The US Postal Service announced this week that they plan to close 700-1,000 (I’ve heard conflicting reports) local post offices because the USPS is still losing money despite their recent rate hike.
Is anyone surprised they’re losing money? Look, I know that we have the absolute best government run postal service in the world. And when you think about it 44 cents to mail a letter across the US is still a bargain, but geeeez – don’t they think they need to try and be competitive on service?
Everytime I go into a post office, they have 1 lone person at the counter with a line out the door – and that 1 clerk is never in a rush. Other workers walk around, but no one helps. The other day I asked them to apply metered postage to a stack of evelopes and they informed me they don’t do that! What???!! I can go down the street to the little Mom & Pop mail store and they do it.
Furthermore, they offer me a choice of carriers for all of my outgoing packages; they will provide a mail box address that I can call a “suite” and receive packages from ANY carrier not just the postal service. And they do it all with a smile.
The USPS still operates like it did 25 years ago before there was any real competition. No wonder they’re falling behind.
Lesson learned: In order to remain profitable make sure your business is focused on customer service and always keep up with the current external environment. Don’t become a dinosaur.
Do you agree with me or not. Post your comments – I’d love to hear.
Lou
