Bev,
I haven't received mine yet either. However since I just subscribed a few weeks ago I didn't give it much thought.
I know all my mail comes through Nashville even though I'm in Middle East Tennessee.
Feb Issue
Moderators: Pike Ridge Beagles, Aaron Bartlett
Coyote problems? Can't fix it with western tactics. Here ya go. http://www.easterncoyotes.com/
You can find me and other Prostaff here. http://www.easterncoyotes.com/prostaff
You can find me and other Prostaff here. http://www.easterncoyotes.com/prostaff
Bev,
I would suggest you go down town to the Main Post Office where you mail your publication and talk to a Customer Service Rep. Take your mailing list of subscribers with you and also a breakdown as to how you or your mailing service is sorting (presorting) the mailings. Be sure to talk to someone that is an employee of USPS, and not your mailing service. I would also request , from the USPS, the difference between the cost of mailing as you are mailing now (presort STD) and mailing at periodical rate, don't rely on what your mailing service tells you, ask the USPS. The Customer Service Rep will/should come to your place of business if you call them and request them to (its is their job to do so). They can review the process as to how you are sorting and sacking and can offer improvements if needed.
They can put a watch on your mailings and determine what the problems may be as to delays, etc. I hope this suggestion helps. 
I would suggest you go down town to the Main Post Office where you mail your publication and talk to a Customer Service Rep. Take your mailing list of subscribers with you and also a breakdown as to how you or your mailing service is sorting (presorting) the mailings. Be sure to talk to someone that is an employee of USPS, and not your mailing service. I would also request , from the USPS, the difference between the cost of mailing as you are mailing now (presort STD) and mailing at periodical rate, don't rely on what your mailing service tells you, ask the USPS. The Customer Service Rep will/should come to your place of business if you call them and request them to (its is their job to do so). They can review the process as to how you are sorting and sacking and can offer improvements if needed.
They can put a watch on your mailings and determine what the problems may be as to delays, etc. I hope this suggestion helps. 
Richard, thanks for the ideas. I'm told my magazines don't stay here in Indiana - they're loaded directly on a truck to Cincinnati to be sorted there since they are the "bulk presort hub" for this region. Do you suggest maybe I contact them instead?
When I first investigated getting a periodical rate I did speak with a USPS customer service rep and she determined at that time that I was over the allowed limited of paid pages to qualify for a periodical rate. (whatever that meant) At the time I was printing all the ARHA stuff and although I wasn't paid a lot, they were still considered paid advertising pages. It might be different now that I don't do 35-40 pages of ARHA every month.
What I can't understand is I didn't do anything different this last month then I do any other month and I don't usually have the problems I did this month. Also, I sent 2 envelopes (media mail at $1.42 each) to Gary, IN (same state as me) Wednesday the 12th and as of today they hadn't received them. The folks didn't believe me when I told them I'd mailed them last week so I sent them again. Something is up with the postal service right now and no one's talking. I'm gonna go broke from additional postage of $1.42 for each magazine replaced. People are used to better service than that and frankly, so am I. Even for stardard rate mail - after all, the 3rd-class junk mail gets through without a hitch.
March's issue will mail next week Feb 25th or 26th. If things go back to normal, Indiana and most surrounding states will get them on the first or shortly thereafter. Feb only has 28 days, so some may hit the week of March 3 - 7.
When I first investigated getting a periodical rate I did speak with a USPS customer service rep and she determined at that time that I was over the allowed limited of paid pages to qualify for a periodical rate. (whatever that meant) At the time I was printing all the ARHA stuff and although I wasn't paid a lot, they were still considered paid advertising pages. It might be different now that I don't do 35-40 pages of ARHA every month.
What I can't understand is I didn't do anything different this last month then I do any other month and I don't usually have the problems I did this month. Also, I sent 2 envelopes (media mail at $1.42 each) to Gary, IN (same state as me) Wednesday the 12th and as of today they hadn't received them. The folks didn't believe me when I told them I'd mailed them last week so I sent them again. Something is up with the postal service right now and no one's talking. I'm gonna go broke from additional postage of $1.42 for each magazine replaced. People are used to better service than that and frankly, so am I. Even for stardard rate mail - after all, the 3rd-class junk mail gets through without a hitch.
March's issue will mail next week Feb 25th or 26th. If things go back to normal, Indiana and most surrounding states will get them on the first or shortly thereafter. Feb only has 28 days, so some may hit the week of March 3 - 7.
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bowhunter59
- Posts: 303
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 10:26 am
- Location: tenn
FGH
HEY BEV IF ITS A MONEY THING AND IT USUALLY IS WE CAN HAVE ONE OF THOSE MARATHONS WE HAVE TO STAY ON BOARD ALL NIT E TILL U RAISE SOME MONEY LOL!HEY NO KIDDING I BET WE COULD RAISE SOME TO HELP THIS BOARD LET HER KNOW FOLKS!!!!!!
god is so good!
No, bowhunter59, that's sweet of you but the magazine is ok. It just burns me to have to pay twice for one service. I always lived by the motto that everything was a contract of sorts. It used to bother me when I would hear employees bitch about not getting paid enough to do the work they do. I'd say, "You knew what you were getting paid when you took the job. You agreed do do this much work for this much $$$. You're getting this much $$$, so do what you agreed to or leave."
I feel the same way about the postal service. Standard mail may be less $$$ than first class or periodical, but they agree to deliver it for the $$$ I pay them. I do my part when I write that $1,000+ check every month - I expect them to do their part. I suppose that's asking too much.
Sorry to pick on the USPS, but I'm frustrated, lol!
I feel the same way about the postal service. Standard mail may be less $$$ than first class or periodical, but they agree to deliver it for the $$$ I pay them. I do my part when I write that $1,000+ check every month - I expect them to do their part. I suppose that's asking too much.
Sorry to pick on the USPS, but I'm frustrated, lol!
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bowhunter59
- Posts: 303
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 10:26 am
- Location: tenn
yj
i definetly 8nderstand i have worked employees most of my working life!if they agreed then they should do it get em bev!!i'm, sure u've already looked at other means?
god is so good!
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Guest
Bev,
Yes, I would call the processing center and request that they send a cust. service rep. to you and do a review on the way you are mailing, sacking, etc. Your mailing service may not like this, but they might not be sacking the best way to move the mail. As to having too much advertising in your publication, I think that you can't have more than 75% total. I used to do 2nd class reviews when I was a Postmaster, but I am somewhat rusty on the requirements now. Just remember, the sqeaky wheel gets the grease! If you don't get a good response from them, keep calling or make a visit to them and complain.
Yes, I would call the processing center and request that they send a cust. service rep. to you and do a review on the way you are mailing, sacking, etc. Your mailing service may not like this, but they might not be sacking the best way to move the mail. As to having too much advertising in your publication, I think that you can't have more than 75% total. I used to do 2nd class reviews when I was a Postmaster, but I am somewhat rusty on the requirements now. Just remember, the sqeaky wheel gets the grease! If you don't get a good response from them, keep calling or make a visit to them and complain.
Well, I got a "canned" response from the USPS which by the way (for all you TN residents still waiting on your mag) came from Memphis:
Here it is:
"Dear Beverley,
Thank you for visiting our website.
We regret the problems you're experiencing with your mail service
and
delivery. Your local Post Office, Postmaster or manager is the
best
source for resolving such issues. The USPS Help Desk at
1-800-275-8777
can provide the phone number for your local Post Office and the
phone
number to our District Consumer Affairs Office for additional
assistance.
Thank you,
Internet Support
Address Management
USPS"
The magazines are mailed from the printer. They print the mailing inditia on the cover and presort them there. I think i will sneak in there on Tuesday and see how they send the March issue out. Perhaps I can pick up some clues. Still doesn't explain why it takes them longer than eight days to deliver a large envelope I hand-carried to the post office to another city within this state. I asked them about that one yesterday and they gave me a dirty look and said "the weather', lol!
Here it is:
"Dear Beverley,
Thank you for visiting our website.
We regret the problems you're experiencing with your mail service
and
delivery. Your local Post Office, Postmaster or manager is the
best
source for resolving such issues. The USPS Help Desk at
1-800-275-8777
can provide the phone number for your local Post Office and the
phone
number to our District Consumer Affairs Office for additional
assistance.
Thank you,
Internet Support
Address Management
USPS"
The magazines are mailed from the printer. They print the mailing inditia on the cover and presort them there. I think i will sneak in there on Tuesday and see how they send the March issue out. Perhaps I can pick up some clues. Still doesn't explain why it takes them longer than eight days to deliver a large envelope I hand-carried to the post office to another city within this state. I asked them about that one yesterday and they gave me a dirty look and said "the weather', lol!
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shotgunshorty
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2002 2:51 pm
- Location: Haynesville, Louisiana