Postal Rates

Experts: No USPS rate increase could result in customer retention

Frank Washkuch October 16, 2009

Direct mailers are calling the US Postal Service's announcement that it will not raise rates for almost all of its shipping categories next year a welcome surprise, especially considering that many were preparing additional funding for a rate increase.
 

Postal Service says it won't raise 2010 rates

Frank Washkuch October 16, 2009

The US Postal Service told businesses on October 15 that it will not raise rates for 2010 on its "market-dominant products," a category that includes first-class and standard mail, periodicals and single-piece parcel post. The agency has predicted that the fiscal year 2009 mail volume could be as much as 20 billion pieces lighter than the year before.
 

USPS narrows list of possible branch closures by 42

Frank Washkuch October 12, 2009

The US Postal Service, striving to cut costs during a year when mail volume is expected to be 20 billion pieces lighter than the prior year, thinned the list of branches it is considering closing to 317. The agency removed 42 branches from its list of possible consolidations in the past month.
 

Potter remarks take on do-not-mail movement

Kate Muth October 09, 2009

Postmaster General John Potter took on proponents of do-not-mail legislation last week, saying that mailed ads help fund the USPS.
 

'Newsweek' delivers seven suggestions to fix the Postal Service

Frank Washkuch October 06, 2009

According to suggestions published by Newsweek on October 5, the US Postal Service should "give every American an e-mail address when they're born," according to futurist Watts Wacker, and then sell advertising on those accounts. The agency could also advertise its services with coupons or oversee government-expanded broadband, according to the list of seven suggestions.
 

UPS debuts ground rates from Mexico

Cara Wood August 03, 2009

International shipper UPS recently introduced a ground option for shipping small packages from Mexico to the US. The company had previously offered Express and Expedited shipping options from Mexico, but the new service will reduce costs for shippers who don't need short-term delivery dates.
 

Postal public forum to define workshare rates

Cara Wood July 21, 2009

The US Postal Service has announced a public forum on August 11 at 1pm to discuss work share discount methodologies in First-Class Mail and Standard Mail. On July 7, the USPS filed a request with the PRC to change the analytical methods used for periodic reporting for revenue, piece and weight estimates for bulk mail categories. Also under discussion at the forum will be public comments made in March regarding the underlying reasoning for discounts on First-Class and Standard Mail.
 

Summer Sale starts July 1 for eligible mailers

Cara Wood June 05, 2009

The Postal Regulatory Commission unanimously approved the US Postal Service's summer sale, formally known as the Standard Mail Volume Incentive Pricing Program, on June 4.
 

The PRC approves the USPS summer sale

Cara Wood June 04, 2009

The Postal Regulatory Commission today unanimously approved the US Postal Service's proposal to implement a "summer sale" or Standard Mail Volume Incentive Pricing Program. The seasonal rates are scheduled to take effect on July 1.
 

Postal decline worsens due to delivery flaws

Cara Wood, Lynne Miller June 01, 2009

According to the unaudited numbers released by the US Postal Service last week, the agency faces a net loss of $2.67 billion year-to-date.
 

NPF: USPS financial situation drives morning panel

Lauren Bell May 19, 2009

The US Postal Service's financial situation dominated a discussion with Marie Therese Dominguez, VP, government relations and public policy, USPS, and Patrick Donahoe, USPS deputy postmaster general and COO, this morning at the National Postal Forum. Retiree health benefits, mentioned in Monday's opening session, were a main focus of the talk.
 

Potter likes USPS' chances despite recession: NPF

Lauren Bell May 18, 2009

Service was the key word at the National Postal Forum's opening general session this morning. Throughout his introduction and three short panel discussions, Postmaster General John Potter remained adamant that the USPS would maintain and even improve its service levels, in spite of economic difficulties.
 

Curiosity on summer sale reigns at NPF

Lauren Bell May 18, 2009

A major point of interest at this week's National Postal Forum has been the proposed USPS Summer Sale on Standard Mail letters and flats. The sale, pending approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission, is intended to drive volume during the traditionally slow July to September quarter.
 

NALC president: Frequent postage increases avoidable

Nancy Kearney May 11, 2009

Postage rate increases, such as the one that took effect today, can and should be avoided if Congress would rescind some of the "onerous financial shackles imposed" on the US Postal Service, according to the head of the national letter carriers union. The price of a first-class stamp rose 2 cents today, to 44 cents, the third straight annual increase.
 

USPS to test new shipping service

Nancy Kearney May 08, 2009

The US Postal Service will market test a new competitive, less-than-truckload shipping service known as Collaborative Logistics. The Postal Regulatory Commission signed off on the USPS proposal, which gives the postal agency two years to conduct the market test.
 

Postmaster presses Congress to act on retiree bill

Nancy Kearney May 07, 2009

In a letter to a key House subcommittee chairman, US Postmaster General John Potter again pressed his case for Congressional action on proposed legislation that would reduce the agency's out-of-pocket costs for retiree health benefits, which could save the US Postal Service $2 billion this year.
 

USPS ends Q2 with $1.9B loss

Nancy Kearney May 06, 2009

Citing the ongoing recession and an "unprecedented" drop in mail volume, the US Postal Service today announced a $1.9 billion loss for the second quarter and said it likely expects to end the fiscal year September 30 with a projected deficit of more than $1.5 billion. Mail volume for the second quarter, which ended March 31, totaled 43.8 billion pieces, a drop of 7.5 billion pieces, or 14.7% compared to a year ago, the USPS said in a release.
 

Direct mail tale can have a happy ending

Peter Towner, account manager, Japs-Olson Company April 06, 2009

These are the best of times and the worst of times — a tale with a present day ring to it for us all.
 

USPS delays Move Update fines

Bryan Yurcan March 30, 2009

The US Postal Service will delay implementation of the Standard Mail Move Update noncompliance charge from May 11 to January 4, 2010, in a notice filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission.
 

Just my two cents

James E. Sullivan, project director, Optic Nerve Direct Marketing March 27, 2009

Recently, the USPS posted a $1 Billion dollar net loss in the Third Quarter of 2008. This year looks even bleaker, with mailers of all sorts and sizes bracing for the next round of postal increases due on May 11, 2009. Officials blame the Postal loss on reduced mail volume across the industry, coupled with rapidly rising transport costs due to the increasing costs of fuel. Seeing my mail box much lightened by the lack of mailings, I think this would be a great time for marketers to get new creative test mailings going.
 

Mail industry ponders its future after rate hike

Bryan Yurcan February 13, 2009

With the US Postal Service announcing its rate increases for 2009, the agency and the mailing industry face an uncertain future.
 

USPS 2009 rate increase set to go into effect

Bryan Yurcan February 10, 2009

The US Postal Service Board of Governors announced on February 10 new postal rates for 2009 including a two-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 44 cents. Prices for mailing services are reviewed annually and adjusted each May. The new prices will go into effect Monday, May 11.
 

With their industry at a crossroads, print experts examine alternate revenue streams

Lauren Bell January 19, 2009

The print industry is undergoing a sea change, and companies everywhere are scrambling to get ahead of the curve — or at least stay solvent.
 

Move Update goes into effect

Bryan Yurcan December 01, 2008

The US Postal Service's long-awaited Move Update require­ments officially took effect last week; however, mailers will have about six months to become com­pliant with the new requirements before facing any fines.
 

Cost-cutting insert strategies for 2009

November 17, 2008

Traditional media such as inserts can offer steady success in the coming year for marketers — especially in an era of postage and paper cost increases, say four insert media experts.
 

USPS to boost shipping costs

Bryan Yurcan November 13, 2008

Pricing for shipping services will change on January 18, the US Postal Service announced today following a vote by its Board of Governors.
 

USPS suffers $2.8B loss

Bryan Yurcan November 13, 2008

The US Postal Service today said it suffered a net loss of $2.8 billion for the fiscal year 2008, which ended September 30.
 

Get creative to cut direct mail costs

November 10, 2008

Today's marketers want to stay competitive in an uncertain economy, but direct mail can be expensive. Four experts share their tips for making a piece look good — but cost less.
 

UPS releases Q3 earnings

Bryan Yurcan October 23, 2008

UPS said it earned $970 million during the third quarter 2008, a 9.9% decline from profit of $1.08 billion a year ago.
 

New federal export requirements go into effect

Bryan Yurcan September 30, 2008

New International shipping requirements for exporters became effective today, according to the US Postal Service. The US Census Bureau now requires filing of export information through its automated export system or its AESDirect system for all international shipments.
 

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