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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: myfreebees316 on October 07, 2013, 07:59:46 am

Title: US Postal Service idea
Post by: myfreebees316 on October 07, 2013, 07:59:46 am
Like many gas stations have joined forces with fast food places (Fast food and gas station in same building) to bring in business. Should the US postal service think the same way to bring in customers? Personally i think yes so it can survive and prosper & maybe they wouldn't have to go up on prices every year because of the possible income coming in with the help of another in the same building as they are helping to bring in the business they desperately need. It also cut down on costs for the building which would help greatly

What do you guys and gals think? Should the US Postal Service join forced with other business to help sustain it?
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: patycake56 on October 07, 2013, 02:18:54 pm
Works for me
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: kapeh12 on October 07, 2013, 02:50:55 pm
The problem is that the US Post Office is not a 100% private business.  If it was, your idea would be an option.  Unfortunately how it's structured, business/finance decisions need to be approved by the government as the government overseas the business workings/decisions for the US Postal Service.  Also, the way the government structure it, the government does not fund the postal service like it does other federal entities.

So the US Postal Service is stuck in a no man's land between being publicly run and privately run.

Best thing for the US Postal Service is for the government to either cut it lose so it can become 100% privately owned business, or start funding it out of the public funds.

Given the state of our current Congress, its doubtful that either will happen.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: monnee on October 07, 2013, 02:52:31 pm
Yes, since their already billions in debt every year, so they might as will try anything it can to survive.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: 6265AT99 on October 07, 2013, 04:29:46 pm
Well, it depends on the "business" it will join forces with.  If it's a "coffee shop" type of business probably would work but if it's another type of business that is sort of its' competitor, I don't think that would be too good.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: pressman on October 07, 2013, 07:11:44 pm
Like many gas stations have joined forces with fast food places (Fast food and gas station in same building) to bring in business. Should the US postal service think the same way to bring in customers? Personally i think yes so it can survive and prosper & maybe they wouldn't have to go up on prices every year because of the possible income coming in with the help of another in the same building as they are helping to bring in the business they desperately need. It also cut down on costs for the building which would help greatly

What do you guys and gals think? Should the US Postal Service join forced with other business to help sustain it?
nds

I think coffe and doughnuts sounds  good  will never happen :BangHead:
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: Gerianne on October 08, 2013, 06:47:36 am
I have seen articles about making the Post Office a banking system.
Did the post office used to be a bank years and years ago??
The Federal Reserve is a joke and hasn't worked for 100 years anyway.
Public banking is another positive trend!
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: braggin on October 08, 2013, 07:16:54 am
Yes I think this is a great idea. The USPS could have little kiosks in supermarkets, for example, so that you can do your food shopping and your mailings all in one stop. Or how about in banks or drugstores? These might work, too.

:fish:
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: kingozzy on October 08, 2013, 07:17:11 am
so joining a gas station and remodeling and moving wont increase the costs?  I am pretty sure that it would go up drastically then
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: bretay on October 08, 2013, 07:24:30 am
sounds like a good idea...
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: bhiett on October 08, 2013, 07:48:49 am
I think the US Postal Service could be more profitable by just changing the way they market their collectible stamps.  A lot of people collect stamps and some of the commemorative stamps appeal to collector in their specific niches.  For example, the Elvis stamps.  They could sell them for a penny or two more than the face value (or more), which I believe collectors would still purchase.  That may even increase the appear for collectors.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: bowrunner on October 08, 2013, 07:55:58 am
USPS has a major problem in that the US government forces them to fund their retirement fund by way too much money.  For some reason, Congress won't change it and make it realistic.  If they didn't have this hanging over their head all the time, they could probably be profitable.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: bremer51 on October 08, 2013, 08:13:14 am
I'd like to see a drive up window at the post office so I can buy postage, mail a package etc. without getting out of the car. 
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: BJohnsonPP on October 08, 2013, 08:21:46 am
The problem is that the US Post Office is not a 100% private business.  If it was, your idea would be an option.  Unfortunately how it's structured, business/finance decisions need to be approved by the government as the government overseas the business workings/decisions for the US Postal Service.  Also, the way the government structure it, the government does not fund the postal service like it does other federal entities.

So the US Postal Service is stuck in a no man's land between being publicly run and privately run.

Best thing for the US Postal Service is for the government to either cut it lose so it can become 100% privately owned business, or start funding it out of the public funds.

Given the state of our current Congress, its doubtful that either will happen.

I agree that it may be time to cut it loose. It's necessity was understood at a point in time, but with so many ways to communicate now, I don't see much reason for it not to become a 100% privately owned business. It can be taken over by FedEx and UPS as a division specifically dedicated to letter carrying or have new business pop up to fill in the void. The US government can sell or rent buildings and equipment or something because the necessity is just not there anymore.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: bhiett on October 08, 2013, 08:25:35 am
I'd like to see a drive up window at the post office so I can buy postage, mail a package etc. without getting out of the car. 

That is an excellent idea, especially for areas of high population-- banks certainly make it work well for them.  Governmental officials need to think outside the box.  Unfortunately, their solutions seem to be reducing services and hours open.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: Oryon20 on October 08, 2013, 08:45:51 am
I don't see any benefit to the USPS by doing this.  If anything, I only see a benefit to the fast food places.  If you only have the munchies and stop at a combined place to grab a burger or burrito, what are you going to spend money on at the attached post office?  Maybe buy stamps if it maybe crosses your mind you might need some?  Conversely, if you are stopping at the post office to mail something, and a McDonald's was attached, a person is going to be more likely to then stop in there to grab a burger or fry, as food is much more of an impulse buy.

The reason these partnerships work so well in the gas station example, is their probably is an equal amount of benefit to each company.  If you are stopping for gas and are a bit hungry, you have food right there offered which is more than the prepacked stuff inside the actual gas station.  If you're driving, especially on a road trip, and stop to grab a bite to eat because you're hungry, you might be more inclined to then top off the tank while you're stopped before proceeding on the trip so you don't have to stop again in an hour or so when the tank will need filling because it'll be on E. 
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: minioncookies on October 08, 2013, 08:51:20 am
That is a cool Idea.. I don't think it will ever happen but a very cool idea.. Especially if they partnered with some kind of food service they would be making some mad money... I think if they just change a few things and like someone else said add a drive thru window were you don't have to get out of the car.. That would attract more customers..I prefer usps over fedex or ups because they are alittle more responsible with my packages i send.. In my case anyways..
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: myfreebees316 on October 08, 2013, 08:58:42 am
The reason these partnerships work so well in the gas station example, is their probably is an equal amount of benefit to each company.  If you are stopping for gas and are a bit hungry, you have food right there offered which is more than the prepacked stuff inside the actual gas station.  If you're driving, especially on a road trip, and stop to grab a bite to eat because you're hungry, you might be more inclined to then top off the tank while you're stopped before proceeding on the trip so you don't have to stop again in an hour or so when the tank will need filling because it'll be on E. 

your wrong there its not as equal as you think. If gas prices are high most gas stations are empty at gas only places. When they have a mix of both gas and fast food that brings in bussiness for both no matter how high the gas is. If the food is good the people will come and even spend at the gas place as well. If you ask any gas station owner the gas isnt what brings in the money they make very little off of it its the stuff thats sold inside that bring in the money but if gas isnt low enough it wont attract people. That's what the other bussiness would do attract people for both
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: Oryon20 on October 08, 2013, 09:11:27 am
The reason these partnerships work so well in the gas station example, is their probably is an equal amount of benefit to each company.  If you are stopping for gas and are a bit hungry, you have food right there offered which is more than the prepacked stuff inside the actual gas station.  If you're driving, especially on a road trip, and stop to grab a bite to eat because you're hungry, you might be more inclined to then top off the tank while you're stopped before proceeding on the trip so you don't have to stop again in an hour or so when the tank will need filling because it'll be on E. 

your wrong there its not as equal as you think. If gas prices are high most gas stations are empty at gas only places. When they have a mix of both gas and fast food that brings in bussiness for both no matter how high the gas is. If the food is good the people will come and even spend at the gas place as well. If you ask any gas station owner the gas isnt what brings in the money they make very little off of it its the stuff thats sold inside that bring in the money but if gas isnt low enough it wont attract people. That's what the other bussiness would do attract people for both

You're right, the profits for gas station owners doesn't come so much from the gas.  That is why you rarely see a standalone station anymore without a convenience station attached selling consumables like soda, water, chips, candy, cigarettes, etc.  Those are are much more highly profitable.

But, businesses like Subway, Taco Bell, KFC, etc. who sell franchises to place at these stations wouldn't do so if it wasn't profitable to their company, and conversely the stations wouldn't do it if it didn't benefit them.  Like I said, if you're stopping for gas, and you have a hankering for some food, would you rather have a sub, burrito, or hot chicken, or some pre-packaged candy/chips?  Likewise, if you stopped for food because you like one of those fast foods, you'll probably be more inclined to top your tank off while there.
Title: Re: US Postal Service idea
Post by: bigedshult on October 08, 2013, 09:59:52 am
it time ot stop all the exters that cost them money like spele rates for junk mail.and thinl about having more office in stors that pople shop at the way they us to do.