I have a UPS Ground prepaid label to return the cell phone that I’m trading. They told me it would be $10-12 to schedule a driver pickup, else I can take it to a dropoff location. When did this start? Boo, UPS. Boooooo.

Edit: To be completely fair, it may be that the destination decided not to pay extra for driver pickups rather than this being some new UPS thing. I don’t know the inner workings.

  • Otherbarry@lemmy.zip
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    4 months ago

    UPS/FedEx has sucked for a while now, rarely are they cheaper than USPS

    Well yeah, USPS should be cheaper. They tend to get bailout money from the U.S. government due to operating at a loss e.g. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-approves-50-billion-postal-service-relief-bill-2022-03-08 , UPS/FedEx on the other hand just raise their rates / change services to keep their shareholders happy.

    In theory if the USPS was allowed to increase rates as much as any private company then they would be as expensive, if not more, vs UPS/FedEx.

    • SoJB@lemmy.ml
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      4 months ago
      1. The USPS is objectively profitable
      2. The reason they posted a loss is because a 2006 bill mandates the USPS to fully fund all employee pensions 75 years in advance. There are full retirement accounts sitting around for employees that aren’t even born yet.
      3. Even then, reliable postal service to all addresses in the country is a basic expectation of the government of the most powerful and wealthy nation in the history of human civilization.

      The fact that you start with the premise that the USPS should somehow make profit off being a public service is a self report that you are here in bad faith.

      Why are you spreading right wing propaganda?

      • brainandforce@kbin.run
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        4 months ago

        Not intended to defend the above commenter, but it’s worth noting that the Postal Service is no longer bound to the pre-funding requirement (thanks Dark Brandon!)

    • cm0002@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      USPS is a public service it does not nor should run at a profit

      “USPS running at a loss” is a right wing talking point. If you were unaware, you’re aware now. If you were aware and intentionally spreading right wing crap, kindly fuck off.