Netflix can't be happy

Mail that birthday card earlier: U.S. Postal Service plans to halt guarantee ofnext-day delivery

Rendering of a Seattle's Best Coffee drive-thru.
Photo courtesy of Seattle's Best Coffee
We'll soon see this logo at 15 stores around Dallas-Fort Worth.
Photo courtesy of Seattle's Best Coffee

Next day delivery through the U.S. Postal Service will soon be a thing of the past as the mail carrier announced Monday they will no longer guarantee arrival of first-class stamped mail within one to three days. The shift comes amid threats of bankruptcy and is part of a broader plan to reduce costs by $20 billion within three years.

In addition to slowing first class delivery, the USPS plans to eliminate all Saturday deliveries, shortening the mail week to just five days. The newest cuts will eliminate $3 billion from the ailing service’s $14.1 billion deficit, closing nearly half of all mail processing centers and removing an additional 28,000 jobs from the nation’s already dismal workforce.

Netflix is already struggling to keep its DVD-by-mail service afloat, and an extra day or two added to delivery times is sure to further stunt growth in that portion of the company’s business.

The changes are potentially harmful, as recognized by S&P Capital IQ analyst Jim Corridore in a story by NPR, in which he points out, "Over time, to the extent the customer service experience gets worse, it will only increase the shift away from mail to alternatives. There's almost nothing you can't do online that you can do by mail."

Corridore’s concern is well placed: In a market that is increasingly moving towards the Internet and a youth that mostly refers to physical mail with nostalgia, where does the USPS fit in? Now that delivery will be slowed to two to three days, even some of the baby-boomer hold-outs must be considering the possibility of abandoning physical mail for services like bill payment or during tax season.

Not to say physical mail is obsolete — not by any stretch of the word. Many people, especially those in more rural areas, are dependent on the speedy, reliable delivery of prescription medicine directly to their homes. But with slower service and the loss of an entire business day, some residents might see their shipments delayed an entire week.

And what about businesses that depend on delivering time sensitive packages directly to customer’s residences? Netflix is already struggling to keep its DVD-by-mail service afloat, and an extra day or two added to delivery times is sure to further stunt growth in that portion of the company’s business.

Printed publications such as Time or USA Today that rely on expedient home delivery will surely face higher operating costs, ensuring the timely arrival of their already “day-late” offerings. If any of these organizations are forced to privatize their shipment method, the USPS stands to lose even more business, and at this stage, it literally cannot afford any revenue loss.

Even though the physical delivery of mail is less relevant now than it was just 50 years ago, shrinking the Postal Service will effect a much broader portion of the nation than just those who prefer to send a hand written letter over a typed out e-mail. From corporations to citizenry, the impact of these cuts seem to have a more profound effect than just forcing customers to conduct their business online.

It’s impressive to think that for over 40 years, one could send a piece of paper anywhere in the United States and have it arrive the next day for under 50 cents. Now that next day delivery is going away, and with the vast amount of debt still facing the U.S. Postal Service, how much longer can the government viably support the independent agency?

It’s disappointing that such a revolutionary, long-standing American tradition might disappear, but with billions of dollars to make up by 2015 and all of the low cost alternatives available, mail appears to be on its last leg.

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The U.S. Postal Service’s full press release can be read here.

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santa's favorite city

Houston makes the nice list of top 5 most festive U.S. cities in 2024

Photo courtesy of City Lights

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Houston's unending love for the winter holidays is shining bright this year, as the city was just declared the No. 4 most festive city in America for 2024.

Home services provider Thumbtack's recently released report compiled data from millions of holiday light installation requests across all 50 states between October 2023 to October 2024 to reveal its list of the most festive cities in the nation.

Houston previously held the coveted No. 3 spot in 2023 before slipping to No. 4 this year. The city previously ranked No. 4 in 2022.

Houstonians have plenty of citywide light displays to pull inspiration from for their own homes, including the new Coca Cola Classic Christmas, Memorial Park's Holiday Lights, and many more.

Texas cities are far merrier than many other places in the country, with Austin leading the nation as the No.1 most festive city for the third year in a row, and Dallas ranking just one spot behind as No. 2. San Antonio ranked No. 10 this year, after previously ranking No. 5 in the 2023 report.

Houstonians will have to get creative when it comes to their holiday decorating, as the weather doesn't always cooperate with the classic "White Christmas" theme. But that's to be expected from one of the top 10 best warm-weather travel destinations nationwide.

"In the milder climates, you probably won’t find a winter wonderland, but you might see plenty of twinkling lights, tinsel, and bold colors outside the traditional red, green, and white palette," the report's author wrote. "Neon baubles, vintage plastic Santa molds, and playful LED lights keep properties festive and bright. Native eucalyptus, olive branches, and succulents are used as greenery in place of traditional pine and fir."

Outsourcing that outdoor holiday decorating will cost a pretty penny, according to Thumbtack's analysts. The study said the average cost to hire a holiday lighting specialist can range from $168-$300, depending on the scope of the project and home size. Thumbtack also recommends Houstonians avoid hiring a lighting specialist during Thanksgiving weekend, which is the time period that sees the highest demand.

Thumbtack's top 10 most festive U.S. cities in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Austin, Texas
No. 2 – Dallas, Texas
No. 3 – Seattle, Washington
No. 4 – Houston, Texas
No. 5 – San Francisco, California
No. 6 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 7 – Sacramento, California
No. 8 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 9 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 10 – San Antonio, Texas

austin dallas houston san antonio rankings holidays christmas reports

Netflix can't be happy

Mail that birthday card earlier: U.S. Postal Service plans to halt guarantee ofnext-day delivery

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santa's favorite city

Houston makes the nice list of top 5 most festive U.S. cities in 2024

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
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