The "service" in the title of this blog is a true misnomer.

The Bahamas postal service is like the weather – it seems that everyone is talking about it but no one does anything about it.

Our office had a patient call last month to ask if she had anything outstanding on her account because she had just received a bill. My secretary checked and told her that her account was clear and asked her to check the date of the bill. It was July 2007. That is a bit unusual but we have had many cases of cheques arriving three and four months after they were sent. It seems that everyone has similar tales to tell about the inefficiency of our postal service and one of the most frustrating problems is having utility bills arriving a month or two after they are due.

<p>One has to arrive at the conclusion that a system was put in place 40 or 50 years ago and no one has ever given any thought of updating to more modern methods.</p>

<p>I did have a pleasant surprise last November when I sent a bank draft to England by express mail and it arrived in 5 days. Perhaps the answer is to send all mail, including local, by express. It would be pricey but at least we would be reasonably assured that it will arrive and on time.</p>

<p>There was a report on CNN recently of a Christmas card that arrived at its destination 32 years after it had been mailed. They are trying to figure out where it could have been during that time. </p>

<p>I have suggested that they try our post office!</p>

<p>Is there any wonder why companies like FedEx and DHL for example have become so popular?</p>