Friday, September 12, 2008

Would you rather.....#1

Would you rather.....is a new addition to the blog where I'll pose a question and you have to choose between two alternatives. Use the comments section to post your answers and explanations. There are no right or wrong answers but your preferences will tell the whole world just how dysfunctional you really are.


Would you rather five nickels or one quarter? Would you feel different if it were five singles or a five dollar bill?




Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Will You Need a Receipt?


It’s time again to point out the hypocrisy of the environmentalists. The United States Postal Service touts on its website all the ways they are environmentally friendly. They have the largest fleat of alternative fuel capable vehicles. The word capable is the most interesting part of the sentence. Businesses should tailor their mailers to customers who may actually use their products. But it does state direct marketing returns $12 in sales-- a higher return on investment than other marketing technique. They do after all have to keep their direct marketing friends who purchase large amounts of postage. They have Cradle to Cradle certification--products are made from recyclable materials and can then be recycled at the end of their useful life. But isn’t it funny the size of the receipt they print for buying a book of stamps? The receipt is ten inches long by three inches wide. Almost a foot long receipt for a single book of stamps bought with cash! I have a couple of suggestions I would like to offer up to the Post Office. First, maybe they should cut down on the amount of crap typed on the receipt. Second, have a recyclable bin right at the counter for people to throw away their useless receipts. Finally, we can skip the hypocrisy and waste of paper by not printing useless receipts. Just a suggestion.