Mail count over my shoulder

There is an interesting happening in our office; one that really has nothing to do with mail count other than the time of year we are required to conduct it.

The news tells us the housing market is drastically down. However, in our little office, the three and a half routes have grown at least four or more boxes each since count ended. For two of us, had we had those boxes, our routes would have evaluated a step higher.

It seems not only is the February count a bad time for mail volume, but it is a time when no one is changing or moving. Spring comes, everything comes alive, people move into vacant rentals, existing homes sell and new homes break ground.

Too bad we lost that October mail count.

Mail Count is history.

Mail count is over, thankfully. I observed to a friend that mail count brings out the worst in everyone.

All I want is a fair count. Read the rules and stand by them.

I am not going to rant about how much mail we received the two days following mail count. It serves no purpose. It is over; we have to live with what we received.

Here are my results. Our last count two years ago was 51 hours 42 minutes with 394 boxes. My just completed count was 52 hours 4 minutes with 404 boxes.

Those two results show how much the mail has declined the past two years. I am still a 43K. The flats were noticeably down but more parcels, scans. accountable mail, as well as the ten additional boxes, saved me from a loss.

I actually had accumulated the 13 boxes necessary to increase to a 44K before the count, but due to moves and slow home sales, I did not fill vacant homes in the 90 days necessary. I also have two new constructions, but no mailbox up. That is one thing our postmaster has been consistent about over the years, no mailbox, no count.

It is easy after the fact to think a couple more boxes here, a few more flats counted as parcels there and I would be making over $1,000 more this year.

I am telling myself to just be thankful for a good job, good health insurance and hopefully, adequate retirement. What ifs are not worth the stress. I hear rumblings that many carriers on L Routes lost significant evaluation. I feel lucky.

Now maybe we can settle down and enjoy the beautiful spring weather that is finally coming our way

NOTE: Click here and follow the links for a route calculator and here for a Table of Evaluated Hours for Regular Rural Routes.

Mail Count So Far Here At Berryton

Half way through mail count and we are still treading water, but don’t think we’re gaining.

Of course, the last week of the month is sometimes slow. With no “Hallmark” holiday, the first class mail is limited to bills. For my 403 customer route, I usually get five to six feet of letters. Two days last week, I only had four feet.

The flats were conspicuously down. We were all very concerned. Finally toward the end of the week, the magazines picked up. I noticed there were quite a few dated advertisements ready for Monday delivery when I left yesterday.

Our only “discussions” have been over flat versus parcel. I always try to present my side. Then we have to bring out the ruler. I have won a few; however, our postmaster is good about checking sizes so I feel we usually get a fair count.

I’ve been lucky in that I’ve had a steady stream of Certified letters and a few COAs. Last mail count I was unusually short in that column. Anytime we have a positive change over last mail count is a bonus.

Finally, I am definitely missing my carrier pickup orders. There were about five orders a week previously. I have had ONE since the count began. And, this time it rolls into our route evaluation. All I can hope is that my Ebayers sell some things this weekend!

I have not figured my route. I make it a point not to do that. It is stressful and proves very little. We’ll see next weekend. Good luck!