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Tag: USPS

  • USPS Poised to Significantly Increase EV Procurement

    USPS Poised to Significantly Increase EV Procurement

    The United States Postal Service (USPS) is poised to more than double the number of electric vehicles (EVs) it plans to procure.

    The USPS plans to purchase new delivery vehicles as part of its modernization efforts.

    The U.S. Postal Service today announced it anticipates adjusting the purchase interval and composition of its delivery fleet. The adjustments reflect refinements to the Postal Service’s overall network modernization, route optimizations, improved facility electric infrastructure, and availability of vehicles and technology. The proposed expanded fleet mix will include purpose built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs) and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles, and the network adjustments and attendant economies will facilitate substantially increased deployment of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

    The agency is now planning for BEVs to comprise 50% of new procurements, totaling 25,000 vehicles.

    Now, under the new adjusted scope for the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), the Postal Service proposes to limit its Decision to the 50,000 NGDV already purchased and to raise the minimum NGDV BEV percentage to at least 50 percent.

    The agency’s plans are not surprising given the emphasis the Biden administration has placed on tackling climate change. The procurement will also be a nice boost to the EV industry.

  • Amazon Calls for Revitalizing the USPS

    Amazon Calls for Revitalizing the USPS

    Amazon is throwing its weight behind efforts to revitalize the United States Postal Service, calling it the company’s “first and oldest business partner.”

    The USPS has been facing increasingly difficult times as a result of the digital transformation. With people relying more on electronic communications than letters, USPS revenue has dropped precipitously. The outlook is even worse, with the USPS estimating it will lose $160 billion over the next 10 years.

    The Postal Service Reform Act is bipartisan legislation that has been introduced in an effort to help the USPS transition to a more sustainable future.

    We’re proud of our partnership with USPS and want to continue working with the agency to innovate and deliver for our customers well into the future. With the House Oversight Committee’s swift advancement of the Postal Service Reform Act, we hope the full U.S. House and Senate will follow suit. Enacting these common-sense reforms will help guarantee that the USPS remains an affordable, reliable, and profitable package delivery system for the American people.

    It remains to be seen what will happen with the the Postal Service Reform Act, but Amazon has made it clear where it stands.

  • UPS Ups the Ante On Weekend Deliveries

    UPS Ups the Ante On Weekend Deliveries

    Just a week after FedEx Ground announced it would offer Sunday deliveries, UPS said it plans to more than double its weekend deliveries in 2020, according to Reuters.

    As Reuters points out, UPS “pioneered seven-day delivery in 2013, in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and is now spending billions of dollars to speed up its free shipping.” In recent years, however, it has faced increasing competition from FedEx, as well as from Amazon. Amazon has started using its own drivers for deliveries, and often reserves the most desirable, high-density delivery routes, leaving UPS to handle rural and low volume routes.

    One way to offset the challenges is by increasing the delivery volume, and is part of the motivation behind UPS’ announcement. Expanding weekend delivery also ensures UPS stays a viable option in the minds of customers who want items delivered as soon as possible.

    “E-commerce spikes on the weekends, and retailers want those orders delivered sooner,” said UPS Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Warren, according to Reuters.

    As the delivery market continues to heat up, it will be interesting to see if UPS and FedEx’s weekend options help them better compete with Amazon.

  • FedEx CEO Says Amazon’s Own Delivery System Will Take Business From USPS, Not FedEx

    FedEx CEO Says Amazon’s Own Delivery System Will Take Business From USPS, Not FedEx

    Fred Smith, founder, and CEO of FedEx told Bloomberg this morning that they don’t see any negative impact from Amazon doing more of their deliveries themselves. Smith says that the biggest entity that will lose business as Amazon implements its own delivery force is the US Postal Service:

    “I don’t think it (Amazon’s split HQ announcement) has too much to do with FedEx,” said Smith. “You’ve got to remember that Amazon is delivering things from their fulfillment center to customers. We’re picking up, transporting, and delivering things from every person and business in the world to every other business. The biggest single provider of delivery services to the Amazon fulfillment network is not us, it’s the US Postal Service. They’re the ones that Amazon’s proprietary or indigenous delivery system will take the most volume from.”

    “Amazon’s a good customer” Smith added. “We think they will be a bigger customer in the years to come if they continue to grow and they certainly should, but they are going to do some of their deliveries themselves for many reasons. The biggest single entity that will lose traffic as Amazon puts out its contractor delivery force is the US Postal Service.”

    Amazon is actively marketing their Amazon Delivery Service Partner program, seeking independent contractors to deliver packages from their fulfillment centers to customers. They are literally encouraging people to start their own business:

    We are looking for hands-on leaders who are passionate about hiring and coaching great teams. With low startup costs, built-in demand, and access to Amazon’s technology and logistics experience, this is an opportunity to build and grow a successful package delivery business. Join a community of Amazon Delivery Service Partners in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

    Amazon is also hiring drivers directly as part of its new last-mile shipping program according to Business Insider:

    For the first time, the company is planning to hire and manage thousands of full-time drivers to transport packages to customers from Amazon delivery outposts across the US, the company confirmed to Business Insider on Monday.

    Amazon will manage these drivers directly, meaning the company will set their wages, provide them delivery vehicles, and schedule their routes. The drivers are seasonal but will have the option to apply to continue their employment with Amazon following the holiday season.

    “Seasonal employees have long been utilized to supplement capacity during peak shopping periods,” an Amazon spokeswoman said. “This holiday, thousands of full-time, seasonal Delivery Associates will deliver to customers during the busy retail shopping season.”

  • eBay Announces Update On USPS Package Pickups

    eBay Announces Update On USPS Package Pickups

    eBay made a quick announcement regarding USPS package pickups in light of recent changes made by the Postal Service. In a brief post, the company said:

    Sellers can now schedule a pickup on First-Class Package Service without having to choose at least one Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Returns or International package.

    This is due to a recent update made by the USPS, in which the First-Class Package Service selection was separated from the “Other” category (see screenshot below). The previously communicated workaround is no longer necessary.

    Screen Shot 2016-04-26 at 9.49.56 AM

    In related news, eBay has fixed a major bug in its mobile apps that told consumers there was free shipping on items that didn’t actually offer it.

    Images via iStock, eBay

  • Amazon Sunday Delivery Hits 15 More Cities

    In November, Amazon announced that it teamed up with the USPS to start offering Sunday delivery in New York and Los Angeles with more areas to follow. On Thursday, the company announced the expansion of the service into fifteen new cities.

    The new areas include: Austin, Cincinnati, College Station, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Lexington (KY), Louisville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Shreveport, and Waco. The company said previously that Phoenix was on its list of cities that will get Sunday delivery, but it’s not on the new list.

    “So far, the most common items delivered on Sunday include baby supplies such as newborn apparel, books and toys—Sunday delivery is clearly crossing errands off the weekend to-do list,” said Mike Roth, Amazon’s vice president of North America operations. “We know our Amazon customers love the convenience of everyday delivery, and we’re excited to be offering Sunday delivery in more cities across the U.S.”

    The company says they have delivered millions of packages on Sundays so far, and the service will be rolled out to a “large portion” of the U.S. population this year. If you’re eligible to get Sunday deliveries, you’ll see this upon checkout.

    Last week, Amazon also announced the expansion of its same-day delivery service. That’s now available in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC.

    Meanwhile, the company is working on building infrastructure for its own delivery service, which would see it relying less on UPS and FedEx. It remains to be seen what impact this might have on a partnership with the USPS.

    Image via Amazon

  • Kentucky Mailman Jailed for Stashing 45K Letters

    Former Western Kentucky postal worker William “Brent” Morse has been sentenced to 6 months in a federal prison for hiding almost 45,000 pieces of mail he didn’t feel like delivering. According to David J. Hale, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, Morse is guilty of “destroying, hiding and delaying the delivery of at least 44,900 pieces of mail.”

    Morse, a mailman for five years, stored stacks of letters in his deceased mother’s home and in storage lockers he’d rented near his mail route in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The hoarded mail was meant to be delivered to approximately 250 households in the Dawson Springs area between March, 2011 and March 2013. City police Capt. Craig Patterson commented, “He wanted to speed up his route. I think he was lazy.”

    Adel Valdes, a U.S. Postal Inspector in Louisville, stated that Morse’s reasoning was that “he wanted to pick up his kids from school every day at a certain time.” Morse, 34, was found out after he’d left the door to one of his storage facilities open, to where the owner of the locker noticed a large amount of undelivered mail and USPS equipment. The owner of the storage facility then alerted authorities.

    Morse wasn’t charged with theft of the mail, though he must pay almost $15,000 in restitution for losses incurred by two businesses that send out commercial circulars. The USPS has since delivered the wayward mail.

    Morse appears to be cut from the same cloth as Jerry Seinfeld’s oft-nemisis Newman:

    Image via Facebook

  • Snail Mail Still Integral to Marketing Campaigns, Says USPS

    Snail Mail Still Integral to Marketing Campaigns, Says USPS

    As traditional snail mail marketing campaigns continue to be replaced with email and social media campaigns, the US Postmaster General is trying to let businesses know that the USPS is still a valuable tool to keep in their marketing toolbox–and not just to keep, but to utilize.

    “We’re seeing mail being used in some tremendous new ways—especially as part of integrated marketing campaigns,” said Postmaster Patrick R. Donahoe. “All of this is leading to a reappraisal of the role of mail in the marketing mix—and we’re starting to see the beginnings of that reappraisal.”

    “Mail is the most effective channel for driving customers to a retail location and for driving customers to websites. You can use mail to launch a video on a smart phone, or to make quick purchases out of a catalog or a flyer. We’re now able to measure and analyze all of these interactions–that’s adding value for senders and causing marketers to give mail a fresh look.”

    Of course, Donahoe is referencing QR codes and other integrated multimedia strategies. The remarks come from his Tuesday keynote address at the National Postal Forum.

    Donahoe highlights specific goals he has in mind to accelerate the push by marketers to revive their mail campaigns:

    Make mail more personally relevant and tailor mail pieces more to an individual; Accelerate the adoption of technologies that make mail more actionable, with emphasis on speeding the customer’s purchasing process; Expand the functionality of mail by embedding technologies and enabling interactions with devices, such as mobile phones and tablets; Invest more in industrywide creativity, such as mail pieces that use color, irregular sizes and novel construction.

    It seems that Donahoe wants marketers to accept and integrate new technologies into the snail mail experience while staying true to what makes getting a letter more eternally interesting than getting an email. Of course, he’d probably want me to stop saying “snail mail” as well.

    “All of these strategies are focused on creating a more valuable experience for the receiver of mail—making mail more valuable within the marketing mix,” said Donahoe. “That means getting very thoughtful about the receiver of mail and the mail experience.”

    The USPS seems to be taking their own advice and at least attempting to spice up mail delivery. They’ve partnered with Sony Pictures for an integrated marketing campaign surrounding The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which will see the USPS deliver in special Spider-Man trucks. They’re also offering limited-edition Spider-Man priority mail flat rate boxes.

    “Our industry needs to give all marketers a sense that mail can be used in new ways,” said Donahoe. “We need to drive a better understanding of the value mail brings to integrated marketing campaigns.”

    Are you giving snail mail marketing a fresh look?

    Image via USPS

  • USPS Stamps: 2014 Line-Up Emphasizes Pop-Culture

    Each time the Earth makes one revolution around the Sun, the denizens of the planet get excited for all of the new possibilities, opportunities, innovations, and creations that inevitably result with the coming of a new year – things such as new movies, TV shows, sports seasons, and music festivals. However, for those who consider themselves philatelists, or stamp collectors, perhaps the most excitement is derived from the announcement of the new stamp line-up. Luckily for philatelists and fans of snail-mail, that list has arrived early this year.

    In a leaked document obtained by the Washington Post, the list of stamps preliminarily approved for production by The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee displays a new focus-area for the United States Postal Service (USPS) towards its stamp releases – pop-culture.

    Those subjects which immediately stand-out include Jimi Hendricks, Elvis Presley (who holds the record for the top-selling stamp of all time with his 29 cent 1993 release), the Peanuts cast, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dora the Explorer, multiple celebrity chefs, Harvey Milk, NBA-great Wilt Chamberlain, and recently-deceased Apple co-creator, Steve Jobs.

    Also included in the list are key historical figures and events, including World War II hero and Tuskegee Airmen flight-instructor Alfred “Chief” Anderson, a commemoration of the USS Arizona Memorial, and even the solar system.

    Susan McGowan, the USPS’s executive director for stamp services, hopes that the new line-up will “… bring new eyeballs” to the postal service and “keep the American public engaged.” Even though the new stamps seem to shy away from the tradition of stamps focusing on key historical and cultural events, McGowan insists that “… we’re not going away from our roots… It will be very interesting to see what the American public thinks of the stamps under consideration. I’m sure people are going to be vocal about it.”

    A couple of the stamps which will most likely receive the most flak in the 2014-15 line-up include Charleton Heston, due to his activism with the NRA, and John Lennon, whose inclusion would violate the tradition of only including American subjects.

    The new approach to stamp artistry represents more drastic moves by the USPS to make its service more and more relevant to the public in an age turning ever-more digital. Despite exceeding revenue projections in 2012 and 2013 by $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion respectively, the USPS posted billions of dollars in overall losses for the previous two years, falling $5 billion short in 2013 and a whopping $16 billion short in 2012.

  • Steve Jobs Stamp Coming in 2015, Design Pending

    According to USPS documents obtained by The Washington Post, late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is set to be memorialized with his own US postage stamp in 2015.

    He joins Johnny Carson, Elvis Presley, and James Brown as famous Americans set to be honored with their own collectible stamps in the next two years.

    The Steve Jobs stamp has apparently been approved by the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, a 15-or-so member panel, appointed by the Postmaster General, coming from all backgrounds and walks of life.

    The stamp commemorating the late Jobs has been approved, but is still listed as being “in design development.” Who knows which image the designers will use to construct their new stamp? Here’s my guess.

    Creating new designs for stamps is largely a citizen role, with thousands of letters of suggestions coming in every year. It’s the Committee’s job to evaluate their merits and approve a handful for design. This has been the process since 1957.

    According to the USPS, the job of the Citizen’ Stamp Advisory Committee is to “select a good balance of subjects appealing to a broad audience for recommendation to the Postmaster General.” The subjects are supposed to be “contemporary, timely, relevant, interesting and educational.”

    In other USPS stamp news, we all just went through a price hike–though you may not have noticed it.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Vicki Kennedy Nominated For USPS Board Of Governors

    Vicki Kennedy has been nominated to an advisory position by President Barack Obama. She is being considered for a position on the eleven-member Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service.

    Vicki Kennedy hails from Crowley, Louisiana. Her parents, Doris Ann Boustany and Edmund Reggie, were actively involved in the politics and business in the area. Her father was a banker and a judge while her mother was a Democratic National Committeewoman. The Reggies were supporters of John F. Kennedy and shared a social relationship with him. Edmund Reggie rallied support for JFK at the Democratic National Convention in 1956 when JFK pursued, unsuccessfully, the vice-presidential nomination.

    Vicky Anne Reggie earned her degree in English, graduating magna cum laude from the Newcomb College in New Orleans. She went on to study law at the Tulane University Law School, where she graduated summa cum laude when she received her Juris Doctor degree.

    Vicki Anne Reggie became Vicki Kennedy when she married Senator Ted Kennedy on July 3, 1992. She has two children from her previous marriage to Grier C. Raclin. She divorced Raclin in 1990. Former Senator Ted Kennedy passed away in 2009.

    In 2008, the Kennedys lent their support to Barack Obama in his first bid for the Presidency of the United States.

    Vicki Kennedy’s nomination is one of the nine positions that are appointed by the President of the United States for the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Office. The duty of selecting the Postmaster General is placed in the hands of the Board. The Postmaster General will also become a member of the board of governors, and will be involved in the selection of the board’s 11th member, the Deputy Postmaster General.

    Attorney Vicki Kennedy is currently on the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees. She is also credited for being the co-founder of Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

    http://youtu.be/4ppKVpipyBc

    Image via YouTube

  • Postage Increase: New Price Rates May Be a ‘Lose-Lose Proposition’

    A forewarning on changes in stamp prices has been reported since last year, informing Americans to look forward to an increase in costs for the new year.

    Well Sunday was the day that stamps officially increased by 4 cents; a new pricing that is expected to be in effect for the next 24 months.

    With the approval of the Postal Regulatory Commission, the United States Postal Service (USPS)  decided to raise the price by 6 percent, which is 1.7 percent over the inflation rate.

    The new First-class mail pricing includes:

    • Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
    • Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
    • Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
    • Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents

    The agency’s price change is in response to a financial crisis the company has dealt with since the recession. Job cuts and the closing of a number of post office locations confirmed the setbacks the USPS has experienced since the economic slump.

    The Governors of the Postal Service have determined that because Congress has failed to enact laws that would alleviate the agency’s financial struggles, an increase in postage prices is necessary.  Consequently, they have determined that a price adjustment will help to improve the Postal Service’s performance, which will continue to meet the high standards that America needs.

    However, a number of mailing-industry organizations, like the Newspaper Association of America, are not too pleased with the new prices. An appeal was sent to the U.S Court of Appeals on Jan. 23 in response to the changes.

    Senior Vice President Peggy Hudson of the Direct Marketing Association shared in a press release that the new rates would only cause issues for both parties.

    “[The rate increase] will simply drive mail from the system, which harms the financial viability of both the Postal Service and its business customers. It is a lose-lose proposition,” she said.

    On the same day, The USPS submitted an appeal of their own asking for the new prices to be made permanently. The Postal Regulatory Commission had previously declined their request.

    The Postal Service predicts that their losses will be nearly $6 billion this year. Last year they suffered a $15.9 billion net loss.

    Hopefully with the timeframe given, the agency will have enough time to recover from their financial decline.

    For more information on the new postage rates, here is a detailed summary located on Stamps.com.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Price Of Postage Stamps Going Up In January

    Just when we were getting used to the $.46 cent price tag for one postage stamp, things are going to change again. The new postage stamp as of January 26th will cost American’s $.49 cents. Imagine, nearly $.50 cents to mail a letter.

    Due to the financial struggles the United States Postal Service (USPS) has endured since the beginning of the economic crisis, many small towns seeing their only post office either shut down entirely, or hours cut back dramatically. This hike is an effort to help them recover from their economic downturn.

    The Postal Service has claimed that its financial problems are due to the lack of interest in paper mail, what many call snail mail. So along came staff reductions — about a quarter of its workforce, or 150,000 postal jobs being eliminated by 2016 and closing post offices as well as ending Saturday mail delivery, a measure currently pending in Congress, but we knew something was amiss.

    “There is red ink — but the overwhelming share has nothing to do with mail volume, the Internet, or other factors related to the mail,” says Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers

    Some expert’s claim the financial downfall is due to mismanaged funds and Congress not acting as quickly as required. As well as extensive retirement health payments, a cost that in the first 3 quarters of 2013 was a whopping $9.2 billion dollars.

    “The prefunding of retiree health benefits for future retirees is a major cause of our financial crisis — but not the only cause,” says a USPS spokesman, citing decline in first-class mail as another major cause.

    Usually stamp prices increase $.01 per year, however, supposedly – the higher rate is only going to continue for two years. This will allow the Postal Service to try and make the $2.8 billion dollars they have lost over the past few years. Perhaps this will bring them back to making a profit.

    With a 2-1 vote, the independent Postal Regulatory Commission rejected a request to make the price hike permanent, although considering inflation over the next 24 months it just may make stick. It is too soon to determine.

    The surcharge “will last just long enough to recover the loss,” Commission Chairman Ruth Y. Goldway said.

    Of course, it’s not just the first class stamp that will increase. Stamps.com – the USPS website that sells their mailing essentials online gives you a full overview of what it is going to cost to do business with them in 2014.

    Sounds like they need a major restructuring of funds, and congress needs to step up and get this issue dealt with.

    Image via YouTube

  • Christmas Cards Are Just as Popular as Ever

    In the booming age of technology, it’s nice to see that one holiday tradition remains just as strong as ever, sending Christmas cards to friends and family. What’s even more unbelievable is that we still predominately send those cards in the regular, plain old mail.

    The first known Christmas card was sent in the middle of the 19th century in England. It’s hard to believe in this day and age that they remain so popular. Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing, is the lead researcher in all things greeting cards. She claims that two-thirds of the people surveyed sent holiday greeting cards in 2012. Those results are about the same as they were four years ago.

    In fact, yesterday, December 16th was the busiest day of the year for the USPS. The company estimates that about 600 million cards and packages raced through post offices across America.

    And, you know who else sends Christmas cards? Celebrities. Here’s one from Mr. Playboy himself, Hugh Hefner, his lovely wife Crystal Harris and their dog Charlie. You may have not received the card in the mail, but you can check out it on Hef’s Twitter feed. Note the matching pjs.

    Wanna see more celebrity Christmas cards? How about ones from Miley Cyrus, Tom Hanks, Ellen Degeneres and Kelly Clarkson? Some are heartwarming, some are hilarious. Click on this link to check them out.

    Image Via Wikipedia Commons

  • USPS Says December 16th Is Busiest Day Of The Year

    We all know the United States Postal Service is busy around the holidays. Not only do they have to get all of those letter to Santa to the North pole on time, but they are also rushing to get Christmas cards, letters and packages to their destinations in time for the holidays. According to several spokespersons from the USPS, Monday, December 16 will be the busiest day of the year.

    USPS estimates some 600 million packages and letters will go through post offices across the country Monday. Many USPS offices will be processing and delivering mail on the next two Sundays in order to make sure everything gets to its destination in time.

    “We’re expecting an uptick of three times our normal volume. On a regular day we might have a million pieces of mail go through our system here in Cleveland, up to 3 million on that day,” said Van Allen, USPS Regional Spokesman in Cleveland.

    If you still have more packages or letter to send before Christmas, don’t worry there is still time. The USPS has released a schedule that will tell you what date you need to send your letter and packages by in order to ensure that they are delivered on time. It is as follows,

    1. First class: ship out by December 20

    2. Priority mail: ship out by December 21

    3. Priority express: mail by December 23

    Always make sure all packages and letters are clearly marked with addresses and have the proper postage page when you send them. This will make sure there is no delay and everything can be processed and delivered quickly.

    Image from Wikimedia Commons.

  • USPS Faces Busiest Shipping Day of the Year

    Believe it or not, today is actually USPS’s busiest day of the entire year. With Christmas only eight days away, packages and letters are flooding postal service locations around the country. The holiday season rush is expected to reach its peak today.

    According to UPI, the United States Postal Service projects that more than an estimated 6 million customers will utilize domestic postal service locations to ship packages. An additional 6 million will add to the growing number of shipments by completing purchase transactions over the Internet, adding shipping specifications via USPS.com. The package processing total is expected to exceed approximately 600 million pieces of mail.

    While the average consumer would easily assume that shipping packages today would ensure delivery for Christmas there can be instances were delivery issues may arise. For this particular reason, USPS has urged consumers to ship as soon as possible. With Thurs., Dec. 19, being declared ‘the heaviest day for deliveries,’ guaranteed delivery dates will be much more difficult to project and promise.

    USPS took to Twitter to inform customers of the heightened shipping demands, in an effort to raise awareness of the countdown to Christmas.

    It has also been announced that Dec. 17 will be the last official day for shipping service to the military. Dec. 20 will mark the last day for First Class Mail shipment to arrive on time for Christmas day. However, Priority Mail Express will be accepted through Dec. 21 with a guaranteed delivery date of Dec. 23.

    USPS also provided a download link for the  USPS Tracking mobile application, which can assist customers in keeping up with the delivery status of their packages. The app can definitely prove to be useful during the hectic holiday season.

    But, if you want to reduce your level of stress and get that special gift delivered on time for Christmas, it’s recommended that you do so no later than Thursday. Otherwise, your package will become a New Year’s Eve gift!

     

    Image via Wikimedia Commons | USPS

  • USPS – Amazon Deliveries… on Sunday!

    USPS – Amazon Deliveries… on Sunday!

    Just when we were going to have to get used to the United States Postal Service (USPS) shutting down their mail delivery on Saturdays, they step up for the holidays and go beyond our wildest dreams. Deliveries on Saturday AND Sunday, what a surprise!

    Congress did shut down the USPS plea’s to stop Saturday mail service, so that was shelved anyway but to include Sunday is a real crowd pleaser. Especially in the mad Christmas rush, and with Industry Statistics claiming an estimated 65 percent of holiday shoppers buying online, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

    After our November 11th holiday the unlikely pair who joined forces, the USPS and Amazon have begun the Sunday delivery program for those who order packages from Amazon Prime.

    Amazon Prime service runs about $80 per year, but it offers free 2-day shipping, unlike regular members who get free ground shipping, which usually takes 3 to 5 days.

    “For Prime members, it’s free, for non-Prime members, it’s like any other delivery day of the week,” said Dave Clark, vice president of worldwide operations and customer service at Amazon. In other words, it won’t cost extra for Sunday deliveries.

    Apparently Amazon has been hot on the idea of Sunday delivery for years, but don’t get all warm and fuzzy, yet. There are some restrictions in place; not all items are available for Sunday delivery, and they are only delivering to New York City area and the Los Angeles area. So, if you live anywhere else, hold on, it’s coming.

    Amazon say’s they plan on expanding their Sunday service to other large metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Phoenix, Houston and many others in 2014.

    The USPS who was struggling financially is getting a huge boost from this arrangement. Their intention when canceling Saturday delivery was to cut costs, as Fox News stated, the agency lost 5.1 Billion in 2011 and more the year before, prompting the shut down of low-volume post offices and selling hundreds of properties. Many a small town have seen their Post Offices closed, or hours cut dramatically.

    The financial terms of this union has not been revealed, but the U.S. agency is sure to get some much needed financial support from this partnership, and Amazon? Shares of Amazon.com Inc. climbed from $1.69 to $52 in morning trading.

    For New Yorkers and Angelenos it’s definitely a plus, but for Amazon and USPS, it’s a huge financial win-win.

    Images via Wikimedia Commons, 1, 2, 3

  • USPS Seals Deal with Amazon for Sunday Deliveries

    Isn’t it irritating when non-business days prolong deliveries you’re waiting for? Well, that won’t be a problem anymore – at least not when you purchase something from Amazon. It appears the world’s largest online retailer has sealed an innovative deal with the United States Postal Service to deliver packages on Sundays. The Seattle-based commerce company issued a press release on Monday announcing the entrance into the new deal with the government entity. The brief statement also elaborated on the details of the agreement.

    Amazon and USPS confirmed that the new package delivery system had begun as of Sunday of last week. The two entities are making gratuitous strides toward a full transition into the new system, starting with deliveries in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas. However, Amazon Prime members with unlimited two-day shipping priority benefits will reap the immediate benefits of the new system. Prime members are currently the predominant consumers that will be guaranteed to receive packages on Sundays in the two major metropolitan areas.

    Amazon.com-Logo.svg

    In the spring of 2014, Amazon and USPS plan to move the system toward a larger United States population scale, implementing Sunday deliveries in other metropolitan areas like Dallas, New Orleans, and Atlanta. Amazon vice president of worldwide operations and customer service, Dale Clark, also provided a general example of how the new system will operate.

    “If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order a backpack for your child on Friday and be packing it for them Sunday night,” said Clark. “We’re excited that now every day is an Amazon delivery day and we know our Prime members, who voraciously shop on Amazon, will love the additional convenience they will experience as part of this new service.”

    Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer, also weighed in with his perspective on the beneficial factors consumers will reap as a result of Sunday deliveries. “As online shopping continues to increase, the Postal Service is very happy to offer shippers like Amazon the option of having packages delivered on Sunday,” said Donahoe. “With this new service, the Postal Service is now delivering packages seven days a week in select cities. Customers can expect the same reliable and valued service that the Postal Service currently provides.”

    Image(s) via Wikimedia Commons | Amazon   Twitter | USPS

  • USPS, Amazon’s Sunday Delivery Deal May Save Postal Service

    USPS, Amazon’s Sunday Delivery Deal May Save Postal Service

    Amazon customers now have even more incentive to shop through the online retailer: Sunday deliveries. The U.S. Postal Service has teamed up with Amazon to deliver packages on Sundays in Los Angeles and New York, with plans to expand to more cities next year. Considering that Christmas is just around the corner, this will help people who live in participating areas get their gifts wrapped a little sooner.

    As long as Amazon members meet the minimum purchase requirement of $35 on items eligible for free shipping or have Amazon Prime, they won’t have to pay for delivery. Otherwise, the Sunday delivery cost is the same as it would be for any other day of the week.

    This move should encourage more people to shop through Amazon, plus it could also increase membership in Amazon’s Prime program. Amazon Prime costs $79 per year and one major perk of joining Prime is getting free two-day deliveries. So, for Prime members who live in L.A. and NYC, if they make a purchase on Friday, they will receive the package on Sunday.

    “The three big pieces of growth for us are selection, lower prices and speed,” said Dave Clark, vice president of worldwide operations and customer service. “Adding an additional day is all about delivery speed. An Amazon customer can order a backpack and a Kindle for their child and be packing it up on Sunday for school on Monday.”

    Considering the woes the USPS has been facing, many wonder whether this deal with Amazon will help save the Postal Service. The USPS posted over a $1 billion loss in the first quarter of the fiscal year. After making some changes, which included cutting out some mail centers and reducing employee work hours, the USPS improved somewhat as it posted only a $740 million loss in the third quarter. While just how much Amazon is paying for its Sunday deliveries through the USPS hasn’t been released, it’s easy to see that there should be some potential to help the Postal Service rebound, especially as more cities are covered.

    Do you think teaming up with Amazon for Sunday deliveries is a good move for the USPS? Respond below.

    [Image via Twitter]

  • USPS Amazon Sunday Deliveries Started Yesterday

    The regular mail may not run on Sundays, however, if you order from Amazon, your orders will now be shipped seven days a week.

    The United States Postal Service recently partnered with Amazon to allow the delivery of their packages on Sundays. That’s right, the same group that wanted to quit working on Saturdays, will now be working on Sundays. The deliveries started yesterday in the major cities such as Los Angeles and New York. The company is hoping, by next year, that the program will extend further across the United States. The agreement is an NSA (National Service Agreement), which is defined on the USPS website. “A Negotiated Service Agreement is a contractual agreement between the U.S. Postal Service and an individual company that provides customized pricing incentives or other arrangements justified by a shift in the company’s mail operations. NSAs are intended to meet the needs of specific customers for whom mail is an integral part of their business strategy.”

    The delivery rates for Sundays will not increase, but will remain a standard rate. However, Amazon Prime members will be able to get their deliveries for free. The packages will not come from Fed Ex or UPS, but will arrive from the USPS itself.

    “If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order a backpack for your child on Friday and be packing it for them Sunday night,” Dave Clark, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide operations and customer service, said. “We’re excited that now every day is an Amazon delivery day and we know our Prime members, who voraciously shop on Amazon, will love the additional convenience they will experience as part of this new service.”

    The USPS also released a statement about the new Sunday deliveries. “As online shopping continues to increase exponentially, the Postal Service is very pleased to be able to offer shipping solutions that allow major mailers and customers alike to appreciate the benefits of using the U.S. Mail,” Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe said. “By offering Sunday delivery, the Postal Service is focused on serving the needs of our valued customers in today’s busy online world. We consider this a win/win for both organizations and are excited to be delivering packages seven days a week in select markets.”

    Image via Twitter

  • Amazon To Start Offering Sunday Delivery

    The worst part about free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime is ordering something on Friday and having to wait until Monday to get it. If only the post ran on Sunday, right? Well, that will soon be a reality for two of the biggest cities in the U.S.

    Amazon announced this morning that it has teamed up with the U.S. Postal Service to deliver orders to Amazon Prime members on Sunday. The service will soon be rolling out to the New York and Los Angeles metropolitan areas on November 17. The online retailer says that Sunday deliveries will also be coming to more areas in 2014, including Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix and other large U.S. population centers.

    The U.S. isn’t the only country getting Sunday delivery as The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon will begin Sunday delivery in the UK, specifically London, as well. Unlike in the U.S., however, Amazon will be using its own trucks to make these deliveries instead of a third-party postal service.

    “If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order a backpack for your child on Friday and be packing it for them Sunday night,” said Dave Clark, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide operations and customer service. “We’re excited that now every day is an Amazon delivery day and we know our Prime members, who voraciously shop on Amazon, will love the additional convenience they will experience as part of this new service.”

    Traditionally, Sunday delivery hasn’t been a thing in the postal service industry, but it seems that the demands of online shoppers is changing that. It’s also a good thing for the troubled U.S. Postal Service as it has an exclusive contract with Amazon to deliver items on Sunday.

    “As online shopping continues to increase, the Postal Service is very happy to offer shippers like Amazon the option of having packages delivered on Sunday,” said Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer. “With this new service, the Postal Service is now delivering packages seven days a week in select cities. Customers can expect the same reliable and valued service that the Postal Service currently provides.”

    With Sunday delivery now being an option on Amazon, the online retailer can start negating the immediacy advantage that brick-and-mortar retail stores have enjoyed for years. This may lead to those stores offering Sunday delivery as well to fulfill their customers’ desire to get items on Sunday without having to leave the house.

    UPDATE: Despite Amazon saying that Sunday delivery would begin on November 17, USPS took to Twitter today to say that Sunday delivery began yesterday.

    That may be the case, but Amazon Prime members in New York and Los Angeles will first start to see the benefits of Sunday delivery on November 17 as they just learned of it today.

    [Image: Amazon]