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Good news for direct mail marketers! For the first time since 2020, the USPS will not raise First-Class Mail stamp prices in January 2025! This means more stability for your direct mail budgets and continued cost-effective customer communication. Read the full announcement here and connect with DG3 for all your direct mail needs. https://lnkd.in/e7J5gs2G #directmail #marketing #USPS #postagerates #dg3

How to Deal with the Upcoming US Postal Service Rate Increases The US Postal Service is raising its prices soon. This means sending letters and packages will cost more. Here’s how you can handle these changes and still get your mail where it needs to go. Plan Ahead First, try to send your mail before the prices go up. Check the date when the new prices start. If you send your letters and packages before that day, you can save money. Buy Forever Stamps Next, buy Forever Stamps. These stamps will always cover the cost of sending a regular letter, no matter how much prices go up in the future. So, stock up on them now! Send Packages Wisely When sending packages, choose the best option. Sometimes, flat-rate boxes are cheaper because you pay one price no matter how heavy the box is. Compare prices for different sizes and weights. Use Online Tools The US Postal Service website has tools to help you. You can calculate postage, print shipping labels, and even schedule a pickup. Using these tools can save you time and sometimes money. Consider Alternatives For some packages, other shipping companies might offer better rates. Compare prices with services like UPS and FedEx to find the best deal. Budget for the Increase If you often send mail, plan for the extra cost in your budget. Set aside a little more money each month to cover the higher prices. By following these steps, you can navigate the upcoming US Postal Service rate increases and keep your mailing costs under control.

USPS Update: On August 22, the USPS announced a pre-filing conference to discuss proposed changes aimed at improving operational efficiency under its 10-year Delivering for America plan. A virtual conference was held last week. One key change would add an additional delivery day for First Class Mail traveling over 50 miles from a Regional Processing Center. The USPS also plans to transition from 3-digit to more precise 5-digit ZIP Code standards and adjust pick-up and drop-off times for mail between post offices and processing plants in remote areas. These modifications are expected to save the USPS approximately $3 billion annually and make its network more efficient for both packages and mail. More details on the proposed changes can be found here: https://bit.ly/47r2oaw. The next step is for the proposal to be submitted to the PRC. Additionally, the USPS proposed temporary rate changes for the 2024 holiday season. These changes, already filed with the PRC, would affect prices on Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage, pending approval. The temporary rates would be effective from Oct. 6 to Jan. 19, 2025. The planned price changes are detailed here: https://bit.ly/4d1alnZ #USPSUpdate #USPS10YearPlan #MailDelivery #PostalRates #DirectMail #RWTProduction

The U.S. Postal Service wants to save $3 billion annually on changes that reflect its greater reliance on streamlined regional networks — while retaining local mail delivery times of one to three days and allowing customers to track some delivery schedules with greater precision. Election mail won’t be affected, officials said. The proposal, announced Aug. 29, would adjust mail delivery times while maintaining a commitment to a maximum five-day delivery for the flagship Ground Advantage program nationwide and a maximum three-day delivery for local first-class mail. United States Postal Service Developing the right Business Transformation Plan – July 2024 - https://lnkd.in/gsSg9QTy

In case you have missed this, the U. S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission on April 9, 2024, for mailing services price changes to take effect July 14, 2024. The new rates include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents. The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 7.8 percent. Read our blog for four ways your company can reduce postage expense: https://loom.ly/KKKJ6yw #USPS #PostalRateIncrease #FirstClassMail

From the Blog: "The U.S. Postal Service has recently made headlines by filing a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission detailing proposed price changes slated to take effect on July 14, 2024. These adjustments aim to update mailing services prices, including a noticeable 5-cent increase in the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, elevating it from 68 cents to 73 cents." Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q02wry5C0 #usps #mail #mailing #postage #postalautomation

Good news! For the first time since January 2021 and after seven consecutive price hikes, the USPS will not be increasing the cost of postage for January 2025. This is particularly important for firms that rely on high-volume legal mailings, including class action notices and other critical communications. The decision aligns with the USPS’s Delivering for America plan, which keeps mailing costs stable, allowing firms to focus on delivering timely and affordable services to their clients. Learn more about the USPS announcement here >> https://bit.ly/3N47Gzl #USPS #Postage #DeliveringForAmerica #BusinessNews #Efficiency

Declining mail volume has forced the USPS to pivot towards the package business. Though packages made up only 6% of mail volume last year, they accounted for 40% of revenue, so the move seems like a no-brainer for the cash-strapped postal service. The catch is that this is an arena where the USPS faces serious competition. https://lnkd.in/eVr56P5J

Deja Vu? In 2012-2013 the USPS completed first phase of "Network Consolidation" that involved 141 processing centers being absorbed. Before the next phase could begin Congress shut them down. Part of the rationale was the elimination of overnight First Class Mail (FCM). This would allow additional time at the processing centers to run the sorting machines for two shifts or more as needed. Clearly a more efficient use of equipment and facilities. During that time, Congress also shut down proposals to stop: Saturday Mail and mandate community Cluster Boxes to reduce delivery costs. Fast-forward 10 years and we are back at it again, now under the name "Delivering for America" with a more aggressive consolidation footprint. So far, the the country is reeling from poor performance, much of which is directly tied to these consolidation efforts. Interrupting the process, is unlikely to happen under PMG's supervision unless his hand is forced and this article discusses the interaction of the Governing Board and the new Biden appointee. Meanwhile Shippers would be well advised on evaluating alternative transportation solutions that avoid the grid-locked USPS delivery and sortation centers, yet still leverage the USPS for the final mile delivery. Many shippers can save money and get their products to their customer's faster utilizing these networks. Consultants can help you craft the optimum carrier mix for your operational needs. Shipware #shipping #supplychain #ecommerce

The United States Postal Service® has announced upcoming price changes for Mailing Services, set to take effect on July 14, 2024. Get ahead of the curve! This slide breaks down everything you should know about the upcoming USPS price changes, helping you navigate with ease. Quadient Mailing Solutions