Deep in an appropriations bill passed by the 52nd Congress on March 3, 1893, was the clause “For free-delivery service, including existing experimental free-delivery offices, eleven million two hundred and fifty-four thousand nine hundred dollars, of which the sum of ten thousand dollars shall be applied under the direction of the Postmaster-General to experimental free-delivery in rural communities other than…
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It’s hardly a report for the evening news, but Sioux Falls (SD) station KSFY reported July 14 that Lewis Drug and Hy-Vee stores would no longer be able to “sell postage or mail packages” for the USPS by the end of September. When asked for comment, a USPS representative stated only that “the Postal Service determined that nearby postal facilities…
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After reading the Postal Service’s July 1 Industry Alert (“USPS to Implement Second Phase of Service Standard Refinements on July 1”) it’s clear that the agency’s PR writers have again shown their singular ability to spin anything the USPS does into a great benefit for its customers. Accordingly, we’re proposing that an award be developed that can be given out…
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The Postal Service apparently wants to keep Doug Tulino on the job very badly. Tulino has spent his postal career in labor relations and human resources, becoming chief human resources officer and executive vice-president in 2020. Despite little if any experience in field operations or management, he was chosen by former postmaster general Louis DeJoy to serve as deputy PMG. …
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Everyone likely is familiar with the saying that “you can drag a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” Often, the saying is used as a metaphor for persons who are given opportunities but fail to take advantage of them. The implicit basis for both is that the horse – or person – either fails to understand the…
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Most people who travel for pleasure, but especially those who travel for business, have developed loyalties over the years to particular airlines, hotel chains, car rental companies, etc. Often these loyalties are reinforced by the companies’ programs – frequent flyer miles and similar points systems or affinity credit cards – that reward the customer and deter switching to another provider.…
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In the past, when a postmaster general left, that person went into retirement or found other work but had no further involvement in the Postal Service. Most would say that’s how it should be – but the departure of Louis DeJoy has been different. Having been moved out his role unceremoniously and definitely not on his schedule, some people might…
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It’s doubtful that anyone doesn’t know the meaning of the analogy that something is “like putting lipstick on a pig.” With no offense intended to pigs, it simply means that the fundamental nature of something isn’t changed or improved by the addition of superficial or cosmetic devices. The analogy applies to the recent press release (and accompanying Industry Alert and…
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Consumers may be confused by what the Postal Service says about the delivery service they should expect. As shown on the USPS Website, Priority Mail Express “provides next-day to 2-day delivery service,” Priority Mail offers “delivery in 1-3 business days,” and USPS Ground Advantage advertises “expected delivery in 2-5 business days.” At the recent House committee hearing, PMG Louis DeJoy…
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It should finally be clear to all: the presumption that what the Postal Service considers standards for service in any way relates to the service that the average person will experience is completely wrong. As illustrated in its recent filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission, the USPS now segments its calculation of service into three pieces: from the sender to…
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