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All of my packages that are sent via FedEx/UPS arrive on FedEx/UPS trucks.
Maybe you haven't taken into account that there are regional differences.
I’m not discussing regional difference. It is cheaper for FedEx/ups to use the postal service for final delivery and even more so when you are talking about residential delivery.
All my purchases that are fulfilled by Amazon travel only the final leg (my central USPS to my home) via USPS. Either Amazon is using their own fleet to deliver to my central USPS or they are using a contract carrier. Probably both.
Well our situations are different. I don't have doctor bills or co-pays. All such money talk is between my healthcare providers and my insurance carriers. I pay my dental bills via CC at time of service.
As a small business owner I do use USPS although I'm retiring in January.
Mailing in your ballot is optional. You can drop your mail-in ballot at any polling place on election day. Drop it at the US Consulate if you are out of the country.
All I really want is for USPS to become a totally private company, same as FedEx or UPS. Then without government subsidy they can sink or swim on their own.
Private business will always provide any service that is in demand.
I forget how Amazon does it because I think it depends on where Amazon hubs are located to be quite honest. For me it is Vegas or Phoenix so when I did have Prime, I would typically get three day shipping even if I did no rush.
It isn't just my situation, it is others. In Arizona not many doctors actually charge you at the time of service for whatever reason. Maybe it is wait until insurance adjusts the price. I think only my ENT charged before. It don't matter whether you talk clinics or actual doctors.
As for the USPS I am fairly certain it could swim if not for the prepaid pension deal. I'm surprised it hasn't been reversed yet but it seems Congress is in no hurry to do just that.
I’m not discussing regional difference. It is cheaper for FedEx/ups to use the postal service for final delivery and even more so when you are talking about residential delivery.
Unlike USPS, FedEx, UPS and other private package delivery companies do not have a nationwide coast to coast delivery mandate. Nor is it truly cost effective for them to do so and or even possible.
For certain rural and other areas of the USA everyone knows FedEx, UPS and others use USPS for "last mile" of delivery.
FedEx ground service in particular relies upon USPS because unlike UPS it is not a totally in house scheme.
FedEx got into ground package delivery by mainly buying up DHL and other companies. Even so it took years after the thing was started to bring FedEx ground into their main (air) delivery business. More so unlike UPS FedEx ground routes are franchise operations. You can *buy* one or more routes just like opening a Dunkin Donuts or 7 Eleven.
Since USPS is mandated to go everywhere in USA, it just makes good business sense for UPS and the others to palm off packages going to "Podunk, USA" rather than try to establish a delivery network for what may be a small to very limited number of deliveries per year.
Remember also UPS and FedEx make their money two ways; they deliver *and* collect packages. Just sending a truck out to make deliveries with nothing coming back on return trip isn't financially sound.
I’m not discussing regional difference. It is cheaper for FedEx/ups to use the postal service for final delivery and even more so when you are talking about residential delivery.
FedEx and UPS are NOT doing that in my service area.
Quote:
Originally Posted by COJeff
With the increase in price will there be more competence as the post office?
Remember also UPS and FedEx make their money two ways; they deliver *and* collect packages. Just sending a truck out to make deliveries with nothing coming back on return trip isn't financially sound.
You can schedule USPS pick-ups too: online.
I hadn't considered the USPS mandate to deliver to rural areas, but I also see plenty of mailboxes at dirt roads around the Southwest. Some make arrangements with stores in towns, in rural areas. I'm sure there are some areas that are too rural for even USPS to deliver.
By the way, there is a great USPS service that is absolutely free. You can open an account with them (free account, all you need is some email address) and they email you each day with mail and packages they intend to deliver that day, often including photos of incoming mail. (Photos are not 100% of the time.) If they don't say they have some letters with no photos, if it's all junk I know to not bother walking the 400 feet to my CBU.
I really like my letter carrier. I often walk up to the CBU and chat with her while she's sorting. She is a very nice lady. .... I also yell out "Thanks!" as my FedEx or UPS driver is walking back to his/her truck. I just love these surrogate Santa Claus people!
I like showing my appreciation to these hard working people of all delivery services. I want them to know that at least some customers appreciate them!
One, USPS is constitutionally required to "continue to operate".
Two, the thing would be on far firmer footing if both GOP and DNC politicians would stop messing with USPS and let it get on. Much of the interference comes from the postal workers unions who don't want this or that to affect what they see as a safe gig for life.
Case in point, there is no sane reason why USPS lone among any private company, branch of US government or whatever should be required to fund pensions for twenty years out. Congress makes no such requirement on private enterprises. Indeed they have often bent over backwards to accommodate often to the harm of retirees.
To say nothing of the Franking privilege. And even government agencies are not require to fund pensions ahead of time.
I hadn't considered the USPS mandate to deliver to rural areas, but I also see plenty of mailboxes at dirt roads around the Southwest. Some make arrangements with stores in towns, in rural areas. I'm sure there are some areas that are too rural for even USPS to deliver.
By the way, there is a great USPS service that is absolutely free. You can open an account with them (free account, all you need is some email address) and they email you each day with mail and packages they intend to deliver that day, often including photos of incoming mail. (Photos are not 100% of the time.) If they don't say they have some letters with no photos, if it's all junk I know to not bother walking the 400 feet to my CBU.
I really like my letter carrier. I often walk up to the CBU and chat with her while she's sorting. She is a very nice lady. .... I also yell out "Thanks!" as my FedEx or UPS driver is walking back to his/her truck. I just love these surrogate Santa Claus people!
I like showing my appreciation to these hard working people of all delivery services. I want them to know that at least some customers appreciate them!
Unless things have changed you can only schedule Priority Mail collections online. If you want to use the slower ground rates, then off to the post office you must go....
We have a USPS account, and yes know all about the emails regarding packages/mail arriving. Had it for a few weeks then turned it off; too darn annoying. *LOL*
Still get tracking notices for packages sent or being delivered, and that is good enough.
A few years ago I had to send a set of documents via UPS (as directed by the recipient). Turns out UPS did not deliver to the location, nor did FedEx. Not even last mile delivery.
I ended up sending them through the Post Office. Recipient never mentioned it when we finally met a couple weeks later.
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.... I also yell out "Thanks!" as my FedEx or UPS driver is walking back to his/her truck. I just love these surrogate Santa Claus people! 
