The U.S. Postal Service is conducting a pilot program designed to make it easier for retailers in malls to ship packages to customers via the USPS. In the program, postal carriers pick up packages from retailers at the end of the day. Currently, postal carriers only drop off mail in the morning and do not pick up outgoing packages.
Read MoreExcept for the attorneys and economists whose services are much in demand, rate cases are by definition not a happy time.
However, for those doggedly interested in poring through the reams of interrogatories and responses it can be a treasure trove of interesting information. As one who usually skims through the data, I did I glance upon a number of tidbits that we all might find of interest.
The Postal Services arrangement with Consignia, in which the British post’s subsidiary delivers all USPS air packages throughout Europe. is off to a rocky start.
Businesses using USPS international services to send packages to Europe are complaining that their customers are getting hit with major duties and fees upon delivery of the packages. Many customers are refusing the packages. meaning they never reach their final destination, in addition. customers in Sweden were complaming in late January that they were still w aiting on Christmas packages. Sweden Post officials were worried the packages were hung up somewhere. Perhaps in Germany — the single entry point to Europe under the arrangement with Consignia.
UPS and FedEx have announced rate increases averaging 3.5% for air and ground shipments. Furthermore, The U.S. Postal Service increased rates for international periodicals last month 3% to 5%.
Read MoreThe United States Postal Service took aim at the multi-billion corporate market dominated by FedEx Corp. and United Parcel Service by introducing a new program offering discount rates for small package delivery. “Competition is good for the consumer, but is this a level playing field?” said John Flick, a spokesman for UPS, which has long complained that the Postal Service uses its domestic monopoly to subsidize its international offerings. Greg Rossiter, a spokesman for FedEx, declined to comment directly on the Postal Service move, but said customers consider not only price but quality.
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