Parcel Volume
wharfrat
very busy XMAS season.
E-trade swells postal holiday-parcel load
By Bruce Spence
Record Staff Writer
The U.S. Postal Service is expecting a blizzard this winter -- a blizzard of
packages far outstripping
the usual holiday crush of parcels.
"The volume already is so much higher," said Beverly Leymaster, spokeswoman
in Stockton for the
Postal Service. "We're wondering where we're going to find the vehicles we
need. It's absolutely the
Internet. Many more people are ordering off the Internet now rather than
going in the stores, and
somebody's got to deliver those parcels."
Leymaster said that typically, postal carriers handle holiday packages along
with letter mail, but this
year, the Postal Service is adding "package runs" -- trucks handling nothing
but parcels -- to help
speed delivery.
"We acknowledged early on that we were going to have to have parcel runs,"
she said.
That means up to a half-dozen additional postal-delivery trucks making
parcel deliveries each day.
In September, the Postal Service processing center on Arch Road that serves
a six-county area
saw a 20 percent jump in parcels handled from a year ago.
The parcel count up to Thanksgiving Day already is up 38 percent from all of
November 1998,
Leymaster said. All told, the Arch Road center is expected to handle at
least 2 million parcels
between Thanksgiving and Christmas, an increase of a third from the 1.5
million parcels handled in
the same period last year, she said.
The Postal Service has added 140 seasonal workers for the holiday crush,
about the same as last
year, she said. A new parcel processor, which sorts parcels automatically
just as mail is handled,
is making a crucial difference this season, Leymaster said.
Federal Express primarily is a business-to-business delivery service, and
the company can't make
comparisons on a holiday upswing, FedEx spokeswoman Sally Davenport said.
Typical national daily package volume runs at about 3 million for this time
of year, though, and
recent daily volume has been up to about 3.2 million, she said.
"But it's not due to Christmas," she said. "It's just growth in business. I
can't say it's online e-tailing.
It's a strong economy."
FedEx says that although business-to-consumer e-commerce has received a
great deal of media
attention, it accounts for a small share of online transactions.
E-commerce has had an incredible impact on UPS, said Ross McCullough, vice
president of
e-commerce at UPS.
Last year, UPS delivered 55 percent of all online holiday purchases, he
said. But still,
e-commerce's biggest impact has been on UPS's commercial business, he said.
"While we delivered more than half of the gifts bought online last year, the
vast majority of our
volume is to the businesses that design, manufacture and sell those
products," McCullough said.
"E-commerce is having an exponential effect. UPS not only ships the toys,
computers and
sweaters people are buying online, but we also ship the components they're
made of, many of
which were also procured online."
Leymaster said the parcel boom doesn't appear to be a holiday-season
special, either. The Postal
Service began noting a jump in package volume beginning six months ago, she
said.
That primarily is due to more people buying on the Internet, Leymaster said,
but the current strong
economy and the best unemployment picture seen in years also could be
fueling the package
boom.
At any rate, the holiday package rush has started earlier than usual this
year, she said.
"You see it every day when you walk out on the floor," Leymaster said. "When
you walk out on the
floor, you see the carrier hampers overflowing with packages, and that's a
daily occurrence."
There is some good news for the Postal Service in all this: The advent of
the Internet and e-mail
initially cut into business, but the Internet boom is more than making up
for it, Leymaster said.
"It's great for business," she said.
mga...@my-deja.com
"wharfrat" <whar...@eudoramail.com> wrote:
(snip)
> The Postal Service has added 140 seasonal workers for the holiday
crush,
> about the same as last
> year, she said. A new parcel processor, which sorts parcels
automatically
> just as mail is handled,
> is making a crucial difference this season, Leymaster said.
(snort) Yeah...right! Probably making a crucial difference in sending
the overtime rate skyward!
We know the new SPBC(is that the right acronym?) just works perfectly,
right?
;-)
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
westc...@my-deja.com
First Class Mail due to technology, i.e.
electronic funds transfer, email, etc., we're
making up in Priority Mail from Internet
purchases.
Every USPS employee who has access to the Internet
should be shopping online. Not only does this
generate Priority Mail revenue, it also generates
BBM mail in the form of mail order catalogs.
As much has we may hate those heavy days of BBM,
especially from September to November, it's money
in the bank for employees and the USPS.
The Internet has changed the world, we need to
change with it and use it to our advantage.
In article <81vovk$qj6$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
wharfrat
<mga...@my-deja.com> wrote
> > The Postal Service has added 140 seasonal workers for the holiday
> crush,
> > about the same as last
> > year, she said. A new parcel processor, which sorts parcels
> automatically
> > just as mail is handled,
> > is making a crucial difference this season, Leymaster said.
>
> (snort) Yeah...right! Probably making a crucial difference in sending
> the overtime rate skyward!
>
> We know the new SPBC(is that the right acronym?) just works perfectly,
> right?
> ;-)
It's called the SPBS. They do work fine. The problem is that they can't
handle the volume of parcels during the regular part of the year so how are
they going to do it now. We basically just use ours to run a small % of the
parcels. Most of the time they are running palletized flats.
When CNET gets started next week we'll be working priority in 4 bldgs. The
Plant, the PMA (where I'm going to be), an abandoned Hanger about a block
from the PMA (conditions there are hellish-casuals get a bonus of an extra
$1/hr if they can last the whole 3 weeks for total of $12 hr for 3 84 hr
weeks) and at the building over at Naval Supply where we usually work
pallets. Around Dec 15 we will start sending inbound priority over to the
BMC for help. So there will be 5 buildings involved. People, not
technology, will get all the parcels out.
Sometimes it works perfectly. '97 we had every outbound parcel gone by 11 AM
on the 24th. Every inbound parcel was gone when we showed up at 6 AM XMAS
morn. Had larger volume last year, took until the 27th to get it all out.
'96 was an out and out disaster. El Nino-lots of rain and the Hanger leaked
badly. All the casuals walked out one evening. Didn't have the bldg at Naval
Supply yet so had to bring all the inbound back to the Plant. Took until
about Jan 10 to get it all out.
I know we have more planes scheduled this year. So hopefully things will go
well. Do need good weather tho. Last year we ran out of room at the PMA and
had to store OTRs full of parcels on the airfield. Only one bad day of
weather-snow (yes snow in Oakland) but it was 2 days before the crunch hit
so no mail was outside. LOL
Bob DeSavage
>Thank God for the Internet! What we're losing in
>First Class Mail due to technology, i.e.
>electronic funds transfer, email, etc., we're
>making up in Priority Mail from Internet
>purchases.
>
>Every USPS employee who has access to the Internet
>should be shopping online. Not only does this
>generate Priority Mail revenue, it also generates
>BBM mail in the form of mail order catalogs.
>
>As much has we may hate those heavy days of BBM,
>especially from September to November, it's money
>in the bank for employees and the USPS.
>
>The Internet has changed the world, we need to
>change with it and use it to our advantage.
>
I agree with you that the Internet is wonderful. I do a certain amount
of shopping on it. and it's a fun thing to do.
There is one thing though. The times I've shopped, never have I seen
the option to ship via USPS. It's either FEDEX or UPS. Perhaps if I
searched the WEB enough, I'd locate places that do. The only drawback
is that WEB sites can be slower than a constipated snail. Better I go
to the local mall, and take my chances with wild women and their
bratty kids.
By all means, this is a convenient way to shop. However, on many
occasions, I've ordered items that I need by a certain time, being
assured that they are in stock. Taking this at face value, I discover
later that only a partial order has been shipped, with a notation that
the items not enclosed are back ordered. Yes, I realize that I can
cancel the back ordered items, but it just might screw up my time
table. This is not a criticism of the method of shipping, but an
example of some of the flaws of shopping by the Net.
Also, if an item is damaged or DOA, I have to jump thru hoops to
return the item and go thru the bother of repacking and resending the
item at my expense. Here's a couple of weeks down the drain.
Not only that, some people do not have credit cards in order to shop
via the Net. In every occasion I've shopped via the Net, a credit card
is required. Believe it or not, some people still prefer to pay by
cash or check. I can't blame them, because I too like to put my cash
on the barrel head. Depending on the bank you have the credit card
with, the interest rates are astronomical. Some charge 20%. It's
better to go to a loan shark! I realize that some people will pay off
their outstanding balance when the bill comes to avoid this charge,
but that's the exception to the rule. Most will stretch it out. This
is beside the point, as this is an issue of personal fiscal
discipline. But nonetheless, I illustrate this to cite a disadvantage.
By all means, it's is good to support the company you are employed by,
but there are times where the personal costs violate principle. Look
at the employee parking lot for General Motors. Although some might be
involved in the manufacture of Cadillacs, you more than likely will
see Fords, Yugos, bicycles, and in many cases, employees stepping off
busses.
What you say is ideal, but ideal only to a point. Oddly enough, I
communicate a lot by email, but I notice that I am also sending more
letters, cards, and such along with my monthly bills. Automated
electronic bill payment is convenient, but affords me no control as to
payment. I have a specific beef about this practice that tied up a lot
of bucks because of a billing error. Because of it, I stopped all
automatic transactions and am now paying by check and sending it via
USPS. Maybe I'm not with the times, but it's only because I got with
the times long ago and discovered that the old fashioned way works
very well in my case.
El Lippo
-
The only thing hotter than Hell is Dee's toaster!
all...@tiac.net
ICQ 6418621
Bob DeSavage
>Thank God for the Internet! What we're losing in
>First Class Mail due to technology, i.e.
>electronic funds transfer, email, etc., we're
>making up in Priority Mail from Internet
>purchases.
>
>Every USPS employee who has access to the Internet
>should be shopping online. Not only does this
>generate Priority Mail revenue, it also generates
>BBM mail in the form of mail order catalogs.
>
More about this. Earlier today, I placed an order with eCost.com. My
credit card was approved when I checked on my order status. Just now,
I checked again and their data base has no record of my order. I
called their customer service number to verbally check on my order.
After hearing a recorded voice telling me how wonderful their service
is, I was put on hold, waiting for the next customer service
EXECUTIVE. Well, after waiting some 20 minutes and listening to
elevator music with periodic reminders of how wonderful eCOST is, I
hung up being in a very pissed off frame of mind. One can listen to
Herb Alpert and Tijuana Taxi for only so long. I will cancel my order
via the Net, get into my car and fight the crowds (wild women, their
bratty kids, AND NOW - the wild women's TIRED husbands) at a real
store. I'm beginning to think Internet shopping is a big pain in the
ass and a gift from the Devil. I'm sure that Best Buy will be most
happy to put me on their mailing list and I'll walk out of the store
with item in hand and have the satisfaction of seeing and talking to a
responsive HUMAN. Sorry USPS, UPS, FEDEX. You can't make any money if
these Net shopping sites can't get their shit together.
Alas, the USPS will make 33 cents today, when I write a snail letter
telling eCOST how much their industry sucks! Don't spend it in one
place.
Bah Humbug Bullshit!!!!
El Lippo Scrooge
Paul Roue
Bob DeSavage wrote:
> On Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:39:21 GMT, westc...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> >Thank God for the Internet! What we're losing in
> >First Class Mail due to technology, i.e.
> >electronic funds transfer, email, etc., we're
> >making up in Priority Mail from Internet
> >purchases.
> >
> >Every USPS employee who has access to the Internet
> >should be shopping online. Not only does this
> >generate Priority Mail revenue, it also generates
> >BBM mail in the form of mail order catalogs.
> >
> >As much has we may hate those heavy days of BBM,
> >especially from September to November, it's money
> >in the bank for employees and the USPS.
> >
> >The Internet has changed the world, we need to
> >change with it and use it to our advantage.
> >
>
> I agree with you that the Internet is wonderful. I do a certain amount
> of shopping on it. and it's a fun thing to do.
>
> There is one thing though. The times I've shopped, never have I seen
> the option to ship via USPS. It's either FEDEX or UPS. Perhaps if I
> searched the WEB enough, I'd locate places that do.
>
> El Lippo
>
>
> -
> The only thing hotter than Hell is Dee's toaster!
>
> all...@tiac.net
> ICQ 6418621
I just ordered a cycle trainer for my wife. The default option for
shipping is Priorty Mail. This site specializes in all your biking needs.
They even have a cute collection box on the home page.
Paul
westc...@my-deja.com
Bob DeSavage <all...@tiac.net> wrote:
> On Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:39:21 GMT, westc...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> >Thank God for the Internet! What we're losing in
> >First Class Mail due to technology, i.e.
> >electronic funds transfer, email, etc., we're
> >making up in Priority Mail from Internet
> >purchases.
> >
> >Every USPS employee who has access to the Internet
> >should be shopping online. Not only does this
> >generate Priority Mail revenue, it also generates
> >BBM mail in the form of mail order catalogs.
> >
> credit card was approved when I checked on my order status. Just now,
> I checked again and their data base has no record of my order. I
> called their customer service number to verbally check on my order.
> After hearing a recorded voice telling me how wonderful their service
> is, I was put on hold, waiting for the next customer service
> EXECUTIVE. Well, after waiting some 20 minutes and listening to
> elevator music with periodic reminders of how wonderful eCOST is, I
> hung up being in a very pissed off frame of mind. One can listen to
> Herb Alpert and Tijuana Taxi for only so long. I will cancel my order
> via the Net, get into my car and fight the crowds (wild women, their
> bratty kids, AND NOW - the wild women's TIRED husbands) at a real
> store. I'm beginning to think Internet shopping is a big pain in the
> ass and a gift from the Devil. I'm sure that Best Buy will be most
> happy to put me on their mailing list and I'll walk out of the store
> with item in hand and have the satisfaction of seeing and talking to a
> responsive HUMAN. Sorry USPS, UPS, FEDEX. You can't make any money if
> these Net shopping sites can't get their shit together.
>
> Alas, the USPS will make 33 cents today, when I write a snail letter
> telling eCOST how much their industry sucks! Don't spend it in one
> place.
>
> Bah Humbug Bullshit!!!!
>
> El Lippo Scrooge
Let's not flush the Internet down the tubes over one bad experience
with a company. Don't forget to give Best Buys your address for their
mailing list!
keeth...@keethie.net
<all...@tiac.net> wrote:
> Also, if an item is damaged or DOA, I have to jump thru hoops to
> return the item and go thru the bother of repacking and resending the
> item at my expense.
There are sites that include a postage-paid return mail sticker, so you
don't have to pay for returns (<landsend.com> comes immediately to
mind); heck, you don't even have to go to the PO to return it.
Bob DeSavage
>
>Let's not flush the Internet down the tubes over one bad experience
>with a company. Don't forget to give Best Buys your address for their
>mailing list!
>
I'm not flushing the Internet down the tubes. I've had a computer
(from the early model Tandy on up) with modem on my desk for many,
many years. When people didn't know a WEB site from a hole in the
ground, I was surfing on a regular basis.
My point is that with any system or innovation, there are flaws,
Throughout the years, I've shopped thru the Net and have had good
luck. But the instance I referred to is by no means the only one for
me. None have discouraged me from shopping thru the Net though. I'm
just more careful as to how I shop when my time is limited. I know
that I can get much info about a product thru the Net, but doing
research over the Net is not always that easy or that fast.
I still get a certain pleasure in going to a store and physically
handling and checking the merchandize I intend to purchase. I like to
ask questions about it and expect an answer. You can't always do this
over the Net. This is not just limited to the Net, as I have had (and
still have) the self same attitude about regular hard copy mail order
catalogs. I just don't like to buy a pig in a poke, especially if the
item is going to cost me big bucks.
As far as email is concerned, I am a fanatic. However, I still put my
trust in the USPS for many of my communication needs. There remains
that personal touch that electronic media often lacks, and I will use
it despite the cost.
I place a lot of trust and loyalty to my former employer, the USPS. If
it is to survive, many of the existing services can be improved on
before venturing into new doorways. Whether this can be made so,
depends on those who run the USPS. With all the losers who take up
space at Elephant Plaza, its survival is questionable. As with
everything else they'll figure out a way to screw up the processing
and delivery of Priority parcels. It's not the fault of those who do
the work. There's just not enough of these good people.
Although I won't be the salvation of the USPS, in the future, I plan
to give stamps and writing materials to those on my gift list,
especially to those who are elderly. Such materials are expensive, if
not prohibitive to these people. While it's a mere drop in the postal
bucket, my intent will add to it.
The Internet has been the reason for many wonderful things in my life,
but I can not use it as a total replacement for other methods. It's a
good enhancement for sure.
El Lippo
Unknown
On Tue, 30 Nov 1999 17:39:01 -0500, Bob DeSavage <all...@tiac.net>
wrote:
>More about this. Earlier today, I placed an order with eCost.com. My
>credit card was approved when I checked on my order status. Just now,
>I checked again and their data base has no record of my order. I
>called their customer service number to verbally check on my order.
>After hearing a recorded voice telling me how wonderful their service
>is, I was put on hold, waiting for the next customer service
>EXECUTIVE. Well, after waiting some 20 minutes and listening to
>elevator music with periodic reminders of how wonderful eCOST is, I
>hung up being in a very pissed off frame of mind. One can listen to
>Herb Alpert and Tijuana Taxi for only so long. I will cancel my order
>via the Net, get into my car and fight the crowds (wild women, their
>bratty kids, AND NOW - the wild women's TIRED husbands) at a real
>store. I'm beginning to think Internet shopping is a big pain in the
>ass and a gift from the Devil. I'm sure that Best Buy will be most
>happy to put me on their mailing list and I'll walk out of the store
>with item in hand and have the satisfaction of seeing and talking to a
>responsive HUMAN. Sorry USPS, UPS, FEDEX. You can't make any money if
>these Net shopping sites can't get their shit together.
>
>Alas, the USPS will make 33 cents today, when I write a snail letter
>telling eCOST how much their industry sucks! Don't spend it in one
>place.
>
>Bah Humbug Bullshit!!!!
>
>El Lippo Scrooge
TLEON
most for that matter however the USPS should include themselves that list at
this time and should try to rise above it. Case in point is the young lady
who for the third year in a row coordinated ordering our carrier Christmas
cards from a company in Arizona. She ordered them Nov. 7 they shipped Nov 9
and we received them at our office Dec. 3. That will be the third year in a
row it took about the same time.
jeffrey wrote in message <38455ed4...@enews.newsguy.com>...
Bob DeSavage
these industries should listen and learn from those who really know
how to conduct and run a business - the rank and file employee.
El Lippo
On Sun, 5 Dec 1999 15:59:33 -0000, "TLEON" <b2...@frontiernet.net>
wrote:
Jon M
On Tue, 30 Nov 1999 09:06:29 -0500, Bob DeSavage <all...@tiac.net>
wrote:
>I agree with you that the Internet is wonderful. I do a certain amount
>of shopping on it. and it's a fun thing to do.
>
>There is one thing though. The times I've shopped, never have I seen
>the option to ship via USPS. It's either FEDEX or UPS.
Seven Stores Online That Use USPS
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble (www.bn.com)
ChaptersGlobe Books (www.chaptersglobe.com)
Coldwater Creek (www.coldwatercreek.com)
Frederick's of Hollywood (www.fredericks.com)
Powell's Books (www.powells.com)
The Stockroom (www.stockroom.com)
Some That Don't
Staples
Victoria's Secret
Northern Sun
Buy.com
Harrod's Online
In addition, Border's Books will send parcel post, but they give ONLY
that option (no Priority) to PO boxholders. Lands End will use USPS
if the situation warrants. If you want them to send Priority, they
charge $5.00 extra. Finally, I talked to an operator for Eddie Bauer,
and she said that they will use parcel post or Priority "if the
situation warrants." I asked if that included the customer's request,
and she answered "Of course." Any charge for Priority? None at all.
Good on 'em.
The above list is heavy on books, videos, and CDs, but that seems to
be the nature of online shopping. BTW, the Stockroom is the only
store whose business isn't obvious. Before you click on them, be
aware that they sell adult toys and books; they seem to specialize in
bondage stuff. [1].
If anyone has other online stores or catalogs with an online presence
that uses USPS, please let us know, so we can act accordingly.
Jon M
[1] Or so I've heard
wharfrat
Adam H. Kerman
>In addition, Border's Books will send parcel post, but they give ONLY
>that option (no Priority) to PO boxholders.
Heh. I hope they don't use Parcel Post, but Special Standard, the subclass
formerly known as Book Rate.
Hm. Can CDs be sent Special Standard these days? (mutter, mutter, Congress
created too many ridiculous rules for that subclass, mutter, mutter)
>Lands End will use USPS if the situation warrants. If you want them to send
>Priority, they charge $5.00 extra.
What a crock; there isn't any $5.00 difference at the typical weights that
they'd send. There sure isn't any additional handling, except for using the
Priority Mail label or sticker and putting it in the correctly-colored sack.
Curtis A. Stinnett
"Jon M" <faceo...@omnicast.net> wrote in message
news:l8iq4somnd2ij1qil...@4ax.com...
> Some That Don't
>
> Staples
> Victoria's Secret
> Northern Sun
> Buy.com
> Harrod's Online
Now, I know I've delivered packages from Victoria's Secret. We don't seem
to get their large packages, but I see quite a bit of the smaller stuff.
Besides, they support us by sending out a bazillion catalogues. I've walked
into more than one tree while attempting delivery. LOL.
Curt
Bob DeSavage
I'll have to support Victoria's Secret since it supports the USPS. One
thing though, do I look better in silk or should I try leather? When
I'm with Dee and near her toaster, asbestos is the material of choice.
How she is able to burn toast is Dee's Secret.
El Lippo
Long Gone
news:82jrnk$5sr$1...@chinet.com...
> Jon M <faceo...@omnicast.net> wrote:
(clip)
> Hm. Can CDs be sent Special Standard these days? (mutter, mutter, Congress
> created too many ridiculous rules for that subclass, mutter, mutter)
Videos go Special Standard. Cassettes go Special Standard. Come to my
window and I will ship your CDs the same way.
RugRat
Just rumor of course . .
Click Click Click
:-)
Adam H. Kerman
>Now, I know I've delivered packages from Victoria's Secret. We don't seem
>to get their large packages, but I see quite a bit of the smaller stuff.
Victoria's Secret has stuff that comes in large packages? You've shattered
all my illusions.
Curtis A. Stinnett
> all my illusions.
Come to think of it, I have never seen a large package from VSC. I would
like to be an observer upon receipt. I'd opt for participant but am afraid
I would not survive. I would certainly need asbestos myself.
Curt
Adam H. Kerman
>Now, I know I've delivered packages from Victoria's Secret. We don't seem
>to get their large packages, but I see quite a bit of the smaller stuff.
Victoria's Secret has stuff that comes in large packages? You've shattered
all my illusions.