Stories from the Sales Frontlines

robr2

I know you do research but that CNN report seems to be at odds with what you found out. I am the last person to understand financials...but you have them making a profit in 07 to 10, and CNN says they lost money in those years. Maybe you could explain.

I can explain.

I WAS WRONG.

See I can admit it. I misread an article. In reality, the USPS would have made a profit of $600 million in that time if it was not required to pre-fund the retirement system 7 decades in advance.

Here is the source: http://www.ucimc.org/content/political-poison-pill-killing-postal-service

BTW...if you do understand financials, maybe you can explain how USPS survives if they rely solely on the sale of stamps and services, but they lose money....someone must be funding them - my guess is the taxpayer.

The same way that most businesses do - cash on hand, sale of assets, et al. Further, the USPS earns income from interest, investments and income from foreign countries for incoming mail as well as UPS and FedEx for providing the end of line delivery service.

One interesting thing I found was the USPS is considered an off budget item because they don't receive funding from Congress but it's operations are considered part of the budget and the money it pays into the federal retirement system helps to reduce the deficit. In 2002, it was discovered the USPS had over payed the system by $71 billion. But the administration wouldn't allow the USPS to cut it's payments - that would add to the deficit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/31/opinion/nocera-its-d-day-for-the-post-office.h- tml?_r=0

The final point of all of this is that the USPS is saddled with a requirement that no other business or government entity has to deal with. It's supposed to be self supporting but can't raise it's prices or change it's service without the approval of Congress. It's supposed to act like a business but it can't do so with the special interests of Congress poking it's finger in.

But, it isn't a debate with a prize for the winner. It is a friendly exchange of ideas, at least around here. Think of it as a conversation with a friend, hopefully you wouldn't go on the attack in that situation.

Agreed. But I would hope that healthy conversation can take place. My goal is not to win every time nor is it to attack anyone. It's to show the other side.

Like I said, I'm willing to accept when I'm wrong as long as people can show me I'm wrong - like you did.

driver100

..but you have them making a profit in 07 to 10, and CNN says they lost money in those years. Maybe you could explain.

I can explain.

Thank you for explaining, and I got a good lol at the way you explained it (I AM WRONG).

I am in agreement that opposing opinions are welcome, and that no one should feel threatenned if they make an honest mistake. One of my biggest rules in life is I learn more from my failures than I do from my successes. And all thoughts are good and worthwhile, we just toss them out there and others comment....and we are entertained and hopefully learn something.

I read your second NY Times link, and some people think the post office is self supporting and could last, but, some don't think it will survive...at least in it's present form.

I like presenting the other side too, sometimes it leads to new thinking and better ideas. It has also got me into trouble at times, though I have been fairly good for awhile now, even though Richard isn't around these days.

Nothing wrong in presenting the other side or for pointing out what you think may be an error, just be careful how you do it and your input will be appreciated much more.

verdugo

When you first started posting here, I thought you were a troll

Really? I never got that vibe from him. I'm glad he decided to stick around. I enjoy his posts and his stories.

verdugo

I know the basic stations on the TV from memory, so I end up watching most programs in old-fashioned low definition. Occassionally I remember I have HD so I try to find the right channel for HD. For the most part, unless I am watching something really special, I don't care whether my TV is in low or Hi def.

Driver, I think you gave graphicguy and a few of the other guys here (myself include) a heart attack, or at least a big headache.

How can you stand to watch Standard Definition in a LCD tv? Once you go HD, you don't go back.

Maybe you should look at getting your HDTV professionally calibrated. I hope I don't sound mean or condescending as that is not my intention, but HD is so much better than SD.

venture

While out today looking at cars, my mind wandered.

I bought a house for my daughter and two grandkids a few months ago. For some reason there is a water softener in her basement. Our water in this area is not excessively hard and I don't know if I know of anyone else who has one. I occasionally have seen the Culligan truck driving around so some must have them.

The point - We have not had the water softener serviced. If I just let it go will something bad happen or will it just stop the softening process?

I have yet to see anything here on Edmunds that you guys couldn't solve. I tried Googling until my fingers were almost nubs. There are about a zillion hits, but nothing pertinent.

driver100

Maybe you should look at getting your HDTV professionally calibrated. I hope I don't sound mean or condescending as that is not my intention, but HD is so much better than SD

We have had TVs since 1953, so I am used to watching a snowy picture. I particularly like watching tennis in HD, you can see the ball and the faces etc., and the colors are more vibrant.

However, for a news program or to watch an old Murder She Wrote it just isn't that important to me. HD is definitely better, but not worth my time trying to find the HD equivalent channel most of the time.

Maybe it's like digital sound. Some people prefer old records with scratches and hisses because digital is too good, not authentic.

You are not mean or condescending at all. I was just trying to find a way to explain why someone who really appreciates the fine differences in a European car won't be satisfied with an American made car. You wouldn't be satisfied watching low-def, but, to me, I can appreciate the difference, but, it isn't that important.

Actually, this came to my mind, I don't want TV to be too awesome, because I may watch more of it. I think, in the back of my mind, I don't want to become too hooked on it, and if the picture isn't incredible, there is less chance I will become overly dependent on it. If I just use HD for special occassions, I won't get hooked on it. I hope that makes sense to someone :sick:

tjc78

If it runs out of salt, I would think it simply wouldn't be effective any longer. If it's not needed, it probably would be a fairly inexpensive job to have a plumber come in and bypass it.

I thought you really only needed a softener if you had well water. I have city water and its perfectly fine.

tjc78

Maybe you should look at getting your HDTV professionally calibrated. I hope I don't sound mean or condescending as that is not my intention, but HD is so much better than SD.

Unless you are a super videophile, or having a complete home theater installed by a pro IMHO you don't need professional calibration. The main thing you need to do on **most** new TV's is to lower the brightness and contrast. They are usually overboosted from the factory to make the TV shine in brightly lit showrooms.

Many TVs have presets for video settings. Most of the time you can get a pretty accurate picture by selecting "Pro" or "Cinema". Stay away from "sports" or "Vivid".

RB and GG would like your thoughts on this, I know we all share the A/V hobby.

driver100

Unless you are a super videophile, or having a complete home theater installed by a pro IMHO you don't need professional calibration.

I think that is a very accurate statement. The TV at home (50 inch) and the one in Florida (40 inch) have very satisfactory HD TV. The problem isn't the TV, it is just me.

I am sorry, I don't mean to upset the videophiles around here. It's like some people prefer good old B&W photos to color digital ones. For most of what I watch, I don't want to be too drawn in to the program, unless it something special or a major sport event, where clarity is important.

If I am watching a newsperson, I don't need to see every wrinkle or blemish, I just want the basic outline. Maybe my TV will last longer if it is run on low def??????????

houdini1

There are different types of softeners but almost all of them have a way to turn a lever and bypass the entire thing. Take a look at the plumbing and see what you think.

That is not the important thing though. The important thing is you helping out and taking care of your daughter and those youngsters. Kudos to you.

graphicguy

driver, verdugo, ty....someone call my name.....

I was sitting back while enjoying the dust up over the post office.

Anyway....driver...like ty and verdugo mentioned, it's really hard for me to watch standard def TV. Matter of fact, I haven't done that in a very long time. That said, I don't watch any.....ummm....Murder She Wrote, which was filmed when SD TV was the norm.

Still, even old B&W shows (thinking of the ones from the '50s and early '60s I find on ROKU) look better in Hi Def...even with the 4:3 aspect ratio they were shot in.

Calibration (especially calibration done by a video professional) of any set bought in the last couple of years ago seems to be frivolous to me. When calibration was almost a necessity is when the early HD sets....rear projection (with either 3 color tubes or a color wheel) and early plasma/LCD sets needed to be set to get a decent picture.

I always calibrated my own with a DVD disk meant for such a purpose....setting flesh tones, tint, contrast, dark levels correctly. I don't even do that anymore, though.

Today, many (like my Panasonic) have a setting that will get you close to broadcast standards (I use the THX setting and tweak it to my liking).

You're right. Turning down what we call "torch mode" (color, contrast, brightness turned all the way up). If your TV has a Cinema Mode (the least offensive of the auto settings) use it. You should be good to go.

BTW...if you have time warner, all of their HD channels (and they have tons and tons of them) should all be in the 1000 channel range. Every channel that's analog SD should have an HD counterpart.

venture

tjc - yeah. It's city water. I don't know why it's in there. We live less than a half mile away and we never had a water softener and see no reason to have one.

Houdini - I think I'll just grab the torch, a few fittings, some solder and go to town. Some light is blinking on it right now. Probably low on salt.

I just didn't want to cause a catastrophic event by ignoring it. :shades:

driver100

Anyway....driver...like ty and verdugo mentioned, it's really hard for me to watch standard def TV

GG, I can just see it now...if you had young children and they misbehaved.....
OK kids, go to your room and you can only watch standard def tv for a whole week.

I think what I watch is way more important to me than the picture quality or the sound. Like I say, if it is worth my time to watch something it doesn't matter whether it is in HD or not. I might start watching soaps or all the judge programs if I could study their faces for blemishes or razor cuts. Movies, well there are only about 6 good movies made every year. I hate to lose 2 hours of my life to a B-Grade movie. At least if I spend that time reading or doing something else my brain is working and it will improve my chances to think when I get older.

There are very few programs on TV that require me to watch them in HD.
But, that is from an older self confessed Grump. I usually prefer AM radio to FM radio too....it's the only place I can get good talk shows or 50s - 60s music in Canada. Up here FM licences are treated special and you can't play too many popular songs in an hour...you have to play unknown tracks from albums....I just like songs I already know.....wierd, but that's just me. :P (emotocons not working again)
Hosts Note (emotocons not working again)

Mike Note: Come back, you have way more people who enjoy your input than those who wrongly accuse you of misinformation. There's always a silver lining, at least you know someone was reading your posts.

driver100

Maybe you looked at some of these sites venture, but do any of these help?

Maintenace for your water softener;
maintenance water softener

and, why do I need a soft water softener:
Why do I need a water softener

We had a water softener (we were on well water) for many years, but, I don't remember ever doing anything to it. I think the lime deposits have to be cleaned once in awhile.

venture

I didn't look at those specifically, but looked at about 100 similar ones. None of them tells what happens if you just let it sit there and don't do anything to it.

I think I'm just going to bypass it. Our water here is fine as it comes out of the tap.

Thanks for the effort though.

houdini1

I still think there may be a bypass valve where you can set it to just bypass the water softener.

[Deleted User]

Water will run through the resin beads as it always has, just the beads will be depleted and unable to soften the water. The system will also try to recharge the beads if you don't turn it off, sending water to the salt tank to create a brine solution, only the water will be clean without the salt available. If your water is a bit hard, I'm guessing you'll see a little mineral buildup in the system worst case. As long as water keeps flowing through the system you'll rejuvenate the chlorine and prevent microbiological buildup. If you bypass, I'd recommend draining and drying the tanks.

[Deleted User]

So I mentioned I would call my dad and talk about the 2014 Cadillac CTS. I knew the redesign was coming, but I had not seen any photos or specs until just before that call. Glad I did. What a looker! And the specs are amazing, up to 420 HP and 430 lb-ft of torque on a much lighter chassis than BMW, MB, or Audi thanks to heavy use of aluminum. Have you seen this?

New CTS

I did cause my dad a little frustration in all this, though. I started the conversation with, "Now, I know you're waiting for the new E350, but Caddy is about to release a new design." My dad responds with, "No, don't tell me, no, not now, don't do this to me...okay, what's coming up?" My dad knows I haven't been enthused with most American cars, so when I mentioned maybe holding off on a Benz, Audi, or BMW until he test drove a Cadillac, it caught his attention.

I'm not sure he'll wait until Fall to try the CTS. Maybe 50/50. If he does it gives him a chance to see the BMW 535 refresh, too.

driver100

I would call my dad and talk about the 2014 Cadillac CTS.

Seems info leaked to the press about the 2014 CTS.






See the article at:
Topspeed 2014 CTS

driver100

Looks almost the same. They say it will have a new grill, wheels, and some refinements to the engine, along with enhanced interior.



Sometimes these spyshots are accurate and sometimes not.

Kind of oversize so just follow the link;
bmwcoop 2014 535

jayrider

I could see my self buying the new CTS in 4 years --- never owned a Cadillac.

kyfdx

You haven't seen Angela Lansbury, until you've seen her in HD... that's all I'm saying.... :surprise:

driver100

You haven't seen Angela Lansbury, until you've seen her in HD... that's all I'm saying....

I think that is one reason I like to watch her in low def................

graphicguy

driver....kyfdx....

Y'all some funny people..

driver100

a Buick, which my dad has owned in the past and may be willing to consider,

One thing ty, if you do check out the Buick let me know if you hit your kneecaps getting out of the car.

My wife and I sat in one a few years ago. I got out of the drivers side and really hit my kneecap under the dash area, when I met my wife in the front of the car she said I really hurt my kneecap getting out of the car.

I checked on other sites and found a few people mentioned this happened to them.

I will say, we both have the seats more forward than average, so that may be the problem....though it hasn't happened in any other car that I know of. I would just be curious to know how you make out if you do try a LaCrosse. You may want to check a LaCrosse, If the CTS isn't out yet, just to confirm whether he really does like a Euro car more....kind of nothing to lose, but may confirm his final choice.

tjc78

My wife hits her knee ocaisonally getting out of the LaCrosse, it seems to happen more on the passenger side.

It's not a problem for me but I sit far away.

verdugo

I was just trying to find a way to explain why someone who really appreciates the fine differences in a European car won't be satisfied with an American made car. You wouldn't be satisfied watching low-def, but, to me, I can appreciate the difference, but, it isn't that important.

Driver, let's put it in car terms.

You have an Audi A4 (HDTV) and a Geo Metro (SD.)

You're saying that because you grew up driving Geo Metro's, you have no preference most of the time, unless it's to drive a specific road (watch tennis.)

You're saying for 95% of the time, you're equally happy driving a Geo Metro than an Audi A4.

More power to you, but not me. Once I drive an A4, I would take the A4 over the Geo Metro any time of day.

jayrider

For what it's worth the legroom in the LaCrosse is exceptional if you move the seat back. It's why Shaq sort of fits into the front seat although his knees seem elevated.

mako1a

My wife hits her knee

My wife is 5-2 and I'm 6-0. We've come to the conclusion that GM has shorter seat bottom cushions than the longer Ford cushions.
It seems to be true as I like Ford and feel like I'm sliding off GM seats unless they're cranked way up in front and she can't seem to sit in a Ford without sitting forward a bit to allow her knees to bend properly.
When I saw BMW with the adjustable bottom cushion I thought that was it.
Too bad they don't make pickup trucks.

driver100

My wife hits her knee ocaisonally getting out of the LaCrosse, it seems to happen more on the passenger side.

99% of the time I do the driving if my wife and I are in the car. Recently, my wife was driving and I had to get in the passenger side. Although the seat is back the same amount on both sides, I found it really difficult to bend to get in from the right side of the car.

If you are over 60 years old, I want you to try getting in on both sides and let me know if there is a difference.

I think it could be from getting in on the left side so much, or it could be our bodies bend differently depending which way you are moving.

The hitting the knee in the Buick has to be a for real occurance, since it happened to us, your wife, and to several people who actually reported it on various websites.

driver100

More power to you, but not me. Once I drive an A4, I would take the A4 over the Geo Metro any time of day.

You obviously don't watch Angela Landsbury!

Using your analogy, I would say, if the Geo Metro was at the end of the driveway (in a single lane driveway) and I just wanted to go to the store, I would just get in the Geo and go.

If it was a special occassion, and we were dxriving out of town to go somewhere, then I would back the Geo out, get the A4 out, and then use the A4.

I know all the low deff channels on the dial up to 60, if I am going to watch in HD I have to find the corresponding channel. For most programs, it just isn't worth the effort for me. If it is something special, then I will go thru the extra effort and look up the corresponding HD channel.

I do understand though, if you were raised on HD you may not find LD satisfactory, and you are willing to do the extra required to find an HD matching channel.

robr2

I know all the low deff channels on the dial up to 60, if I am going to watch in HD I have to find the corresponding channel.

My cable provider tried to make it easy. If the low def channel was 42, the HD is 842 - it usually works. Further, when you tune to a low def channel and there is a high def option, the screen says "click ok for HD."

driver100

It's why Shaq sort of fits into the front seat although his knees seem elevated.

There are lots of ways to make the front seat legroom large. My friends Fiat 500 has lots of leg and shoulder room in the front.

I have seen that commercial with Shaq and I am not sure if I believe it. Like you said, his knees seem elevated. And, there is lots of legroom in the LaCrosse once you are in it. It is the placement of that panel under the dash that is the problem.

I am sure they used a shoehorn to get Shaq into the car, and then got him out the same way. I was surprised when I saw that commercial, that was one feature I didn't think they would want to emphasize, but, often the advertising department has no idea about the true facts, they just make an ad that they think will sell cars.

They probably signed Shaq up to do the ad, they found he banged his knee getting in and out, and just asked him to carefully get in and out of the car....and watch his knee getting in and out.

jayrider

I'm well over 60 and when I encounter an issue getting in or out of vehicles, I adjust my movements to eliminate the problem. After bumping something on the lower dash or door, I see where the problem is and make the change. No problems with knees on either side. Some times my head contacts the top of the door sill when entering on the driver side. Never on the passenger. Never have an issue with my head upon exiting. My wife has no issues entering or exiting. We are both 5'8" but she has long legs and mine are short. Everyone has different issues and if you find a car that causes you similar problems, it can be a bummer. Sometimes the problems aren't evident until after you buy which is a major bummer.

driver100

When I saw BMW with the adjustable bottom cushion I thought that was it.

Mako, not sure if that would solve your problem. I would say, the seats in a BMW, at least the 5 Series, are pretty long. The part that extends is nice to have on long trips because it changes the pressure points on your legs.

I don't think it makes much difference for height....I think the fact seats are built right and can be adjusted up and down, forward and back may be the best way to accommodate different size people.

My other idea, is to order different sized seats. People should choose the right size seat just as they choose a countertop. Have a large seat on the drivers side for you, and a smaller seat on the passengers side for your wife. Not sure what you will do if you have too many drinks and she decides to drive.

driver100

when you tune to a low def channel and there is a high def option, the screen says "click ok for HD."

Good points but seldom happen in real life.

My HD channels start in the 700s and sometimes they match up, 24 will be on 724, but only about 20% of the time. By the time I figure it out I have missed the beginning of the show and I don't know what is going on.

I get that message to click for HD too, but, by the time I decide to do it the sign disappears, and I have to scroll thorough a few hundred channels to find the HD equivalent.

Another problem, is I record in SD so it won't take as much GB space. I can record two shows, but I have to be watching one. If I ma recording in SD I have to be watching the program in SD.

If you can watch HD most of the time, more power to you...I just find it is more trouble than it is worth most of the time.

driver100

. Sometimes the problems aren't evident until after you buy which is a major bummer.

My last car was getting harder to get into, and was particularly hard for me to get in from the passenger side. A 328 Cabriolet, very low roofline.

I kind of lean in and fall into the seat. To get out I put my left hand on the lower door sill and hold myself up. I get a fair amount of exercise so should be able to manage, but, I just don't bend like I used to.

Maybe it is just me, but, it is harder for me to get in on the right side than the left. I think the roofline of a Buick is higher, and that probably helps getting in and out. I think I would learn to watch my knees after hitting them once....I was in the car only one time. I think I would watch for it the next time.

tjc78

I'm in the "since I pay for it" camp that I always watch everything I can in HD. Comcast has all the HD grouped into the 800s these days. Just about everything we watch is in the 800s (minus the HBOs, Showtime, etc) so we pretty much surf by starting at 801.

What really needs to happen is the cable providers should incorporate some logic into the system to either block out non-hd duplicates (when properly connected) so if you select the SD FOX news it redirects you to HD or do away with the extra stations. If you think about it, how stupid is it to have the same thing on two channels.

As for DVR space, yes HD takes up more room but the newer ones hold a lot. About a year ago my aging DVR quit and I swapped it out for a new and it holds way more content than the old model.

stickguy

Driver needs to get 3 things. A whiteboard, a nail, and a hammer.

Drive nail with hammer into wall next to the TV. Write on white board (wait, the marker is a 4th thing!) all the stations you like, and corresponding HD channel #

think of it as a free DIY TV guide.

And some unique wall art!

stickguy

I can't stand SD, with the big black borders. And dang it, I spent enough on this TV I am not putting up with that!

robr2

By the time I figure it out I have missed the beginning of the show and I don't know what is going on.

Have you ever used the menu and guide to remind and tune to the shows you want to watch without having to search?

I rarely watch TV live now anyway except for the news and sports. Everything else is time shifted via DVR or on demand .

jayrider

Custom seats would be a great idea, especially at trade in/resale time. You could advertise " Drivers side seat for wide loads only --- call for details."

driver100

Custom seats would be a great idea, especially at trade in/resale time. You could advertise " Drivers side seat for wide loads only

Or, how about,

2012 Chrysler 300 for sale. Low mileage, loaded. Has large drivers seat suitable for person up to 400 pounds, and up to 6'5", with a passenger seat suitable for someone up to 5'4" and weighing up to 140 pounds.

driver100

Have you ever used the menu and guide to remind and tune to the shows you want to watch without having to search

I use it all the time. I go through the SD channels, find what I want to watch, and start watching it. If it is extremely good I try to find the HD equivalent channel using the guide.

Most programs just aren't that critical. Shark Tank, Two and a Half Men, The Good Wife, Murder She Wrote....it just don't make that much difference.

driver100

Write on white board (wait, the marker is a 4th thing!) all the stations you like, and corresponding HD channel #

That should look attractive!

I would do it but my wife will probably lock me out of the house.

[Deleted User]

That's interesting about the interference with your knees in the Buick. Both my dad and I have long legs, so if the dashboard is oriented towards the driver, I bet we'd have the same issue. I'm getting the feeling my dad wants to spoil himself, so I'm thinking only a luxury brand will suffice.

roadburner

He spent last week in Atlanta going to MLB games and attending the Final Four. He collected some very cool autographs and had a fantastic time. Got to bed at 3:00 AM and had to be at the airport to fly home at 6:30. So, he wound up seeing every Louisville game except the first round game in Lexington. I caught the two games at Indy with him, but couldn't make the trip to Atlanta. Oh well, he has some memories that will last a lifetime, so it was well worth it.

stickguy

lucky kid. I never do anything fun.

and he didn't even pick that school!

roadburner

and he didn't even pick that school!

If he could get a job with the U of L basketball team(manager, scout, etc.) he'd switch in less than a nanosecond.

nyccarguy

That's the kind of awesome stuff to do when you are young. After The Yankees won the World Series in 1996, 2 of my friends and I decided to attend the parade. We drove from Ithaca to my parent's house (3 1/2 hours), then drove into the city to see the parade, back to my parents for dinner, then back to school that night.