registry, certified, pick ups, .....

It's also a really good idea to restrict access to credit card acceptance ~ there are a gazillion ways to cheat.