Canada Post to stop home mail delivery

[redforever]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I think this will have a bigger impact on our aging population than people in this thread think. People in their 60s - ie the boomers and post boomers - are used to getting their mail delivered. As mobility decreases with age, having to go to a community box will become an issue that Canada Post will have to resolve. You think there are complaints about snow covered sidewalks now? Just wait until you have hundreds of thousands of boomers pushing walkers and canes to go out and get their bills.

Simply not true and hardly factors into the equation at all.

For one thing, only 1/3 of Canadians presently get door to door delivery. Extrapolating, that means 2/3 of boomers are already getting their mail from super boxes, green boxes along the highway if you live in a rural setting like I do, or post office boxes if you live in a smallish rural town.

Plus, many boomers have already started to downsize and move into condo type complexes. Those type of complexes will be unaffected by the new policies being introduced by Canada Post.

Most of the whining about "boomers will not sit well with this" is coming from those who are not boomers and who in actuality know very little about what boomers are really thinking.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

If you get home delivery you can always leave a card on the mailbox, wedged between the box and the house so he can see it. Just write "mail man" on it and he should be able to see it.

Source: My dad the mail man.

No home delivery. I'll just leave it at the PO for him.

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

What Minnie, and most people, don't understand is that the carrier that got to their mail at 11 PM wasn't likely 8 hours slower on the route than the regular carrier. It is very likely that they were carrying their own route and then a chunk, if not all, of your regular carrier's route.

I used to get so annoyed when people would say "You're late." when I'd show up at 5:30 with mail on my overtime portion. I'd say, "No, I'm not, but your mail is." Then I'd think to myself....if I was your carrier you'd be getting your mail an hour before that bum that carries this route gets it to you now.

She wasn't carrying another route. We asked. The whole neighborhood asked. In this particular case, she was just really bad at her job. That happens. We had a carrier in Innisfail that was absolutely horrid as well - we didn't complain about her, but quite a lot of people did and eventually she was replaced.

The temp that's doing our regular guy's route gets here about 2 hours later than our regular - but still long before 11 pm. I ran into her at the superboxes early on and we chatted, so I know she's a temp and does other stuff. She's nice enough - she just really really mixes up the mail, lol.

[redforever]

She wasn't carrying another route. We asked. The whole neighborhood asked. In this particular case, she was just really bad at her job. That happens. We had a carrier in Innisfail that was absolutely horrid as well - we didn't complain about her, but quite a lot of people did and eventually she was replaced.

The temp that's doing our regular guy's route gets here about 2 hours later than our regular - but still long before 11 pm. I ran into her at the superboxes early on and we chatted, so I know she's a temp and does other stuff. She's nice enough - she just really really mixes up the mail, lol.

Our mail delivery changed dramatically within the last year. We get our mail in a green mail-box in the country. The person contracted to do the delivery for our route was excellent...was there for years...and then retired.

Unfortunately, the new person hired was awful...until we put in two official complaints. We would get mail that was not ours and our neighbor continually got our mail and it was sensitive mail that one would have to worry about identity theft if it got in the wrong hands. It was mail that contained our business number, social insurance numbers, bank account numbers, all kinds of stuff.

Things improved a bit after the first official complaint but not dramatically. For the second complaint, I attached pictures that I took of all the sensitive stuff that had been put in the wrong box. As of now, the problem seems to have been solved.

[missdpuck]

Just curious-what do you mean by "green" mail box? it is just a regular roadside box like you'd get at Home Depot??

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

Just curious-what do you mean by "green" mail box? it is just a regular roadside box like you'd get at Home Depot??

[missdpuck]

wow I've never seen that here. We have what we call cluster boxes, but they don't have padlocks.

So is a super mailbox a more refined version of that? They have areas for parcels ?

For the most part our rural areas just have roadside mailboxes. I did see a couple of rural areas in Central Florida that had the locked cluster boxes though.

[burn_this_city]

This is what we have by my house.

[burnin_vernon]

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread so I wont even begin to explain them. As for my take on all of this, the most frustrating thing is the timing and presentation of this news. Employees were not told that this was coming at all. A few carriers had radios on and we found out when the public did. CP knew this was coming for a long time. Real slimy.

As for the work pattern itself, I don't think it's that horrible. It means I won't walk 10k a day anymore. I had thought the transformation would have me walking 20km so I am a bit relieved. I would rather not drive all day, though, as my job keeps me in very good shape.

There are a lot of seniors on disability on my route and I feel bad for them. A few of them clearly are alone and getting the mail will be more than just an inconvenience for them. I guess it depends on where the CMB is going to be located, but, as mentioned previously, older neighborhoods aren't planned with this in mind, so I fear they could be far away from their homes.

The stamps increase seems incredibly stupid to me. A jump to 87 cents is significant and will push even more people away from the Post Office. Personal mail (letters and cards) will now be a luxury. I've already been told by haters of email, that they will reconsider when they want to send tangible, personal thoughts to a loved one. As for business mail, anyone who feared electronic financial transactions will now explore online options to save money. Canada Post has maintained that letter mail is our bread and butter; they make nowhere near the amount of revenue on parcels, yet they are making this move?

I knew big changes were coming, but I thought they would just effect employees. It was a real shock to see them screw customers over. None of us saw this coming. The timing and aggressiveness of this announcement smells rotten. I don't think they care about the future of the company and have something else up their sleeves.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

Employees were not told that this was coming at all. A few carriers had radios on and we found out when the public did.

Wow. That is seriously dickish.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread so I wont even begin to explain them. As for my take on all of this, the most frustrating thing is the timing and presentation of this news. Employees were not told that this was coming at all. A few carriers had radios on and we found out when the public did. CP knew this was coming for a long time. Real slimy.

As for the work pattern itself, I don't think it's that horrible. It means I won't walk 10k a day anymore. I had thought the transformation would have me walking 20km so I am a bit relieved. I would rather not drive all day, though, as my job keeps me in very good shape.

There are a lot of seniors on disability on my route and I feel bad for them. A few of them clearly are alone and getting the mail will be more than just an inconvenience for them. I guess it depends on where the CMB is going to be located, but, as mentioned previously, older neighborhoods aren't planned with this in mind, so I fear they could be far away from their homes.

The stamps increase seems incredibly stupid to me. A jump to 87 cents is significant and will push even more people away from the Post Office. Personal mail (letters and cards) will now be a luxury. I've already been told by haters of email, that they will reconsider when they want to send tangible, personal thoughts to a loved one. As for business mail, anyone who feared electronic financial transactions will now explore online options to save money. Canada Post has maintained that letter mail is our bread and butter; they make nowhere near the amount of revenue on parcels, yet they are making this move?

I knew big changes were coming, but I thought they would just effect employees. It was a real shock to see them screw customers over. None of us saw this coming. The timing and aggressiveness of this announcement smells rotten. I don't think they care about the future of the company and have something else up their sleeves.

I don't know, does $0.87 constitute a luxury? That seems like hyperbole. I don't think that cost is going to prevent anyone from sending a letter that otherwise would. In all honesty, I have no idea how much it costs today? I just go to the post office and have them tell me anyway, so I wouldn't even notice.

I understand why employees feel like they ought to have known in advance, but at the same time aren't the cuts through attrition? My understanding is that they aren't laying off a lot of people, but just aren't replacing them over the next five years? If I'm wrong, it would change my thoughts, but most employees don't hear about longer term strategic plans before the public.

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't know, does $0.87 constitute a luxury? That seems like hyperbole. I don't think that cost is going to prevent anyone from sending a letter that otherwise would. In all honesty, I have no idea how much it costs today? I just go to the post office and have them tell me anyway, so I wouldn't even notice.

I understand why employees feel like they ought to have known in advance, but at the same time aren't the cuts through attrition? My understanding is that they aren't laying off a lot of people, but just aren't replacing them over the next five years? If I'm wrong, it would change my thoughts, but most employees don't hear about longer term strategic plans before the public.

I would agree with you on the stamp thing but at least once a week people complain about the previous 63 cent price tag (and, man, do they complain passionately!) There are obviously some people who closely watch every nickel they spend but others who send out a lot of mail, will feel it. Maybe one who normally sends out 30 Christmas cards, makes that list more selective and cuts it in half. Multiplying that across the country really adds up.

You are right, and they do say the cuts are via attrition, but at the time, we didn't know that. I left out on my route without that information and wondered which co-workers, if not me, would be axed.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Yeah, those are them, although Canada Post does line them up somewhat nicer and calls them rural community mail boxes. You put whatever padlock you want on them. Canada Post will not deliver mail to your box if it is not locked.

Each community box has 10 individual mail boxes. One of those boxes has a slot that you put outgoing mail in. The mail man then picks up the outgoing mail and takes it back to town to post. If there is a row of community mail boxes, not all of them will have a separate out going mail slot.

If you receive something in the mail that is too big for your green box, then you get a post card notification from Canada Post to pick it up at a certain depot.

For me, it is the 7-11 in Bridlewood. Now those in the Canada Post section of that 7-11 know what service is. They know you by name in no time, always greet you, they are quick, efficient, and know their job.

Oh, here is another thing that really irked me about Canada Post. About 18 months ago, we all got notification in our green box that we are no longer to use the word "Box" in our mailing address. Instead we should use the word "Compartment" and could we please notify all of those who might send mail our way.

Now I just wonder which manager had enough time on his hands to come up with that little ditty? And how much is he being paid to come up with stuff like that? And how does it possibly make Canada Post more efficient?

We have a business, with letterhead, envelopes etc, all with "Box" in our mailing address. If Canada Post thinks we will just get all new stuff to comply with their policy of now having to use the word compartment, they better think twice.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread so I wont even begin to explain them. As for my take on all of this, the most frustrating thing is the timing and presentation of this news. Employees were not told that this was coming at all. A few carriers had radios on and we found out when the public did. CP knew this was coming for a long time. Real slimy.

As for the work pattern itself, I don't think it's that horrible. It means I won't walk 10k a day anymore. I had thought the transformation would have me walking 20km so I am a bit relieved. I would rather not drive all day, though, as my job keeps me in very good shape.

There are a lot of seniors on disability on my route and I feel bad for them. A few of them clearly are alone and getting the mail will be more than just an inconvenience for them. I guess it depends on where the CMB is going to be located, but, as mentioned previously, older neighborhoods aren't planned with this in mind, so I fear they could be far away from their homes.

The stamps increase seems incredibly stupid to me. A jump to 87 cents is significant and will push even more people away from the Post Office. Personal mail (letters and cards) will now be a luxury. I've already been told by haters of email, that they will reconsider when they want to send tangible, personal thoughts to a loved one. As for business mail, anyone who feared electronic financial transactions will now explore online options to save money. Canada Post has maintained that letter mail is our bread and butter; they make nowhere near the amount of revenue on parcels, yet they are making this move?

I knew big changes were coming, but I thought they would just effect employees. It was a real shock to see them screw customers over. None of us saw this coming. The timing and aggressiveness of this announcement smells rotten. I don't think they care about the future of the company and have something else up their sleeves.

I heard an interview yesterday, forget the man's name, but he was part of the 2008 panel that looked into postal delivery in Canada.

He said those who grumble about the increase in the price of a stamp and say they will send fewer XMas cards etc are not those who Canada Post markets anyhow. So you send 20 cards and not 30 cards...how much does that impact the bottom line for Canada Post? It doesn't.

It will affect business but then business can use postage as a business expense anyhow. However, if Canada Post improves service for business, then they will benefit there.

The man was also asked when postal service will be privatized in Canada and he said "not for at least 20 years"...and that applied to the USA as well. He said there is simply not the political climate to do so in North America. While it has been done in Europe and quite successfully, he said one has to figure in the size and diversity of Canada and the USA and that they present different challenges to privatizing the postal service, especially for remote areas.

[keratosis]

I haven't had home delivery since 96.
No big deal.

[burnin_vernon]

Originally Posted by redforever

I heard an interview yesterday, forget the man's name, but he was part of the 2008 panel that looked into postal delivery in Canada.

He said those who grumble about the increase in the price of a stamp and say they will send fewer XMas cards etc are not those who Canada Post markets anyhow. So you send 20 cards and not 30 cards...how much does that impact the bottom line for Canada Post? It doesn't.

It will affect business but then business can use postage as a business expense anyhow. However, if Canada Post improves service for business, then they will benefit there.

The man was also asked when postal service will be privatized in Canada and he said "not for at least 20 years"...and that applied to the USA as well. He said there is simply not the political climate to do so in North America. While it has been done in Europe and quite successfully, he said one has to figure in the size and diversity of Canada and the USA and that they present different challenges to privatizing the postal service, especially for remote areas.

Very interesting. If the source comes to you, please post it.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Wow. That is seriously dickish.

Agreed. That's one thing I will commend the US Postal Service for. There has been a concerted effort over the last several years to inform employees about changes long before they go into effect. They've been pretty good at it actually.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by redforever

Yeah, those are them, although Canada Post does line them up somewhat nicer and calls them rural community mail boxes. You put whatever padlock you want on them. Canada Post will not deliver mail to your box if it is not locked.

My mother lives on a less populated road on one of the smaller Gulf Islands and many of the mail boxes are not locked. I kid you not - some of them just use sticks!

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by redforever

I heard an interview yesterday, forget the man's name, but he was part of the 2008 panel that looked into postal delivery in Canada.

He said those who grumble about the increase in the price of a stamp and say they will send fewer XMas cards etc are not those who Canada Post markets anyhow. So you send 20 cards and not 30 cards...how much does that impact the bottom line for Canada Post? It doesn't.

It will affect business but then business can use postage as a business expense anyhow. However, if Canada Post improves service for business, then they will benefit there.

The average citizen will complain but not change their habits too much. But any organization that does mass mailing - businesses, charities, arts groups, etc. - will reconsider. It may be a 'business expense' but it's still a bigger expense than it was before.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by edslunch

The average citizen will complain but not change their habits too much. But any organization that does mass mailing - businesses, charities, arts groups, etc. - will reconsider. It may be a 'business expense' but it's still a bigger expense than it was before.

Well, business will get somewhat of a break.

If you buy an individual stamp or perhaps a book of 10 stamps, that cost will rise to $1.10.

However, if you buy a roll of 100 stamps, the cost of an individual stamp will only be 85 cents.

Most businesses will buy rolls of stamps or otherwise, they will have that Canada Post machine in their office that weighs their mail and determines the postage required.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by redforever

Well, business will get somewhat of a break.

If you buy an individual stamp or perhaps a book of 10 stamps, that cost will rise to $1.10.

However, if you buy a roll of 100 stamps, the cost of an individual stamp will only be 85 cents.

Most businesses will buy rolls of stamps or otherwise, they will have that Canada Post machine in their office that weighs their mail and determines the postage required.

Sure, business will pay the lower rate but that's still a 25%+ increase. That's significant, especially to non-profits that don't get to write off expenses