Modern Buddy

Ordered a set of spoke weights to be shipped from MO to NJ. Should have only taken 2 -3 days (Priority Mail) but it took a little side-trip to TX for a couple of days. Contacted USPS customer service by email, actually got a response from 3 different levels of management (thought it'd disappear down a bureacratic rabbit hole), and received the package within a day and a half. Disregarding the initial screw-up (first time ever in my experience), I'd call that a damned good example of how customer service should work.

You know, when you think about the volume of stuff these folks handle and the reasonable prices they charge, it really is amazing how well they do it. Very easy to take reliable mail delivery for granted I guess.

And, of course, they're facing budget cuts.

Glad to hear it! It seems too many people are just looking for missteps these days so they can say, "I told you they suck!" Good for the USPS.

USPS gets a way bad rap and has gotten caught up in the politics of the day. fact of the matter is a lot of the "get what we pay for" people don't understand the USPS has always been subsidized by the Gov to keep rates low, and if it did make money the Gov took it all. because the private sector wanted a chance to compete

but the private sector couldn't do what the USPS did and be competitive even if the USPS wasn't making money. and now the big boys don't want the business because the volume of mail is way down

still, if people paid what it really cost to send a letter or package without the USPS losing money they would scream. and i don't know why unless they want to deliver it themselves

filthy little secret. the USPS overpaid to the tune of 100b dollars into their pension fund(s) over the years. these monies would keep the USPS solvent and in the black for some years to come. but Washington spent the money and they are not giving it back. also, they are the only business in the entire country, Gov or private sector, which is required by congress to pre fund its pension / health benefits for retirees. so they do it....and congress spends the money and asks for more!

which of course means jobs lost and higher rates for using the USPS. business as usual

but yeah, i like the USPS and appreciate the service to our country. they do a good job for the most part

I ship a lot of valuable and delicate stuff, and I'll take the USPS over UPS or FedEx any day. Better value, reliability, and speed.

The fact that the USPS will take an envelope from any front door to any other front door in the country for less than 50 cents is a pretty good deal, really.

I recently had to send several hundred bucks to a friend in another state without a bank account; he needed it in a few days to avoid getting his power shut off. The only places that would cash a personal check would take an obscene cut. Western Union would require about 10% as a service fee. But a USPS money order (redeemable at his post office) plus postage to mail it, cost only two bucks.

I've always had good luck with the USPS. Unfortunately, pretty much everything the government touches, they eventually destroy.

Seeing as how the post office was almost the very first government agency, the government has been touching it 1787.

heatherkay wrote:Seeing as how the post office was almost the very first government agency, the government has been touching it 1787.

Our government isn't what it was back in 1787. Our founding fathers would be horrified at what we've done to the country. We have become what our founding fathers rebelled against. We weren't raiding the coffers of the USPS and punitively taxing citizens in 1787. But your point is taken, so let me rephrase.

In the last 50 years, pretty much everything our government touches, they eventually destroy.

k1dude wrote:

heatherkay wrote:Seeing as how the post office was almost the very first government agency, the government has been touching it 1787.

Our government isn't what it was back in 1787. Our founding fathers would be horrified at what we've done to the country. We have become what our founding fathers rebelled against. We weren't raiding the coffers of the USPS and punitively taxing citizens in 1787. But your point is taken, so let me rephrase.

In the last 50 years, pretty much everything our government touches, they eventually destroy.

Lets not lets this thread go there please. The OP was giving props to the USPS. Those guys work hard so......

Any time I've priced something to ship, USPS wins no-contest. I've never had an issue with them, either. I can't say the same for UPS or FedEx.
That trend continues to the people driving the trucks. I see USPS, I smile and wave. I see UPS or FedEx...I dive for cover.

Yes, for USPS!

What was that company that used those yellow trucks? anyhow a few years ago when they were still around (are they still around?) my dad sent me a laptop for college. unfortunely he used that yellow truck company and it took forever to get to my city then I had to go out and find their business which was a little shack out in the middle of nowhere just to get my laptop.

As i read over that I realised that i've been spoiled by USPS.

scootavaran wrote:What was that company that used those yellow trucks? anyhow a few years ago when they were still around (are they still around?) my dad sent me a laptop for college. unfortunely he used that yellow truck company and it took forever to get to my city then I had to go out and find their business which was a little shack out in the middle of nowhere just to get my laptop.

As i read over that I realised that i've been spoiled by USPS.

i think it was DSL? i think...

yeah the good 'ol usps. got some scooter stuff in the mail today and remembered this thread

thanks for my seat hinge, USPS

Close. I believe its DHL.

BTW, the absolute worst shipping method is Fedex's "Smartpost". Basically Fedex does the pickup from the shipper and then drops it off with the USPS for final delivery. I ordered some tools from Harbor Freight (who used this method) and it took two weeks for Fedex to get the package from CA to NJ. Indeed, there was a 3 day lag between the time that the shipment was electronically submitted and the time that they actually picked the package up.

Once it got to the P.O. in NJ it only took one day to reach my door.

So, when a vendor says they're using Fedex, you might want to ask which method. Smartpost is dirt cheap but slower than hell. If you want to receive your items within any reasonable timeframe, see if you can opt for another form of delivery.