DM News webcast addresses postal rate increase
Converting flat mail to letter size is just one way for mailers to reduce the burden of the new postal rates, said Elizabeth Lombard, USPS rate specialist at Pitney Bowes.
“Consolidate mailings,” Ms. Lombard said. “For example, mail fewer but heavier pieces. This is ideal for households and consumers.” One could mail a statement and offer in the same envelope rather than mail them separately.
Ms. Lombard also suggested that mailers consider First-Class Mail postcards as an alternative to letters. She said that it is not only cheaper but also a guarantee that the consumer will at least see a message since it is out in the open. Envelopes are not always opened.
“Eliminate non-machinable characteristics to avoid the 17-cent surcharge for First-Class letters,” Ms. Lombard said. “Also avoid parcel rates by designing flats to meet new regulations.”
She said mail pieces should be uniformly thick so that any bumps, protrusions or other irregularities do not cause more than a quarter-inch variance in thickness.
Exclude the outside edges of a mail piece when determining variance in thickness.
Mail pieces should be flexible, too. If it can bend at least one inch vertically without being damaged and does not contain a rigid inset, no further testing is necessary.
The rate increase for periodicals will go into effect July 15, 2007.
“Bundle rates will be based on sort level and container level,” said Mike Plunkett, acting vice president, pricing and classification at the United States Postal Service. “Container rates will be based on container type, level and entry.”
He also said that the rates hike for periodicals was put on hold by USPS Governors to allow time for software development.
When talking about the rate hike that is already in effect, Mr. Plunkett said the increase reflects changes in operations and the marketplace, offers more choices, includes incentives, reduces undeliverable-as-addressed mail and better reflects shape effects.
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