It's a service that affects nearly every American, and its barely staying afloat.

The U.S. Postal Service is suffering from the largest mail volume decline in America's history. In Reno, the amount of mail being sorted and processed has dropped by 18 percent in the past year. With revenue losses in the millions, postmasters are looking desperately for ways to cut costs and bring in more money.

Local post office customers say they're often greeted at the counter by some pretty strong sales pitches.

"They offer you if you want to insure it or anything. I've noticed it over the last couple of years.," said Donna Quante of Reno.

But can you blame them?

The only revenue generated by the post office comes from sales of things like stamps, packing materials, and mail services.

"I don't think the service is as good as it used to be. They have like six or seven windows, but usually only three or four are open," said Ken Jacobsen of Sun Valley.

And some of their biggest mailing customers--financial, housing and insurance firms, are failing.

"I definitely get less junk mail," said Christie Lerma of Cold Springs.

Forcing some tough decisions. Nationwide, six post offices are closing, and staffs are being trimmed down, eliminating thousands of jobs. The USPS is expected to lose six billion dollars this year alone.

"I am concerned that the rates keep going up and the service keeps going down. Eventually it's going to be not worth the service," said Reno resident, Bud Longworth.

Already, the post office has changed routes, adjusted their hours. And soon, they may be forced to cut mailing service down to just five days a week.

But some say the services are as good as they can expect in a recession.

"The line moved quickly today. I had my mail on hold and I picked it up. Everything was fine," said Quante.

Postal officials say to bare with them. On a fixed budget, they're doing everything they can to be as efficient as possible.

Wednesday, the US postmaster general is expected to head to capitol hill. The plan is to convince Congress to change the law so that postal workers are only required to deliver mail five days a week, instead of six. This could mean cutting one slow delivery day in the middle of the week, such as Tuesdays.