Post Haste Mailing Services, Inc.

If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned and updated your mailing list, it’s time to just do it.

 

National Change of Address (NCOA) and Ancillary Service Endorsements (ASE) from the Post Office make it easy to keep your database current and ensure your clients receive your message. After all, if you’re mailing Standard (bulk) mail to that tired old list that has rarely been updated, you’re adding to the pile of postal waste.

 

Here’s why: The USPS estimates nearly one-third of all mail is incorrectly addressed – in many cases because the person moved. We also know approximately 20 percent of America moves once a year. So although you enjoy substantial postage discounts by using Standard class mail, there aren’t as many benefits as with First Class. If your recipient has moved, Standard mail does not get forwarded or returned – unless you have specific verbiage on your mailer. Do the math: if you haven’t kept up with address updates, that’s a waste of postage and printing.

 

When is it right to use NCOA and ASEs? When you’re repeatedly using your own database, or want first class automation discounts.

 

After all, your clients bought from you once, so it’s likely they’ll buy from you again if they’re getting your mail. Make sure they do by using NCOA before the mailing. This service electronically updates any changed addresses in your database. It’s fast and economical, and the accompanying reports will show you exactly which addresses were updated and why.

 

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can use an Ancillary Service Endorsement in the address panel of your mailer. Depending on the weight of your mail piece and the wording you use, the cost can range from free (if you’re mailing First Class) to several dollars. (Please see our article on Mail Piece Endorsements.)

 

Which is why advance planning is so crucial. If you’re mailing a first class save-the-date postcard, it’s a perfect time to add an ASE because one service is free. If you’re mailing your eight-ounce annual report Standard mail, though, the fee for an endorsement would probably be more than it cost to print the report. In that case, NCOA would be perfect.

 

Confused? Just give us a call and we’ll help you decide list cleaning method is the best and most cost effective for your mailing.

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