USPS OIG Survey
The OIG has conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey on the relative value of some key services provided as part of the universal service obligation (USO). This study is the first of its kind in the United States and was done in conjunction with the market research firm Gallup and Professor Michael Bradley of George Washington University’s Department of Economics. The study, What Postal Services Do People Value the Most?, focused on four attributes of the USO: mode of delivery, access to postal services, frequency of delivery, and price. This study is a follow-up to our white paper Guiding Principles for a New Universal Service Obligation in which we discuss the need for such a study.
The survey found that both consumers and businesses still value postal services, especially door and/or curb delivery instead of delivery to a cluster box or parcel locker. Respondents also value the ability to access postal services through post offices, rather than using other alternatives such as postal counters in non-postal retail stores and self-service kiosks. In addition, while consumers and businesses are indifferent when it comes to the Saturday delivery of letters, consumers still place value on the Saturday delivery of parcels. Furthermore, consumers and businesses also value lower prices and may be willing to accept lower levels of service to keep prices from rising sharply.
These surveys are so hand picked …..they should do a real public survey
What a waste of time.
House delivery
” Furthermore, consumers and businesses also value lower prices and may be willing to accept lower levels of service to keep prices from rising sharply.”
That is until they start receiving late fees on their house, car, and credit card payments.
I know…..lets do a survey on the survey!
Good one! Then we can hire some managers to study the data for 10 years and conclude the information was inconclusive. How the OIG got away with actually surveying real customers beats me. We all know that the customer is the last thing management on the higher levels gives a rat’s ass about. They only cater to direct market interests, and refuse to charge a realistic rate to these mailers who clog up the mailboxes with flyers and other 3rd class mail nobody really wants. While I understand it’s much needed revenue and job security after a fashion, if the Service quit taking money under the table for low rates that actually cost the USPS to deliver when you figure in overtime, and charge enough to actually make some profit, it would ease up the constant rate raising of first class mail.
That isn’t going to happen without a criminal investigation into mishandling funds. After all, if losing a few bulk mailers who don’t want to pay a fair rate only means less overtime and therefore actually increases profits is the only drawback to raising their rates, why not do it? It makes good business sense. OOOPS. Forgot who I was talking about for a minute.
I would rather get a check if it was mailed to me on Saturday than get a shirt.