[Dx-qsl] Fw: US Postal Rates

Tue Feb 12 18:51:38 EST 2008

...another perspective...
Someone once told me (a mailman?)... don't ever say "junk mail" to a 
mailman. HIHI
Can we forsee a 22nd century postal delivery service? Where will it fit into 
the economic landscape in less than 100 years? Do we need it? What does it 
provide? Alternatives? Can you figure how much the price increases of 
gasoline and other fuels has impacted their delivery system in the last 
year?
As an independent business (USPS), not government subsidized ( I believe!), 
it must break even or at least make a profit, and pay its workers a fair, 
competitive wage. I am not a postal worker, but appreciate the effort they 
make daily, in all the weather, etc. (It's snowing here in New England 
tonight.) Recently, I discovered that my regular mailman is a ham! I wonder 
if that's why my unprotected, unwrapped copies of QST and CQ magazines 
always come through in such pristine condition!
I think I send less than 100 QSL cards a year via the mail (both DX airmail 
or USA). Many are supported by a SASE, and even if they weren't, that 's not 
a big deal. Until I got back into ham radio a few years ago, I mailed out 
only a few bills monthly, so the effect on the household budget was, and 
still is... minimal. I'm 68 years old and collecting my SS regularly.
Bulk mail supports a lot of businesses that still rely on it for 
communications to their markets. Compared to the rest of the world, from 
what one reads in ourEmail-Reflector, our USPS mail service is 'way off the 
bottom of the list in value and care. Exceptions? Sure... but overall, it's 
a tough job. I couldn't imagine doing it in a major city like New York or 
Boston without wearing sidearms or having a policeman walking with me.
If I had to send out a 1,000 QSL cards this year (I wish!) and they cost an 
extra 1 cent, that's 10ドル.00 more, or less than a small pizza at many 
restaurants.
Please note, that I recently went through the fairly easy indoctrination to 
Logbook of the World, and just picked up 3 new entities... sans QSL card! 
Yes, that's not free either, but it looks like it is! I really enjoy 
receiving a real, paper/cardboard QSL card, written out or signed by the guy 
I contacted...some of them are works of art.... or not, and just represent a 
personal touch to our very personal desire to communicate with each other.
Best wishes to all for great DX and many QSLs arriving at your door via the 
US mail service!
73 de K1SEZ
Paul Ciezniak
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Leonard Kay" <len at k1nu.com>
To: "Robert G. Schaffrath" <robert at schaffrath.net>; <dx-qsl at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 3:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Dx-qsl] Fw: US Postal Rates
> Not to get too far off-topic, but I would be willing to bet that First 
> Class pieces
> are a small percentage of the total USPS revenue. I bet we would see lower
> First Class rates if we upped the bulk rate and other 'discount' rates for 
> business.
> Next time you get a credit card or utility bill, see what they're paying 
> for postage.
> Not to mention the junk mail.
>> Len K1NU
> (my only paper mail expenses these days is for these f&#%*^ QSL cards!!! 
> :-) )
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Robert G. Schaffrath" <robert at schaffrath.net>
> To: <dx-qsl at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [Dx-qsl] Fw: US Postal Rates
>>>> What can I say other than "bring it on". I use snail mail less and less 
>> all the time and I am sure with every increase more and more people find 
>> alternatives. At this rate, the day will come when perhaps three people 
>> will be supporting the entire Postal Service and each stamp will run you 
>> about 2ドルB each.
>>>> One would think they might take a page out of New York City Transit that 
>> tried reducing fares by allowing free transfers, discounts and monthly 
>> tickets. Low-and-behold, ridership went up along with income from those 
>> extra riders. Perhaps if the Postal Service figured out a way to reduce 
>> the cost of First Class mail they might encourage people to use it more 
>> again though you will never be able to get back what you have lost to 
>> e-mail.
>>>> Other than the odd QSL card that is usually international now, a birthday 
>> card, Christmas cards or the odd bank that I cannot pay my credit card 
>> electronically to, I hardly ever use the mail now. I still have plenty 
>> of unused stamps from the 34 cent era that I bump up with additional 
>> postage.
>>>> Robert, N2JTX
>>>> Dick Flanagan wrote:
>>> At 07:07 AM 2/12/2008, Doug Renwick wrote:
>>> >See
>>> >http://www.usps.com/prices/
>>>>>> According to the notice we can expect additional increases annually in 
>>> May of each year.
>>>>>> Dick
>>> -- 
>>> Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
>>> k7vc at arrl.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> &quot;Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've 
>>> got...till it's gone.&quot; from Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell) but 
>>> also true about QSL.NET if more users don't open their wallets and help 
>>> financially. Please contribute TODAY !!
>>>> &quot;Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've 
>> got...till it's gone.&quot; from Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell) but also 
>> true about QSL.NET if more users don't open their wallets and help 
>> financially. Please contribute TODAY !!
>>>>>> &quot;Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've 
> got...till it's gone.&quot; from Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell) but also 
> true about QSL.NET if more users don't open their wallets and help 
> financially. Please contribute TODAY !!