# US Postal Service & Tour de France **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672 "2001-07-24T20:18:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KenP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c0e974/32.png) [@KenP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KenP)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/1 "2001-07-24T20:18:09Z")
I can’t get over the irony of the U.S.P.S., an organization known for anything but speed, sponsoring the American team in the Tour de France. 1. Why are they doing this? I understand the general principle that sponsors, like advertizers, spend their money in hopes of gaining business. But the Postal Service is a near-monopoly. What business do they expect to gain? 2. What happens the next time they whine about needing to add a penny or two to the cost of a first-class stamp? If they have enough money to spend on the Tour de France, do they really need the rate increase? ---
**Author:** ![funneefarmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@funneefarmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funneefarmer)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/2 "2001-07-24T21:12:15Z")
1. a)They’re doing it to try and make more money. Monopoly, nah they’re losing to overnight carriers and e-mail 2. b)They want you to use their Small Business Solutions, see their website [http://www.usps.com](http://www.usps.com) They have a variety of web services I’m sure they would love you to use. 3. a)They’ll probably get it. 4. b)My guess is that it’s a drop in the bucket for a company that size and it appears from the website that they are trying to gain foriegn business. This would be a good way to get your name out there. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/3 "2001-07-24T21:36:26Z")
As a piece on _Slate_ recently mentioned, the current sponsorship agreement runs around $25 million over three years. Compared to a $2 billion deficit this is a drop in the bucket and they presumably feel it will pay for itself. What do they hope to accomplish? One is assiciating themselves with speed. As you jibe points out, most people think they are slow (though I think they do a pretty phenomenal job). Having your name mentioned with the Tour de France can probably create some different perceptions. Otherwise it is just an opportunity to remind people of their services. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2001, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/4 "2001-07-24T22:46:18Z")
Sure, they’ve got a monopoly on first-class mail. But they are competing with UPS and FedEx with their Priority Mail, so advertising is still worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/5 "2001-07-25T04:55:51Z")
> [@](#): > > I can’t get over the irony of the U.S.P.S., _an organization known for anything but speed_, sponsoring the American team in the Tour de France (emphasis mine). I’d have to agree with **obfusciatrist** in feeling that they do a phenomenal job. I’ve dealt with both European and third world postal services. And I’ve run a business for manny years. And, yes, I use courier services (FedEx, UPS, DHL) for certain assignments. But for regular old first-class mail, where does it get better? ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/6 "2001-07-25T05:16:53Z")
My missionary-kid roommate who had lived most of his life in Kenya said it wasn’t unheard of for the mailman to just leave the bag in the bush if he thought he had a decent reason. End of bag of mail. Too bad. I have the distinct impression that Americans who complain about the USPS haven’t had the opportunity to sample even the services of say, an ex-Iron Curtain country. I’ve heard things… ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/7 "2001-07-25T11:29:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SmackFu \* > \*\*Sure, they’ve got a monopoly on first-class mail. \*\* And this “monopoly” is being eaten away by the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/8 "2001-07-25T12:16:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KenP \* > \*\* > > 1. Why are they doing this? \*\* I think it’s mainly to get publicity in Europe for Priority Mail ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/9 "2001-07-25T12:38:38Z")
Also, there are other sponsors of the USPS Pro Cycling Team. You can find a list at their [web site](http://www.uspsprocycling.com/01sponsors/spon_page.htm) (though the graphics don’t seem to work). I didn’t realize that there are actually 22 members of the team. It seems like the USPS has been sponsoring a team for a while – does anyone know how long? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-postal-service-tour-de-france/73672/10 "2001-07-25T22:36:26Z")
If this is just going to be a “rant about the Post Office” thread, I think it ought to be moved to the Pit. :mad: [http://www.uspsprocycling.com/01news/news01\_0501.htm](http://www.uspsprocycling.com/01news/news01_0501.htm) > [@](#): > > For the past six years, USPS has sponsored the USPS Pro Cycling team, which includes two-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. And to address the OP, “why do it?”: > [@](#): > > “Our cycling team sponsorship has proven its value to the Postal Service,” said Gail Sonnenberg, USPS senior vice president, Sales. “By being associated with our championship cycling team and one of the world’s greatest athletes, Lance Armstrong, the Postal Service brand is recognized around the world. We believe in the values of hard work, striving for excellence, and the championship spirit these athletes demonstrate.”