USPS new rules for Postmarks

[SmithOp]

This could affect people mailing recission letters, I found this graphic. Maybe it could be added to a sticky somewhere. If same day Postmarks are needed folks will need to request at the counter.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Thanks for the post. Good info.

In addition to timeshare rescissions, it may also apply to a bunch of other things like contracts, voting, taxes, etc.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks for the post. Good info.

It may also apply to a bunch of other things like contracts, voting, etc.

And timeshare rescissions. Thus why we always suggest people use Certified Mail or a Certificate of Mailing.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Thanks for the PSA. This will now make Post Office lines even longer if you need a same day stamp.

 

[pedro47]

I just want to receive my home delivery mail before 6:30PM.
Our post mark mail normally does not have any cancellation mark.
Therefore this is no big deal.

 

[pedro47]

Thanks for the PSA. This will now make Post Office lines even longer if you need a same day stamp.

Our Post Office is man by one full time clerk and he has over 35 years of service. Plus, one part time clerk.

They both moved at a snail pace.

 

[Talent312]

I would not go the PO when they open, at lunch, or after work.
IOW, 10-11am & 2-3pm seem to be optimal.
Or just like the Vatican.

 

[Carolinian]

Thanks for the post. Good info.

In addition to timeshare rescissions, it may also apply to a bunch of other things like contracts, voting, taxes, etc.

Paying m/f's at the last minute would be impacted if you do not want a late fee.

 

[dougp26364]

I saw this on the news this morning, January 1st. I see from your post on the bottom of the notice it says Dec 27th, So nice to make certain the public was aware of this BEFORE it took affect. We’ve received junk mail from USPS and none of it mentioned this change.

I’m finding less and less use for the USPS. As it is I get notified of what we should be receiving in our daily mail, only to have our mail delivered every other day. Recently an entire weeks worth of mail went missing, including a bank statement and my wife’s Medicare notice. This necessitated closing down that account and opening another plus changing the few auto payments we had coming out of that account, one of which was my wife’s Medicare premium. We were notified by a detective a couple of my Ty’s later that the bank statement was found in another home as part of an identity theft case.

As it is I try to have as little delivered to,our house as possible. I try to keep our our credit bureau accounts locked. Even so someone took one of those guaranteed issue CC offers and opened an account in my wife’s name (wrong spelling). This may or may not have been secondary to mail not getting delivered.

 

[Brett]

I saw this on the news this morning, January 1st. I see from your post on the bottom of the notice it says Dec 27th, So nice to make certain the public was aware of this BEFORE it took affect. We’ve received junk mail from USPS and none of it mentioned this change.

I’m finding less and less use for the USPS. As it is I get notified of what we should be receiving in our daily mail, only to have our mail delivered every other day. Recently an entire weeks worth of mail went missing, including a bank statement and my wife’s Medicare notice. This necessitated closing down that account and opening another plus changing the few auto payments we had coming out of that account, one of which was my wife’s Medicare premium. We were notified by a detective a couple of my Ty’s later that the bank statement was found in another home as part of an identity theft case.

As it is I try to have as little delivered to,our house as possible. I try to keep our our credit bureau accounts locked. Even so someone took one of those guaranteed issue CC offers and opened an account in my wife’s name (wrong spelling). This may or may not have been secondary to mail not getting delivered.

Same here, I have USPS notification and all payments and bills are electronic. Essentially the mailbox is just for junk mail

They don't even have postal service in Denmark, everything is electronic and if you want to mail a letter you pay a private mail firm

 

[TheHolleys87]

Oh boy, what will the lines be like on April 15! We submit our tax return electronically, usually as soon as we have all needed documents, but many folks around here don’t.

 

[dougp26364]

Oh boy, what will the lines be like on April 15! We submit our tax return electronically, usually as soon as we have all needed documents, but many folks around here don’t.

I haven’t seen lines at the post office for several years. They use to do an on location news story every April 15th at the post office, but I haven’t seen one of those for a long time. I bet it’s been over 20 years since we physically mailed a tax return.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

This will affect soldiers overseas using APOs. Last election cycle, [there was some discussion about having] all soldiers' votes thrown out because they would not arrive by Election Day, but the law prevailed. In this case, voting offices are going to throw out any ballots not postmarked on/before election day, thousands may not be counted due to the new rule. Also, there is a GOOD CHANCE they may eliminate same-day manual postmarking, I would not be surprised if it's eliminated.

TS

 

[dioxide45]

I saw this on the news this morning, January 1st. I see from your post on the bottom of the notice it says Dec 27th, So nice to make certain the public was aware of this BEFORE it took affect. We’ve received junk mail from USPS and none of it mentioned this change.

I’m finding less and less use for the USPS. As it is I get notified of what we should be receiving in our daily mail, only to have our mail delivered every other day. Recently an entire weeks worth of mail went missing, including a bank statement and my wife’s Medicare notice. This necessitated closing down that account and opening another plus changing the few auto payments we had coming out of that account, one of which was my wife’s Medicare premium. We were notified by a detective a couple of my Ty’s later that the bank statement was found in another home as part of an identity theft case.

As it is I try to have as little delivered to,our house as possible. I try to keep our our credit bureau accounts locked. Even so someone took one of those guaranteed issue CC offers and opened an account in my wife’s name (wrong spelling). This may or may not have been secondary to mail not getting delivered.

Bank statements should all have redacted account numbers now. So I don't see why you would need to close accounts and change numbers if a bank statement went missing. We also opted out of those pre-screened credit card mailers and hardly receive any now.

 

[dougp26364]

Bank statements should all have redacted account numbers now. So I don't see why you would need to close accounts and change numbers if a bank statement went missing. We also opted out of those pre-screened credit card mailers and hardly receive any now.

Sometimes I’m ultra cautious. Also, when I spoke with the bank, the recommended making the change.

 

[dioxide45]

Sometimes I’m ultra cautious. Also, when I spoke with the bank, the recommended making the change.

You could also just turn off paper statements if your bank has that option. I haven't seen a paper bank statement in over a decade.

 

[DeniseM]

Note to self: Do not mail election ballots.

 

[Ken555]

Note to self: Do not mail election ballots.

…the day they are due.

 

[PigsDad]

Paying m/f's at the last minute would be impacted if you do not want a late fee.

I haven't mailed a MF payment in probably 20 years. I suppose only really old people still do that.

Kurt

 

[PigsDad]

This will affect soldiers overseas using APOs. Last election cycle, [there was some discussion about having] all soldiers' votes thrown out because they would not arrive by Election Day, but the law prevailed. In this case, voting offices are going to throw out any ballots not postmarked on/before election day, thousands may not be counted due to the new rule. Also, there is a GOOD CHANCE they may eliminate same-day manual postmarking, I would not be surprised if it's eliminated.

They will only eliminate same-day manual postmarking in [some] states.

Kurt

 

[Luanne]

Note to self: Do not mail election ballots.

We don't mail ours. We drop them off at a drop box at our county clerk's office that goes directly into the building. Then we can track online to see when they were received.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

The "service" aspect of the US Postal Service has long since disappeared.

Up until 5 years ago you could mail a letter anywhere in the USA going anywhere in the USA and you could depend on it being postmarked and delivered within three or four days, and if it were going local it would likely be there the next day.

What caused the steep decline in service? In 2020 the USPS eliminated overnight processing around the country and on top of that they also ceased flying any mail in the lower 48 states. All mail now travels by truck so you can see why it takes so long to get from New York to Los Angeles (likely with many stops along the way).

I recently mailed a Flat Rate Priority Mail Envelope from Florida to New Hampshire and it took 10 days! Anyone remember the old days of two or three day Priority Mail service?

















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[dioxide45]

What caused the steep decline in service? In 2020 the USPS eliminated overnight processing around the country and on top of that they also ceased flying any mail in the lower 48 states. All mail now travels by truck so you can see why it takes so long to get from New York to Los Angeles (likely with many stops along the way).

I recently mailed a Flat Rate Priority Mail Envelope from Florida to New Hampshire and it took 10 days! Anyone remember the old days of two or three day Priority Mail service?

Priority Mail is still supposed to be shipped via air to meet the delivery timelines of Priority Mail.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

It always a bummer when there is a degradation of service, but I don't think i will personally see much impact from this. For voting, I am almost always early, usually within a few days of receiving my ballot, most of my payments are electronic, though there are a handful each year that still get a check from me or my bank.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Priority Mail is still supposed to be shipped via air to meet the delivery timelines of Priority Mail.

AFIK Priority Mail Express does fly. Priority Mail itself does not fly. At least that is what I was told when making inquiries trying to track my envelope.











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