It's "that time" again. a few friendly reminders.....

[dwil23]

Hi everyone!

Since the Holiday mailing season is upon us, I would like to remind everyone who will be sending cards and packages through the mail to BE SURE TO PUT YOUR FULL RETURN ADDRESS ON THE BOX OR ENVELOPE.

This is so important as every years thousands and thousands of cards and packages end up in the dead letter office because they are undeliverable.

If you are one of the many people who like to give your letter carrier a "little something", put a return address on that, too. Letter Carriers are not supposed to look at the mail that they take out of your mailbox - just collect it - toss it in the tray and move on. SO, if it only says "to our Mailman" on the front, it will not get to him/her. So much cash, gift cards, etc that do not get to the ones who it is intended for.

Here is a rerun from a post to the SS Swap about mailing parcels:

I posted a lot of these suggestions just before Christmas, but thought I would refresh everyone's memories and will again when it is closer to time.

As a postal worker now on a special assignment to help out in the "Nixie" section of the Tampa main office, I can tell you there is nothing I see at work more heartbreaking than having beautiful cards, letters and gifts that are not going to make it to their intended destination. We always get excited when we are able to match up items with the shipper or addressee and get the mail in the right mailbox. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen as often as it could.

Whether it be cards or parcels:
*PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, double and even triple check that you have put a LEGIBLE, CORRECT, COMPLETE address on it. This includes apartment/suite#.

*Double and triple check that YOUR return address is on it. "Grandma" , "The Jones'" or "Guess Who" won't help us find you to return the mailpiece to you in the event the other address is incorrect or insufficient.

*If mailing to a foreign country, The WHOLE name of that country should be spelled out on the bottom line of the address. Many countries have the same initials and even names. Here in Florida, we get mail intended for Florida, South Africa, all the time.

*Make sure you have sufficient postage. Flat rate priority is a great way to ship to take away that worry and can be done online which also includes tracking and delivery confirmation.

*IF THERE IS SOMETHING OF VALUE INSIDE- whether it be pictures or gift cards, stick one of those little sticky return address stickers everyone has a gazillion of on it. This will get it back to you should it become detached from it's envelope/box for any reason.
(So, each month, when you add your goodie to the box, attach a sticker to it somehow should the box come open.)

*Be sure your package is sealed properly. We have been on the lookout for a KING SIZED knitted coverlet that did not arrive with the box shipped from the north. I kid you not, the very large box was sealed with four little pieces of scotch tape!

Also, anyone who did not receive something that was sent to them, should always inquire at their post office. The clerk can then forward a message to the local nixie area. Give as complete a description as possible. This should be done by both the sender and the addressee. Local nixies hold items for 30 day before sending to the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta. I can't speak for everywhere, but I know that here we really try to find where a piece of mail is going and locate lost items.

Hoping all of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I may not be around very much for the next month as the 12 hour days will be starting soon. Very soon.

Mail those cards and letters early!