magid

I got two surveys in the mail from USPS, each a part of a feasibility study to close post offices in Cambridge. On the block are the MIT and Inman Square locations. While I do use the Inman Square location sometimes (it's closest), it's not so far to the main post office in Central Square, or the one in Harvard Square (or elsewhere, if I'm not home based, of course), and it makes sense to me that they'd close some of the smaller places as a cost saving measure (that they need cost saving measures is a sad reality; however much I email, there's something lovely about snail mail, a tangible thing with not only someone's words, but their handwriting, and whatever else they include).

I was interested by the survey, which seems pretty well thought out, actually. Of course, they're asking facts, rather than opinions, which makes it easier to design an accurate survey, but it's still non-trivial to send out a usefully comprehensive survey.

To wit: there are nine questions.

Whether this site is used for personal reasons, business reasons, or both.
Evaluating the frequency of use for a variety of different activities, whether daily, weekly, monthly, twice a year, or never: buying stamps, mailing letters, mailing parcels, picking PO box mail, picking up general delivery mail, buying money orders, using special services (certified, registered, insured mail, delivery confirmation, signature confirmation), seding express mail, sending priority mail, carrier pickup, buying stam-collecting material, entering permit or bulk mailings, getting other federal agency forms (selective service, duck stamps [never heard of this!], passport applications), school bus stop, assisting senior citizens or those with disabilities, public bulletin board, community gathering place, or other (which made me wonder what was left....)
Whether these alternative methods are ever used (Y/N): post office where you work or shop, usps.com website, stamps by mail, stamps by phone, stamps online, click-n-ship, grocery or other retail store.
Use local businesses in the community? (Y/N)
If yes to Q4, would continue using these businesses if postal facility gone? (Y/N)
Use businesses in nearby communities?
Have means of transportation to get to another post office? (Y/N)
Receive mail how? (carrier/ PO box/ other)
Have access to: computer, printer, internet? (Y/N for each)

And then the space for any other feedback, with the reminder that this is a publicly available record, so any information will be visible to others.

I appreciate that they're not just considering whether people can make it to another post office, but also whether there would be a hit to other local businesses if the location closes. And it was interesting to see how they broke down their list of essential services, as well. I had never thought about a post office being a bus stop, nor a community gathering place.

I expect that having gotten to the survey stage, these locations will, in fact, be closed; they've got to know how much business they do through each post office already. So is this required by law, a public relations piece, a good-will showing that they're flexible (in case of need or extreme lobbying?), or something else?