Go Paperless to Avoid Mail Delays

November 15, 2024

Written By Adam Buckallew

Living in rural Missouri has its perks: the fresh air, wide-open spaces, and most importantly, the strong sense of community. However, for a growing number of rural residents, it also comes with a familiar frustration: slower mail delivery.

In recent months, concerns about rural mail delivery have intensified, with lawmakers voicing their frustrations over delays that affect residents and businesses alike. In September, U.S. Representatives Jason Smith, Sam Graves, Ann Wagner and Blaine Luetkemeyer sent Postmaster General Louis DeJoy a letter demanding an audit to determine why mail delivery has been “significantly delayed and inconsistent in communities across eastern Missouri, especially in rural areas.”

Delivery statistics from the Postal Regulatory Commission reveal that timely mail delivery in western Missouri is also an issue. The data shows that only 83% of first-class mail in Kansas and Missouri arrived on time in the first three months of 2024, the sixth-worst rank in the country.

To make matters worse, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a plan in late August that could exacerbate the problem for rural Missourians. The proposal, aimed at cutting costs through logistical overhauls, would add an additional 12 to 24 hours to rural deliveries.

In their letter to Postmaster General DeJoy, the four U.S. Representatives for much of eastern Missouri said they feared the changes “would effectively create a two-tiered mail system, wherein rural Americans are treated like second-class citizens and subject to even more egregious delays.”

The lawmakers continued: “While we are all incredibly thankful for the vital service that our letter carriers provide, we are concerned that their hands are tied because of unacceptable failures occurring at Sorting and Delivery Centers due to ineffective USPS leadership. It defies common sense that there is anyone in USPS leadership that can still honestly believe the best path forward is to further consolidate operations at these failing Sorting and Delivery Centers without any real plan to improve service.”

MFA Oil has a deep appreciation for the hardworking rural mail carriers who serve our communities. Their dedication is invaluable, and MFA Oil recognizes the vital role they play in providing critical deliveries, such as Social Security checks and prescription medications. However, the cooperative is wary of USPS leadership’s plans to further degrade service quality.

Delays to rural mail can be particularly worrisome for MFA Oil members. Time-sensitive documents like invoices and statements could be held up in the mail, creating confusion and potentially causing late payment fees. Recognizing the importance of timely communication and billing, MFA Oil has launched a push for paperless billing. This initiative allows members to receive their statements and invoices electronically. By enrolling in paperless billing at mfaoil.com/paperless, members can ensure they receive their information promptly.

Transitioning to paperless billing not only addresses delivery concerns but also presents significant financial benefits for both MFA Oil and its members. MFA Oil spent over $650,000 on statement mailings in the past year alone. By choosing paperless billing, you can not only ensure timely access to your information but also help MFA Oil redirect these resources to improving its services, investing in its employees and rewarding member-owners with patronage dividends.

The process is simple and secure. Just visit mfaoil.com/paperless and complete the paperless billing enrollment form. Your statements and invoices will be sent directly to your email and will be accessible anytime, anywhere. No more waiting for the mail or worrying about lost or delayed statements.

As the Postal Service moves forward with its plans to cut costs at the expense of rural mail delivery, the importance of efficient, reliable alternatives becomes increasingly clear. MFA Oil’s commitment to paperless billing is a step toward a more economically viable future. In a time when every penny counts for members and the cooperative, making the switch to paperless is a win-win for everyone involved.