First Bit of MTAC News - Full Service Pallet Placards
First news flash from MTAC - Full Service Pallet Placards MUST be placed on the outside of the shrinkwrap - no exceptions, no compromises from USPS. If mailers do not place the placard on the outside, as of May 09 - the mailing WILL NOT qualify for Full Service. Period.
This is a major issue for mailers who palletize and drop ship. The expense of affixing the labels, the major possibility of placards falling off, the possibility of consolidators or other transport having to wrap shaky loads covering the placard - all are issues mailers will have to contend with.
This is not good news for any mailer - or mail owner, who may see their costs go up to cover the additional expense this will force on the industry.
New Slim-jim Standards Nearly in Sight
New Slim-jim Standards Nearly in Sight.
New standards for letter-size catalogs coming soon…
DMM Advisory - New Shipping Prices Posted
Go to usps.com/prices to access the new shipping services prices announced last week. There are links to downloadable pricing files and Federal Register notices for domestic and International services, with detailed information.
Next up for bailout? USPS
Tough times call for tough decisions. Hopefully the USPS can make the changes necessary with as little pain as possible.
MTAC Week Coming Up
All next week I will be in Washington DC for the Mailer’s Technical Advisory Committee meetings. Look for some live blogging from the General Session on Wednesday, and posts throughout the week as newsworthy items come up. I expect the sessions to be very lively, as May ‘09 is no longer a long while off. There is a staggering amount of work that needs to be done by the USPS in preparation for Intelligent Mail.
If you attend, and you are a reader of this blog, please seek me out and let me know! Few people are brave enough to comment here, and it is always great to talk to folks about the information presented.
Best wishes,
Lisa
DMM Advisory - Shipping Services Price Changes
Interesting how they call these “price changes” instead of price increases. I find it difficult to believe that the changes will ever be to reduce prices. Mailing services price changes will be announced in February 09 for implementation in May 09.
From today’s DMM Advisory:
Pricing for shipping services will change on Sunday, Jan. 18, the Postal Service announced today following a vote by its Board of Governors.
“The move to annual January price changes for shipping services products is consistent with industry-wide practice, and provides a clear picture of the competitive, affordable prices the Postal Service offers,” said Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services.
Prices will change on Sunday, Jan. 18, for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and some international shipping products. Overall, shipping services prices will increase an average of 5 percent. The new prices are available at www.usps.com/prices (click “New Shipping Prices” box).
“The new prices are very competitive within the shipping industry and reinforce the value Postal Service pricing offers our customers,” Bernstock said. “As always, the Postal Service does not impose fuel surcharges, hidden surcharges or surcharges for residential delivery or Saturday delivery.”
New for 2009 is Commercial Plus pricing, an extraordinary value for high-volume Express Mail and Priority Mail users. New Commercial Plus prices for Express Mail are 14.5 percent less than retail on average, and for Priority Mail 7 percent less than retail on average.
“Commercial Plus is a tiered pricing option designed with larger shippers in mind,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, Expedited Shipping. “It’s a very competitive offering for commercial customers — lower prices that will reward them for shipping higher volumes with the Postal Service.”
The Postal Service remains the best shipping value in the market, Reblin said, especially for Express Mail and Priority Mail packages weighing less than 5 pounds. Parcel Select, the Postal Service “last mile” ground product, where the Postal Service provides delivery for other parcel shippers and parcel consolidators, continues to be an excellent solution for high-volume shippers. For international mailers, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International are the best value in global shipping.
Service Average Price Change
Express Mail 5.7%
Priority Mail 3.9%
Parcel Select 5.9%
Parcel Return Service 5.3%
International Shipping Services 8.5%
This is the first time the Postal Service is adjusting prices for its shipping services on a different schedule from its mailing service price adjustments. Price changes for mailing services, including stamp prices, will be announced in February, and will be effective in May 2009.
Would 40,000 Fewer Postal Jobs Be A Good Thing? : Postal2020.com
Would 40,000 Fewer Postal Jobs Be A Good Thing?
A GREAT commentary, and the final words regarding a USPS press release refuting the layoff rumors can be found in its’ official entirety here:
http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/pr08_layoffs.htm
USPS Rate Rumors and Speculation
There has been a flurry of activity this week with rumors and speculation regarding the USPS. Several reliable sources have told me that we can expect (at least) two postage rate adjustment, one for packages and one for letters and flats. Increases are expected to be between 4% and 6%, with packages to increase at the start of 2009; and the other scheduled increases for May of 2009. The USPS gives at least 30 and usually 60 days’ notice prior to a rate adjustment.
Elimination of USPS Saturday delivery is also popping up in many conversations.
Two topics that bear watching carefully,
Best wishes,
Lisa
Consider these mailing trends to avoid postal angst
Consider these mailing trends to avoid postal angst :: BtoB Magazine.
Good advice from BtoB Magazine. Get a jump on IMb inititatives now, before they are mandated, with an eye to leverege information. Gain valuable experience using Intelligent Mail to your best advantage before everyone else jumps on board.
