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Ideas/Section-3
Any legitimate article
of commerce may be sold through the U.S.
mails upon truthful and honest representation - and the Post
Office welcomes every legal enterprise to the use of the mails.
The purpose of this report is to provide
you with practical
information on more economical and efficient handling of your
mail. With postage costs at an all time high, we belive you will
find these suggestions on how to get more for your postage dollar
especially helpful. Today, it is more important than ever to
establish good mailing practices, practices that will make a
profitable difference in your postage handling, and speed up your
mail.
A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF POSTAL LAWS AND
REGULATIONS - By the very
nature of the business, mail merchandising implies integrity. If
a customer has to pay for something before having a chance to
examine the article, his confidence is not to be abused. Selling
by mail must be kept on a high plane of the dealer is to survive
and prosper.
Lotteries, chain letters and schemes to
injure or defraud are
denied the mail privilege.. Nonmailable materials also include
items not regarded as conductive to the public welfare, such as
pornography. Excluded, too are materials (as inflammable liquids
and chemicals) which could damage the mails or cause injury to
postal employees.
Every one who is using the mails to conduct
business should
become familiar with the postal retirements which apply to his
particular enterprise. It is not, however, necessary or advisable
for the beginner or small operator to attempt learning in detail
all the ramifications of all the Postal Laws and Regulations. To
the mail minded person, dealing with the post office is not
anything new or strange. As a mail user in the past, whenever you
came across something on which you desired information, you
simply inquired at the post office. As a small mail order dealer
you will be doing the same thing.., and there will not be a great
range of questions that will concern you. If you are in doubt
about anything relating to your situation,, inquire as to how the
matter should be handled. The Post Office will answer all your
questions.
PENALTIES FOR USING THE MAILS TO DEFRAUD
- A customer should make
a formal complaint in the case of misrepresentations and
possible fraud with the Office of the Regional Chief Postal
Inspector. There are 5 regions. The local Post Office will advise
what region is responsible got a given area of the country.
If complaints from different parties have
been received, the
postal, inspector can ascertain that the seller is at fault.
However, the Post Office will give a mail order business the
benefit of the doubt and the business is afforded the chance of
settling complaints fairly with customers.
Where the intention is clearly to defraud,
the case is followed
through with a fraud order to be issued by the office of the
Postmaster General. Letters are then returned to the senders,
marked across the face of the envelope "Fraudulent"..
It is not
the intent of the POst Office, however, for its inspectors to act
as censors on transactions or adjusters of arguments.
In flagrant cases of fraud,, in addition
to loss of mail use, a
fine or imprisonment, or both, may be imposed. However, any
honest individual who operates a mail-order enterprise as a
business and not as racket need have no fear.
NEED FOR FAMILIARITY WITH CLASSES AND RATES
OF MAIL - Since
mailing costs are responsible for a major operating expense --
approximately one fourth of the total expenses of a small mail
order business -- the mail-order business has to be able to
figure how to get top efficiency for this major expense category.
A mail order business may, for example,
save a great deal in the
course of a year by knowing how pieces of sales literature can
best be mailed and what the weight limitations are for specific
postage charges. Among small dealers especially, there is much
postage waste by failure to take into account minor details which
in the aggregate run to respectable sums. Suppose, as an
illustration, a booklet or catalog ready to mail just barely
exceeds the limit for one rate and calls for more postage. A
minor adjustment in the place can decrease the postage from, for
example 65 cents to 45 cents. A thousand pieces mailed per month
makes a difference of $200 Dollars in lost profit.
Third-class mail, (also called bulk mail),
may be used by anyone,
but it is used most often by larger mailers. Basic requirement to
mail by bulk mail are that the mailer obtains the proper permit,,
minimum number of pieces must be 200 per mailing and all pieces
are sorted by zip code. At this time the rate for Basic Bulk Mail
is 0.16.7 for the first 3.37oz. Thereafter a combination of pound
and pieces rate are applied. Almost all mail order companies use
bulk mail when a given piece exceeds 45 cents for first class
postage. The savings are substantial. The big disadvantage is the
time it takes for delivery. This can vary greatly by region and
time of the year. As a rule of thumb mail within a 500 mile range
may take from 1 to 2 weeks, 500 to 1500 miles 10 to 20 days and
over 1500 miles from 2-4 weeks. Your local Post Office will give
you all necessary bulk mail information and the proper
application.
The Post Office issues a number of informative
brochures which
are free and give information on key postal matters. For a list
of currently available publications write to:
Consumer Advocate
U.S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza West, N.W.
Washington, DC 20260
Since many prospective small mail dealers
are interested in the
merchandising of books, it is important for them to know that
books can be mailed by preferential rate not enjoyed ny any other
commodity. To take advantage of the reduced rates,, packages must
be plainly marked "Special Fourth Class Rate", Current
special
Fourth Class Rate are 90 cents for the first pound and, 30 cents
for each additional pound.
KEEP YOUR BUSINESS ABOVE REPROACH - Considering
the number of
people using the mails and the tremendous volume of business
transacted by mail, the Post Office levies relatively few
penalties. However, no business of any size can be carried on
without some complaints. A policy of "Money Back Guarantee"
or
"Satisfaction Guaranteed" goes a long way in convincing
the Post
Office as well as your customers that you are a trustworthy
business.
PACKAGING AND ADDRESSING PARCELS AND PACKAGES
- Proper packaging
and addressing of packages is the best way to prevent damage and
loss. Use a container strong enough to protect contents during
handling.. Cushion the contents if necessary to make sure they do
not move within the container and affix the address information
securely. Plastic packaging tape is recommended for closing and
reinforcing the flaps and seams... Avoid using wrapping paper.
The use of string could cause damage in processing. The address
must be typed or legibly written one side only.. Use an address
that's designed for efficient post office handling including
proper zip code information - with the recipients address more
prominent than your own.
USE STANDARD SIZE ENVELOPES - Save time
and money. For best
results envelopes should be at least a few inches longer then the
longest insert plus the combined total thickness of the inserts.
When the inserts are thick and bulky, extra allowances should be
made.
WATCH YOUR WEIGHT - A truly accurate mailing
scale is a must for
any mailer - large or small. Otherwise, you run the risk of
underpayment of postage - and the irrirritation of mail being
returned because of "postage Due". And of course, overpayment
of
postage can cost you a great deal of money over a period of time,
so it is indeed important to have an accurate postage scale.
POSTAGE METER - If you send out much mail
from your place of
business, it might be practical to consider the convenience of
metered mail. Some advantages are - Save trips to the post
office. Eliminate the need for keeping loose stamps.. Stamp, seal
and postmark quickly. Avoid loss of stamps. Print "meter ads"
simultaneously with the meter stamps. Accurate postage affixing.
Postage meter equipment generally consists
of tow parts, an
office mailing machine and a detachable postage meter, the later
licensed for use by the United States Postal Service. Since
postage meters print U.S. postage and account for government
revenue under official lock and seal, they cannot be sold
outright, as are mailing machines, but are leased from an
authorized manufacturer who is held responsible to the U.S.
Postal Service for their proper operation and replacement when
necessary.
KEEP YOUR MAILING LIST CURRENT - Only a
"live" list can produce
good results - and many nixies on a list can be very costly. So
be sure to keep your list constantly up to date. One way to keep
your list clean is to print. "Address Correction Requested"
on
outgoing envelopes. The POst Office notes the reason for
non-delivery, or the new address if known. The fee for address
correction service is 30 cents per notice issued, for both Second
and Third class mail. Undeliverable first class mail is returned
free of charge.
SPECIAL HANDLING -Special handling service
is available for Third
and Fourth class mail only, including insured and certified
mail... It provides for preferential handling in dispatch and
transport, but does not provide faster delivery.
PRIORITY MAIL - First class and priority
mail are one and the
same... When first class mail exceeds 11 ounces it becomes
priority mail.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A POSTAL PROBLEM
- When you have a
problem with your mail service it is best to talk to one of the
clerks at the Post Office. If necessary the clerk will refer you
to someone else. It is best not to complain to management or file
an official complaint at your own Post Office. Be nice with the
clerks and try to get known them. They are important partners in
your mail order business.
