garysgal

The rates are not going up because some people are cheating. They are going up because the Post Office can't support itself on its current budget. According to the info I got from my PO, they cannot sustain themselves, hence the need to close two days a week, if they decide to do it. The Post Office is not like a grocery store-shoplifters causing the prices to go up. they go up because the Post Office has lost so much revenue, plus they have had to dip into "savings" to keep going. Personally, I would like to see them close two days a week. When I grew up, we didn't get mail on Saturday or Sunday, and we lived to tell about it. The Post Office is a good deal, and it is unfortunate that they are having problems, but as time moves on, and progress takes over, they will need to find other ways to bring in revenue.

Psychomomquilter

yeah and a lot of "us" use email, facebook etc to send our mail as well, I don't blame the PO at all.....

4dogs

Kathy N..dont turn the box inside out and try to use it..I did that, thinking I was saving a tree(you know, recycle) and the gal at the PO said NO WAY CAN YOU USE THAT BOX !!

ptquilts

while it's true that people don't write letters, pay bills by mail as much anymore, there is a LOT more package mail going around. Think of all the Ebay, Amazon etc. packages, being sent every day - 15 years ago there was hardly any of that. Heck, think of how much mail going around the country is generated by just this board!!

zyxquilts

I still write "real" letters! Admittedly, not as many as I used to, but I figure my friends would like to get something in the mail that isn't a bill or junk mail once in a while!
I think we have one of the best postal systems in the world & the least expensive to boot! When my sister lived in Australia, she was on an island off the coast of Queensland. Many times when I sent her a package, it would take an extra week or so to get to her...because the island mail carrier didn't feel like carrying the packages! Yikes!! The mail carrier would just leave them in her own house after picking the mail up from the water taxi.... They did finally get a new carrier btw. :wink:

Bev

A lot of the packages I get are delivered by either UPS or FedEX. Very few anymore are delivered by the USPS. Not counting of course packages sent by family, friends, etc. Just businesses. 8-)

fayzer

I use the flat rate boxes every week. There is a difference in size between the small flat rate box and the small priority box the isn't flat rate. It is just a little bigger, but most people don't notice. Just make sure it says FLAT RATE on the box. I also use the USPS online service to mail my packages. I print the postage at home and save money each time I mail a box as you get a discount. You can schedule a pick up online and your postman will pick your packages up. I leave mine on the front porch for him. Of course the small flat rates will fit in my mailbox. If you haven't tried mailing online, you will love it. You do need a scale which are inexpensive on Amazon. Just get one that weighs up to 50 pounds. No more trips to the post office.

Bev

Sounds like a win-win to me!

8-)

Quilter2B

I had that happen with what I thought was a large flat rate box - ended up costing much much more - boy was I frustrated! Plus there are some labeled for APO addresses - they cost differently too!

omak

Exactly!
I, too, have been caught with the flat rate/priority trick, and I was not happy.
Makes one wish for the good old days, when it was only the occasional Walmart clerk who was trained to type in an "error" once in awhile, doesn't it? LOL
However, I do NOT think that our government or any merchandiser should be the recipient of just a shrug of the shoulders. Sadly, the only person one can deal with is the postal clerk, and she may be as unaware of the deception as you are.
But, yes ... they have now taken to writing PRIORITY on the inside of every box on every side ... the P O is not a governmental agency (they say) however, they ARE heavily subsidized.
UPS and FedEx are giving the Post Office a run for their money, so I deal (for the most part) with a local shipping store called "Goin' Postal" ... with the touch of a finger, the clerk can tell me which service will provide me the best shipping for the best price. Very handy, and about time someone with the wherewithal to compete actually COMPETES! Good show! <wave>