posted on January 10, 2001 05:58:31 PM
I just printed the new postal rates from www.usps.com. I have always relied on Special Standard Rate and First Class mail but by printing this new info out, I noticed several of the other rates available such as parcel post, media mail, library mail, bound printed matter, etc.
A couple of the charts are broken up by zones (parcel post, priority, bound printed matter). How do I determine what zone an address falls under? Which zone determines the rate (just the destination address?)
I'm also not sure what the different categories are under Media mail and library mail (single piece vs. 5-digit vs. bmc).
posted on January 10, 2001 06:51:26 PM
---oh and I asked that question earlier about the 5 digit, 3 digit, BMC---and was told that you have to be mailing out many many items to the same postal code to qualify for those rates
posted on January 10, 2001 07:40:32 PM
Zazzie is right - you need to be shipping many, many pieces to take advantage of 5-digit, 3-digit, BMC, etc. I also don't think we individual shippers can use Library Rate Mail. On the bright side, the postal service's quick service guide pecifically mentions books as being eligible for bound printed matter rate mail (up to 15 pounds). BPM is cheaper than Media Mail for many of the postal zones. In fact, on my rate chart, it's cheaper than Media Mail for every zone except the one farthest from me. I assume BPM takes as long as Media Mail to arrive!!
posted on January 10, 2001 07:44:04 PM
I heard my postmaster (who usually makes an effort to be right) tell someone Library Rate Mail can only go from a library address to a library address.
posted on January 11, 2001 12:19:53 AMbarrelracer: Library rate is for libraries, schools, universities, and non-profit organizations.
Zazzie:
Delivery Confirmation is available for Priority Mail and Standard Mail (B) which includes Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, and Media Mail.
The cost of delivery confirmation actually went down for Parcel Post.
Fee in addition to postage:
Priority Mail - $0.40
Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail - $0.50
