LETTER: Letter Shop's 3602 Form Doesn't Mean Anything
I read Richard L. Fuller's article ("Low Response on Your Mail Programs?" April 3) telling mailers to make sure they receive completed 3602 forms from their letter shop vendors to ensure that the mail went out.While I agree with his advice, in most cases, this "proof" is barely worth the paper it is printed on. Most large letter shops have in-house postal facilities. The completed 3602 form merely proves that the postage has been paid and that the mail has been turned over to the on-site postal clerk.
Unfortunately, we have seen cases where 3602 forms were completed, but a portion of the mail was later found still in the facility. Also, in most places the mail is only spot-checked or weighed for quantity. It is almost impossible to make sure that every piece of your mailing actually went into the postal stream without actually being on site.
I would be very interested in hearing your readers' thoughts on a way to tighten up the system so that there is true accountability on the transfer from letter shop to post office.
