is anyone familiar with USPS bulk mailing?

[JR6ooo4]

we would like to do some advertising for the family business. Its based on real estate, building or selling/buying. So we really need it....

I have been reading the USPS site and it is just a little bit confusing.

[FONT=helvetica,arial][SIZE=-1][FONT=arial, heveltica][SIZE=-1]The term "bulk mail" refers to larger quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage. In Business Mail 101, the term "bulk mail" means commercial First-Class Mail and advertising mail (called "Standard Mail" by the Postal Service). Commercial prices are available for other classes of mail, too. The Postal Service uses the terms "bulk" and "presorted" interchangeably. [/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]

heheheheheee

some versions want yearly fees and a license or something. we jsut want to cut the cost of stamps a little bit.

thanks,
Mikeeee

 

[Imzadi]

Years ago, I worked as a temp for a week. From what little I know about bulk mailing, you have to do a super high volume in order to qualify and for it to really save money. It's not a use them one or two times for a few hundred mailings each time. That's probably why the P.O was talking about a yearly fee.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Years ago, I worked as a temp for a week for some publicist in NYC. From what little I know about bulk mailing, you have to do a super high volume in order to quailfy and for it to really save money. It's not a use them one or two times for a few hundred mailings each time. That's probably why the P.O was talking about a yearly fee.

When the publicist made me put stamps on about 300 fliers, then another bunch of stamps on a stack of brochures, I asked why she didn't use bulk mailing. Even with all her clients and stuff being sent out every day, over the year, it didn't qualify as bulk mailing.

dang it all!

Mikeeee

 

[Imzadi]

How about making oversize postcards? The rate is higher than regular postcards, but still cheaper than the regular 1st class letter rate. I *think* all that is needed to qualify as a postcard is is a single card, not folded or stuffed in an envelope. There is a regulation for what qualifies as oversize, but it is amazing how much stuff you can put on both sides of a postcard if you plan carefully.

 

[JR6ooo4]

How about making oversize postcards? The rate is higher than regular postcards, but still cheaper than the regular 1st class letter rate. I *think* all that is needed to qualify as a postcard is is a single card, not folded or stuffed in an envelope. There is a regulation for what qualifies as oversize, but it is amazing how much stuff you can put on both sides of a postcard if you plan carefully.

we plan on sending post cards. I have to check the exact size but i think we can mail them for about $0.245 each.

Mikeeee

 

[luv2sew]

I had checked for bulk rates for the place that I work and you have to pay an overall fee to get the bulk rate and it was not worth it for one or two bulk mailings a year.

 

[babytrees]

When doing postcards (around here at least) you have to hit about 500 sent before it makes any sense to bulk mail.

Basics: 200 pieces mailed before you hit bulk mail rates.
If you can find somebody who doesn't mind you using their permit (we were happy to "lend" out our permit # to members/members' businesses).
The other parts I am not very versed in because they changed the rules (again) right as I left my last job.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I thnk we would do about 500 the first time. But not often, maybe twice a year at the most.

thanks for the help though

Mikeeee

 

[LuvN~Travel]

How about making oversize postcards? The rate is higher than regular postcards, but still cheaper than the regular 1st class letter rate. I *think* all that is needed to qualify as a postcard is is a single card, not folded or stuffed in an envelope. There is a regulation for what qualifies as oversize, but it is amazing how much stuff you can put on both sides of a postcard if you plan carefully.

To qualify for the post card rate, not talking bulk here, the maximum size is 4 1/4" x 6" for that size. It also has a minimum size of 3.5" x 5".

Any other oversizes 'may' be covered by the bulk rate, but we're talking thousands here to be an effective use for most businesses just to offset the yearly bulk rate fees and such.

Kim

 

[Maridw]

We use bulk mail at our office and the minimum number of pieces is 200. We do at least 5 mailings with that many or more a year. These mailings are usually oversized postcards as an invite to events. On top of these mailings we also sometimes have other mailings with close to 4000 pieces.

You will have to pay a permit fee. The cost per piece is about $.24 compared to $.44 per piece. We also have a permit to purchase Bulk rate stamps, this takes off some more of the cost when using bulk rate.

If you are really interested in doing this, I would go to your local post office and talk to someone in their Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU). They can explain everything to you. You can also try this "Decision Tree" to see if this is right for you. http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/decisiontree/decisionTree.htm

If you decide to go with this, you can also register online and fill the forms out online instead of having to fill out a hard copy. Once you get the hang of it, it really isnt' that hard to use.

 

[OhMari]

I've been working with bulk mailing for 10 years.
10 years ago, the yearly fee was $40, this year is was $150.
Also, we are non-profit, so our rates are still slightly lower.
You have to have 200 pieces to use the bulk mailing, and I think you said you did.

Years ago, you had to sort by zip code, all 5 digits,
but now they let you group together the first 3 digits of zip codes, which makes it a lot easier.
You still have to do the count.
I worked with bulk mailing in one city, and they made us figure out the weight too, but now the postal service does it.

Our local post office was a pain, too. I couldn't bring in the mailing till after 10:00 a.m. I could never bring it in the afternoon, because the afternon clerks had no idea how to handle it. But now everything is computerized at the post offices, so they don't have to do any more "hard" thinking, the computer does it all.

 

[JR6ooo4]

And stupid me just thought, ask our friendly mailman!!!!

He is so nice he brings mailman shaped dog bisquits for our dogs. It does not take many treats to make friends out of natural enemies. Heheheheheheee

Mikeeee