Postal Service Denied Rate Increase

The US Postal Service has been denied a rate increase by the Postal Regulatory Commision, after losing approximately 3.8 billion dollars last year. They were looking for an increase of two cents per letter mailed, from forty four cents to forty six. I don't know the specifics of why the rate increase was not given, but really would two cents a letter really help when overall use of snail mail is declining? I don't think so, and the Commision probably didn't think so either. The US Postal Service has more problems, than a six cent increase would solve. Before I go any farther, i have a unique perspective on this matter than most. I am a former shipping manager who has dealt with UPS, Fedex, as well as the USPS. The biggest difference between the private carriers and the Postal Service is the private carriers are trying to make a profit. I don't know what the USPS is trying to do, and I don't think they do either. The Postal Service has tried to improve their service and possibly gain back some market share through their pay one price, as long as it fits in the box, to ship anywhere. They supply you with the boxes free of charge, and here is where the problem starts. Anyone can go online and order these boxes for their home or business, however you don't have to use them for postal shipping. I personally know of two people who have ordered these boxes with the sole purpose of using them for their household move. UPS and Fedex would never think of giving away unlimited boxes to a non paying customer. Another area of great loss for the Postal Service is the loss of devices used by them to transport the mail. In my former facility, we had at least ten plastic mail crates at any time, and unbelievably enough a large metal rolling cage for mail that was dropped off and never retrieved. The rolling cage had to be worth at least several hundred dollars, probably more knowing how our government overpays for items.

The Postal Service has two distinct advantages over the private carriers. They have a box in front of basically every home and business in the U.S., and they work on Saturday. The private carriers would kill for a drop off box at every location, they currently charge extra for residential delivery, since most times they have to return multiple times before completing the delivery. And Saturday delivery ,by the Postal Service, allows you to ship something on a Thursday or Friday, and possibly arrive on Saturday. That service is only available for a significant fee from the private carriers. Crazy as it seems the Postal Service is looking to discontinue Saturday service. What's next? Eliminate mail boxes. The USPS can be a money maker for our country, it just has to be run correctly. President Obama should look into bringing someone in from one of the private carriers, and paying them handsomely to fix the Postal Service. They all know what a great source of income it could be to the U.S. Hell, offer them a percentage of what they save as a salary and I think the number of applicants will amaze you.