[USMA:28992] RE: United States Postal Service

[Bill Potts]

As far as I know, ALL U.S. post offices have digital scales and have had them for quite a few years. (I haven't been in one that doesn't.) They're all part of an integrated system that also scans bar codes on sheets of stamps and produces the total. They're not all tied in with the credit card billing mechanism, but that seems to be nothing more than a software issue that will be addressed eventually.   A few years ago, I was printing and shipping Novell instructor guides on a regular basis. I shipped most of them Priority Mail and they were, of course, all weighed to determine the postage. I don't think the mass was printed on my receipt, but I can't remember for sure. I have them in my tax folders (i.e., physical manila folders) in boxes in the garage. The next time I'm doing some rummaging, I'll take a look at them. However, it would not be dependent on whether one paid cash or by credit or debit card. The receipt is basically the same, either way. Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of john mercer Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 20:06 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:28989] United States Postal Service In the U S do most post offices have digital scales?  The reason i ask this is because if they do wouldn't it be quite easy to metricate the postal service.  On July 1 1979 Canada post went metric at a cost of 1.5 million dollars.  At that time i don't know if digital scales were available.  I remember going in to a post office just after the metric change and the clerk had a little trouble using the scale.  If the USPS uses digital scales it would probably be quite easy to metricate it.  When Canada post changed they called a one oz letter 30 g.  I have another question in the States if you mail a parcel and use your bank card to pay for it when you get the receit does it give the weight of the parcel.  If it does how easy would it be to change it from lbs to kg. i wonder how hard it would be to change the rates from pounds and ounces to metric.