‘Reply Rides Free’ and ‘Saturation Mail/High Density Incentive’ Programs Refiled
WASHINGTON — Volume discounts and free additional weight are included in proposed mailing standards changes the U.S. Postal Service filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today. These two incentives are designed to retain and grow profitable mail volume and were originally filed with the price changes proposed in July.
- Reply Rides Free encourages the inclusion of marketing messages in bill and statement mailings, and payment of bills using the mail. For qualifying customers, a 1.2-ounce piece is charged the 1-ounce price if a reply envelope or card is included in the mailing.
- The Saturation Mail/High Density Incentive Program provides rebates for volume growth over 5 percent for frequent mailers of Saturation or High Density Standard Mail letters and flats.
Proposed changes also include a small increase in the threshold below which the Move Update assessment charge applies. If approved by the PRC, the measures outlined in the filing take effect on Jan. 2, 2011.
“Innovations like the Reply Rides Free and Saturation Mail incentive programs reinforce the value of mail, help retain volume, and provide opportunities to grow the business,” says Paul Vogel, president, Mailing and Shipping Services.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
More detailed information on the filing will soon be available online at http://pe.usps.com/FederalRegisterNotices.asp
Excerpts from USPS Rate Case Filing
Pursuant to section 3622 of title 39 and 39 C.F.R. part 3010, the Postal Service hereby provides notice that the Governors have authorized the Postal Service to adjust the classification language and prices for its market dominant products. The three adjustments described herein, which affect First-Class Mail® and Standard Mail® prices,are planned to take effect at 12:01 AM on January 2, 2011. In this Notice, the Postal Service provides the information required by Rule 3010.14, including a description of the price changes.
The Postal Service certifies that it will inform customers of these classification and price adjustments, as required by Rule 3010.14(a)(3). In addition to this Notice, the Postal Service will be publishing notice of these changes shortly on USPS.com, the Postal Explorer website, the DMM Advisory, and the P&C Weekly, as well as issuing a Press Release. Thus, widespread notice is being given more than 45 days prior to the planned implementation date. Furthermore, the Postal Service plans to provide public notice of these changes in future issues of the PCC Insider, MailPro, Postal Bulletin,and Federal Register.
Postal Regulatory Commission
Submitted 11/2/2010