PO Box Rate Increase

[Overbuilders]

USPS is obviously cash strapped. Just got my PO box renewal envelope and the annual cost of the smallest available PO box has skyrocketed from $46 in '07 to $70 today. A mere $58 last year. IIRC it was $35 in '00. Next year it will probably be over $200. Oh well...

[jimAKAblue]

USPS is obviously cash strapped. Just got my PO box renewal envelope and the annual cost of the smallest available PO box has skyrocketed from $46 in '07 to $70 today. A mere $58 last year. IIRC it was $35 in '00. Next year it will probably be over $200. Oh well...

Does it get stuffed with junk mail too? I generally don't get any "real" mail in my mailbox.

[MarkMc]

Market magic. Checked out UPS store? Written Congress? But if it cheers you up, I feel your pain x2.

[dgbldr]

Hey, it's either you pay more or I pay more. Since I don't use it, I think it should be more like $500 :)

[Overbuilders]

Hey, it's either you pay more or I pay more. Since I don't use it, I think it should be more like $500 :)

No way. All they have to do is lay off more mailmen and cut their hours and pensions. Then we'd be golden.

[Hoover]

No way. All they have to do is lay off more mailmen and cut their hours and pensions. Then we'd be golden.

The Postal union contract doesn't allow layoffs. Kinda similar to the "jobs bank" program the UAW had with GM where no one lost their job, they went to the union hall and watched tv or read, played cards, etc. if their particular factory was shut down. Companies go broke quickly when they are required to pay non working employees.

http://patdollard.com/2011/09/post-o...ion-contracts/

[dgbldr]

Do you guys remember the thread about the P.O. we had a few years back? Several of us (I won't name names) were claiming it's a viable part of the government and would soon turn profitable. Sadly I was correct in predicting it would be nothing but a bankrupt money pit.

[Overbuilders]

Do you guys remember the thread about the P.O. we had a few years back? Several of us (I won't name names) were claiming it's a viable part of the government and would soon turn profitable. Sadly I was correct in predicting it would be nothing but a bankrupt money pit.

May have been before my time. I did search to see if there was a thread. And I was wrong - last year I paid $56 so the cost increased 25% in one year.

[MarkMc]

Do you guys remember the thread about the P.O. we had a few years back? Several of us (I won't name names) were claiming it's a viable part of the government and would soon turn profitable. Sadly I was correct in predicting it would be nothing but a bankrupt money pit.

Best part is it's all the Presidents fault. And browsing Hoovers link, just one of many. Dang him for not making Congress do it's job for all these decades. Of course there's [political] money to be made by keeping things where they are now; more proof that big Gov and unions are what's ruining US. Interesting how many complain when the rates go up. On the bright side I did get 4 new credit card offers this week courtesy of subsidized discount mail. I do know the DMA and others are all for $9.99 FesX special rates.

[hdrider_chgo]

USPS is obviously cash strapped. Just got my PO box renewal envelope and the annual cost of the smallest available PO box has skyrocketed from $46 in '07 to $70 today. A mere $58 last year. IIRC it was $35 in '00. Next year it will probably be over $200. Oh well...

That seems like a bargain, although I'm not quite sure what a PO Box is good for.

I think I'm paying over $20/month for a PMB box at the UPS store. It seemed like lot, but they handle all my incoming packages (several per week on average), incoming local deliveries, incoming truck freight, my business mail, customers dropping off checks, etc. I get an email whenever a package is received, showing the tracking number of the item. Not to mention copies and outgoing shipments. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and I have a key for after hours access. Nothing has ever been lost in the two years I've had it. And they're gathering my stuff for me the minute they see me walk in the door. It's like having my own private mailroom, I love it. It's been a huge time saver, some of the best money I've ever spent.

[Overbuilders]

That seems like a bargain, although I'm not quite sure what a PO Box is good for.

Because...it's...$170 cheaper a year, the front door is open 24/7, and it does everything UPS does except send send email confirmations. ;)

[Ted S.]

Richie,

Man-up and get the nudie mags sent to the house like the rest of us, think of the beer money you'd be saving.

[Hoover]

[QUOTE=Overbuilders;652680]Because...it's...$170 cheaper a year, the front door is open 24/7, and it does everything UPS does except..../QUOTE]

make a profit. And deliver things well. I sent KFC out in CA one of those bosch multi adapters and the stupid post office lost it somewhere between me and him. He didn't get it, so it just disappeared into the post office black hole.

[hdrider_chgo]

Because...it's...$170 cheaper a year, the front door is open 24/7, and it does everything UPS does except send send email confirmations. ;)

Really? Do they sign for Fedex and UPS deliveries at the Post Office now?

I wouldn't trust my local P.O. with my junk mail, much less anything of value...

[davenorthup]

Really? Do they sign for Fedex and UPS deliveries at the Post Office now?

Ha mine will - well sort of. I only have a PO Box since the Postal Service will not come to my house. I get people sending UPS to my PO address all the time - I get a call and they have held them for me.... Now I am friends with all the UPS guys and they will deliver to me where ever I am.

Heck I can even call my post office and get them to check my box if need be when I am out of town. Small town living I guess... :)

Rick - I'm well over $100 a year for my small box, so don't feel that bad.