Is the USPS dying because it didn't recognize its real business?

No, USPS is dying because private companies like UPS and FedEx do a much better job.

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Did they ever explore getting into email and other web based communication? Secure email address for a fee? File transfer, online bill pay etc? These are all things that they were doing with the old hard copy method but it seems like they didn't realize it and position themselves to take advantage of the digital age.

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Why the frick would anyone want/need to use the postal service for any of that?

Too bad Gerald is banned from coming in and saving this thread.

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The USPS is dying because of its union. It's almost criminal how much these guys make, how little they pay into their own benefits, how impossible it is to fire them and how much their retirement packages cost.

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I'd have to look at the current costs for employees, but the legacy costs associated with old employees (health care and retirement) are definitely breaking the bank for them.

From a 1982 report from the OTA.

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Changes are taking place so fast in the so-called “communications revolution” that by the time USPS actually experienced significant reductions in conventional mail volume, most opportunities for participation in [electronic mail and message systems] would have passed and it would be much more difficult to adjust.

It seems clear that two-thirds or more of the mainstream could be handled electronically, and that the volume of mail is likely to peak in the next 10 years and fall below today’s level sometime in the 1990’s.

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No, USPS is dying because private companies like UPS and FedEx do a much better job.

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Exactly!

When the USPS closes it's doors to customers around 3:00 PM, UPS stores and FedEx are open late into the night to provide a service to their customers.

When you track something via UPS or Fedex you know where it is at and what the estimated delivery time will be (most of the time). If you are LUCKY USPS track and confirm may tell you 5 days after you received your package that it has been delivered.

When you walk into a UPS store or FedEx store you find several employees ready to help you. Generally the line is short and moves quickly.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, walk into a Post Office. You'll see 10 clerks sitting there and 1 guy handling all of the people standing in line. On top of that he will handle the needs of his customers in the slowest manner possible.

From a customer standpoint, USPS is the exact opposite of how you want to treat your customer base. Shitty service with uppity attitudes. Every year they demand more price increases while never addressing their poor service practices.

For example, if I know a package of mine has reached my local UPS Hub, I can actually go to that hub and pick up the package a day or two early if I have the tracking number. (I've had to do that on occasion a few times)

Try doing that with the USPS at 7 PM on a weeknight..oh you can't because they are closed at 3 PM, 2 hours before normal working stiffs get off the job to run their errands.

Why would I want to give the USPS my business when I can do things much more quickly and efficiently with private companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL around? The USPS acts as if they are the only game in town and have failed to keep, or hell even acknowledge they have competition.

The USPS removed all stamp machines from their facilities. They say it was because they were getting broken into.

The gf and I went to the main postal facility the other day. She had to wait in line 35 minutes just to buy stamps.

That is why they are failing. No one is willing to fool with such BS.

Lets just hope USPS business slows down so much that some of their leadership can transfer over to the ObamaCare Division of Lower Cost and Efficiency in Healthcare Department.

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That is why they are failing. No one is willing to fool with such BS.

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If you are a company looking to deliver first class mail to potential customers, both locally and nationally, you absolutely fool with that BS.

USPS' biggest problem is that organization/operational changes have to be approved by Congress. Unions, short hours, stamp machine inconveniences...none of that is keeping them from being in the black. They didn't start losing money until the feds required them to pre-fund retirement accounts. Prior to that they were entirely self-sufficient, affording all expenses using only the cost of postage.

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