Fair Play?Postal franchises fume over the Postal Service's new Pack and Send service.

Mail Boxes Etc. franchisees Dan and Vicki Van Grol seemed cutout for franchise success, rising to the No. 10 location in the SanDiego area three years after they opened. Yet, in a matter of sixmonths, they've dropped down the list to the low 20s.What's the problem? Since the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) openeda Pack and Send service across the street from the Van Grols'store, "our shipping has dropped off, our stamp sales havedropped off, our packing service and supplies have droppedoff," says Dan Van Grol, who feels the USPS is to blame."It was kind of a shock."

Meanwhile, the Van Grols must deal with the personal indignationof helping the competition reach their customers. "I receivefliers advertising their service," Dan says. "It breaksmy heart to put those fliers in the boxes of my 180 box holders,but I have to. That's the law."