Are you a Bulk Mailer? You are if your organization mails, on a routine basis, 200 pieces or more of mail and receives discounted postage? This can include businesses of all sorts, churches, schools, other non-profit organizations and more. Why does this matter? Read on to find out.

Recently the US Postal Service announced its intention to reduce its nationwide processing facilities from 500 to approximately 200 facilities across the country. The Rapid City Processing Facility is one of those being considered for closure and the mail sent to Casper, WY for processing. Prior to any final decisions being made, a public hearing will be held to allow for additional public input.

There are two primary issues: 1) delivery standards will change and increase delivery time of 1-2 days and 2) postage costs will increase if we lose our SCF discount.

With the first, most people will adapt over time to an extended delivery schedule. Better planning and execution will be required. However many businesses have legal statutes to meet and changes in delivery standards will impact them directly. The impact of weather on the delivery process is only one of many factors.

The second issue has an impact on an organization’s mailing costs. If we lose our SCF discount you will see a substantial increase in your postage costs. The chart below gives you the changes based on a couple of the most common classes of mail and reflect the new postal rates scheduled to go into effect on January 22, 2012.

What should you do?

• Based on the chart above, you need to analyze what you have done in the past and determine the impact this increase will have on you and your business or organization.
• Write a letter to the Post Office and include specific data regarding your costs and decisions you will make if the proposed changes occur and send/email to Manager, Industry Engagement and Outreach, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4617, Washington DC 20260, or to IndustryFeedback@usps.com.
• Send a copy of the letter to Rosemary Harvey at Western Mailers, 224 E Saint Joseph St, Rapid City, SD 57701-2917 or rosemary@westernmailers.com to be compiled with others and presented to the committee at the public meeting. Also asked to be added to the email list to keep posted on updates.