General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAsking "Who uses the postal service anymore?" is a hostile question
Ive seen a couple people here ask this question like someone who uses it to pay their bills is some kind of asshole or an idiot.
It doesnt matter what you think of someone who does so. The postal service is there to be used by the American people. It is under siege by a dictator. So stop the privileged snark. Its really out of line and makes me question ones motives here.
Patterson
(1,525 posts)AllaN01Bear
(17,383 posts)Patterson
(1,525 posts)AllaN01Bear
(17,383 posts)Patterson
(1,525 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Karadeniz
(22,283 posts)Thekaspervote
(32,606 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,280 posts)I don't use it for bill-paying, but I still get packages, and because of the pandemic I order almost everything for delivery. Some people in rural areas still don't have internet service so they rely on USPS for everything. Many elderly or disabled people and veterans rely on it to get medications. Small businesses that can't do online billing need it to send out bills and get paid. The bigger point is that the USPS was created by the Constitution as a public service. The notion that nobody uses or needs it is a monstrously stupid RW talking point.
Response to RhodeIslandOne (Original post)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Skittles
(152,967 posts)currently I send care packages to soldiers overseas
anyone who asks WHO USES USPS is an IDIOT
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,112 posts)Usually magazine subscriptions. Also use it for Christmas cards and gifts.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,097 posts)ballistic.
The USPS is under attack by RUSSIA and a large group of fascists, what part of that does anyone not understand?
hlthe2b
(101,730 posts)Indirectly one hell of a lot of things they do is STILL impacted by USPS--not to mention how much UPS and FedX still require USPS to make final delivery. And, security-wise, a lot of documents must be submitted with certifications rather than electronic submissions.
Maybe this will wake them up? But, then again, I've seen 72 hours of a handful of DUers saying that "people are making way too much of this"... I can't tell you how (beyond) angry that made me.
Rebl2
(13,311 posts)UPS and FEDEX use it as last leg of delivery of packages most of the time. I mail my utility bills by mail because the utilities in town charge me extra ($4 or $5) to pay to have it taken out of my checking account or put on a credit card-ridiculous.
Massacure
(7,498 posts)I can understand the credit card fee, but it is almost certainly cheaper to process an ACH (a debit from your bank account) than it is for them to open up an envelope and process a physical check.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Paying with credit or debit card incurs a $5 charge.
Stupid, but there it is.
to say its not the electric or gas company. It is our water and city sewer bill.
AZ8theist
(5,339 posts)Is that he's soo fucking stupid he doesn't realize he's hurting his base more than anything.
questionseverything
(9,631 posts)which is what PUTIN wants
anytime he pretends to want to help anyone but putin ,it is a lie
AZ8theist
(5,339 posts)His base, for the most part, is rural, white America. These people depend on the USPS more than any other demographic.
OF COURSE Putin wants the destruction of America. That's why he installed a traitor in the WH. Too bad the one he picked is the stupidest asshole in history.
Gidney N Cloyd
(19,781 posts)iluvtennis
(19,758 posts)paleotn
(17,781 posts)bullimiami
(13,043 posts)Its an evolving business like everything.
I think the post office should get into the email provider business.
Imagine you have a secure usps email address that can be yours forever. No more tied to google or Apple for your primary email.
fescuerescue
(4,448 posts)it failed pretty hard.
(About 10 years ago, I used to consult with USPS about their network security)
The challenge is that email is an EXTREMELY low margin business. How much does google charge for your mailbox? Zero. Competing with zero means you sell customer data and push advertising.
I really like the idea, but it's something that would have to be government subsidized.
haele
(12,581 posts)Since the post office already handles notary services, money orders and travelers checks, there is no reason why they can't also be set up as small local checking and savings account community servicers with e-bill-pay options. Heck, some grocery stores do that now. The payday lenders will hate losing high fee check cashing, but if the post office doesn't get into lending or credit cards, it should be a great community service.
Haele
Ferrets are Cool
(21,063 posts)wear those shoes.
2naSalit
(86,067 posts)I use it nearly every day. We receive machine parts, medication, some animal feed items, animal medications, seeds, and other stuff through the mail all the time.
If someone needs to make themselves feel superior with their ignorance, I say...
Fuck 'em.
paleotn
(17,781 posts)We're on a first name basis with our regular mail carrier. And they probably know more about everyone in our little community than anyone else. If we get a big package and it's raining, he will drop it in our mud room if we're out. He and the lady in our little post office are as much a part of our community as any of my neighbors. In fact, they are our neighbors. It's like that in the hinter lands.
2naSalit
(86,067 posts)Out here in this valley and the one I lived in before, towns under 1500 population, we're all neighbors, we share the fire dept. and other essentials and that's how it is. It's the old fashioned kind of neighborly thing. In the last place I lived, where winter lasted at least six months, if someone was going to freeze to death, even someone I didn't get along with too well, I'd still help them and they would do the same. With brutal winters, we all kind of made sure everyone else made it to spring, or at least tried. Survival mode in a community is a good thing and makes for a stronger community. Too bad there isn't more of that in this country.
Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)I send packages using the USPS. Receive them that way too.
I need and want the USPS to thrive and endure.
femmedem
(8,188 posts)It was a big barrier for students who were learning remotely this past spring, so I'm sure their parents aren't paying their bills online.
I have a mother with dementia. She hasn't been able to use the internet for years, but at least I can still mail cards to her.
The bookkeeper for the nonprofit I work for prefers that we pay our bills with checks, and it makes it easier for me to document our expenses when I write grant reports.
There are also plenty of people in my city who don't havge a bank account. They pay their bills with money orders.
I'm glad I didn't see the posts you're referring to, but I'm grateful for your OP.
nuxvomica
(12,365 posts)Maybe more people would find it useful.
I myself make great use of it. I have been able to send a physical thing, a letter, across the country in 3 days for the price of a Forever stamp!
AZ8theist
(5,339 posts)Making the PO a community bank. Simple savings and checking accounts.
Put the blood sucking "pay day lenders" out of business permanently.
This would do more to help eliminate poverty than multitudes of other options.
fescuerescue
(4,448 posts)buyers and sellers of drugs over the internet exclusively use USPS.
Why? Because it requires a Federal warrant to search your package. Fedex and UPS don't require a warrant at all. All a Fedex employee needs to search your package is a knife.
As a result, USPS is by far the safest way to get your package. And if it arrives without delay (and it's a small amount), you can be sure it hasn't been searched because the time to go through all the hoops will delay the package and is a giveaway.
nuxvomica
(12,365 posts)There are so many ways to get into trouble for screwing with them that no private carrier can offer, as long as criminals are not put in charge, that is. I keep being reminded of the Batman episode where the Penguin was elected mayor.
Thanks for the info!
ChazII
(6,198 posts)I don't pay on line. I use a Forever stamp and my mail carrier walks our streets, up to the house to deliver and pick up the mail.
Roy Rolling
(6,856 posts)I love the Post Office here in New Orleans. For just 55 cents I can send a letter 2,000 miles to California! Even if it addressed to Baton Rouge.
Thanks, Henny.
not fooled
(5,791 posts)not a money-making venture. Like many other things, the terminology has been deliberately subverted to get people to think of it as a "business" that must "show a profit." No doubt it does for the overall economy considering how many aspects of commerce are facilitated by the USPS, and would be hindered by higher-cost private carriers. Just like highways--only rabid privatizers and greedy rent-seekers think of highways as something that should show a profit, aka a means to directly extract money from us.
And, the USPS would be operating in the black without GOPee kneecapping in the form of the mandate years ago to pre-fund 75 years of retirement for postal workers, which no other part of the government (or business, for that matter) is forced to do.
NRaleighLiberal
(59,940 posts)masks my wife makes.
It is beyond essential.
Xipe Totec
(43,872 posts)Just because you may not use it to send stuff, you definitely use it to receive stuff.
And you can't make it one way only; it would be pointless. Mailman is there delivering mail, might as well pick up mail going back and not go back empty handed.
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)paleotn
(17,781 posts)the last miles in most places are done by the USPS. Especially important the last 5 months. If you have prescriptions delivered, they more than likely comes through the USPS. Your vote early or absentee ballot? That's right...USPS. They're still a vital part of our infrastructure. They handle hundreds of millions of items per day and employee more people than anyone in the US except the federal government and Walmart.
GoCubsGo
(32,061 posts)A lot of online vendors use the USPS to deliver orders, including Walmart and those who sell through Walmart, and the various vendors on eBay, just to name a couple.
Kaleva
(36,147 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,061 posts)I live in the boonies of Upper Michigan and everything I've ordered from Amazon is delivered to my house by FedEx or UPS. I think you may be thinking of those who order from Amazon but are not Prime members.
LymphocyteLover
(5,601 posts)I've seen this type of attitude on FB previously about Post Office issues
Renew Deal
(81,802 posts)Because it is possible that people are so disconnected that they don't know.
llmart
(15,501 posts)One set of mailboxes is within view of my front picture window. So many of the seniors who live here make going to the mailbox a big deal. It's almost comical to watch. They look for the woman in the little truck and as soon as she drives off, or sometimes even before she's finished they are right there getting their mail.
I'm a senior also and though I pay most of my bills online, some of the utilities want extra money from you to pay their bills online, so I still mail them a check. I don't care if it's only a dollar extra. I'm a frugal person.
I still do my income taxes by hand and mail them off. I get two magazine subscriptions that I thoroughly enjoy. My sister and I still write letters occasionally. I also do greeting cards.
In fact, I just met a new neighbor while she was coming back from the mailboxes and she said, "Wonder why I didn't get any mail today? I usually get something." I don't know her yet, so I refrained from saying, "You can thank the idiot in the White House for that."
Personally, I don't get much mail, but I would feel sorry for the older people in here who don't do computers. There are plenty of them.
Traildogbob
(8,584 posts)I really appreciate all of you standing up for us dinosaurs that still mail in their bills. For those willing to give all your info to the Mnuchins and Kudlows of the banking giants, good, I am sure it is convenient if your are a busy person. But that is not a reason to snark at those that have a little more faith in writing checks and using postal carriers. WHEN the GOP/Putin blow up our financial system and the Mnuchin and Kudlows have all that info, YOU can trust they want drain your life savings. I guess 2007-2008-2009-2010 taught you nothing about trusting those thieves. The USPS employs hundreds of thousands of dedicated workers, that pay taxes, buy good and help drive our economy, and a very large percent are veterans.
Bongo Prophet
(2,641 posts)Even if I never used the USPS, it wouldn't stop me from caring about a vital service that helps other people's lives. If it matters to others, it has importance and is worth defending. Called the common good, you know?
AllaN01Bear
(17,383 posts)however in many ways the post office is the life blood of this country.
seta1950
(932 posts)I will make a point of using it more , I will buy stamps that I dont need
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)"Who still reads a newspaper?"
"Who still has a landline?"
There are higher numbers of Americans doing those things than involved in other activities deemed popular. Don't be dense enough to confuse relationship to prior numbers to whether or not millions and millions still participate
iluvtennis
(19,758 posts)check is required for payment (some still exists) and I don't want my personal check (with account number and routing info) put in the mail. Using postal money order is security blanket for me.
Also use post office priority/express mail for getting various legal documents out - the majority of legal documents have to be mailed or Faxed - you can't email them.
BTW, 80% of my purchases from Amazon are delivered via the USPS.
The post office is ESSENTIAL!
majdrfrtim
(317 posts)to ask that question in advance of this years presidential election.
Just sayin . . .
Coventina
(26,874 posts)It happens all the time, and it is really disappointing to see.
Olafjoy
(937 posts)Kaleva
(36,147 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Avoiding the death of birds as much as possible is environmentally sound too.
I love the pretense, though.
DBoon
(22,288 posts)It is the voice of arrogant privilege showing its contempt for anyone who relies on basic government services.
ecstatic
(32,567 posts)for the following things this year: Serving other parties in a court dispute, submitting my passport renewal, receiving my passport, receiving my vehicle registration, and receiving/mailing my ballot during the primaries and runoff election. I'm sure there's more that I've forgotten.
I don't use the blue box often, but I did use it for dropping off my ballot. I don't feel comfortable mailing sensitive documents from my mailbox, so the blue boxes are quite handy for those situations.
Xolodno
(6,341 posts)With that being said....
I occasionally sell stuff on ebay, the USPS is far more economical than UPS or Fedex.
I live in a rural area...there is no delivery. You have to have a PO Box. And we get our ballots via mail.
I almost always order items on Amazon, Chewy, etc. Some of those items get delivered to our door...other times, they drop it off at the Post Office. But Wait! There's more! We ordered an expensive package once...the company used a second rate delivery company. They said they delivered it and placed it in the mail box at the porch....when there is no mail box....and the gate is usually locked.
fescuerescue
(4,448 posts)Especially among the younger folks.
I can't remember the last time I mailed something out. It's been probably a year or two.
But older and middle age folks still mail their bills in quite commonly.
And it's not so rare that it would confuse any younger person.
As to whether the comment was snark, it's impossible to know without the context. Was it an old Republican? yea it probably was. If it was a young democrat it may just be naivety.
In any event, ignore it. It's not like the person asking the question has any influence or control over it anyway.
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts)One of those times, by someone Ive had my doubts about.
In It to Win It
(8,143 posts)Everybody.
Everybody uses the post office. If you think youre not using it, youre use it.