Randy Weiler, SPC’s Director of Postal Affairs and Logistics, is here to help you navigate the labyrinth of the USPS. What does it take to efficiently move your projects through the USPS system? What efficiencies can you gain from SPC’s lettershop expertise? Who determines postal increases?
Every month, Randy fields your burning questions about mail and postal affairs in a Q&A format. You can email him at askrandy@specialtyprintcomm.com or post a question via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #AskRandyUSPS. We post the questions and his answers each month both here on the SPC blog and on social media. To see a full list of questions that Randy has answered, check the Ask Randy Index.
1) What is the USPS Mailer Scorecard? Who gets one? What is the potential risk or reward that can come from a mailer’s Scorecard?
A USPS Mailer Scorecard is provided to both mailers and mail owners as a means to view the results of letter and flat mailing activity over a calendar month. This mail quality tool displays mailing compliance with four key USPS initiatives: Full-Service Intelligent Mail, Move Update, e-Induction and Seamless Acceptance.
The driver as to who can receive a Mailer Scorecard is the mailer ID identified as the mail owner on the electric documentation submitted via the USPS Business Customer Gateway for mail verification and payment.
The USPS has established threshold levels for the many different areas of measurement on the Mailer Scorecard. Exceeding any of the thresholds may result in a postage assessment penalty. It is up to the mail owner and mailer to decide which party is responsible for the penalty.
2) What are MTAC Workgroups and User Groups?
MTAC (Mailer’s Technical Advisory Committee) is a USPS body that shares technical information with mailers and receives their advice and recommendations on mail related products and services. MTAC has quarterly meetings held in Washington DC. Different Workgroups and User Groups are part of MTAC. These groups consist of USPS and Industry Leaders that focus on a variety of USPS hot topics or potential areas of technical enhancements such as: Addressing, USPS Promotions, Presort, Mail Acceptance, Informed Delivery, Operational Optimization, Business Customer Gateway, Package Acceptance and Payment and Informed Address.
3) What affect will FedEx no longer offering ground delivery service to Amazon have on the USPS?
What many people don’t realize is that in many instances the USPS is the final hand off for delivery of FedEx and UPS ground packages. FedEx no longer offering ground delivery service to Amazon will result in more end to end package delivery for the USPS. Financially this should help the USPS by increasing volumes and revenue.
4) Who is the better basketball player; LeBron James or Michael Jordan?
Living in the Chicago area, even if I felt differently there is no way I wouldn’t say Jordan. But in this case, I really believe that to be true. Jordan revolutionized the game. No question.
Randy Weiler
Director Postal Affairs and Logistics
