LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN

USPS TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVE POSITION FOR SOME PO BOXES

USPS can offer more flexible and competitive PO Box pricing, thanks to a decision last week by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

The PRC approval means USPS can establish pricing for PO Boxes at 49 Post Offices that are responsive to local competition. The 32,000 PO Boxes affected by the decision represent a fraction of the 13 million PO Boxes nationwide. But it allows USPS to test consumer interest in enhancements to the current PO Box offering and will help shape future PO Box service and access strategies.

“Today’s marketplace is fast-paced,” noted Susan Plonkey, acting president, Mailing and Shipping Services. “Moving some PO Boxes into the competitive product category gives the Postal Service greater flexibility to innovate and to respond more quickly to the changing requirements of our customers.”

The plan was presented to the PRC last March, shortly after USPS outlined an aggressive business plan to meet current economic challenges. The plan includes cost reduction, increased productivity and an array of legislative and regulatory changes necessary to maintain a viable Postal Service for the future. It emphasizes the need for USPS to take advantage of opportunities under current law to increase revenue and enhance customer service. Addressing the dynamic and competitive marketplace for PO Boxes is an example of how USPS is moving ahead with its plan.

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SOLID WORK ETHIC

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR A CUSTOMER

Salt Lake City, UT, Express Mail Service Clerk Carlos Bussell.

Carlos Bussell likes packages, sacks and scanners. It’s rewarding work for the Salt Lake City, UT, clerk, and he’s earned a reputation for satisfying customers.

So it wasn’t surprising when District Manager Ken McArthur received a letter about Bussell’s work ethic from David and Terry Dittman, business owners in Anchorage, AK.

“Our company uses Express Mail regularly,” the Dittmans wrote. They said a package sent to them from Salt Lake City needed to be recalled, adding Bussell went “the extra mile” to find and return it.

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HOME IS WHERE THE MAIL IS

PREMIUM FORWARDING SERVICE KEEPS CUSTOMERS CONNECTED

Premium Forwarding Service (PFS) is the perfect mailing option for customers planning long summer vacations.

PFS lets residential customers forward all their mail — including magazines and catalogs — to a temporary U.S. address for extended stays from two weeks up to one full year.

Mail is held and reshipped once each week using Priority Mail to the temporary location. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $15 and a weekly forwarding fee of $13.95. Customers can enroll for PFS at their primary address Post Offices.

Additional PFS advantages include:

• A customer’s permanent address doesn’t change and the temporary address isn’t provided to mailers.
• Customers won’t miss important mail while away from home and can continue to enjoy their magazine and newspaper subscriptions instead of having them pile up back home.
• PFS is reliable. The week’s mail goes out the same day every week using Priority Mail and will arrive in 2-3 business days.

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