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Information About Mail Services,
Postal Rates, Postage, More... |
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FEATURED ARTICLES |
Invalid Affixed Postage
4/22/2010
By Richard P. Weiss, Retail Associate,
USPS
PostaleCareer.com
We all know that mailers may not reuse
postage stamps, or use canceled
postage stamps for mailing their
letters or packages. There are,
however, less clear provisions when
determining the validity of fresh
postage stamps without cancellation
marks.
Anonymous Mail: Mail pieces weighing
over 13 ounces that bare postage
stamps must not be mailed in
collection boxes; mailers must present
these pieces to Sales and Services
Associates at the customer service
counter for acceptance. Once SSAs
accept the mail pieces, they must
print zero postage PVI labels, or
additional postage if needed, and
affix these meter strips to the mail
pieces.
Stamps cut from stamped envelopes,
aerograms, or stamped cards: Postage
cut from these prepaid mail pieces are
worthless once detached. Explain to
customers insisting on using stamps in
this manner that the prepaid envelopes
and cards may have had cancellation
marks away from where the postage
appears. If they argue, cite DMM
604.1.3.d. This section also states
that stamps are invalid when covered
by a coating or tape that hinders
cancellation marks.
Stamps that overlap: Overlapping
stamps may take less room when
attempting to cover a mail piece,
however these stamps may have been
cancelled on one side and covered with
other stamps, giving the appearance
that all the stamps are fresh. Return
these pieces postage due. For backup
to counter an argument by a
potentially irate customer, mention
DMM 604.1.7. Write it down on memo
paper and hand it to them.
Precancelled stamps: Only permit
holders of PC postage accounts may use
these stamps for their bulk-rate
mailings.
Meter strips: If dates appear on meter
strips, they must reflect the current
date of mailing with the exception of
mail pieces entered after the day's
last scheduled collection from the
Post Office or collection box (DMM
604.4.5.2). Note that stamps generated
from APC machines show the date of
SALE, NOT the date of mailing. The
date of mailing need not match the
date of sale. These stamps are live
and need to go through the
cancellation unit, or receive a date
bump at the customer service counter.
Keep in mind you are educating your
customers, not confronting them. If
they ask for DMM provisions to prove
your claim, provide them with your
source, the online Postal Explorer, at
pe.usps.gov. The DMM is available
worldwide. |
Shape, Size, and the Nonmachinable
Surcharge
9/15/2008
Richard P. Weiss, Retail Associate,
Fox Chase Station
CEO and Writer,
PostaleCareer.com
Since the implementation of rates
based upon shape and size, in addition
to weight, even the most experienced
Retail Associates have inadvertently
assessed improper postage, due to
their confusion between divisions of
Nonmachinable Letter rates and Large
Envelope rates. They have also
confused other processing category
divisions. For example, wedding
invitations have been mistakenly
charged as Large Envelopes, rather
than as nonmachinable letters, simply
because their addresses were not
parallel to their longest dimensions.
Mail pieces falling within 11 1/2" in
length, 6 1/8" in height and less than
1/4" in thickness and weigh less than
3.5 ounces fall within the Letter
processing category, REGARDLESS OF THE
ORIENTATION OR PLACEMENT OF THE
DELIVERY ADDRESS on the mail piece
(see DMM 603.1.1). Such letters are
considered nonmachinable if their
aspect ratios (length divided by
height) fall below 1.3 or above 2.5.
In the case of wedding invitations,
these mail pieces are nonmachinable
letters if their physical dimensions
fall within the boundaries of the
maximum letter size and weight but
contain delivery addresses parallel to
their shorter dimensions. Other
characteristics, such as rigidity or
unevenness of contents, may also
warrant the Nonmachinable surcharge
(see other physical characteristics
for nonmachinable letters in DMM
201.2.0). Mail pieces exceeding any of
the maximum dimensions of a letter but
staying within 15" in length, 12" in
height or 3/4" in width fall into the
Large Envelope (formerly Flat)
processing category. Large Envelope
mail pieces that are irregular in
shape or that contain non-bendable
inserts, or those exceeding any of the
maximum dimensions of the Large
Envelope processing category fall into
the Parcel processing category and
should be charged accordingly.
Care in adhering to DMM regulations
regarding the proper assessment of
surcharges and processing categories
will protect postal revenue as well as
provide our customers with accurate
and reliable service. |
New Postal Rates Shape Up
5/06/2007
By Richard P. Weiss
Founder/Writer, Postal991.com
Retail Associate, U.S. Postal Service
RichardPWeiss@aol.com
For the first time ever, the U.S.
Postal Service has assigned postage
rates for full-rate single-piece First
Class mail pieces based upon their
processing category. For large
parcels, a new procedure for
calculating a "dimensional weight" on
Priority Mail packages as well as a
change to the balloon rate assessed
for both Parcel Post and Priority Mail
packages has also been introduced.
There have been no changes to
regulations regarding nonmachinable
and oversize surcharges on packages
mailed at Parcel Post rates.
First Class Rates by Processing
Category
Effective May 14, 2007, First Class
postage for letters weighing one ounce
or less increases from 39 cents to 41
cents. Postage assessed for each
additional ounce decreases from 24
cents to 17 cents. However, after a
letter exceeds 3.5 ounces, it crosses
into the processing category of "large
envelope," or "flat." Between 3.6 and
4 ounces, the postage for this mail
piece now reflects the postage
required for a 4 ounce large envelope.
Unlike requirements in place before
the rate change, rates now vary for
First Class Mail pieces based on their
processing category (Letter, Large
Envelope, or Package). A letter
weighing one ounce or less costs 41
cents, however a large envelope of the
same weight costs 80 cents, and a
package, $1.13. Within each processing
category, each additional ounce
requires 17 cents up to the maximum
weight for First Class Mail, 13
ounces.
Nonmachinable Surcharge Assessment
A letter (weighing up to 3.5 ounces)
that meets any of the nonmachinable
characteristics described in DMM
101.1.2 is subject to an additional
nonmachinable surcharge of 17 cents.
This would bring a one ounce
nonmachinable letter up to the two
ounce rate of 58 cents, a three ounce
letter would require 92 cents to mail
(.75 plus a .17 surcharge).
Characteristics that determine that a
mail piece is nonmachinable include an
aspect ratio (length divided by
height) of less that 1.3 or greater
than 2.5. Letters with an address
parallel to the shorter dimension,
letters covered with plastic, string,
buttons or those containing pencils or
other materials making the thickness
uneven also fall into the
nonmachinable category. However,
unlike before the rate change when a
nonmachinable surcharge was assessed
for a one ounce letter exceeding the
any of the maximum specifications for
a letter (making it a flat), such a
mail piece now requires postage for a
one ounce (or less) large envelope (or
flat) of 80 cents.
Category Dividing Lines
A letter becomes a large envelope when
it exceeds 11 1/2 inches in length, 6
1/8 inches in height, or 1/4 inches in
thickness. Under the new mail
classification requirements, a letter
also becomes a large envelope when it
exceeds 3.5 ounces in weight.
A large envelope becomes a package
when it exceeds any of the maximum
dimensions for a large envelope:
length: 15 inches, height: 12 inches,
thickness: 3/4 inch. Large envelopes
that are rigid, i.e. difficult or
impossible to bend are also considered
packages and charged accordingly. For
example, an 8 1/2" x 11" envelope
containing a license plate would
require postage pertaining to the
package processing category.
Priority Mail Surcharges
Balloon rates pertain to large
Priority Mail parcels, as before the
rate change; however they only apply
to parcels mailed from local through
zone 4 for packages that measure over
84" up to 108" in combined length and
girth. Parcels subject to the balloon
rate are assessed at the 20 pound
rate, rather than the 15 pound rate
that had been assessed before the rate
change. Priority Mail packages mailed
to zones 5 through 8 are assessed
either by weight or by "dimensional
weight," whichever is greater. The
Postal Service has added the concept
of postage based on size rather than
physical weight to more closely match
the charges incurred by transportation
companies that charge for shipping
based on the physical space a parcel
occupies rather than by its actual
weight.
Calculating Dimensional Weight
Retail Associates utilizing the POS
system will appreciate the help it
provides in calculating dimensional
weight. The system will prompt users
to enter length, width and height
figures, rounded to the nearest inch,
on large Priority Mail packages
destined to zones 5 through 8. POS
will automatically determine the
dimensional weight and use it to
assess rates, but only if the
dimensional weight exceeds the
parcel's physical weight. Those
working with manual systems will need
to perform calculations in order to
obtain a dimensional weight and use
the greater of either dimensional or
physical weight to determine postage
costs. For a parcel over one cubic
foot (1728 cubic inches) sent to
locations corresponding to zone 5
through 8, the number of cubic inches
for the parcel, divided by 194, equals
the "dimensional weight." This formula
attributes 194 cubic inches to one
pound (or a density of about 8.9
pounds per cubic foot). To determine
the dimensional weight of a parcel,
multiply its length, width, and height
(rounded up or down to the nearest
inch measurment) to obtain its volume
in cubic inches. Divide the result by
194 to find its dimensional weight.
For irregularly shaped parcels,
multiply its length, width (at its
thickest point) and height (also at
its thickest point) and multiply the
result by .785. This adjustment factor
takes into account that the parcel
doesn't take up as much space as a box
with rectangular sides. Divide this
result by 194 to determine its
dimensional weight.
Parcel Post Surcharges
Large packages mailed at Parcel Post
rates continue to require
nonmachinable and balloon rate
surcharges. Balloon rates still apply
to packages weighing less than 20
pounds mailed at Parcel Post rates to
all zones when they exceed 84 inches
in combined length and girth, up to
108 inches. These surcharges now apply
postage rates at the 20 pound rate,
rather than the 15 pound rate assessed
before the rate change. As before,
parcels are also subject to
nonmachinable surcharges if they
exceed 34 inches in length, 17 inches
in height, 17 inches in width, or
weigh more than 35 pounds. Small
parcels are subject to nonmachinable
surcharges if they are less than
6 inches long, 1/4 inch thick,
3 inches high, or weigh less than 6
ounces. Packages shaped like cans,
rolls, tubes, or wooden or metal boxes
are also subject to nonmachinable
surcharges. See DMM 101.7.2 for
additional Parcel Post nonmachinable
standards.
Oversize Surcharges
An oversize surcharge still applies to
parcels over 108 inches but no more
than 130 inches in combined length and
girth, mailed at Parcel Post rates.
The maximum size limit of 108 still
applies for parcels mailed at Priority
Mail Rates.
Informed Customers
Postal customers need to know that the
new Postal Service initiative to link
postage costs to shape and size
characteristics more accurately
accounts for shipping and processing
costs. Customers can save money on
postage costs by mailing their items
using the smallest processing category
possible, i.e. folding a document to
fit in a smaller envelope to pay lower
costs by mailing the document as a
letter rather than a flat. When
mailing larger items or contents
requiring larger capacity cartons,
Postal customers can reduce or avoid
size related surcharges by using the
smallest box that will safety and
securely accommodate their items.
The new rate structure more accurately
reflects processing costs to collect,
process, and deliver mail items of
various shapes and sizes. By more
accurately assessing processing costs
based on mail piece dimensions, the
Postal Service has taken the steps
needed to reduce mail processing costs
while continuing to offer customers
affordable rates, unsurpassed value,
and top notch service. |
Counterfeit and Raised Postal Money
Orders
By Richard P. Weiss
Retail Associate, Fox Chase Station
Founder/Writer, Postal991.com
Recently, there has been an increase
in the number of counterfeit postal
money orders in circulation as well as
money order scams that have greatly
harmed unsuspecting victims. Con
artists who, in many cases, reside
overseas contact their victims via
Internet chat rooms or other online
meeting sites. They convince their
targets that they have encountered
problems cashing postal money orders
in their country (Nigeria to a large
extent) and need help to cash them.
These thieves mail counterfeit money
orders to their victims, telling them
that they will share some of this
money after the victims deposit the
orders into their personal bank
accounts and then wire most of the
money back to the sender. Within a
week after recipients deposit the
money orders, their banks contact them
to let them know that the money orders
were counterfeit. The banks hold the
depositors accountable and withdraw
funds from their accounts to cover the
amounts of the bogus money orders,
sometimes amounting to thousands of
dollars. Those who are fortunate
enough to bring these money orders to
their local Post Offices before wiring
money to the sender find out that
their documents are worthless.
Anyone accepting postal money orders,
including postal personnel, bank
tellers, and those receiving payment
via postal money orders for products
or services need to know how to
identify a counterfeit money order. A
genuine postal money order contains a
repeating watermark of Benjamin
Franklin that passes through an open
oval area located on the left-hand
side of the order. It also includes a
security thread with the lettering "USPS"
running both forward and backward that
becomes visible when the money order
is held up to a light. The thread will
appear black with white lettering. The
money order also contains thin dark
purple or black threads embedded
throughout the paper. On the front of
the money order, denomination amounts
appear in two separate locations.
Serial numbers on sequentially printed
orders increase in numeric order from
00 to 99, independent of the last
digit which also increases from 0 to
8, and cycles back again to 0.
Counterfeiters miss this detail and
print sequential serial numbers using
the very last two digits.
Discoloration of the denomination
amount indicates erasure and
alteration, flagging the likelihood of
fraud. When held under a black light,
such as one included within a
counterfeit currency detector
(available to postal Retail
Associates), a bright indigo serial
number appears next to the one printed
in black ink on the reverse side of
many of the newer POS generated
documents. The black light also causes
the dust-sized threads that are
imbedded in the paper to glow either
bright green or indigo, and causes the
security thread containing the letters
"USPS" to glow a bright red. Finally,
the maximum value for a domestic
postal money order is $1,000 ($700 for
an international money order).
In most cases, a counterfeit money
order lacks either the watermark or
the security thread found in a real
document. However, there is a type of
counterfeit money order that contains
all of the security features of "real"
ones, known as "raised" money orders.
These fraudulent documents were
originally authentic money orders that
were printed on genuine postal stock
by the Postal Service. They were
issued for one amount but later
altered to falsely indicate a higher
amount. A real $10 money order, for
example, was found to be altered,
possibly chemically, to appear to be
an $810 money order. These altered
versions have become an increasing
problem for the Postal Service since
they contain the Benjamin Franklin
Watermark, security threads, and other
features that indicate a genuine
article. Alterations are sometimes so
professionally engineered that the
changes do not cause discoloration
around the denomination amounts. To
make matters worse, serial numbers on
these orders do not generally match
those published in the "bad Domestic
Money Order" list of the Postal
Bulletin because counterfeiters
obviously do not report money order
serial numbers as "lost or stolen"
after they have altered the
denomination amounts on these
documents.
In addition to matching serial numbers
to the fraudulent money order listing
contained in the bi-weekly Postal
Bulletin, Retail Associates need to
make sure that the spelled out
denomination amount printed on a
customer's money order does not begin
more than a couple of millimeters to
the left of the word "amount:." If the
spelled out amount begins, for
example, almost an inch to the left of
"amount:" this clearly indicates that
someone has added additional lettering
to change the designated amount of the
document. Spelled out amounts on
fraudulently altered (raised) money
orders begin to the left of the word
amount because it's much more
difficult for the counterfeiter to
erase and reprint the entire line of
text in order to change the designated
amount.
Postal personnel and others accepting
postal money orders need to take all
steps needed to verify the validity of
these documents. They need to
scrutinize any differences in either
the font size or the type of lettering
used in the spelled out amount, as
added text may not match the exact
style of the original text.
Additional steps in analyzing postal
money orders could prevent a great
deal of revenue loss for the Postal
Service and help to reduce the
likelihood of a scam perpetrated upon
an unsuspecting victim.
Anyone who confirms that they have
received a counterfeit postal money
order should immediately contact their
local U.S. Postal Inspection Service
office or call the fraud hotline,
Monday-Friday at 1-800-372-8347. |
The Postal Service Delivers -- and
More
By Richard P. Weiss, Retail Associate,
USPS Fox Chase Station, Philadelphia,
PA 19111-9998, Founder/Writer,
Postal991.com, the leading writing
and marketing service for Postal
Employees
The Postal Service offers many
incredible values to its customers.
They deliver over 206 billion pieces
of mail each year to all US addresses,
including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico,
the US Virgin Islands and Military
bases (APO'S AND FPO'S). Here are just
a few of the many services offered:
Express Mail Service
Starts at $16.25 for mail weighing up
to 1/2 pound (higher weights qualify
for this rate if mailed in a flat-rate
envelope). Express mail is guaranteed
for delivery by either 12 noon or 3
p.m. to many destinations. This
service also includes tracking with
signature confirmation service as well
as $100.00 in insurance coverage.
Express mail is also forwarded, if
needed, and there are no additional
charges for weekend, holiday, or
residential deliveries.
Priority Mail Service
Starts at $4.60 for mail weighing up
to one pound (higher weights qualify
for this rate if mailed in a flat-rate
envelope). Priority mail encompasses
First-Class mail weighing over 13
ounces, although mailers may opt to
mail lighter items at priority rates
in order to expedite delivery time of
their mail. Priority mail speeds
letters and packages to their
destinations within 2 to 3 days.
Flat Rate Priority Mail (Box)
Customers have the opportunity to mail
their merchandise at a Flat Rate
Priority Mail rate of $8.95,
regardless of weight, provided their
mailing contents fit in one of the two
different shaped Priority Flat Rate
boxes provided by the Postal Service.
First Class Mail
Customers most readily recognize First
Class Mail as letters that they mail
after applying a postage stamp. Mail
weighing up to 13 ounces can mail at
First Class rates, starting at just 41
cents.
Package Services
Package Services Mail includes Bound
Printed Matter (BPM), Library
Mail, Media Mail, and Parcel
Post/Parcel Select. These rates
provide customers with a lower cost
alternative to mailing at Express,
Priority or First Class rates.
Deliveries of parcels mailed at these
rates usually take longer than those
mailed at higher rates.
Tracking Services
Besides merely delivering mail, the
Postal Service offers services to
track it. Delivery confirmation will
let a sender know when their mail
piece arrives at its destination (date
and time of delivery) for only 65
cents (75 cents for mail sent at
First-Class and Package Services
rates). Signature Confirmation also
gives the sender date and time of
delivery information, but also gives
the name of the recipient who signs
for the mail piece. Certified and
Registered Mail Services, available
for letters and parcels sent at
First-Class and Priority Mail rates,
track letters and parcels and, like
Signature Confirmation, require a
signature upon receipt. A return
receipt may be added to Certified and
Registered Mail service; this is a
card that will be signed by the
recipient and sent back to the sender
in order to verify the receipt of the
mail. Registered Mail costs more than
Certified Mail because of added
security features. Registered Mail
offers the most secure way to mail
valuable items and documents.
Insurance
Customers who mail items of value have
the option of adding insurance to
their mail to cover their items in
case of loss or damage. Insurance
coverage starts at $1.65.
Free Added Services
The Postal Service does not charge
extra for weekend delivery or for
delivery to a residence or Post Office
Box. Additionally, unlike other
carriers, there are no added "fuel" or
other "surcharges." When customers
move and need their mail redirected to
their new address, the Postal Service
forwards their mail, free of charge,
on Express Mail, Priority Mail and
First Class Mail services. Customers
may go online to USPS.com and request
free "mail pickup" of their mail (they
must have at least one piece of
Priority Mail). They may also obtain
free Delivery Confirmation on their
Priority Mail pieces by generating
address labels through the "Click and
Ship" option found online.
Mailing Supplies -- and More
Many Postal stations and offices offer
mailing supplies as well as
collectibles, including boxes,
envelopes, bubble wrap, tape, pens,
first day of issue commemorative
stamps, electronic digital postal
scales, pictures, postcards and more.
Non-Mail Services
The Postal Service delivers more than
just mail. Need a money order?
Customers may purchase postal money
orders for just $1.05 (up to $500, a
$1.50 fee applies to money orders over
$500 up to $1000). A Postal money
order is one of the most secure ways
of sending money through the mail.
Additionally, customers may hold on to
these money orders indefinitely:
postal money orders never expire.
The Postal Service also offers
Passport Services. Retail associates
at many offices act as Passport
Agents, helping customers to secure US
Passports in order to allow them to
travel abroad. The Postal Service also
makes arrangements to send their
employees to places of business to
offer on-site Passport acceptance
services.
The Postal Service delivers mail and a
whole lot more. For more information
on postal products and services, call
1-800-ASK-USPS or (800) 275-8777 or
visit the Postal Service online at
http://www.usps.com. |
The Postal Service's New Automated
Postal Center
By Richard P. Weiss, Retail Associate,
Fox Chase Station, Philadelphia, PA
19111
 The
Postal Service's latest technological
marvel, the Automated Postal Center (APC),
allows customers to quickly and easily
mail packages and purchase stamps
without waiting in long lines.
Nationwide, about 2,500 of these
kiosks have been installed in Post
Office lobbies; the Postal Service
estimates that these on-screen,
menu-driven machines handle about 80%
of transactions that could be
completed at full service windows.
APCs allow customers to utilize Postal
services and products even during
non-business hours.
"Customers seem apprehensive at first,
but once they use the APC and find out
how simple it is, they love it," said
Kate Pembroke, Manager of the Fox
Chase Post Office. "They take
advantage of being able to avoid
waiting in line in order to quickly
mail their packages, and purchase
stamps."
Customers can use the APC to buy
stamps, and/or weigh their letters,
flats and parcels (up to 70 pounds),
with or without completing a
transaction. A receptacle next to the
machine holds customers' parcels
securely after they add postage to
their packages. APCs can generate
stamps that include the amounts needed
to cover fees for special services for
customers' mail pieces that they opt
to mail at Express, Priority, First
Class, or Parcel Post rates. Users can
also print Express Mail and Certified
Mail labels, add Delivery Confirmation
and insurance (up to $200) to their
mail, look up Postal Service, mailing
and ZIP Code information, and generate
a receipt for payment.
Fox Chase Postal Customer, Janice
Mundy, appreciates the ease and
convenience of the newly installed APC
system. "It's really quick and easy to
use. I'm glad that I have the chance
to weigh and mail my packages without
waiting in line."
The APC has some restrictions.
Currently, the system does not provide
mailing services for International
mail, with the exception of letter
mail. Additionally, the APC only
accepts debit or credit cards for
payment.
Despite some limitations, the APC
provides a fast and easy way for
Postal customers to buy stamps and
mail packages -- without the long wait
in line. |
Saving Money is Just a Mailing Away
By Richard P. Weiss
Anyone who has ever run a business or
organization that regularly sends
mailings to its members or customers
understands how quickly postage costs
add up. A 500-piece mailing, sent at
First Class rates, for example, would
cost $205, providing that each
mailpiece weighs one ounce or less.
The same mailing would cost $290 if
the mailpieces weighed between 1.1 and
two ounces!
Bulk rate discounts offer mailers the
opportunity to cut a few additional
corners and pocket the savings. The
same 500 piece mailing would cost no
more than $127.50 at Standard bulk
rates, even if the mailpieces were to
weigh more than an ounce.
Additionally, for organizations that
qualify as a non-profit entity under
501(c)3 of the tax code, the mailing
would cost no more than $82.00!
Opening an Account:
Mailing at bulk rates requires an
account with the Postal Service;
you'll need to contact the Business
Mail Entry (BME) department serving
your area. Call 800 275-8777 (800 ASK-USPS)
to get the contact number of your
local BME office. A member of the
Business Mail Entry office will be
able to give you all the information
you will need to set up an account to
begin saving on postage costs right
away.
Getting started:
When you establish your mailing
account, you will need to choose from
three payment options. You may pay
postage on your mailing using a permit
imprint, meter, or precanceled stamp
account.
1. Permit Imprint:
A permit imprint account is an advance
deposit account, much like a bank
account. You deposit money into this
account; every time you send a
mailing, the Postal Service deducts
the postage directly from this
account. This payment option saves
time with preparing your mail, as
there's no need to apply stamps or
meter strips to each piece of mail.
Instead, your mail pieces will include
indicia that are printed in the
postage area, indicating the class of
mail, the words "US Postage Paid," the
permit number, and the city and state
of mailing. Permit numbers and the
city/state designations may be
replaced by the company name of the
permit holder, if a company permit is
approved by the Postal Service. Mail
pieces within each permit imprint
mailing must all be identical in
weight.
2. Meter Account:
If you have access to a postage meter
machine, you could opt to set up a
meter account in which you affix meter
strips to each piece of mail. If mail
pieces within a mailing qualify for
different rates, meter strips that
reflect the lowest rate may be affixed
to all of the pieces in your mailing.
To pay for the additional postage
owed, you affix a meter strip covering
the difference directly to the mailing
statement that you submit along with
your mailing. All pieces in a metered
bulk rate mailing must be of identical
weight unless every piece is metered
at the full rate claimed.
3. Precanceled Stamp Account:
Like a meter account, a precanceled
stamp account involves affixing a
fixed amount of postage (a precanceled
stamp) to each mailpiece, and paying
additional postage by attaching a
meter strip to the mailing statement.
Additionally, as with a permit
mailing, all mailpieces must be of
identical weight.
Rate Qualification:
Standard bulk rates preclude mailing
bills and anything containing personal
correspondence. As a rule, contents
mailed at Standard rates (formerly
classified as Third Class Mail) must
consist of printed material. Bills and
personal handwritten correspondence
must be mailed at First Class rates.
Presorted First Class rates are lower
than full-rate First Class rates,
however Standard rates generate the
biggest savings.
Reducing costs by mailing at
discounted rates is one of the easiest
and effective ways of reducing costs
for your organization. Beginning with
your first mailing, you will notice a
dramatic saving in postage costs.
Month after month, the money you will
save on mailing costs can go to pay
for other expenses to keep your group
running in the black.
Once you have set up a bulk mailing
account, you're ready to prepare
mailings to begin receiving mailing
discounts. You can find out about how
to presort your mailings as well as
receive other information regarding
bulk rate mailings through the Postal
Service's "Business Mail 101" website:
http://www.usps.com/businessmail101/
To get started, and for more
information on ways to save money on
your newsletter mailings, call (800)
275-8777 (800 ASK USPS) and ask for
the number for the local Business Mail
Entry unit serving your area.
About the Author:
Rich's 22 years with the Postal
Service include several years as a
Bulk Mail Technician working for the
Business Mail Entry Acceptance Unit in
Philadelphia. He currently works as a
Retail Associate and heads
Postal991.com, a writing service for
completing job applications for postal
employees. |
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