The United States Postal Service charges several $4.60 to mail a letter via Priority Mail. This is in excess of ten times the price of a First Class stamp. Priority Mail is not a guaranteed service. Typically, I have been told that my Priority Mail letters would arrive in two days.
However, the reality is that they frequently take up to a week. I finally got irked enough to call the Post Office. Here is what I was told:
USPS: Priority Mail is not a guaranteed service.
Me: I realize that but it supposed to be faster than First Class, right?
USPS: No, Priority Mail is the same as First Class.
Me: Then why did I pay extra for Priority Mail?
USPS: Because you chose to.
Me: But why does it cost more?
USPS: I'm sorry sir. Priority Mail is treated the same as First Class.
Me: But it costs ten times more! Why did I pay extra?
USPS: [pause] You chose it.
My contention is that by calling Priority Mail "Priority Mail" but not making it a priority in any way over the lesser priced First Class, the USPS is misleading its customers in a fraudulent fashion and should be prosecuted. I would be very interested in seeing the USPS brought to justice and this practice stopped.
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