Internet Usage Boosts Post Office Revenue 140
setirw writes "Contrary to popular belief, the New York Times reports that Internet usage has actually boosted the USPS's revenue, instead of decreasing it. It is commonly believed that the rise of the Internet has negatively affected the Postal Service's revenue, since e-mail usage is rapidly superseding snail-mail usage. 'Six years ago, people were pointing at the Internet as the doom and gloom of the Postal Service,' said James Cochrane, manager of USPS package services. However, the widespread usage of e-commerce sites has boosted USPS revenue, since millions of packages are shipped from such sites daily."
So?.. (Score:5, Insightful)
What would be interesting is how much less *letters* are now being sent via snail mail
Phishing will push it even further (Score:5, Insightful)
The clowns insist on using snail mail to reply to mails sent using their "secure" webmail. They have stated that they do not send emails to customers as a matter of policy and they are forced to stick to it even if this means filling Royal Mail coffers.
As e-commerce grows there will be more and more cases like this until the end-users start to actively use encrypted/signed email and banks start to require this for communicating with them.
Re:Who cares? (Score:5, Insightful)
I highly doubt they were scared - considering the quality of service I receive in downtown Philly - job security is not an issue.
Unlike the quality of service one receives when dealing with ecommerce sites on the internet.
If I had to chose between script-reading or even non-existent ecommerce help, or a surly postal clerk -- bring on the surly 45 year old with the beer gut.
Re:So?.. (Score:5, Insightful)
The only 'obvious' thing that would show an increase would be Netflix/Gamefly/etc. There's a LOT of shipping going on there.
Gee... duh! (Score:3, Insightful)
To quote a famous man... (Score:5, Insightful)
- Alexander Graham Bell
It seems the post office are one of the few places that have found another open door rather than litigating to have the closed door forced open.
Re:Who cares? (Score:3, Insightful)
That junk mail is what allows the post office to offer first class mail for $0.37 when UPS ground and FedEx ground are often $8 and up.
Besides, they more powers and subsidies than any other delivery corporation out there.
Powers maybe, subsidies no, USPS has it's own separate budget.
I highly doubt they were scared - considering the quality of service I receive in downtown Philly - job security is not an issue.
I have never received a more consistent level of excellent customer service than I have with USPS. But if everyone else in dontown philly has your attitude, there may just not be any employees with suitable customer service skills available to hire.
Re:Silly (Score:3, Insightful)