With continuing doom and gloom in the foreseeable future of the US Postal Service, I can't help but wonder how it will impact the magazine.
Would subscription prices climb as the cost of postage jumps? Would it be digital only with a free ream of paper as a subscription bonus? Would their be a shipping option box on the renewal forms? Would the industry collapse in the digital media revolution only to rise again?
What do you guys think?
FedEx. The mags will get here quicker, and probably cheaper.
Johnboyjjb wrote: With continuing doom and gloom in the foreseeable future of the US Postal Service, I can't help but wonder how it will impact the magazine. Would subscription prices climb as the cost of postage jumps? Would it be digital only with a free ream of paper as a subscription bonus? Would their be a shipping option box on the renewal forms? Would the industry collapse in the digital media revolution only to rise again? What do you guys think?
Maybe?
Bottom line: Uncertain future is uncertain, so we constantly explore options. The two things we dread seeing every year are paper prices and postal prices, because they're two major expenditures that we can do the absolute least about. But it's a constant source of study for us, and one that will certainly affect everyone in this industry.
jg
Javelin wrote: FedEx. The mags will get here quicker, and probably cheaper.
I will never see one again. My mail goes in a box next to my driveway about 1:00 six days a week. I five years Fed Ex has yet to deliver an intact package. I had to drive an hour to pick up my uniforms because they couldn't find my house. The time before that they tossed them from the truck into the middle of my front yard.
Just today a friend and I were in the car behind a Post Office truck.
This:
Our discussion was:
How old are these trucks?
How many miles do they typically have?
I thought they were based on Chevy Astro mechanicals and those have been out of production since 2005 (7 years ago.)
Those things have a pretty tight turning radius. My mail lady (letter carrier) likes to shove everything she can into the mailbox including little packages or things that come in bags. She can stay in her truck that way I guess. I would do that too. If there is a package that is too large for the mailbox, then she drives the stupid little truck down my driveway and leaves the package on the front porch. That's when the fun begins. Instead of backing up the driveway, she manages to turn her truck around right in the driveway. Stays off the grass, doesn't hit my van parked out there. It is funny and entertaining. I wonder if the USPS has rules about them driving in reverse or if it is her pet peeve, but I think her truck only goes forward.
Javelin wrote: FedEx. The mags will get here quicker, and probably cheaper.
I wonder how it would effect those in rural areas where FedEx/UPS hand off packages for the post office to make final delivery?
I have always thought one of those LLVs would make an awesome camper van for 1-2 people.
This is one of those services that should be 100% funded by the government. I know that would never fly in this social mindset that is sweeping the nation.. but mail is one of those things you need.
It's either that, or the US Postal System needs to get broken up into a bunch of smaller local carriers that can sustain themselves on the minimal prices that stamps and shipping cost
Digital-only would be fine with me.
They deliver the mail too much. Once a week would be fine.
Otto Maddox wrote: They deliver the mail too much. Once a week would be fine.
That's always been my thought..........maybe 2-3 times a week.
Tuesday and Saturday would be good for me.
There's some places UPS and FedEx won't deliver. And the USPS is way cheaper for most things. I had a 2 lb. package, about 16x12x8, it was very light and fragile, but I had to put it in a bulky box because of all the padding material. Had to ship it from here in PA to Raleigh, NC. UPS wanted $14.75. I said "ok thanks anyway" and drove over to the post office, $4.50 and it'll be there in the same amount of time. The post office is truly a bargain, and are way more efficient than people make them out to be. And that's where my political opinions will stop.
In reply to Twin_Cam:
UPS and Fedex seem relatively consistent in their pricing. USPS is often a lot cheaper or a lot more expensive. And there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Maybe this is why they are struggling financially.
In reply to Twin_Cam:
I agree, aside from the occasional irritated counter worker, which can usually be diffused with a bit of humor, the shipping is a downright bargain for medium to large packages. i put the same numbers into the fedex online calculator, and got like 75 bucks to ship a tool to CA, USPS parcel post was $25. broken 12 portable fridge, 45lbs, close to the max size (108 inches length + girth), $41, ups ground to get it to me was 75.
Twin_Cam wrote: And the USPS is way cheaper for most things.
Perhaps why they are bleeding $1 billion a month in losses?
z31maniac wrote:Otto Maddox wrote: They deliver the mail too much. Once a week would be fine.That's always been my thought..........maybe 2-3 times a week. Tuesday and Saturday would be good for me.
Yup. We only get the mail when we have to take the trash out, so are near the mailbox anyway. Then, once I get it, I throw 95% of it in a box to get recycled because it is crap.
I like print magazines, but I'm not completely opposed to digital. If I could eliminate the rest of my mail, it would be worth it.
Or you know congress could actually let them do things to make money and behave responsibly. I cannot see any way for any company to be economically viable with the crap they have to deal with.
Private enterprise will step into the market if the USPS goes away. The economics of delivering ANYTHING for 44 cents (or whatever a first-class stamp costs these days) makes no sense. Costs for stuff like letters will increase. Small packages are already delivered by UPS and FEDEX for rates comparable to the USPS.
That said, there are certain things that government SHOULD provide its citizens, and postal service is one of those things. Get costs in line and streamline the organization. The infrastructure is already there. Make it work more efficiently--i.e. more like a business and less like government. 
T.J. wrote: I wonder if the USPS has rules about them driving in reverse or if it is her pet peeve, but I think her truck only goes forward.
I know for a fact UPS hands out write ups for "Backing up" too much, something about most accidents involving their drivers were caused by reversing.
Javelin wrote: FedEx. The mags will get here quicker, and probably cheaper.
Not to my house......fedex is normally 2 days behind UPS here. I swear theres the "We lost your E36 M3 at the Indianapolis terminal and you only live 45min away, but then we sent it to South Bend instead" clause in fedex delivery here.
I think Canada post has only lost money once in the last 20 years. If they can do it, USPS should be making money, not losing it. I'm sure it's a lot easier to deliver the mail there than it is here.
There is something funny going on with their shipping prices. A few years ago, it was reasonable, and costs were consistent. Lately, the majority of stuff I see from USPS are very expensive. In some cases, the prices for similar parcels from similar places are very different.
z31maniac wrote:Otto Maddox wrote: They deliver the mail too much. Once a week would be fine.That's always been my thought..........maybe 2-3 times a week. Tuesday and Saturday would be good for me.
I agree - 2 or 3 would be fine. But... the problems are deeper than simple delivery and operating costs. Do some searching.
wearymicrobe wrote: Or you know congress could actually let them do things to make money and behave responsibly. I cannot see any way for any company to be economically viable with the crap they have to deal with.
Makes you wonder how congress feels they are qualified to make financial decisions for the country when they've help run this part of the government into the ground.
z31maniac wrote:Twin_Cam wrote: And the USPS is way cheaper for most things.Perhaps why they are bleeding $1 billion a month in losses?
Touche, salesman
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