[Leica] Re: LUG Digest, Vol 32, Issue 328

[lrzeitlin at optonline.net (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

On Jul 29, 2006, at 9:48 AM, Ken wrote:

> As several
> folk have pointed out, there was a time when the USA ruled the
> marketplace, so it didn't matter whether or not our trading systems
> were efficient.  The USPS does not make it easy for us to ship
> outside the USA.  It is cumbersome, confusing, ill-managed.  IMHO, it
> is NOT designed to be a part of the global marketplace, at all.

Indeed you are right. The USPS was intended to provide a public service 
to all Americans by delivering mail to ANY address in the USA. Until 
recently it operated at a considerable loss, made up by the taxpayers, 
for delivering newspapers, books, parcel post packages, etc to the 
hinterlands. Finally it is a government agency and suffers the 
inefficiencies of all government agencies worldwide. I have had the 
same difficulties with the UK's Royal Mail. But then the USPS makes 
daily deliveries to my rural home in an unincorporated area of upstate 
New York. There can't be much profit in that. The gasoline to get up my 
dirt driveway probably costs more than the value of the stamp.

If you want quick, reliable, convenient service go to one of the profit 
making package delivery firms, UPS, DHL, Fedex, etc. They deliver the 
package to the shipper's satisfaction or they go out of business. But 
be prepared to pay for the convenience. UPS rates are about twice that 
of the USPS. Other carriers are still higher.

Larry Z