Ask Randy: Volume 14

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 seal requirements are needed for an iron cross mailing?

The sealing requirements of an iron cross type mailpiece really depend on how it is constructed. If the piece is a true iron cross formed from one sheet of paper, then as a base folded self-mailer it can be sealed with glue dots, wafer seals or a glue line. If the iron cross is formed from multiple pieces of paper, the sealing requirements become a lot more complex as they vary depending on how the sheets of paper (usually the wings) are attached.

2) What is a non-USPS record? How can a non-USPS record get through CASS and NCOA?

“Non-USPS” is an SPC term. This is referring to a record that made it through CASS and NCOA but was deemed invalid during the presorting of the mail list. The can happen due to timing; whereas CASS or NCOA were performed well before presort. In this case, the data validation files used may not have been aligned. This can also happen because CASS and NCOA validation use different files than presort software, which uses the USPS delivery statistics file. In either instance the resultant number of “Non-USPS” records should be very small.

3) Are there any updates to the USPS going to 5-day delivery?

As the USPS continues to post significant financial losses ($909 million in the first half of 2019), there are always rumblings that a way to cut losses would be to reduce delivery to 5 days a week. However, I just don’t see this happening due to Congressional pushback and increased package volume, which oftentimes demands more immediate delivery. Officially no updates have been provided.

4) Who is the most fascinating person you ever met and why?

Without a doubt Chris Farley. Chris was a high school classmate of a coworker from a summer job I had in college. We met Chris at a bar in Madison on a very hot July evening. Talk about non-stop crazy talk, laughing and drinking. Really hilarious guy. Don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone sweat so much. So sad when he passed away. So sad.

 

Randy Weiler
Director Postal Affairs and Logistics

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