Removal of Stamp Machines Bad Idea
The Intelligencer
POSTED: March 21, 2008
Many of us have had the experience: We have a piece of mail that needs to go out immediately, so we go to the post office after normal operating hours. Mail still can be deposited in the outer lobby — and, thank heaven, there’s a machine available to sell us a stamp.
Not anymore. The U.S. Postal Service is removing all stamp vending machines. They’re getting old and it is difficult to keep them in operation, say officials.
We understand that stamps can be obtained in a variety of ways, in addition to buying them at the post office during regular business hours. But removing the stamp vending machines creates a substantial inconvenience for customers.
Private enterprise seems to be able to cope with the challenge of keeping vending machines, where everything from soft drinks to headache remedies can be bought, in operation. Why can’t the Postal Service?
Removal of the stamp vending machines is one more reminder that the Postal Service, in many ways as government-run monopoly, just doesn’t get it when it comes to serving consumers. When it comes to the U.S. mail, the customer isn’t always right — but the bureaucracy is.
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-10 | Post a comment
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fieldc
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03-23-08 8:02 PM
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Hey PolishBear, you drive to the Post Office to buy a single stamp? It's because of irresponsible people like you that we have to worry about greenhouse gases. Every time you jump in your car to buy a stamp, you're polluting the air we breathe. Ever hear of a book of stamps? The Postal Service move shows they are thinking about the environment rather than wasteful morons such as yourself.
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TheRealityPolice
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03-22-08 8:57 AM
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2 yrs ago they removed the "mail your own package" machine too - you weighted your package, used a CC and it printed a label. There was a chute in the wall to put the box through. Guess what? NO ONE USED IT - so they took it out. USPS has no desire to be customer friendly or efficient. 10 yrs they will be goners.
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yourmom
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03-21-08 5:39 PM
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FedEx, DHL and UPS and email/internet use are all affecting what happens with the USPS, but I think if it were privately run we'd have to pay even more for simply delivering a letter. Nine are appointed and then those nine elect the postmaster general and deputy postmaster general.
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RedDish
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03-21-08 4:11 PM
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yourmom, yep, all 11 govenors and the commissioners are appointed by politicians. Historically, how's that worked out? But your point is a good one. I just think that a privately owned operation would be a better idea.
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yourmom
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03-21-08 3:41 PM
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The USPS is run by its own board of 11 governors and the only tax subsidies it receives are to cover the cost of postage exemptions given to non-profit organizations.
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RedDish
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03-21-08 3:09 PM
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Wait, isn't the post office run by the federal bureaucracy some people think should run the health care system? Easy problem to solve, privatize the Post Office.
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yourmom
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03-21-08 2:40 PM
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"Why can’t the Postal Service?" Because people are tired of rate increases.
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PolishBear
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03-21-08 1:38 PM
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For anyone who wishes to file a complaint about this online, here's the place to go: *****://hdusps.esecurecare****/cgi-bin/hdusps.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=EsJ2Lg_i&xssl=1
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PolishBear
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03-21-08 9:27 AM
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I ABSOLUTELY agree with the editorial about this. The other day I had to mail ONE LETTER, and I needed a 42-cent stamp. I wasn't about to use my debit card to make a lousy 42-cent purchase from an automated postage center, so I ended up waiting in line for about 10 minutes. It really s*cks that the U.S. Postal Service is getting rid of their stamp vending machines ... but I really doubt they're going to relent on their decision.
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PolishBear
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03-21-08 9:26 AM
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I ABSOLUTELY agree with the editorial about this. The other day I had to mail ONE LETTER, and I needed a 42-cent stamp. I wasn't about to use my debit card to make a lousy 42-cent purchase from an automated postage center, so I ended up waiting in line for about 10 minutes. It really ***** that the U.S. Postal Service is getting rid of their stamp vending machines ... but I really doubt they're going to relent on their decision.
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