The U.S. Postal Service should consider dumping its lightweight parcel post service, according to Edward Gleiman, chairman of the Postal Rate Commission. Gleiman, speaking before the Association of Priority Mail Users, said that there are only slight differences between the lightweight parcel and Priority Mail services, and argued that this “seems to cry out for some reform.” More than 1.3 billion pieces a year are sent out at Priority Mail rates. Many catalogers use the service to ship lightweight customer orders – usually one or two pieces of clothing that weigh less than 5 pounds. Gleiman attributed Priority Mail’s growth to competitive pricing, guaranteed two- to three-day delivery and a recent advertising campaign. Gleiman also suggested that the postal service consider offering a drop-shipping discount for publications and Standard A (advertising) pieces sent by Priority Mail.
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