USPS changes the rules for Carrier Routing

This may seem like minutiae as Carrier Routes (CRRT's) are the smallest denomination of USPS service. But if you mail at CRRT rates, this is truly important stuff. It directly affects your wallet. And yes, this change is absolutely related to the flats processing changes mentioned above. Here’s how…

The USPS is bleeding money. As a result, they want 150,000 employees to take early retirement thus saving an estimated $100 million a year.

One of the most laborious processes is having carriers manually sort their mail each day before they take to the road. Some days the sortation problem is so severe carriers don’t hit the streets until noon, and don’t get back to their stations until well after dark. That means delayed deliveries and a lot of overtime pay.

Mail carriers sort flats (ie larger pieces of mail—see the proceeding article) and use the flats to enwrap individual letters, postcards and smaller pieces for each delivery address. Having addresses in a uniform position on flats helps speed the sortation process. Hence the flats processing changes outlined in the previous article.

The resulting corollary is that since mail carriers can sort their mail faster, they can get on the road earlier and reach more addresses in a single day. Since carrier routes (CRRTs) are what one carrier can deliver in one day, the USPS wants to revamp the system to take advantage of the new efficiencies.

Here’s a hypothetical example. Assume there are three adjoining CRRTs, each with 200 addresses. Because of the new processing efficiencies, the USPS can turn those 600 addresses into two carrier routes, each with 300 addresses.

The result: one letter carrier is off the payroll, the USPS saves his salary, his vehicle maintenance costs, and delivery doesn’t suffer.

Theoretically.

More than 8000 carrier routes around the US are being redrawn, and the Washington area is in the throes of the reorganization even as I type.

The routing changes are being introduced now, but become mandatory within weeks. Hence, if you’ve got a CRRT mailing planned in the near future, let Paul & Partners know. We need to know what you’re planning so we can get the data that is appropriate for you and your mailing schedule.
Timing is everything. The penalty for non-compliance is, of course, paying more postage. Miss the transition date and pay at least 4.2 cents more per letter for your entire mailing. The penalty for flats is even more punitive.

Got questions and need answers? Call Paul & Partners. We’ll help you avoid CRRT trouble. Call us at 703-996-0800 to discuss.

See Related Article: USPS changes the rules on addressing oversized mail

USPS changes the rules on addressing oversized mail

It’s been almost two whole months since the post office made any major changes, so I guess it’s overdue. But this one is a biggie. Literally.

If you’re mailing—or even thinking of mailing—a flat in the near future, you need to know that the new rules will probably impact on your design. Worse yet, if you don’t play the game by the USPS’s rules, your postage will escalate because you’ll sacrifice automation discounts.

Pause for a breath as you ponder the possibilities.

Ready to proceed? We’ll take it slow.

What’s a “flat”? Mail that is larger than 6-1/8” x 11.5” but not exceeding 12” x 15” is called a “flat.” I’m sure there must be some historic reason for this odd name, but I don’t know it. Ideas, anyone?

What’s the change? The location of the address block will hence forward be at the top of the mail piece. Currently most mailers put the address block at the bottom. (Think of your Time Magazine.) The new regs say you can put the address on either the front or the back (more on this critical point later), but the address cannot read upside down and must be within the top half of the mailpiece.

If your design calls for the address block at the bottom, you’re in trouble—unless you’re mailing this week. Which brings up…

When does the change take effect? This Sunday, March 29th.

What classes of mail are affected? First Class Presort, periodicals, standard mail, bound printed matter, media mail and Library rate mail sent at automation, presorted or carrier route price levels.

That just about covers the gamut, I think.

Have I lost you yet? Here are the details:

Self-mailers (ie pieces mailing without envelopes, like magazines, newspapers, annual reports and newsletters). The post office considers the spine to be the leading edge. The spine is the side with saddlestitches (staples) or folds. That’s why you can put the address on either the front or the back—it depends on where your spine is!

Hold your piece so the spine is on the right, in the “leading edge” position. The address block must be at the top. The address may be horizontal (ie parallel to the top edge) or vertical to the top edge. Vertical addresses can read left or right, and may cross the midpoint only if the address area begins or ends within 1” of the top edge. Address blocks parallel to the top edge cannot read upside down.

Envelopes. Horizontal format (ie booklet envelope) is acceptable, but the “top” is defined as the left or right side edge. Only a bureaucracy could call a side the “top” but anyway, the address must be fully on the left or the right of an imaginary midpoint line. So if you’re mailing a 9x12 booklet envelope, the “top” is the 9” side; and the midpoint is 6” from the left and right edges.

Got it?

What to know more details? OK, you asked for it…

Type must be at least 8-point. Barcodes need at least 4”.And the USPS prefers sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.

Don’t worry, Paul&Partners will take care of the last three points when you mail with us, if you give us the space to work with. Be sure you allow for an area where we can put an address without obliterating your critical art. And be sure to block out a white area for your barcode. If it is too late in your design process to make changes at this time, we’ll create labels and affix them in the required spot. So all is not lost.

However, if you do have time, rally your art department. They need to know that the rules which have been in effect since the flood are null and void in just 5 days.

Remember the threat about losing your automation discount if you don’t conform and comply? That’s post office speak for play with our rules or pay more. Maybe a lot more.

On standard flats, you could see your 5-digit mail increase by 2.7 cents each; and your 3-digit mail increase by over 5 cents apiece.

And it only gets worse.

Are you still with me? Eyes glazing over yet? Need help in deciphering what this change means to you?

Call Paul&Partners and we’ll help you figure it all out. 703-996-0800.

Direct Mail 101 - So what is an NCOA file?

NCOA files are maintained by the Post Office. (Remember the last time you moved? Remember that yellow Post Office form you filled out with your old and new address? You intended the postal service to forward your Time Magazine properly, right? Well, they did forward your Time Magazine to you, but they also put your addresses—both old and new—into a database. And then they made that database available to mailers to confirm address accuracy.)

Upon running your housefile through the NCOA process, you are awarded a certificate. That certificate allows you to mail First Class Presort, Standard Presort, or Nonprofit Presort (NCOA certification no older than 90 days is required for all presort categories of mail) should you wish. It also shows the Post Office that you are concerned about list hygiene and doing your part to keep your list clean. Call it “good will” if you wish. More practically, it updates your file and reduces your outlay for non-deliverable packages. NCOA certification is valid for 90 days.

Upsides: It’s fast: an expedited NOCA can happen in a couple of hours. And it’s cheap. NCOA processing will also catch incomplete addresses (i.e. missing apartment/suite numbers) or mismatches between states and zips, or incorrect addresses (no such street number). It will tell you if someone has moved, and if so what their new address is. It will tell you if someone has moved overseas (no luck on that address, though). And it will tell you if the person is gone with no forwarding address (best to check Heavenly Acres for current residence status). So you can fix your list and get in the mail faster with cleaner information. That means more positive results faster.

Downsides: Did your recipient fill out his/her yellow moving form legibly? If the input keypuncher can’t read it, the entry may be wrong in the database. Mail could be misdirected. So there is a small element of human error involved. And about those incomplete or incorrect addresses: NCOA processing probably can’t fix them for you. It can pinpoint problems, but you have to make the fix later.

Also, an NCOA of a company file can not pinpoint if your specific recipient is still employed in his/her position; it can only tell you if the company address is still viable.

Bottom line: For speed, accuracy, cost and getting your corrected information back in a timely fashion, no other list cleaning technique equals an NCOA.

Direct mail marketing is tough enough. Mailing to people who no longer live where you think they live only makes it harder and more expensive.

Make it easier on yourself—and your organization’s pocketbook. Keep your data clean, eliminate duplicates and kill the “deadwood.” But get a professional like Paul & Partners to guide you. Professional help costs nothing more than the NCOA fee. But get that NCOA done. You’ll be surprised at how much your return rates will improve on your next mailing! Best yet: your boss will think you’re a genius.

Now that’s a win-win!

43670 Trade Center Place, Suite 150, Dulles, VA 20166
Phone: 703.996.0800 Fax: 703.996.0888
http://www.paulandpartners.net/ travis.boaz@paulandpartners

Our Services Include: mailing services, bulk mailing services, direct mailing service, printing and mailing services, mass mailing services, buy mailing lists, mailing lists, buy mailing list, mailing list service, mailing list, direct mail mailing list, direct mail post cards, direct mail house, direct mail programs, direct mail printers, direct mail solutions, direct mail cost, direct mail advertising services, direct mail post card, direct mail marketing services, direct mail companies, direct mail postcards, direct mail advertising, direct mail marketing, direct mail