One of entrepreneurs' most difficult but oft-taken for granted duties is actually collecting money for the work they've performed, and Paul Downs of Paul Downs Cabinetmakers in Bridgeport, Montgomery County writes about his challenges for the New York Times.
Let's take a moment to consider the U.S. Postal Service, our best example of 19th century technology in all of its glory. Now, I understand it's trying to catch up, that it has big problems, and that it's stuck with a legacy operating model. But I don't care. (On) Friday, Oct. 15, I received a check that was postmarked Oct. 8, mailed from Houston to Philadelphia--seven days from Houston to Philadelphia! Are we still using mules? I've found that mail coming from Chicago is the worst; it can take 10 days or more. I now use United Parcel Service for anything of any importance. UPS collects up to 6:45 p.m., its Web site tells me exactly how long it will take for the package to arrive, and the information is accurate. Many of the samples we send can go via U.P.S. ground, and they still get there overnight.Original source: New York Times
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