posted on July 20, 2002 07:49:43 PM new
On ABC's show 20/20 last night, John Stoffel did his "Give me a Break!" segment on Priority Mail.
It turns out the USPS gave Lance Armstrong 25 MILLION dollars to sponsor his Tour De France race. It showed him riding with the blue Priority Mail logo plastered all over his jersey.
When asked WHY?! would they spend this kind of money to sponsor an athlete, a Postal big wig said - "To show he's one of our guys. It's good for us." Sorry, he doesn't look or act like any Postal employee I have ever seen. I fail to see the analogy between the fastest man on a bike with all of his courage, determination and work ethic and the Priority Mail service of the USPS.
Rates just went up and they have to spend advertizing dollars on this?
posted on July 20, 2002 08:17:29 PM new
Go Lance Go!
Whoo Hoooo!
Booty Kick!!
He's quite a guy, I don't care if Greg LeMonde is all sour faced about his wins.
I am going to add a Lance Armstrong picture to my auctions...
Did I mention that I love Lance Armstrong?
Just thinking out loud...
Japerton
(corrected spelling)
ps...What a pair of....
legs!
hehehe
[ edited by Japerton on Jul 20, 2002 08:18 PM ]
posted on July 20, 2002 10:22:33 PM new
I could see advertising new services or procedures or service improvements, but 25 mil to advertise PRIORITY MAIL!
posted on July 20, 2002 10:28:24 PM new
I found it interesting to hear John point out that the USPS doesn't pay taxes, parking tickets, or vehicle licencing, yet Priority rates tend to be higher than UPS or Fedex.
posted on July 21, 2002 04:02:14 AM new
i want to know where that money came from since like feisty said and its been pretty much been shoved in our faces, they are losing money. either they have some elaborate scam going or theyre marketing department is on crack.
posted on July 21, 2002 06:16:09 AM new
I am sorry I missed it. I try and watch all those news shows. If they gave him 25 million, does it cost that much to race? Is there a stipulation that he must win the race, or is it if he is just in there. Wow! I should have taken up bike racing instead of doing hospital work. No offense to Lance, I give him a lot of credit and I am sure he didn't ask for that much. He has had a marvelous recovery and for that I am happy for him.
posted on July 21, 2002 09:52:20 AM new
I wonder how Many Steroids you can get for 25 Million??? Yep, I Know Lance made it through some tough times...But he did it with some help, and I have a feeling Lemonde winces Because he did NOT do it with Steroids(or at least did not rely on them as Much). I Know this is a Bigger problem (More Complicated) than what I've Just stated, Hopefully the Sports Community (And especially it's Sponsors), wake up some day and FULLY address it.
posted on July 21, 2002 11:21:09 AM new
docpjw: You are wrong, wrong, wrong. People have always accused Lance of using steroids. As a result he has been the most chemical tested athlete in history, and no evidence has ever been found. this is the guy who has already had cancer, and I doubt if after that he would take a chance on drugs anyway.
posted on July 21, 2002 11:26:44 AM new
Lance went through some tough times? He had cancer all over his body, and it would have killed anyone else. The reason people hold him in such awe is because he's not only survived but gotten into the best shape of his life. The only help he got was in saving his life, and now he's running with the second chance he got.
Steroids? No way!!!
The stuff the guys who do "doping" use is so beyond that. It's blood doping now, and they are hard at the heels of the cheaters...Nope Lance burned off the crapola and now has focus to die for!
Lance rocks. And he rules Le Peleton!
Go USA!
Most professional cyclists labor in obscurity until the legs and stamina give out. And can you say "No benefits"?
So we who have day jobs Salute You!
I say party on with that 25 million!
posted on July 21, 2002 10:13:37 PM new
All of you missed one point. The 25 mil is for Postal Team USA. Not just for Lance. This includes all of the time training, all of the travelo expenses, the repairs & replacements bikes, the vehicles & salaries. I just read this week that Lance lives part of the year in Spain so that he train in the high altitude. I admire this man for the never quit attitude that he has.
posted on July 21, 2002 10:33:06 PM new
That 25M is nothing, especially considering the recent rate increases. Rate increases alone were projected to increase revenue some 250M per quarter.
posted on July 21, 2002 10:48:28 PM new
AND THE BEAT GOES ON,,,,,,,,,AND THE BEAT GOES ON,,,,,,,,,,,,YEAH RIGHT,,,,,,WE ,,,,,,,THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO EVERYDAY AND PERSONALLY USE THIS SERVICE NEED TO VOICE. IF YOU DON'T,,,,,,,,,,,THE BEAT GOES ON,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THE CHOICE IS YOURS. GIVE THEM A CLEAR MESSAGE. THE VOICES WILL GET LOUDER. OR,,,,,,,YOU WILL JUST PAY AND AND PAY. SOMEONE DO THE US A FAVOR,,,,,,,POST AN ADRESS TO OUR CONGRESSMEN OUR SENATORS OUR LEGISLATORS. HELL,,,,,,,,,,,,BUSH! TELL E'M!!!!!!! HELL NO, WE WON'T GO.
posted on July 21, 2002 10:58:39 PM new
JALL,,,,,,YER ASKING ME? I DIDN'T START THE THREAD. THE ORIGNATOR DID. CRACK???
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Jul 22, 2002 01:07 PM ]
posted on July 22, 2002 12:08:09 AM new
If you think Lance does NOT do steroids, ask the Riders (and there are a FEW) who Don't if they Think he (Lance) uses them. You'll get answers that will take his Image down a Notch or two (if you choose to believe them). Lance is NOT Tested more than Anyone else (His agent wouldn't allow it). But if you think he is Peddling that fast and Riding that well on God Given ability and Training..... I've got a Bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell you. BUT as I stated this is a BIGGER problem Than Lance...who Knows if it will ever get Fixed,But it would be nice to Hear an athlete (who isn't washed up) admit the truth.
[ edited by docpjw on Jul 22, 2002 12:09 AM ]
posted on July 22, 2002 01:24:32 AM new
See how this logic works for the average business person.
You have a business, you are losing money to competitors, (e-mail; UPS ; FedEx), so what to do – well logic says you raise your prices to out charge the competition, everyone knows that higher prices bring in more customers.
But that isn’t enough, we have to do something to really make the people want to use the Federal Postal System. Why not add a new law that any pre-stamped package over 1 lb. has to be check through the Post Office Window, so the business person can waste more time in our facilities, and so we can justify keeping the lazy, slower than lice, Postal Person.
Now, if that isn’t enough to endear us to the American Public, lets make our site on the internet, totally out dated, lets don’t offer an automated program for stamps, or an automated insurance addition, lets let other makes all the money doing that, so we can continue to whine about losing money –
I just won’t understand how all of these marvelous programs aren’t bringing in more business – isn’t this how Big Business does things???
****
Any body want to try to run their business like the USPS???
posted on July 23, 2002 09:10:41 AM new
Come on, we all know the decision makers of USPS just graduated from kindergarten with a crayon made diploma. Who else would say, "Gee we are losing money, let's raise our prices! That will increase our revenue!"
I think Congress needs to investigate USPS and take it back.
I agree. Everytime I see an official USPS logo in a movie or a TV show (Cheers for a great example), I know for a fact that the USPS paid for the "product placement" cause legally movies and tv shows, can't use the official logos without USPS permission.
posted on July 23, 2002 09:43:56 AM new
I wish I had seen the 20/20 segment. I am totally disgusted with the Post Office. We have switched out shipping to UPS and I love it. It is more cost effective for our customers and I don't have to drive the packages anywhere. I just put them on my front porch and they come and get them. They also insure all packages upto 100.00. I have been very pleased.
posted on July 23, 2002 10:17:36 AM new
ANDYSATTIC,,,,,,,,,GREAT WORDS. JUST PRINT OUT YOUR WORDS AND HAND IT TO THE POSTMAN ON HIS NEXT DELIVERY. TELL HIM TO TURN IT INTO HIS LOCAL POSTMASTER GENERAL........I CAN'T WAIT FOR HIS RESPONSE, PLEASE ATTACH THE PROPER POSTAGE THEN I CAN DELIVER. HAHAHAHHAHA. SHOOT ANY ONE WHO SEES HER WORDS, DO THE SAME. HOW HARD CAN IT BE? I'M GONNA DO EXACTLY THAT MYSELF. I CAN'T WAIT FOR HIM/HER/WHOEVER THIS WEEK TO THROW MY MAIL ALL OVER THE PORCH.
posted on July 23, 2002 01:31:36 PM new
JWPC, you said it all. Every point you all are making in this post, is valid about the USPS and their, uh... "business practices". It makes no sense and strangely enough, I think the fact that they are "GIVING" boxes, tape and labels to the public makes some sellers and other individuals with less initiative and creativity, think it's a bargain!
All in all, the USPS profits should tell the story, but people keep going back for more.
I went to UPS last year and haven't looked back. I go to the PO ONLY for international sales and when I do media rate, I slap the postage on here, and drop it off at the counter!
posted on July 23, 2002 09:10:53 PM new
Yeah, Shirley Temple rode the "Good Ship Lollipop". Proud to be associated with an organization that doesn't pay taxes, parking tickets, or vehicle licence fees. If I could acheive that utopia, I'd have it made. Gripe...Gripe...Gripe. For the last 25 years the USPS has given me excellect service, be it 24-hour delivery insured for $25,000 or 2-day priority delivery. And believe me, I have given them the bucks $$$$$. The only "GRIPE" I have is they once broke an insured Ebay item, a $20.00 dollar Ultramarine Petal Swirl Depression Glass Cup. Needless to say, I made the refund to my customer. Much easier than a Postal claim. GO LANCE. GO POSTAL increase. GO free boxes. This team is NOT on Steroids----OR Crack for that matter. They pound the pavement day after day. I pound a keyborard day after day. Sure, I work for them. In order to complete my transaction I have to deliver my GOODS; but, they always deliver and my the customer pays the bill----not me. The only entity whom gets a share of the USPS fund is PAYPAL. Occassionally, a small increment of $$$ called "Handling Fee" is diverted to me to pay for bubble wrap. GIVE ME A BREAK----Guys.
posted on July 23, 2002 09:22:30 PM new
SERIOUS,,,,,,,TODAY,,,,.10 CENTS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIORITY AND PARCEL POST.....NO I DON'T REMEMBER THE STATE OR THE ZIP OR THE NEW ZONE 8 WHATEVER. THE ONLY THING I KNOW IS,,,,,,HOW SILLY. .10 CENTS,,,,GIVE ME A BREAK. MY CUSTOMER IS GONNA NEG ME FOR SURE......JUST SEND IT PARRCEL POST......I SENT IT PRIORITY.......SELLER IS A RIP OFF.......CHARGED .10 MORE THAN STATED IN THE POSTAL AMOUNT. FRAUD, LIAR , CHEAT!!!! DECIEVER!!!!!!!! I AM GOING TO SAFE HARBOR AND REPORT THIS LIAR. OVER CHARGED ME .10 CENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW DARE!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHA. THEY ARE OUT THERE,,,,,,,BELIEVE ME!
