Even though your print & mail vendor is probably handling the Intelligent Mail Barcode details for you, it can’t hurt to know how to read and decode the IMB.
Secondly, we receive a steady flow of traffic to our blog from people searching for information on how to read the IMB.
After watching the 4 minute video below, you’ll know exactly how to do so.
Do you have a question about the Intelligent Mail Barcode? Email Matt Cote: matt (at) ballantine.com
Here’s an important announcement for bulk mail senders.
Effective on July 1st, 2009, the USPS is implementing their new incentive program (also called Summer Sale) for high-volume bulk mail senders. It’s more like a rebate because you get 30% back on the postage costs of a portion of future mailings within a certain time period.
How do you qualify for the incentive program?
1. You must be the mail owner of a permit imprint advance deposit account, or the owner of a deposit account that is used through a mail service provider.
2. You must have mailed at least one million pieces of direct mail between October 1st, 2007 and March 31st, 2008.
If you qualify, you should have received a letter from the USPS. If you qualify and you didn’t receive a letter, send an email to summersale (at) usps.gov. And here’s a link to the USPS website for more info on this Summer Sale.
Lastly, if there’s anything we can do to help, or if you have questions, please send an email to matt (at) ballantine.com or contact us here.
Update (10/15/2009): We just got word that there will be no postage increase for direct mail in 2010. In the words of the USPS:
“Simply stated, there will not be a price increase for market dominant products including First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, periodicals, single-piece Parcel Post. There will be no exigent price increase for these products.
This is the right decision at the right time for the right reason. Promoting the value of mail and encouraging its continued use is essential for jobs, the economy, and the future of both the Postal Service and the mailing industry.”
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Since the wounds are still fresh from the May 11th 2009 postage rate increase, we wanted to sprinkle some potentially good news on the situation.
Dan Blair, chair of the Postal Regulatory Commission, recently stated that based on the current trend of inflation, the postage rate increase for 2010 would likely be less than 1%.
That being said, the USPS is allowed to file for an exception based on revenue shortfalls, but Mr. Blair said this is unlikely because they’re afraid it would drive more mailers from the system.
Here’s an important announcement for bulk mail senders.
