USPS... of course it's broken! But what the hell?

[Ronin13]

Before I begin, yes I'm aware it's a government entity and that explains about 80% of why it sucks, but I'm wondering seriously lately, what the bloody hell is going on with the postal service? It used to be that I would head over to the Post Office every day between 1200-1230 to get the mail out of our PO Box for the office/father's/my mail. I'm guessing they sort and it staggers in throughout the morning because by noon it usually contains all of our mail for the day. Not so fast. Lately it seems that the mail has been getting slowed. Today for instance, I know all of the mail wasn't in the box by the time I went in, at 1245! Because it's Wednesday and today is the day the weekly Evergreen newspaper goes out. Not in there. Are they slacking or just incompetent? It used to be they were really good at having our mail in the box by noon like clockwork. Now it seems they have taken on the malaise of "good enough for government work." What gives? Not that I'm upset, it's just puzzling that these wonderfully motivated human beings can place next to no pride in their work anymore.

My apologies to anyone who works or has a family member that works for the USPS...
I wonder... can we just hand over the mail system to private industry now? At least the private sector will actually do good work with delivering mail.

[Colorado_Outback]

Wow, that was a lot of ASSumptions for one post..

A privatized postal system sounds great until you find out how much they would charge to mail a letter.

[clodhopper]

Lower your expectations to getting today's mail tomorrow. Reduce your stress, live longer. Assimilation is inevitable.

[BuffCyclist]

You do know they're having major budget problems right now, right?

I don't remember the date, but they're going to stop Saturday mail delivery soon because of budget concerns. I have also heard in new development areas, business parks and malls, they are moving towards a central mail pickup instead of curbside delivery. That all probably explains why its slowing down, because they're way in the red and don't have enough employees to do the work that is needed.

eta: The USPS is having budget problems. Not the .gov, although that actually goes equally as well for them

[Lurch]

Lower your expectations to getting today's mail tomorrow. Reduce your stress, live longer. Assimilation is inevitable.

and just remember if you need to get your letter somewhere in the next 10 days don't use the USPS.

[hatidua]

.5/10

[kidicarus13]

My recent experience:

USPS Priority #9505500021453203000048 Available for pick-up in Beckley, WV on July25th

The problem is I mailed the package to South Dakota. I spoke with the Beckley Post Master and he does not have the package at his Post Office. AWESOME!

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Unions!

[Dave]

You do know they're having major budget problems right now, right?

I don't remember the date, but they're going to stop Saturday mail delivery soon because of budget concerns. I have also heard in new development areas, business parks and malls, they are moving towards a central mail pickup instead of curbside delivery. That all probably explains why its slowing down, because they're way in the red and don't have enough employees to do the work that is needed.

eta: The USPS is having budget problems. Not the .gov, although that actually goes equally as well for them

Actually, Congress told them they have to deliver on Saturdays, they can't stop.

[Ronin13]

A privatized postal system sounds great until you find out how much they would charge to mail a letter.

Not if there was direct competition. Look at waste disposal... a lot of areas don't charge that much because there are only two companies that operate there and have direct competition.

You do know they're having major budget problems right now, right?

Not an excuse to do a piss poor job though.

and just remember if you need to get your letter somewhere in the next 10 days don't use the USPS.

Ain't that the truth.