# Post Office Closings to Be Announced Today **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743 "2012-02-23T16:47:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/21 "2012-02-24T16:25:15Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > In the places I’m talking about, people have to interact with other places regularly in order to get basic living supplies. If they can’t go themselves, somebody has to go for them (even if Meals on Wheels goes out there, it doesn’t deliver toilet paper or toothpaste or vacuum cleaner bags or booze). Somebody can buy them a book of stamps that they can use with their fancy new mailbox, just like they’d have to do if they lived in an area that was developed after post offices stopped being installed at every populated crossroads. That’s true, but they (senior citizens) don’t get those helpful deliveries every day, or even every week. In a small town like mine, the only places for regular human interaction are the bar, the gas station, and the post office. We’re already dying, and losing the post office is viewed as the final nail in the coffin. We look at the USPS and Congress and it’s obvious that the people in charge don’t have a clue about the symbolic importance of a brick and mortar post office. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/22 "2012-02-24T17:25:42Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > So if the Post Office goes away, along with its commitment to universal delivery, what do folks outside of cities do because commercial enterprises won’t deliver to them even now? They do the same thing that people who want porcupine-flavored ice cream do–fhey either do without or find a way to foll their niche interest. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/23 "2012-02-24T17:29:07Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > The United States Constitution begs to differ. > > Article I, Section 8, Clause 7. > [@JohnT](#): > > Not being a lawyer or anything, but would eliminating the USPS require a constitutional amendment? > > Probably not as the language “To establish Post Offices and Post Roads” is within section 8, “Powers of Congress”, which I assume implies that Congress has the right to abolish the USPS… but I don’t know if this has been established (which, of course, is not saying that it hasn’t been established.) The Constitution allows the US government to establish a post office, it doesn’t require it. Also, I’m talking about what I believe is the best thing for the government to do or not do, not what it is currently required or allowed to do. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/24 "2012-02-24T17:58:18Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > So if the Post Office goes away, along with its commitment to universal delivery, what do folks outside of cities do because commercial enterprises won’t deliver to them even now? Just the oposite for me and well everyone in this county. USPS does not deliver. UPS and FedX does. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/25 "2012-02-24T22:49:37Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > That’s true, but they (senior citizens) don’t get those helpful deliveries every day, or even every week. Then they stock up on stamps, just like every other senior citizen who lives in a cluster of houses that _didn’t_ have a hotel or a tavern on a road that used to be important. It’s 2012; the mail horses don’t need to stop every hour to drink water. > [@AuntiePam](#): > > In a small town like mine, the only places for regular human interaction are the bar, the gas station, and the post office. We’re already dying, and losing the post office is viewed as the final nail in the coffin. We look at the USPS and Congress and it’s obvious that the people in charge don’t have a clue about the symbolic importance of a brick and mortar post office. My subdivision is larger than many small towns, and it doesn’t have any of those amenities. We live. Post offices in “towns” with 50 people where you can stand on a hill and see the city are extra-special amenities that the overwhelming majority of people do not get, not basic services that are provided to everyone. If these places were 100 miles from civilization down a dirt road, I could see how they might be more important, but they’re a few minutes from the city down two separate modern roads. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/26 "2012-02-24T22:51:07Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > They do the same thing that people who want porcupine-flavored ice cream do–fhey either do without or find a way to foll their niche interest. I demand that you tell me right now how to satisfy my newfound niche interest in porcupine ice cream. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/27 "2012-02-25T00:16:30Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > They do the same thing that people who want porcupine-flavored ice cream do–fhey either do without or find a way to foll their niche interest. Some governmental organizations require a mailing address. The Department of Motor Vehicles, for one. To send you your registration papers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/28 "2012-02-25T00:18:59Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Then they stock up on stamps, just like every other senior citizen who lives in a cluster of houses that _didn’t_ have a hotel or a tavern on a road that used to be important. It’s 2012; the mail horses don’t need to stop every hour to drink water. Keeping a supply of stamps isn’t the problem. The problem is unsecured outdoor cluster boxes. I realize this is the norm in many areas, but isn’t a secure, indoor facility preferable? Especially since the cost is so small? You want your 80-year-old grandma standing outside when the temp is minus 20 and the wind is blowing? Sure, granny could wait until the weather’s better to pick up her mail, but she shouldn’t have to. > [@](#): > > My subdivision is larger than many small towns, and it doesn’t have any of those amenities. We live. Post offices in “towns” with 50 people where you can stand on a hill and see the city are extra-special amenities that the overwhelming majority of people do not get, not basic services that are provided to everyone. If these places were 100 miles from civilization down a dirt road, I could see how they might be more important, but they’re a few minutes from the city down two separate modern roads. We’ll get used to being without a post office building, like we got used to losing our schools and most of our businesses. Can’t blame the USPS for that. But we won’t like it, and it doesn’t solve the USPS’s problems. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/29 "2012-02-25T09:39:35Z")
USPS is great but I would not care if I has one less mail delivery per week. If They cut one day out of the delivery schedule would it be a huge problem for most people? ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/30 "2012-02-25T20:04:58Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > We look at the USPS and Congress and it’s obvious that the people in charge don’t have a clue about the symbolic importance of a brick and mortar post office. Is keeping a failing business open for _symbolic_ reasons really a good idea? Offhand, I can only name one brick-and-mortar Canada Post office, and that’s in Lennoxville, Québec. I have no idea why Lennoxville has a full post office, other than to bring the grade school kids in once a year to show them how it works. Every other one I’ve ever dealt with was actually a kiosk inside a pharmacy or dépanneur (convenience store). You still get service in person, but the corporation saves a ton of money by not having to manage the building facilities. Also, you can get your medications, your shampoo and toilet paper and pick up other random stuff at the same time. Many of the pharmacies also have bank affiliations, so you can deposit and withdraw from the ATMs inside the store. In rural areas, the pharmacy/post office is often in the same building, or even business, as the bank and the liquor store. One-stop for most errands? Incredibly practical. > [@AuntiePam](#): > > Keeping a supply of stamps isn’t the problem. The problem is unsecured outdoor cluster boxes. I realize this is the norm in many areas, but isn’t a secure, indoor facility preferable? Especially since the cost is so small? You want your 80-year-old grandma standing outside when the temp is minus 20 and the wind is blowing? Sure, granny could wait until the weather’s better to pick up her mail, but she shouldn’t have to. Preferable, perhaps, but not all that much of a hardship, to be honest. You get used to it. I like the Canada Post business model - I’m pretty sure it’s profitable, and manages to serve every single Canadian. Given the respective sizes of the countries, I think the USPS might want to consider certain aspects of it. But then, I’m no expert. I just think it’s surprising to compare the two services - you guys were lucky to have it the way it was, but it’s no surprise at all that it’s a losing proposition. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/31 "2012-02-25T20:20:27Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > Is keeping a failing business open for _symbolic_ reasons really a good idea? It is to us. 🙂 There are post office stations in stores and businesses around here too, but the closest is 30+ miles away. The USPS is too big to allow for individualized solutions. It’d be a case of “You did this for them, why can’t you do it for us?” We’ve offered to give the post office a building and pay for utilities and upkeep. All they’d have to do is put the mail in the existing boxes instead of the cluster box. The reason they give for not accepting this is “We don’t want the carrier to have to open any doors.” ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/32 "2012-02-25T20:38:43Z")
I just closed a drop box at one of the UPS stores (not the post office). I rented annually for several years at $135. This year they wanted $220. It was convenient for my Ebay and Amazon purchases. The package isn’t sitting on my front steps. When needed, someone can sign for the package. But $220 a year??? Hell no. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/33 "2012-02-25T20:46:58Z")
The UPS Store was charging $220 a year? That is too much. I was thinking of getting one there mostly for mail order stuff, but not for that much. I thought it was going to more like twenty or thirty bucks a year, which is what a USPS PO box costs. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/34 "2012-02-25T20:52:35Z")
I’d call and check rates. They may vary from store to store. They warned me the rates would be going up significantly several months ago. I was already prepared to turn in my key when the bill arrived in my box. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/35 "2012-02-25T20:56:15Z")
I just checked the rates at the closest store. Even for the smallest box for personal use, the annual cost would be $252. For that much, I’ll deal with the inconvenience of having to visit the UPS and Fedex depots occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/36 "2012-02-25T22:05:16Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > I’ve never understood this argument. I can put a letter in a box in front of my house, and for 45 cents the USPS will take it anywhere in the country that I want them to. And they do it with remarkable consistency; 99% of the times that something gets "lost in the mail’ it was actually jacked up on one end or the other. We’re both fully aware of the fact it’s not actually 45 cents but significantly higher as we pay for their health care and paychecks through our tax dollars. I’ve been to a variety of post offices in multiple cities and the tune is the same: we don’t care about you, just try to get rid of us, we’re lifers and you can pry this job from our cold dead hands. There is no performance review, absolutely no incentive to do a good job. I’ve had postal employees walk away from me while I"m in the middle of a sentence, I’ve had them standing around in groups like truant teenagers, simply not doing _anything_. I’ve seen postal employees openly MOCK Asian immigrants trying to get their passports straightened out. I’ve seen them scream at them, as though they’re deaf or dumb. I’ve witnessed them putting on fake Asian-American accents cruelly making fun of them. These are trashy people with absolutely no education making fun of fucking brilliant researchers and engineers at Google, Apple and Carnegie Mellon. And if your experience is different it’s certainly not the norm. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/37 "2012-02-25T22:16:12Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > I’ve been to a variety of post offices in multiple cities and the tune is the same: we don’t care about you, just try to get rid of us, we’re lifers and you can pry this job from our cold dead hands. There is no performance review, absolutely no incentive to do a good job. I’ve had postal employees walk away from me while I"m in the middle of a sentence, I’ve had them standing around in groups like truant teenagers, simply not doing _anything_. > > I’ve seen postal employees openly MOCK Asian immigrants trying to get their passports straightened out. I’ve seen them scream at them, as though they’re deaf or dumb. I’ve witnessed them putting on fake Asian-American accents cruelly making fun of them. These are trashy people with absolutely no education making fun of fucking brilliant researchers and engineers at Google, Apple and Carnegie Mellon. The Evilton and Viciousville post offices must be very differently staffed than mine, which has pleasant and hard-working employees. If they mock me, they have the decency to do it after I have left. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/38 "2012-02-25T22:17:34Z")
They’re only closing one PO in my town and it’s one that I wasn’t even aware existed. Looking at the address, it’s on the main street of downtown just past the main shopping area. I’ve been right in that area I don’t know how many times. As it happens, I am going to be right across the street from there in half an hour so I’ll have to take a look for it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/39 "2012-02-25T22:19:09Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > The Evilton and Viciousville post offices must be very differently staffed than mine, which has pleasant and hard-working employees. If they mock me, they have the decency to do it after I have left. Agreed. I’ve seen some dullards but I can’t recall ever seeing rude behavior. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743/40 "2012-02-25T22:42:00Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > We’re both fully aware of the fact it’s not actually 45 cents but significantly higher as we pay for their health care and paychecks through our tax dollars. They haven’t recieved direct tax funding in 30 years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-office-closings-to-be-announced-today/613743.md?page=3)