Thursday, January 29, 2009

5-days-a-week Mail Delivery

Before I start I want to give out a little good news; whalertly now autodirects here from google, which means that we have a crap-ton of traffic.

Today, the Post-master General announced that we might need to switch to a 5 day mailing system instead of the current 6 day system. They are doing research in the cost saving, will lobby for permission, and then cut a small use day. This should, in theory, save them between $1.5billion and $3.5billion. On the surface, this sounds like a good idea.

But, it is not...

No, of course, it is not a good idea. The concept of cutting the mail delivery does sound good, but it will have strong side-effects. From causing more people to switch to DHL, UPS, or FedEx, who deliver 7-days-a-week, to forcing less mail through the system, the day-cut will have many side effects. If mail is being delivered less often, then why not use a slightly more expensive service?

Cutting the days will work just like increasing the price stamps. Sure, it saves money, but it also loses customers. What the PO needs to do is determine exactly what ratio is best, and then stick with it.

On a side not, please cut Saturdays if any, it makes it easier to follow

4 comments:

Kadim said...

Minor note: DHL, UPS and FedEx are basically work week operations.

You can get them to do a Saturday or even a Sunday delivery, but it's ungodly expensive.

I'd be fine if they went to 3 day per week residential delivery (skipping every other day.) Almost nothing sent via USPS is so urgent that it can't wait the day (to residential clients.) If you need more urgency, use FedEx.

Ben said...

I've heard they would consider cutting Tuesday, because it is the slowest day, but that seems like it would be dumb to be closer Sunday and Tuesday, doesnt it?

Barga said...

they are thinking of cutting it on tuesdays, i think
i have an issue with it no matter what, for basically the same reasons whalertly does

Ben said...

Yeah I agree with what you say, i am just saying if you are going to cut any day, Tuesday doesnt make a lot of sense

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