The post office seems to be able to compete with Fedex and UPS. I've sent packages using all three, and the post office is as good as any.
Last time I took a package to the Post Office, the clerk fed the zip code into a computer, and told me that the zip and the city on the address didn't match. It turned out I had mistaken the zip, so my package would no doubt have been delayed had the post office personnel not been alert and on top of things. Not only that, but I've never gone into our local PO and seen " one Joe blow working, while three others sit in the corner chatting about nothing, while a line of people stretches out the door."
Maybe your local post office is different.
I've been to a number of different post offices for various reasons. One I had to go to because my job had picking up the mail, as part of my duties. Another was because I was mailing out a package of stuff I sold on Ebay. A third one was when a package I ordered was sent to the wrong place.
In all three cases, the results were very similar. Lazy pathetic service, with infuriating situations where employees stood around and talked, while 'customers' were waiting in large lines. I'm going to venture a guess that with multiple thousands of posts offices across the entire United states, the it is likely there are decent ones, run more customer friendly.
That doesn't change the fact that there are many that are not, and don't have to be because they are a government operated monopoly.
Consider this: The post office is mandated by the federal government. It operates tax free. It has an enforced monopoly across the entire nation. It is massively subsidized by the federal government. Despite all of this, the USPS can barely compete with the likes of FedEx and USP. Why?
Here's something to chew on. Wells Fargo, actually started in the mail carrier business. American Express was not originally a credit card, but rather a first-class mail service jointly created by Wells and Fargo.
When the first started out in New York city, they provided better service, and lower rates than the USPS. As a result the government started to arrest mail carriers. But the service was so popular and so needed, and USPS so awful in comparison, that the customers themselves, bailed out the carriers.
Now, let's talk about the evil DMV, prime example of state government incompetence.
I had been renewing my driver's license by mail until my face and the photo no longer matched very well. The DMV sent me a renewal notice, and I had to come in.
I made an appointment, unlike most of the patrons sitting around waiting.
I checked my watch while entering the building. Two minutes before the appointed time.
I went in, got a picture taken, a vision test, a thumb print, paid my money, and left. The time: appointment plus three minutes.
Government doesn't have to be slow, bureaucratic and wasteful. Some departments do work.
I totally agree. There were two BMVs in my area. Both were absolutely horrible, with lazy people who would barely left a finger to give you a pen if the one on the counter didn't work. I walked in, and sat and waited, and waited and sat. Finely the long line of about 15 people snaked it's way to the front, and I met the most pretty lady that was completely uninterested in her job. After a brief run around on paper work that I didn't need, but now needed, she informed me that I owed more than a hundred dollars, and that their credit card thingy was not working and would be working till next week.
Since I didn't have $100 in cash on my, I had to go to a bank. So I did, and returned. At this point, I was informed I'd have to wait my turn in line.
There is a bit more to the story, but this is enough. I spent more than 2 hours for my license renewal.
But I still agree with you. A new BMV opened up, and for about two years, it was amazingly fast consistently. But then the word got out that that was the place to go, and now it's just as packed and slow as the others.