Curbside mail delivery vs. porch-side mail delivery... (insurance, home)

[Goldendoodle1969]

Originally Posted by CaptainNJ

but why should the customers suffer when the cuts should be made on the business side of the equation? the usps has a monopoly on first class mail so nobody is allowed to compete with them. so customers have no choice but to use them. so let them take the cuts and not the customers. if you cut the service side and get your savings, they aren't going to cut the business side.

Because this isn't their fault either. The biggest cost driver for the mail delivery are not the costs of delivering the mail but the ridiculous health and pension benefits offered to most employees past and present and that is not a USPS issue that is a union issue. It would be much easier to cut the benefit to the public than to cut the benefits to the union , that is Union Rule #1. Any competition playing by the same rules(and dealing with the NALC) is going to have the exact same problem. Now if this was a privatized, de-unionized industry I would agree you might see some cost savings by competition but the AFL-CIO runs the USPS and is running it into the ground. Again this IMO.

[CaptainNJ]

Originally Posted by tdstyles

Because this isn't their fault either. The biggest cost driver for the mail delivery are not the costs of delivering the mail but the ridiculous health and pension benefits offered to most employees past and present and that is not a USPS issue that is a union issue. It would be much easier to cut the benefit to the public than to cut the benefits to the union , that is Union Rule #1. Any competition playing by the same rules(and dealing with the NALC) is going to have the exact same problem. Now if this was a privatized, de-unionized industry I would agree you might see some cost savings by competition but the AFL-CIO runs the USPS and is running it into the ground. Again this IMO.

im not sure about "fault" but its their problem. if they cant cut it, then let them file bankruptcy and let the bankruptcy process deal with their employee/retiree expenses. if they want to cut service to customers, then also let them drop their government mandated monopoly and let other businesses like ups and fedex compete with them for first class mail delivery.

[Goldendoodle1969]

Originally Posted by CaptainNJ

im not sure about "fault" but its their problem. if they cant cut it, then let them file bankruptcy and let the bankruptcy process deal with their employee/retiree expenses. if they want to cut service to customers, then also let them drop their government mandated monopoly and let other businesses like ups and fedex compete with them for first class mail delivery.

I seriously doubt that UPS or FedEx would even bother given the congressional oversight they would be subject to.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by tdstyles

I seriously doubt that UPS or FedEx would even bother given the congressional oversight they would be subject to.

Congressional oversight or not, do you honestly think that either of those companies could or would deliver a letter from...let's say...Florida to Alaska...for 46 cents? Everyone gripes about postal rate increases, but the reality of the situation is that no private entity would be willing to deliver first class mail as cheaply as The US Postal Service does. Additionally, there are places in the US that are not served by either FedEx or UPS. By contrast, The USPS goes everywhere.

I say that The USPS should be allowed to raise their rates to a more realistic level, and if people don't like it, then they can seek alternate ways to send their letters.
Once they see what is charged by other services, they would probably be glad to pay The USPS...perhaps 75 cents...instead of 46 cents.

[Goldendoodle1969]

Originally Posted by Retriever

Congressional oversight or not, do you honestly think that either of those companies could or would deliver a letter from...let's say...Florida to Alaska...for 46 cents? Everyone gripes about postal rate increases, but the reality of the situation is that no private entity would be willing to deliver first class mail as cheaply as The US Postal Service does. Additionally, there are places in the US that are not served by either FedEx or UPS. By contrast, The USPS goes everywhere.

I say that The USPS should be allowed to raise their rates to a more realistic level, and if people don't like it, then they can seek alternate ways to send their letters.
Once they see what is charged by other services, they would probably be glad to pay The USPS...perhaps 75 cents...instead of 46 cents.

Agreed.

[MJJersey]

The mail carrier left a note in my mailbox saying I can't park in front of my house because I can't obstruct the curb within 30 feet of my mailbox. I was thinking of remedying the plight of my mail carrier by taking my mailbox down and putting it on my porch.

[davenj08]

Originally Posted by MJJersey

The mail carrier left a note in my mailbox saying I can't park in front of my house because I can't obstruct the curb within 30 feet of my mailbox. I was thinking of remedying the plight of my mail carrier by taking my mailbox down and putting it on my porch.

30 feet? Does he come in a tractor trailor?!?

[manderly6]

I have to get mail delivered 6 days a week. How else would I fill up my recycling bin?

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by davenj08

30 feet? Does he come in a tractor trailor?!?

Naa, a small tractor-trailor is more than 30' (28' trailer + cab). Maybe a box truck? The regs do say 30' clear approach, so I guess the best place to put the mailbox is 15' down from a fire hydrant.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by MJJersey

The mail carrier left a note in my mailbox saying I can't park in front of my house because I can't obstruct the curb within 30 feet of my mailbox. I was thinking of remedying the plight of my mail carrier by taking my mailbox down and putting it on my porch.

Just don't be too surprised if that move results in no mail delivery to your home.
I would suggest speaking with the local postmaster in order to determine if your home is eligible for "porch-side" delivery. Based on when the house was built, you might not be eligible for anything other than curb-side delivery.