Mail
service users get their 2 cents' worth
The Postal Rate Commission has approved a 2-cent stamp
increase that is expected to go into effect January 8, 2006,
raising the cost of mailing a first class letter from $.37
to $.39. To use a quote from our country's very first
Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin, "Penny wise is pound
prudent."
Therefore, let me be penny wise with you as a valued client
of mine. I am have mailed out twenty $.02 stamps to my
valued clients so that they can use with their existing $.37
stamps to save them a little time so that they don't have to
rush out to the post office.
Why is this pound prudent? Well, if you consider the actual
financial impact of the $.02 increase to our American
economy, it can be quite impressive.
Let's assume the average hourly value of their time is $12
per hour. In this projection, the cost/time value of 10
million Americans buying $.02 stamps is $60 MILLION DOLLARS.
WOW! I take comfort in the fact that the simple gesture of
sending out twenty $.02 stamps has helped save our country a
bundle in lost productivity.Want to save more than 2
cents the next time you mail something to someone you care
about? Check out these tips for dealing with the mail.
Signed, sealed
delivered...on time!
On an average day, the amount
of mail the U.S. Postal Service handles would circle the
globe three times. On the busiest day--typically, the Monday
before Christmas--the mail could make an extra trip around
Earth. And while the USPS promises "neither snow, nor rain,
nor heat, nor the winds of change, nor a nation challenged"
will interrupt them, it's still a good idea to follow these
guidelines to ensure the timely delivery of the mail you
send.
AN ADDRESS
DIVIDED:
How do you address mail when
a recipient has both a street address and a post office box?
You can use either or both, but the mail will be delivered
to the address immediately above the city and state. If the
line above city and state contains both addresses, the mail
will be delivered to the PO box. Make sure the ZIP code used
matches the delivery address.
ZIP
DE-CODED
A complete ZIP code is a five
digit number followed by a hyphen and four digits, or the
trademarked ZIP + 4. Translated: The first five digits
represent a post office within a city; the sixth and seventh
digits indicate a sector; and the eight and ninth identify
geographic units such as a side of a street, a building, a
floor, a firm, a group of rural mailboxes, etc. Not sure of
the ZIP? No ZIP code is better than a wrong one! Better yet,
use the USPS's ZIP Code Lookup service online or call
800-ASK-USPS.
|
BEAT THE RUSH! |
|
USPS
SERVICE |
DEADLINE FOR SENDING |
|
Parcel Post |
10-14 days
before intended arrival |
|
1st
Class Mail |
7 days before
intended arrival |
|
Priority Mail |
3-4 days before
intended arrival |
|
Express Mail |
2-3 days before
intended arrival |
|
Global Economy |
10-12 weeks
before intended arrival to Africa, Central & South
America
9-12 weeks before intended arrival to the Middle
East
8 weeks
before intended arrival to Asia, Australia
7 weeks
before intended arrival to other international
destinations
|
|
Global Air Mail |
19-21 days
before intended arrival to Africa, Central & South
America 12
days before intended arrival to other
international destinations |
|
Global Express |
2 weeks before
intended arrival to Africa, Central & South America
1 week before
intended arrival to other international destinations |
|
Global Express Guaranteed |
4 days before
intended arrival to Canada
5 days before
intended arrival to other international destinations |
Your guide to
shipping -- down to the letter!
If you aren't familiar with
all of the services provided by the U.S. Postal Service,
spend some time on its Web site,
www.usps.com and what you
find may amaze you! The self-supporting agency offers a
variety of shipping options and price points, some nifty
online services, and guidelines on how best to wrap packages
for mailing, address packages and cards, and send military
mail. Some key points are highlighted here.
| |
Prepare: |
Address: |
Mail: |
Packages
Ensure your packages will arrive safe and sound by
using the following tips: |
With multiple items in
one box, put heavier items at the bottom and place
packing around each one.
For cushioning, use
crumpled newspaper, Styrofoam peanuts, bubble pack,
shredded paper, or plain popcorn.
For hollow items,
put cushioning inside and out.
Put an index card
with delivery and return addresses and a list of
contents inside the package--just in case.
Use 2-inch wide
clear or brown packing tape, reinforced packing
tape, or paper tape to seal the opening and
reinforce all seams.
Pack baked goods
snugly into tins, plastic, or sturdy boxes lined
with food wrap, leaving no headroom. Layer cookies
with food wrap between.
Put glass in
zip-top plastic bags, using sealed-in air for added
cushioning. Then wrap individually in bubble wrap. |
If the box is reused,
cover previous labels and markings with new labels
or black marker.
Put delivery and
return addresses on the same side of the box
Clear packing tape
over the address labels prevents them from smearing
or coming loose. |
Packages with correct
postage can be handed to your mail carrier or
dropped in a blue collection box.
Packages are measured
by adding length plus girth. Anything over 130
inches, or that exceeds 70 ponds, cannot be sent via
U.S. mail.
A variety of
shipping methods are available, depending on the
weight of the package and when you want it to
arrive. |
Cards
& Letters
Follow these guidelines to ensure your friends and
family don't miss out on your personal
correspondence! |
Use a standard
envelope size (3-1/2 to 6-1/8 inches high by 5 to
11-1/2 inches long) to avoid a surcharge.
A square envelope
smaller than 5-by-5 inches or weighing 1 ounce will
get a surcharge. |
Print or type clearly,
large enough to be read at arm's length.
Write the delivery
address, as well as the return address on the front
of the envelope.
Use ZIP + 4 codes
and standard state abbreviations--both found at the
USPS Web site. Unsure of an address? Verify that
online, too. |
Order stamps online,
by phone, or with a Stamps-by-Mail order form,
delivered within 7 days. Buy holiday stamps early.
Mail cards or letters
at least 7 days before the desired arrival date. |
Military Mail
From love letters to family announcements, there's
no better way to boost troop morale. |
If mailing to Iraq,
remember that mail is subject to extreme heat. Do
not package items that melt such as candles or
chocolates. |
Use the service
member's full name, with grade, rank or title; unit
and APO/FPO with 9-digit ZIP; and full return
address. Do not include country or city. |
Military mail postage
is the same as domestic postage.
Transit time depends
on operational conditions and unit, but generally
letters arrive within 7 to 10 days; Priority Mail
parcels, 10 to 15 days; Parcel Post, 24 days. |
Oh, by the way...if you know of someone who is thinking
of buying or selling a home, and would appreciate the level
of service I provide, please call me with their name and
contact information, and I will be happy to follow-up and
take great care of them.
Sincerely,
 Sherry
Rich, REALTOR(r)
Sales Agent, RE/MAX Hall of Fame
Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Relocation
Professional, Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate
REALTORS Institute |
