THE United States Postal Service is rolling out yet another frustrating change in the coming weeks, and customers are not happy.
As the Post Office prepares to axe several key locations, shoppers are already dreading what it means for the mailing frenzy during Christmas time.
USPS recently implemented a major change nationwide, upping its prices by roughly 7.4%, and the government-owned institution is at it again with another switch-up.
The Post Office is planning to cease operations at a number of retail locations inside Lewis Drug and Hy-Vee stores.
Shoppers were alerted of the change on Monday via a notice posted on the front door of a Lewis Drug location in Sioux Falls, South Dakota – the largest city in the state – per a local outlet.
“Lewis Drug will no longer be able to sell postage or mail packages for the United States Postal Service,” reads the sign, indicating an effective date of September 30.
The Post Office determined that other nearby postal facilities were able to fulfill the community’s mailing needs, a USPS representative told the outlet.
Customers will see USPS retail spots in Sioux Falls, Brandon, Harrisburg, and Tea shut down.
The closure announcements had shoppers up in arms, as many appreciated the convenience of avoiding lengthy lines at USPS offices and being able to access mailing services during their shopping trip.
“That’s a shame,” said one customer on Facebook. “It was so convenient to be able to use the Post Office before or after shopping at the 57th HyVee. I’m sure other senior citizens will miss it as well.”
Another shopper commented that they would do the same thing and intended to no longer use USPS due to the impending changes.
“I have no desire to make a separate stop at USPS and stand in a long line,” they said. “Will likely use something else to mail packages from now on.”
“This is so stupid!” complained another. “I do daycare in my home and literally can only get to the post office at Lewis or Hy-Vee due to my hours!!”
Other customers predicted that closing the retail locations would facilitate USPS’ “failure” during peak times of the year like the holidays.
“I can’t imagine what Christmas package mailing is going to be like!! I mail at Lewis and they are always busy and doubly so in December!” said one user.
“Of course with the high postage rates we are now paying maybe we all will quit mailings.”
SHIFTING STRATEGIES
The closures are part of a broader trend in which USPS has been evaluating and closing various retail locations across the country in an effort to reduce costs.
They fall under the organization’s 10-year strategic plan called “Delivering for America,” aimed at modernizing the Post Office, improving its financial stability, and streamlining its operations.
Another initiative spurred by the plan was raising the prices on a number of postal products and services.
USPS Price Hikes
- Forever Stamps: 73 cents to 78 cents
- Domestic postcards: 56 cents to 62 cents
- Letters (metered 1-ounce): 69 cents to 74 cents
- Letters (1-ounce): 73 cents to 78 cents
- Additional-ounce price for single letters: 28 cents to 29 cents
- International postcards: $1.65 to $1.70
- International letter (1-ounce): $1.65 to $1.70
USPS filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission in April regarding the price changes, which took effect on Sunday.
One notable increase is the five-cent bump on First-Class Mail Forever stamps, which will now cost 78 cents, marking the 20th time stamp prices have changed since 2000.
Several other USPS products, including letters and postcards, will rise in cost.
After the price increases this month, the Post Office is plotting to raise the cost of shipping services and products twice in 2026 and 2027.
Customers will see the price jumps take effect in January and July of both years, USPS announced in a document submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission last fall.
Americans are not happy with the “unjustifiable” stamp fee change, crying that they “can’t do it anymore” with more on the way.
Meanwhile, USPS customers threatened a lawsuit over a sign at the post office as they were blocked from a common request and forced to leave the store.
